How To Make Frozen Hamburgers In Air Fryer Recipe

I tested Air Fryer Frozen Burgers and condensed the essentials into a quick guide for busy weeknights. Using frozen beef burger patties, hamburger buns, cheese slices, lettuce, tomato, pickles and ketchup, you can assemble straightforward, reliably cooked burgers with minimal prep and common pantry staples.

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I used to skip frozen patties because I thought theyd turn out soggy, but after a few tries with Air Fryer Frozen Burgers I cant go back. The air fryer makes Frozen Hamburger Patties In Air Fryer crispy on the edges and juicy inside, and you can finish them in under 15 minutes.

I like to start with 4 frozen beef burger patties, pat them dry with paper towels if needed, then season lightly with 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt and 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper. Toasted 4 hamburger buns and a slice of cheese like American melted on top?

Yes please. Add ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise and maybe some lettuce or a few dill pickle slices and youve got a no fuss dinner that feels way fancier than it is.

If youre curious how long and what temp actually work each time, come on, stick around and I will show you the simple tricks that make Air Fryer Burgers taste like takeout.

Why I Like this Recipe

1. I like this recipe because it’s stupidly fast, I can have burgers ready in like 20 minutes and still feel like I cooked dinner.
2. I like that you can cook straight from the freezer, no thawing, no fuss, just pop them in the air fryer.
3. I like the crispy outside you get when you spray a little oil, it actually tastes way better than I expected.
4. I like how flexible it is, you can slap on cheese at the last minute, toast the buns, add whatever toppings you want and it still turns out great.

Ingredients

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How To Make Frozen Hamburgers In Air Fryer

Frozen beef patties: rich in protein and iron, gives savory, juicy beef flavor
Hamburger buns: provide carbs and texture, soak up juices, make burger handheld
Cheese slices: add fat and creaminess, melty richness, slightly salty, balances beef
Lettuce and tomato: add freshness, fiber, mild acidity, crisp contrast to burger
Pickle slices: tangy, acidic, salty bite, cuts fattiness and adds crunch
Ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise: sweet, tangy, creamy layers, customize amounts to taste
Oil or cooking spray: optional, helps crisp edges and prevent sticking in air fryer
Salt and pepper: enhance beef flavor, simple seasonings bring out natural taste

Ingredient Quantities

- 4 frozen beef burger patties (4 to 6 oz each)

- 1 tablespoon neutral oil or cooking spray (canola, avocado, or vegetable), optional

- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt (or to taste)

- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper (or to taste)

- 4 hamburger buns

- 4 slices cheese like American or cheddar, optional

- 4 lettuce leaves, washed, optional

- 1 medium tomato, sliced, optional

- 1 small red or sweet onion, thinly sliced, optional

- About 1/4 cup dill pickle slices, optional

- Ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, about 2 tablespoons each or to taste

- Paper towels for patting patties dry, optional

How to Make this

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1. Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 3 to 5 minutes while you get stuff ready. If the frozen patties are stuck together run them briefly under cold water to separate, then pat each one dry with paper towels.

2. Lightly brush or spray both sides of the frozen patties with about 1 tablespoon neutral oil or a quick spritz of cooking spray, this helps them brown better and stops sticking.

3. Place the 4 frozen patties in a single layer in the air fryer basket, dont overlap them and leave a little space so air can circulate. If your basket is small cook in batches.

4. Cook at 375°F for 8 to 10 minutes, then flip the patties. Right after flipping sprinkle the 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt and 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper evenly over all patties (seasoning sticks better after you flip).

5. Continue cooking another 7 to 10 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C) measured in the thickest part with a meat thermometer. Times vary by patty thickness and air fryer model so trust the thermometer.

6. If you want cheese, add one slice to each patty during the last 1 to 2 minutes of cooking and close the fryer so it melts. You can also pop the buns in for 1 minute to toast them at the same time.

7. Remove patties to a plate and let them rest 2 to 3 minutes so juices redistribute, dont smash them while resting.

8. Toast the 4 hamburger buns if you didnt already: open them, brush a little butter or spray, toast 30 to 90 seconds until golden.

9. Assemble: place patty on bottom bun, add lettuce leaf, tomato slice, onion, dill pickle slices, then ketchup, mustard and mayo to taste, top with the other bun. Serve right away while hot.

Equipment Needed

1. Air fryer with basket
2. Instant read meat thermometer
3. Tongs or a wide spatula for flipping
4. Pastry brush or cooking spray bottle
5. Measuring spoons (1/2 tsp and 1/4 tsp)
6. Plate for resting cooked patties
7. Paper towels for drying separated patties
8. Small bowl or ramekin (for oil if you brush)
9. Cutting board
10. Chef knife (for tomato and onion)
11. Butter knife or small spatula for spreading condiments
12. Timer or phone timer

FAQ

Q: Do I have to thaw the patties first? A: Nope, cook straight from frozen, that’s the point. Just add a few extra minutes vs fresh and make sure they’re in a single layer with space between each one.

Q: What temp and how long should I air fry them? A: For 4 to 6 oz frozen beef patties set the air fryer to 375°F and cook about 15 to 18 minutes, flip once halfway through. Times vary by machine and thickness so use a thermometer to be sure.

Q: How do I know the burgers are safe to eat? A: Use an instant read thermometer, the center should reach 160°F for ground beef. If you don’t have one, cut one open to check there’s no raw meat and juices run clear.

Q: Will they stick or dry out? A: To avoid sticking lightly spray the basket or brush a tiny bit of oil on patties, pat excess frost off with a paper towel first if needed, don’t overcrowd the basket, and don’t press the burgers while cooking or you’ll lose juices.

Q: When should I add cheese and buns? A: Add cheese in the last 1 to 2 minutes so it melts but doesn’t burn. Toast buns 1 to 3 minutes at 350°F right after the burgers are done so everything’s warm.

Q: Can I cook thicker or thinner patties, or stacked ones? A: Yes but adjust time: thinner patties need less time, thicker need more. Never stack patties, they cook unevenly. If patties are extra thick check temp in a couple spots so the center is definitely 160°F.

How To Make Frozen Hamburgers In Air Fryer Recipe Substitutions and Variations

Neutral oil or cooking spray
- Light olive oil or avocado oil – same amount, adds flavor but olive oil can smoke sooner so watch temp
- Melted butter – richer browning, use a bit less than oil
- Nonstick spray – almost no added fat, good if you want less oil
Kosher salt
- Table salt – use about half the volume (table salt is denser)
- Fine sea salt – similar to table salt, so cut amount roughly in half if recipe calls for kosher by volume
- Flaky finishing salt (like Maldon) – use sparingly at end for texture
Cheese slices
- Provolone, Swiss, or pepper jack – swap 1 for 1, similar melt and flavor options
- Shredded cheddar or mozzarella – a handful melts faster and covers patty edges
- Vegan cheese slices – pick a meltable brand and give a little extra time to soften
Hamburger buns
- Brioche or Kaiser roll – richer, same use as bun
- Lettuce leaves – low carb option, use sturdy romaine or iceberg leaves
- Sliced sandwich bread or ciabatta – toast first to prevent sogginess
Ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise
- BBQ sauce – sweet smoky swap for ketchup
- Dijon or whole grain mustard – stronger flavor, use less
- Spicy mayo (mayo mixed with sriracha) – creamy kick instead of plain mayo

Pro Tips

1) Separate and dry first: if patties are stuck together run them briefly under cold water to pry them apart, then pat very dry with paper towels. Any extra ice or water makes them steam not brown, so this little step really helps.

2) Oil and give them room: lightly brush or spray both sides with a bit of neutral oil for better color and to prevent sticking, and dont crowd the basket, leave space so air can flow or just do batches.

3) Season after the first flip and use a thermometer: salt and pepper stick better right after you flip, and always check the thickest part with a meat thermometer aiming for 160°F so you dont guess and end up under or overcooking.

4) Finish smart and let them rest: add cheese in the last 1 to 2 minutes and toast the buns at the same time, then let patties rest 2 to 3 minutes before you assemble so juices redistribute and the burger isnt soggy.

How To Make Frozen Hamburgers In Air Fryer Recipe

Recipe by James Level

0.0 from 0 votes

Servings

servings

Calories

650

kcal

Equipment: 1. Air fryer with basket
2. Instant read meat thermometer
3. Tongs or a wide spatula for flipping
4. Pastry brush or cooking spray bottle
5. Measuring spoons (1/2 tsp and 1/4 tsp)
6. Plate for resting cooked patties
7. Paper towels for drying separated patties
8. Small bowl or ramekin (for oil if you brush)
9. Cutting board
10. Chef knife (for tomato and onion)
11. Butter knife or small spatula for spreading condiments
12. Timer or phone timer

Ingredients

4 frozen beef burger patties (4 to 6 oz each)
1 tablespoon neutral oil or cooking spray (canola, avocado, or vegetable), optional
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt (or to taste)
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper (or to taste)
4 hamburger buns
4 slices cheese like American or cheddar, optional
4 lettuce leaves, washed, optional
1 medium tomato, sliced, optional
1 small red or sweet onion, thinly sliced, optional
About 1/4 cup dill pickle slices, optional
Ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, about 2 tablespoons each or to taste
Paper towels for patting patties dry, optional

Directions

Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 3 to 5 minutes while you get stuff ready. If the frozen patties are stuck together run them briefly under cold water to separate, then pat each one dry with paper towels.
Lightly brush or spray both sides of the frozen patties with about 1 tablespoon neutral oil or a quick spritz of cooking spray, this helps them brown better and stops sticking.
Place the 4 frozen patties in a single layer in the air fryer basket, dont overlap them and leave a little space so air can circulate. If your basket is small cook in batches.
Cook at 375°F for 8 to 10 minutes, then flip the patties. Right after flipping sprinkle the 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt and 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper evenly over all patties (seasoning sticks better after you flip).
Continue cooking another 7 to 10 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C) measured in the thickest part with a meat thermometer. Times vary by patty thickness and air fryer model so trust the thermometer.
If you want cheese, add one slice to each patty during the last 1 to 2 minutes of cooking and close the fryer so it melts. You can also pop the buns in for 1 minute to toast them at the same time.
Remove patties to a plate and let them rest 2 to 3 minutes so juices redistribute, dont smash them while resting.
Toast the 4 hamburger buns if you didnt already: open them, brush a little butter or spray, toast 30 to 90 seconds until golden.
Assemble: place patty on bottom bun, add lettuce leaf, tomato slice, onion, dill pickle slices, then ketchup, mustard and mayo to taste, top with the other bun. Serve right away while hot.

Notes

Below you’ll find my best estimate of this recipe’s nutrition facts. Treat the numbers as a guide rather than a rule—great food should nourish both body and spirit. Figures are approximate, and the website owner assumes no liability for any inaccuracies in this recipe.