How Long Do You Cook Hamburgers In An Air Fryer? | Time And Temp Cheatsheet

Air fryer burgers are a weeknight win: no splatter on the stove, no charcoal drama, and you still get a browned outside and a juicy middle. The catch is timing. A burger that’s a touch under can feel raw and soft. A burger that goes long turns tight and dry. This page gives you a reliable clock, plus the small details that change the result.

The main rule is simple: use time to get close, then use temperature to finish the call. Ground beef should reach 160°F in the center, checked with a food thermometer. The U.S. Department of Agriculture lists 160°F as the safe minimum for ground meats; you can see it on the Safe Minimum Internal Temperature Chart.

Air Fryer Burger Cook Times By Thickness And Temperature

Use this table as your starting point. Times assume a preheated air fryer, patties spaced with a little airflow, and one flip halfway. If you crowd the basket, add time and expect paler browning.

Pattie Size	Air Fryer Setting	Typical Time To 160°F
1/4 lb, 1/2 inch thick	375°F	8–10 minutes
1/3 lb, 5/8 inch thick	375°F	10–12 minutes
1/2 lb, 3/4 inch thick	375°F	12–15 minutes
Thin smash-style, 1/3 inch	400°F	6–8 minutes
Frozen 1/4 lb, 1/2 inch	375°F	12–14 minutes
Frozen 1/3 lb, 5/8 inch	375°F	14–16 minutes
Turkey/chicken burger, 1/2 inch	375°F	10–13 minutes
Plant-based patty, 1/2 inch	375°F	8–12 minutes

Brands vary. Basket air fryers tend to brown a bit faster than oven-style units. Older machines can run cool. The first time you use a new air fryer, treat the table as a map, not a promise, and check the center early.

How Long Do You Cook Hamburgers In An Air Fryer? A Simple Base Routine

If you want one repeatable routine for most beef patties, use this. It’s built for 1/4-pound to 1/3-pound burgers that are about 1/2 inch thick.

Step 1 Preheat And Prep The Basket

Heat the air fryer to 375°F for 3–5 minutes. Lightly oil the basket or use a perforated liner made for air fryers. Skip parchment that blocks airflow under the burger.

Step 2 Shape Patties That Cook Evenly

Form patties a little wider than your bun since they shrink. Press a shallow dimple in the center so the burger stays flatter. Keep the edges smooth; ragged edges dry out fast.

Step 3 Season Right Before Cooking

Salt pulls moisture. Season just before the patties go in. A basic mix that plays well with toppings is salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and a pinch of smoked paprika.

Step 4 Cook, Flip, Then Temp Check

Arrange patties in a single layer with space between them. Cook 4–5 minutes, flip, then cook 4–6 minutes more. Start checking at the low end. Pull each patty when the thickest point hits 160°F.

Step 5 Rest Briefly, Then Build

Rest burgers 2 minutes on a plate. Juices settle back in, and the surface firms up so the bun doesn’t get soggy.

What Changes Burger Time In An Air Fryer

When cook times feel random, one of these is the reason. Fixing it is easy once you spot it.

Patty Thickness And Weight

Thickness is the big one. A 1/2-inch patty can be done while a 3/4-inch patty needs a few extra minutes. If you eyeball thickness, use your thumb as a gauge: the pad of your thumb is close to 1/2 inch.

Meat Fat Level

Lean beef cooks a touch faster and dries sooner. An 80/20 blend stays juicier and tolerates an extra minute. If you use 93/7, pull at 160°F and rest; don’t let it sit in the hot basket.

Starting Temperature

Patties straight from the fridge cook slower than patties that sat out for 10 minutes while you preheat. Frozen patties need a longer first phase before the flip because the center is still icy.

Air Fryer Model And Basket Load

Air fryers are small convection ovens, and airflow is the engine. Two burgers with space brown better than four packed tight. If you need a bigger batch, cook in rounds and keep finished patties warm in a low oven.

Getting Better Browning Without Overcooking

Browning matters because it brings that grilled flavor. With an air fryer, you can push color without pushing the inside past 160°F by using a few tricks.

Dry The Surface

Pat the outside of each patty dry with a paper towel. Moisture on the surface steams before it browns.

Use A Light Oil Brush

A thin film of neutral oil helps heat transfer. Brush the patty, not the basket, so you don’t get smoke from drips.

Finish Hot For One Minute

If the burger is at 155–158°F and looks pale, bump to 400°F for 60–90 seconds. Then check again and pull at 160°F.

Cheese, Toppings, And Bun Timing

Small timing moves keep everything hot at the same moment.

Adding Cheese

Add cheese in the last 60–90 seconds. Close the air fryer and let it melt. If the cheese slides, lay a small square of parchment on top of the patty for that final minute, then remove it.

Toasting Buns In The Air Fryer

Toast buns at 350°F for 2 minutes. Do it after the burgers come out, so the buns don’t dry while the meat rests.

Keeping Lettuce And Pickles Crisp

Cold toppings are fine. Keep them in the fridge until the last minute, then build fast.

Frozen Hamburgers In An Air Fryer

Frozen patties work well when you treat the first half as a thaw-and-sear phase. Put them in straight from the freezer. No oil needed if they’re pre-formed and have some fat.

1. Preheat to 375°F.
2. Cook 6 minutes, then flip.
3. Season after the flip so the salt sticks.
4. Cook 6–10 minutes more, checking early.
5. Pull at 160°F and rest 2 minutes.

If frozen patties are stuck together, separate them before cooking. Forcing them apart halfway through tears the surface and leaks juices.

Stuffed And Extra-Thick Burgers

Stuffed burgers and thick pub patties can fool you. The outside can look done while the center lags. Keep the heat a bit lower and let time do the work.

• Set 360°F.
• Cook 7 minutes, flip, then cook 7–10 minutes.
• Check temperature in the thickest part, away from the stuffing pocket.

If you’re adding cheese inside, freeze the stuffed patties 10 minutes before cooking. That helps the center hold its shape and cuts leakage.

Safe Doneness And Thermometer Placement

Color is not a safe doneness test for ground beef. The sure way is a thermometer. Insert the probe from the side so the tip lands in the center, not touching the basket. Check more than one burger if sizes vary.

For ground beef, 160°F is the target. For poultry burgers, aim for 165°F. The USDA’s Ground Beef And Food Safety page also points readers to thermometer use and safe handling basics.

Handling Raw Patties Without Making A Mess

Air fryers keep splatter low, yet raw ground meat still needs clean habits. Wash hands after shaping patties. Use one plate for raw meat and a fresh plate for cooked burgers. If you season on a cutting board, wipe it right away, then wash with hot soapy water. A quick rinse won’t cut it.

Try to keep juices from pooling in the drawer. If your model has a drip tray, check it after the first batch. Too much grease can smoke and leave a bitter smell on the next round of food. Let the unit cool, then wipe the drawer and basket. A soft brush gets into the mesh without tearing it.

If you’re cooking for kids or anyone with a higher risk from foodborne illness, stick to the thermometer each time. That’s not fear talk, it’s a simple habit that removes guesswork when you’re tired and hungry.

Dialing In Your Own Air Fryer In Two Runs

Once you lock in the timing for your machine, burgers become a repeat order. Cook two patties that match your usual size. On the first run, pull one patty at 8 minutes and temp it. If it’s under 160°F, put it back and note how many extra minutes it needed. On the second run, start your check one minute earlier than last time. After two runs, you’ll know your real number for “how long do you cook hamburgers in an air fryer?” in your kitchen.

Common Burger Problems And Fast Fixes

If burgers keep missing the mark, use this quick diagnostic table. It’s built for the stuff people run into on a normal weeknight.

Problem	What It Means	Fix Next Batch
Dry, tight texture	Cooked past 160°F or too lean	Pull at temp, use 80/20, rest 2 minutes
Pale outside	Moist surface or crowded basket	Pat dry, space patties, finish 1 minute at 400°F
Raw center, dark outside	Heat too high for thickness	Drop to 360–375°F, add minutes, check sooner
Grease smoke	Drips hitting hot plate	Clean under basket, use leaner meat, add water to drawer if allowed
Burger sticks	Basket not ready or patties too wet	Preheat, light oil, flip with thin spatula
Uneven cooking	Patties different sizes	Weigh patties, dimple centers, rotate positions mid-cook
Cheese blows around	Fan lift on light slices	Add cheese late, press corners down, cover with tiny parchment

Seasoning Combos That Fit Air Fryer Burgers

Air fryers concentrate aroma because they move hot air in a tight space. That means a little seasoning goes a long way. Mix dry spices first, then sprinkle evenly.

Classic Diner

Salt, black pepper, onion powder, and a pinch of mustard powder.

Tex-Mex

Salt, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, and a pinch of oregano.

Garlic Herb

Salt, black pepper, garlic powder, dried parsley, and a pinch of thyme.

A One-Pan Serving Plan For A Hot Table

To get burgers and sides done together, use the air fryer in two quick rounds.

1. Cook fries or wedges first, then hold them in a bowl with foil.
2. Wipe the basket if there’s loose starch, then cook burgers.
3. While burgers rest, toast buns for 2 minutes.
4. Plate fries, build burgers, serve right away.

Quick Checklist Before You Press Start

This is the small list that keeps you from guessing mid-cook.

• Preheat to 375°F.
• Pick a patty thickness and keep it consistent.
• Season right before cooking.
• Flip once halfway.
• Probe from the side and pull at 160°F for beef.
• Rest 2 minutes.

If you came here asking “how long do you cook hamburgers in an air fryer?”, the table plus the base routine will get you there fast. Use the thermometer once, then your air fryer’s timing becomes predictable.