Air Fryer Frozen Hamburgers

5 from 1 vote

Cooking frozen burgers in the air fryer gives you sizzling edges, a juicy center, and golden browning that rivals the grill. With fresh toppings, the right seasoning, and a slice of cheese, you’ve got a burger that tastes like you put in way more effort than you did. It’s quick, it’s tidy, and best of all, there’s barely any cleanup.

Prep Time5

Cook Time14

Total Time19

Course: Air Fryer

Cuisine: American

Keyword: air fryer, burger, burgers, cheeseburger, dinner, frozen burger, frozen hamburger, hamburger, healthy burger, July 4th, summer, weeknight meal

Servings: -4 burgers

Calories: 197kcal

Author: Bethany Galloway

Ingredients

2-4 frozen hamburger patties however many will fit in your air fryer without touching, see note 1 for homemade recipe
Spray oil optional
Extra seasoning optional, see note 2 for ideas
Buns or a salad bowl and toppings of your choice

Instructions

Begin by preheating the air fryer to 190°C/375°F.
When the air fryer is ready, spray a little oil in the basket if desired, and then add 2-4 frozen patties to the air fryer basket in a single layer. I find that 3 patties fit perfectly in mine.
Air fry the patties for 7 minutes on each side (14 minutes in total). Flip them either with silicone tongs or a fish slice/spatula. I avoid using metal utensils as they can scratch the air fryer basket. Note: if your frozen patties are raw, cook them for 20 minutes in total, flipping them after 10 minutes.
Check that the burgers are ready by inserting a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the burger, or the middle if it's pretty even). The thermometer should read 71°C/160 degrees F when it's ready.
Optional: Add a slice of cheddar cheese (or your favorite kind of cheese) to the tops of each burger for the last minute. Nothing beats melted cheese on a burger! Pro tip: if the cheese isn't staying on top of the burger (mine flew off!) secure it down with a toothpick.
Pop your air fryer burgers into hamburger buns or a salad bowl with your favorite burger topping (see post for ideas) and a side or two of vegetables, and enjoy!

Notes

Homemade Frozen Burger Recipe: Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make frozen hamburger patties at home.
Extra seasoning: Some store-bought patties just need a little something extra. Check out my guide on 21 Ways to Season Frozen Hamburgers to make them taste amazing.
Cooking time may vary: Air fryers all run a little differently, and burger thickness matters too. Always check the internal temperature to be sure.
Avoid smoke: If your air fryer tends to smoke while cooking burgers, add a tablespoon of water to the drawer underneath the basket to help catch the grease.
Protect your basket: Use silicone tongs or a spatula when flipping to keep the nonstick surface scratch-free.
Less mess, please: A silicone liner with holes or a sheet of foil under the basket makes cleanup way easier (and your air fryer will thank you).
That cheese trick again: If your cheese slice keeps flying off in the last minute, hold it down with a toothpick so it melts in place.

Storage instructions:

Fridge storage: Keep leftover burgers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Reheating: Reheat in the air fryer, oven, microwave, or a skillet until piping hot all the way through.
No re-freezing: Don’t freeze them again once they’ve been cooked, as the quality and safety take a hit.
Use your senses: If they smell off or feel slimy, that’s your sign. And when in doubt, toss them out.

Nutrition