How to make frozen burgers in an air fryer

There’s nothing better than a juicy burger served with a side of fries. You will never hear us, or anyone else, say no to this delicious combination!

You can buy your favorite burgers from the drive-thru from time to time, make them at home from scratch for a healthier and more delicious option, or use frozen burgers.

While the first two options aren’t always feasible, frozen burgers are a great alternative and a quick fix for hunger, not just for busy weeknights, but weekends as well.

Normally, when you think of frozen burgers, your mind instantly goes to cooking them in the oven, on a barbecue, or in a skillet. However, there is a newer and easier way: make frozen burgers in an air fryer.

How do you make frozen burgers in an air fryer?

Just take the burgers out of the freezer, put them in the air fryer without overlapping, and cook at 350°F for about 15 minutes. Be sure to turn them after 7 1/2 minutes of cooking so that they brown on both sides.

Read on for step-by-step instructions for cooking them in an air fryer, tips for getting the most out of your frozen burgers, and how they compare to more traditional cooking methods.

Cooking frozen burgers in the air fryer

If you don’t feel like cooking your frozen burgers in a pan and you don’t want your kitchen to smell like a grill, just take out your air fryer and cook the most delicious burgers yourselves in just a few minutes.

The good thing about this method is that you don’t need to thaw the burgers ahead of time. Just put the frozen burgers in the air fryer and they’re done!

Compared to frozen burgers on the grill, which would take much longer to cook, air frying them is super easy and convenient, as they take less than 20 minutes and you don’t have to worry about thawing them first.

Plus, frozen burgers in the air fryer also make cleanup a breeze, compared to wiping down the skillet or grill after a sizzling session.

To make it even easier, you can place some aluminum foil in the bottom of the air fryer to take care of any grease drainage.

The best thing is that you don’t have to work in the heat near the stove or outdoors on the grill to make your burgers.

With an air fryer, you can cook your frozen burgers comfortably in your kitchen without having to brave the elements of heat and humidity.

Here are step-by-step instructions on how to make frozen burgers in an air fryer:

• It is not necessary to defrost frozen burgers. Simply take them out of the freezer and place them in the basket/tray of the air fryer.
• Cook burgers at 350°F for 15 minutes, flipping once halfway to ensure even cooking.
• Before flipping, check with a spatula to see if the patties come off the surface easily. If they stick together, give them another 2-3 minutes before flipping them or you could risk breaking them.
• Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the burgers. Once done, carefully remove them from the air fryer basket and prepare them with burger buns and your choice of seasonings.

How long does it take to cook frozen burgers in the air fryer?

The total time it takes to cook frozen burgers in an air fryer depends on your air fryer, the size of the burgers, and how you like to cook them.

The internal temperature of the burger will be different depending on whether you want the burgers to be rare, medium, or well done. 

Always use a reliable instant meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of your burgers before eating them.

If you don’t have a meat thermometer, open the patties to see if they are well done. If they are very pink and seem raw, let them cook for a few more minutes.

Although, as stated above, the actual cooking time for frozen patties will vary depending on your air fryer and the size of the patties, here are some internal temperature and time estimates to guide you:

• Rare-125°F and about 13 minutes
• Rare-135°F and about 14-16 minutes
• Medium-145°F and approximately 15-17 minutes
• Medium-well-155°F and approximately 16-18 minutes
• Well Done-160°F and approximately 17-20 minutes

Tips for Making Frozen Burgers in the Air Fryer

While making frozen burgers in an air fryer is an incredibly easy process, here are a few tips to follow to ensure your burgers turn out super juicy and delicious:

• Avoid overlapping the burgers and cook them in a single layer.
• The size of the air fryer basket and the burgers will determine how many you can cook at one time. Most air fryers will hold 2-4 burgers at a time.
• Depending on the fat content of the burgers, you may need to oil the air fryer basket.
• Remember to flip the burgers halfway so both sides cook evenly and well.
• Always use a meat thermometer when cooking frozen meats, such as hamburgers, to ensure you reach the desired internal temperature.
• Keep an eye on the patties throughout the cooking time, as each air fryer cooks a little differently and each patty can have a different thickness, especially if you are using homemade frozen patties.
• For the juiciest frozen air fryer burgers, make sure they are made with 100% pure beef and have a fat content of around 15%. Also, make sure they don’t contain too many preservatives and are made with real ingredients.

How to Add Cheese to Frozen Air Fryer Burgers

If you want to transform your frozen patties into cheeseburgers, top them with your favorite slice of cheese 30 seconds to 1 minute after the patties are fully cooked, as it only takes a few seconds to melt.

With the patties still cooked inside the air fryer, place a slice of cheese on top of each one, turn off the power, close the pan, and let them sit there for 1 minute. The residual heat inside the air fryer will be enough for the cheese to melt perfectly.

If you try to add the cheese while the air fryer is still on, the excess heat could cause the cheese to fly off the burgers and create a mess, which you don’t want.

Frozen Burgers in the Air Fryer vs. Other Methods

There are many ways to make frozen burgers. While roasting, grilling, and pan-frying are some of the more traditional ways, they’re not necessarily the only, or even the best, ways.

Air fryers have changed the way we cook and prepare our meals. Not only do they offer a healthier alternative to frying, but they also help minimize overall cooking time for many of your favorite foods.

If you compare frozen burgers cooked in an air fryer to those cooked on a stovetop, we’d say that the formers are far superior.

We know it sounds a bit hard to imagine, but you have to try it to believe it! Air fryer burgers cook very quickly and are super juicy and tasty . They are perfectly cooked and the most moist, with no burnt or dry edges.

The best thing about making them in an air fryer is that you don’t have to get on top of a hot grill or stove or stand outside in the heat to wait for your frozen burgers to cook.

No more going out to fire up the grill and waiting for it to heat up. All you have to do is turn on the air fryer and let it do the rest.

Can you bake frozen burgers?

Yes, you can bake frozen burgers in the oven. Although popping them in the oven will increase their cooking time, it’s still faster than having to thaw frozen burgers before grilling.

If you’re really tight on time and can’t wait for the burgers to cook in the oven, there are faster defrosting methods, like using the microwave.

Regardless of how you cook your frozen burgers, it’s important that you cook them thoroughly to kill off harmful bacteria like salmonella or E. coli.

Here are step-by-step instructions on how to cook frozen burgers in the oven:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Place the frozen burgers on a lightly oiled cookie sheet. Cover loosely with aluminum foil and place on the center rack of the oven.
3. Let the burgers cook for about 1 hour. Total cooking time will vary depending on the size and thickness of the patties and the type of oven you use.
4. Remove the tray with an oven mitt, uncover it and use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the burgers. Insert the tip of the thermometer into the center of the thickest patty, making sure not to press all the way into it.
5. When the burgers have reached the desired temperature and are deemed safe to eat, remove them and serve them with burger buns and your choice of sauces and condiments.

Related questions

Now that we’ve talked about how to make frozen burgers in an air fryer and how to make them super juicy and delicious, here are some additional questions we thought you might have!

Do frozen burgers need to be thawed before grilling?

Although you can throw a frozen burger on the grill, it will take twice as long to cook.

Preheat grill to about 325°F and spread burgers across grill, turning every 5 minutes or so.

We recommend allowing time to thaw burgers thoroughly before grilling, as thawed burgers cook evenly on the grill, resulting in juicier, better-tasting burgers.

How do you thaw frozen burgers before grilling?

The best way to thaw frozen burgers for grilling is to keep them in the fridge for a few hours.

According to the US Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service, food thawed by this method is still safe to store for an additional 2 days before cooking.

Alternatively, you can put the frozen patties in an airtight plastic bag and keep it under cold running water until thawed.

If you use this method, don’t store the burgers any longer and cook them right away.

If you’re really pressed for time and need a shortcut to defrosting your burgers, you can microwave them for 2-3 minutes.

Although it is a faster method, it can negatively affect the quality and flavor of cooked burgers.

Why is my air fryer smoking?

You will notice that your air fryer starts to smoke when you prepare frozen burgers in it. The reason is that hamburgers contain a lot of fats that release fat.

When the fat drips off and splatters on the coil, you will often see white smoke coming out of the air fryer.

To prevent this from happening, you can add 1-2 tablespoons of water to the inner basket or, as many users suggest, place a piece of bread between the air fryer baskets to catch the fat.

Also, make sure to always keep your air fryer clean. When completely cool, gently wipe the interior and heating elements to remove any old grease or any stuck-on food residue.

Can you make burgers and fries in the air fryer at the same time?

If possible. With an air fryer, you can multitask. You can put the burgers in one side of the air fryer basket and the fries in the other.

If you have an air fryer that comes with a divider, you can use it to divide the two foods and cook them simultaneously so the burgers and fries are piping hot for you to enjoy.

How can you make frozen burgers taste better?

Frozen burgers are a lifesaver that allows you to enjoy delicious burgers any day of the week, whether you make them at home or store-bought.

Depending on how you make them or the brand you buy, they may or may not be seasoned before being frozen. Sometimes, even if they are, they may not be to your liking.

Since frozen patties are already formed, you won’t be able to add any seasoning inside the patty. However, you can easily add the right seasonings and seasonings while they are cooking in the air fryer, grill, or oven.

A little basic salt and pepper always goes a long way to bring out the natural flavor of the beef patty.

You can also use a little garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, or your favorite steak seasoning to make them taste even more delicious.

To keep them juicy, avoid pressing the patties with the spatula as they cook, making sure all the juices stay in the patty.

If you’re a cheese lover, you know that a good slice of cheddar can really enhance the flavor of your burger and turn it into a delicious cheeseburger. Delicious!