I've been air frying since 2016, long before it was trendy, and my method locks in moisture while giving you that classic burger texture we all want. Air fryer cheeseburgers are my go-to when I want real burger flavor without dragging out the grill. They cook fast, stay juicy, and the cheese melts right into every bite like it should. Toast the buns, melt the cheese, and get ready for a burger that tastes like you put in way more effort than you did.
Air Fryer Cheeseburger Ingredients
- 80/20 Ground Chuck Beef or Pre-Made Burger Patties
- Worcestershire sauce
- Liquid Smoke (optional)
- Burger Rub or Seasoning, Salt, and Pepper
- Cheese Slices
- Buns
How to Make Air Fryer Cheeseburgers
Detailed measurements and full instructions can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Form and season the patties: If using ground chuck, divide into equal portions and gently form patties slightly larger than your buns. Press a small dimple in the center to help prevent puffing. Sprinkle both sides with burger seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Add flavor: Lightly brush or sprinkle Worcestershire sauce over the patties. Add a tiny dash of liquid smoke if using, a little goes a long way.
- Air fry: Place patties in the basket in a single layer with space between them.
- Add cheese: During the last 1–2 minutes, add cheese slices so they melt perfectly.
- Toast the buns (optional but worth it): Remove burgers and place buns cut-side up in the air fryer for 1–2 minutes until warm and lightly crisp.
- Rest and assemble: Let burgers rest for a minute to keep the juices inside, then place on buns and build them how you like.
Juicy Air Fryer Cheeseburgers
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Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound 80/20 ground chuck beef or 4 pre-made patties
- 1 teaspoon liquid smoke Optional
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 ½ tablespoons Burger Rub or Seasoning
- salt and pepper to taste
- 4 slices any cheese
- 4 buns
Instructions
- Season the ground beef with the liquid smoke, Worcestershire, burger seasoning, salt, and pepper to taste. Form 4 burger patties
- Place the burgers in the air fryer. I cooked mine two at a time.
- Cook the burgers for 8 minutes on 360 degrees.
- Open the air fryer and flip the burgers. Cook for an additional 3-4 minutes.
- Use a meat thermometer to test doneness. 125 degrees rare, 135 degrees medium rare, 145 degrees for medium, 155 degrees for medium-well, and 160 degrees for well done.
- Top each burger with a slice of cheese. Cook for an additional two minutes or until the cheese has melted.
- Serve on buns.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition Data
Macros are provided as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. This information is calculated using MyFitnessPal.com. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful.
Frequently Asked Questions and Recipe Pro Tips
Yes, and that’s the whole point. The hot circulating air cooks them fast and evenly, which helps lock in the juices instead of drying them out.
370–375°F is the sweet spot. Hot enough to get a good sear on the outside without overcooking the middle.
Most burgers cook in 8–10 minutes, flipping halfway. Thicker patties may need an extra minute or two.
Yes. Flipping halfway helps them cook evenly and keeps one side from getting too dark.
80/20 is the move. Enough fat for flavor and moisture without turning into a greasy mess.
Absolutely. Add a few extra minutes to the cook time and season after they thaw slightly in the air fryer.
That’s normal. Meat contracts as it cooks. Make patties slightly larger than your buns so everything lines up at the end.
Don’t overcook them and don’t press down on them while they cook. Pressing squeezes out the juices we’re trying to keep.
Want to save this recipe for later?
I'll email it to you, so you can come back to it later! You will also grab your FREE ebook with my best 30-minute one-pot meals! Dinner stress stops here.
Pair your juicy cheeseburger with Homestyle Air Fryer French Fries.
Wanna ditch the carbs? Simply the ditch the bun and go without.
Be sure to check out these related recipes Air Fryer Grilled Cheese, Air Fryer Ribs, Air Fryer Chicken Tenders, How to Grill the Best Burgers, and Roasted Ranch Potatoes.
More Air Fryer Recipes
Air Fryer Zucchini Chips
Air Fryer Pork Chops
Air Fryer Crab Cakes
Air Fryer Fried Catfish
Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp
Air Fryer Frozen Burgers
Click here for a complete listing of Air Fryer Recipes. Drizzle these in our Homemade Burger Sauce recipe.
Wilhelmina Wessel says
My family will love these burgers!
Suzy says
Now I need an air fryer!
Alisha Ross says
I love cooking things like shish kabobs with my kids (sweet and savory) so they can actively participate and use things they like!
staysnatched says
Awesome! This is a great recipe for this!
Rose Martine says
YUMMY!!!!! Thanks for sharing your recipe! I’ve heard about your blog a couple of times and will now spend my afternoon reading 🙂
staysnatched says
You're welcome! Enjoy!
Rubi Kaur says
I think the size of chicken breasts has changed dramatically since Julia Child's day, which could account for some of her shorter cook time.
Hannah Flack says
Well I thought I had bought ground turkey but instead bought sausage!! How could I have done that!! And thank you for the brown rice link, and yup that was the one!! Anyway I did make this tonight but instead of turkey I used ground beef! It was all I had and I wanted to make this so bad. But guess what - it was fantastic!! I know it would have been healthier with the turkey but this was, as my husband said -- give it two yums!!! Thanks again
Hannah Flack says
I made this last night for company and everyone loved it! It was great - simple and flavourful. I deal with a lot of food sensitivities - sugar being one of them, so I used coconut sugar. Thank you!
Hannah Flack says
I'm excited to try new recipes in my slow cooker this Fall. I love how the sweet potatoes collapse a bit into the stew in this recipe. I'm bookmarking.
pat says
I will be making this recipe this weekend.
thank you pat.
staysnatched says
Let me know what you think!
Stephanie says
I love that (almost) anything can be cooked in the air fryer so quickly and quick cleanup! These were perfect!
staysnatched says
I'm so glad you enjoyed them!
Tiffani says
First recipe I've made from your site. This was YUMMY!!!! I actually hate having to fry, or cook anythning that will pop on the stove, so this is perfect for me. First of many recipes I'll be using by you!!!
staysnatched says
Yay! I'm glad you enjoyed the burger. Can't wait for you to try more recipes!
Kristi says
You are making all of my air fryer dreams come true!! I love your recipes!!!
staysnatched says
Yay! I'm so glad you enjoyed the air fryer burgers!
AG says
Made these today and subbed ground turkey for beef, recipe still came out amazing! Burgers were very juicy and perfect. Will definitely be making these in the air fryer from now on.
staysnatched says
Air fryer burgers are so good! Glad you enjoyed them.
Caila says
Great recipe for quick burgers in the air fryer! Didn’t have liquid smoke, but loved adding in the Worcestershire sauce.
staysnatched says
I'm so glad you enjoyed them!
Michelle Quinn says
Best burgers I ever had nice and juicy came out perfect
staysnatched says
Wonderful! That's so good to hear.
Cassandra says
These burgers had a great flavor and my family loved them. Quick and easy to make
staysnatched says
Wonderful! I'm so glad you enjoyed them.
Amanda G. says
Made these tonight for dinner, but with turkey, and they turned out great! I can’t believe I didn’t think to use the air fryer for burgers before. I think I’ll only make them this way from now on!
staysnatched says
Wonderful! I'm glad you enjoyed the recipe!
Kate says
Brandi does it again! This was the easiest meal ever (also made her Cajun fries) and the title is accurate, the burger was juicy and perfectly cooked.
staysnatched says
Yay! I'm so glad you enjoyed it.
Sabrina Boucher says
Five stars! This is one of the easiest ways to make burgers, legit fool proof.
staysnatched says
Yay! I'm glad you found the recipe easy.
Ashleigh says
Another great recipe! Burger cooked perfectly, it juicy and flavorful. Highly recommend!
staysnatched says
Thank you! I'm so glad you enjoyed it.
Tiffany says
This is my first recipe using the air fryer, that I got from your Amazon link of course 🙂 They were so juicy and great! Will definitely be making them regularly
staysnatched says
Wonderful! Thank you. I'm glad you enjoyed them.
Ryan says
Why are so many of these comments for different recipes?
staysnatched says
Not sure. It’s looks like a technical glitch. Thanks for pointing it out.
Peter Kionga-Kamau says
Loved this recipe!
staysnatched says
I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Melissa says
These directions were spot on! I just received my air fryer 2 weeks ago, and your website has fast become the one I turn to for all my air fryer recipes. Thank you!
staysnatched says
Yay! I should have everything you need for air frying!
Rheneashion says
OMG!!! Just made these and am eating as I type. These are sooooooo good!!! Idk why I didn’t think to make burgers in the air fryer before. Thanks so much for this recipe!!!
staysnatched says
You're welcome! I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Sandy says
This recipe is amazing the burgers were delicious and juicy. Thank you for sharing your amazing recipes. I am a huge fan of your blog.
staysnatched says
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed them!
Alicia says
The flavor of the burger is amazing!! I always love the well thought out recipe notes and tips.
staysnatched says
I'm so glad you enjoyed it!
Anna says
I never thought to make burgers in the air fryer until I saw Brandi do it. Tried it out on a rainy day when we couldn’t grill outside.... air fryer burger >>> grill burger. Dont @ me. So easy. So good. So juicy. Game changer.
staysnatched says
haha! No judgment here!
Harold Burton says
Love your post! Do you ever start w/ frozen g. beef? If so, how much time do you add to the cooking? I have a whole freezer full of g. beef.
Harold Burton
staysnatched says
Hi there, I don't. I defrost it.
Lulu Méndez says
These are the best burgers and so easy to make, Brandi lays out all the info you need so they come out juicy and delicious!
staysnatched says
Omg! I love to hear that.
Joseph Donahue says
I have a similar recipe but see several different ingredients.
staysnatched says
Thanks for sharing!
Kelly Hubbard says
Every recipe is a gem!
staysnatched says
I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Ashley Jones says
this sounds absolutley delicious, great for leftovers probably! thanks for giving the different twists so I can try a different one each time.
staysnatched says
I'm glad you added a twist to it.
Celene says
Hello!! Another great recipe!! Super easy and so good. Will be making my burgers this way from now on!
staysnatched says
Perfect way to make burgers!
Jayme Silvestri says
Just what I need for burger cravings.
staysnatched says
I'm glad to hear it!
Holly Hooper says
Loved these!
staysnatched says
Thank you!
Yolo says
I love that you use your air fryer for everything. I was again questioning how burgers would work. I followed your recipe and directions and they came out great. Thanks so much. Air fryers are life.
staysnatched says
I'm glad you enjoyed the burgers.
Typhanie says
These burgers are bomb! Super easy! Love it for a quick meal for the fam!
staysnatched says
Wonderful! So glad to hear it!
Alisha says
OMG! I made these for my family and they are amazed at how juicy these were. substituted Turkey because I don’t eat beef (they do), so flavorful! Idk why I didn’t start making them this way sooner. Thank you!
staysnatched says
Wonderful! So glad everyone enjoyed them.
Paul Brown says
I’ve made a lot of similar recipes in my slow cooker. I wouldn’t be able to survive with out my slow cooker. Thanks for sharing your recipes.
staysnatched says
Glad to hear it!
Sydney says
I saw these on your story and it’s like you knew I was thawing ground beef. So easy super juicy and super tasty. Another great recipe.
staysnatched says
I'm glad you enjoyed them!
Lisa says
I usually make burgers in a skillet on the stovetop with cheese and a couple sliced onions tossed on because it's just me and it's easy...but I decided to make myself a burger following this recipe exactly. One burger - I lightly seasoned it with everything in the recipe, grilled it in my Air Fryer, toasted the bun, added everything - cheese, lettuce, onions, tomato, and even a couple of dill pickle chips - it was THE best burger I've ever made for myself. Thank you, I'll be making this again and again!
staysnatched says
You're welcome! Air fryer burgers are elite!