Summer is here, and it’s time to relax, use that well-deserved boost, and soak up the sun. For many, that means enjoying delicious Memorial Day foods like burgers, hot dogs, and ribs. Although grilling is the classic way to enjoy these foods, not everyone has access to a grill. Carefree! You can still make your favorite holiday hot dogs and burgers using everyone’s favorite kitchen appliance: the air fryer.
Why use an air fryer for your burgers? An air fryer is incredibly easy to use and perfect for those who don’t have a grill or a lot of outdoor space. The compact design fits any kitchen and the hot air circulation method ensures your food is crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside.
If you’re ready to try air fryer burgers, we’ve got you covered. We discussed with Chef Chris Nirschel of New York catering service to get your personal recipe. Trust us, these gourmet burgers are sure to impress.
Ingredients
To make your air fryer burgers from scratch, gather the following ingredients (you can also purchase pre-made burgers if you want to make the process quicker and easier):
Hamburgers
- 1 lb ground beef (80/20 mix for juiciness)
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves of garlic, chopped
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 4 slices of cheddar cheese
- 4 brioche burger buns
- Lettuce (optional)
- Tomato (optional)
Which toppings you use is entirely up to you and depends on which burger toppings you enjoy. If you have extra time and want to make these air fryer cheeseburgers as “fancy” as possible, Chef Nirschel suggests caramelizing some onions and making your own garlic aioli. Here are the ingredients you would need for this:
Caramelized onions
- 2 large onions, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons of butter
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- Salt to taste
Garlic aioli
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 cloves of garlic, chopped
- 1 tablespoon of lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper to taste
Prepare the hamburger patties, onions and aioli.
Now that you have your ingredients, it’s time to prepare the patties.
If you want to make caramelized onions, do this step first as it will take at least 20 minutes.
Caramelize the onions:
- In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter and olive oil over medium heat.
- Once the butter has melted, add the sliced onions and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 10 minutes until they begin to soften.
- After 10 minutes, add the brown sugar, balsamic vinegar and a pinch of salt.
- Continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until the onions are nicely browned and caramelized, about 20 to 25 minutes. Put aside.
Season and form the burgers:
- In a large bowl, combine ground beef, finely chopped onion, minced garlic, egg, Dijon mustard and smoked paprika. Mix until well combined, taking care not to overwork the meat.
- Form the mixture into four equal-sized patties, making a slight notch in the center of each to prevent them from swelling during cooking.
Prepare the garlic aioli:
- Mix mayonnaise, minced garlic, lemon juice and Dijon mustard, then season with salt and pepper.
- Refrigerate until ready to use.
Air fry the burgers.
- Preheat your air fryer to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
- When your air fryer is preheated, place the hamburger patties in the air fryer basket, being careful not to overcrowd. You may need to cook them in batches, depending on the size of your air fryer.
- Cook the patties for 8 to 10 minutes and flip halfway through cooking until the internal temperature reaches 160 degrees Fahrenheit for medium doneness.
- If you want to add cheese, place a slice on the burgers during the last minute of cooking.
Toast the buns.
This is an optional step, but can enhance your air-fried burgers. To toast your hamburger buns, open them, spread a light amount of butter and place them in the air fryer for 1-2 minutes or until golden brown.
You can replace the basket you used for your burger patties, or you can do this step before cooking the burgers to prevent the basket from touching the meat.
Assemble the burgers and enjoy!
This part is entirely up to you and how you want to enjoy your burgers, but Nirschel suggests spreading “a generous amount” of garlic aioli on the bottom half of each bun and placing the lettuce and tomato on aioli. Next, he suggests adding the burger patty with the melted cheese and topping it with a dollop of caramelized onions.
“Serve air fryer burgers immediately with your favorite side, like fries or a fresh salad.
Samantha Boesch
Samantha was born and raised in Orlando, Florida, and now works as a writer in Brooklyn, New York. Learn more about Samantha
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