These Air Fryer Hamburgers are ultra juicy and SO flavorful. This homemade version of a fast food favorite can’t be beat!
Ingredients
A few secret ingredients (fish sauce, what?!) make these hamburgers the best you’ve ever had!
- Ground Beef – the base for our burgers. 80/20 beef (80% beef, 20% fat) is great for perfectly juicy hamburgers. If you’d like a leaner burger, try 90/10 beef, but you’ll need to be extra careful to not overcook it or it will be bone dry. Want an even juicier burger? Go for 70/30! I personally think 80/20 is the best of both worlds; juicy, but not too fatty.
- Worcestershire Sauce, Soy Sauce, and Fish Sauce – the seasoning trifecta for these burgers! The salty, tangy, umami flavor each of these brings in key to having super flavorful meat.
- Spices: Salt, Pepper, Garlic Powder, and Onion Powder – our homemade, very simple seasoning blend that adds an incredible amount of flavor to the beef. Plan for 3/4 teaspoon salt for each pound of ground beef used, but only 1/2 teaspoon of the remaining spices.
- BBQ Sauce – provides additional moisture and flavor to the hamburger patties. Feel free to use homemade we like Sweet Baby Ray’s
- Unsalted Butter – provides additional moisture to the beef and a rich, buttery, caramelized flavor.
How to make
These hamburgers are quick, easy, and super juicy!
- Mix together beef, worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, fish sauce, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder in a large bowl.
- Form the mixture into 4 (1/2 inch thick) patties, make a small indent in the middle of the patty with your thumb, then top each patty with barbecue sauce and butter.
- Cook in preheated 375 degree F air fryer until beef is cooked to your liking.
- Optional – top each patty with a slice of cheese then cook for an additional 1 minute.
- Serve with buns, fry sauce, pickles, onion, etc. and enjoy!
How long to cook
Depending on how you like your hamburger done (medium-rare? well?) you’ll need to cook the burgers for 8-15 minutes in a preheated 375 degree F air fryer. Here are the internal temperatures you’re looking for:
- Medium-rare: 130-135 degrees F (very juicy, red center)
- Medium: 140-145 degrees F (juicy, pink center)
- Medium-well: 150-155 degrees F (pretty dry, only a sliver of pink in the center)
- Well: 160 degrees F (dry, no pink center)
The FDA recommends an internal temperature of 160 degrees F for ground beef.
Do you need to flip hamburgers in the air fryer?
Because we’re topping the burgers with bbq sauce and butter before cooking, do not flip hamburgers. To ensure even cooking, don’t crowd the air fryer. The hamburgers should be placed in a single layer without touching. Even without flipping, both sides of the burger get a nice crisp while maintaining a juicy center.
Can you air fry a frozen hamburger?
Yes. Preheat air fryer to 375 degrees F then cook for 20 minutes or until the beef is cooked to your liking. See How Long to Cook for meat temperatures.
Can you cook air fryer hamburgers on the grill?
Yes. Check out this post on How to Grill the Best Burgers or check out my Smash Burgers recipe!
What to serve with air fryer hamburgers
Hamburgers should be topped with your fixings of choice: cheese, lettuce, mayo, ketchup, onions (raw or cooked!), etc. and served next to fries, salads, and more!
- Air Fryer Frozen French Fries (don’t forget the fry sauce!)
- Instant Pot Potato Salad
- Macaroni Salad
- BBQ Baked Beans Recipe
- Fruit Salad
How to store
Leftover burger patties will last 3-4 days in the fridge or up to 3 months in the freezer.
To freeze, place cooked and cooled patties (no cheese!) on a cookie sheet lined with a silicone mat and freeze until firm (1-2 hours.) After they’re frozen, wrap in foil, place in ziplock bags, and store.
To reheat, thaw in the fridge if frozen then reheat in the air fryer.
– Jennifer
Air Fryer Hamburgers
Equipment for this recipe
Ingredients
Air Fryer Hamburgers
- 1 pound ground beef use 80/20 for best results
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 4 tablespoons bbq sauce we like Sweet Baby Ray’s
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
Serving Suggestions
- 4 slices sharp cheddar cheese
- 4 hamburger buns
- Fry sauce or ketchup and mustard
- Sliced pickles
- Sliced onions
Instructions
- In a large bowl, add beef, worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, fish sauce, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.
- Use your hands to mix until the mixture is just combined. You don’t want to overwork the beef.
- Divide ground beef into 4 equal portions, then form into 4 (1/2 inch thick) patties.
- Make a small indent in the middle of the patty with your thumb.
- Top each patty with 1 tablespoon barbecue sauce, then place 1/2 tablespoon butter on top. Set aside.
- Preheat the air fryer to 375 degrees F and grease the basket with cooking spray.
- Add patties in a single layer (depending on your air fryer you may be only able to fit 2), then cook for 8-15 minutes*, until beef is cooked to your liking.
- Optional - top each patty with a slice of cheese then cook for an additional 1 minute.
- Serve with buns, fry sauce, pickles, onion, etc. and enjoy!
- Take 5 seconds to either rate this recipe below and/or PIN it. We greatly appreciate it!
Notes
Nutrition Information
*Note: Nutrition information is estimated and varies based on products used.