Frozen hamburgers in the air fryer are so quick and easy to make! Grab your patties, toss them in the air fryer seasoned with a delicious burger rub, and serve on a bun with your favorite toppings.
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You may actually be surprised to find cooking frozen burgers in the air fryer doesn’t take much longer than cooking them from thawed! I find you only need an additional couple of minutes.
What Type of Beef/Meat to Use
This recipe will work with either beef or turkey patties. I prefer ground beef. When making frozen burgers I also prefer the pre-made patties that you can purchase frozen. I grab mine here from Butcher Box because the beef is grass-fed and grass-finished.
A lot of times when you buy pre-made frozen burgers they come stuck together. If you fully defrost them, it can be hard to break them apart without the burgers falling apart. That’s another reason to cook them while frozen and in your air fryer!
I like to grab two patties that are still stuck together. Toss them in the air fryer and after a few minutes they are easy to pull apart.
How to Season the Meat
I love to use my Homemade Burger Rub Seasoning for these. It’s a combination of the following:
I also love to add Worcestershire sauce and liquid smoke for additional flavor. The liquid smoke gives the burger even more grilled flavor.
Is it Safe to Cook Frozen Beef
According to the USDA, raw or cooked meat, poultry or casseroles can be cooked or reheated from the frozen state. However, it will take approximately one and a half times as long to cook. I’ve noticed with air frying, it’s a little less than that estimated time.
How to Make Frozen Burgers in the Air Fryer
Detailed measurements and full instructions can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Place the frozen patties in the air fryer.
- Air fry.
- Open the air fryer and season the patties.
- Air fry until the burgers reach your desired doneness.
Air Fryer Temperature
I recommend 360 degrees.
Cook Time/How to Tell When They are Done
The burgers will need to cook for 12-15 minutes.
You will need to use a meat thermometer for safety and to ensure you cook the burgers to your liking.
- 125 degrees rare
- 135 degrees medium rare
- 145 degrees for medium
- 155 degrees for medium-well
- 160 degrees for well done.
According to the USDA, hamburgers should be cooked to a safe minimum internal temperature to destroy harmful bacteria that may be present. Use a food thermometer to be sure they have reached a safe minimum internal temperature of 160 °F. If you’re cooking turkey burgers, they should be cooked to 165 °F.
Per these standards, you should aim for a burger that’s medium-well to well done. Ground meat is different from steak consumption.
What Type of Buns to Use
Brioche buns are my favorite. They toast up well and I like to oil the top just a touch with butter or olive oil. Any bun you like will work just fine.
What Type of Cheese to Use
- Cheddar
- White Cheddar
- Swiss
- Pepperjack
- Monterey Jack
- Gouda
- Blue Cheese
Additional Toppings and Add-Ons
- Lettuce
- Onions
- Tomatoes
- Pickles
- Bacon
- Grilled Mushrooms
- Grilled Onions
- Avocado
- Guacamole
- Salsa
- Pico De Gallo
Leftover Burgers/How to Reheat
Burgers don’t make good leftovers because once the burger is cooked and has hardened/congealed over time, it isn’t as moist as it was when you first cooked it.
The fat just doesn’t move the same way and the texture is both moisture and heat-sensitive. I try to avoid leftover burgers, but if you have some, the best way to reheat them is to avoid the microwave.
For flavor, heat the burger in a pan along with a little butter or oil to combat how dry they are. You can even saute onions along with it to try to re-introduce additional flavor.
Pair the Burgers with These Recipes
Air Fryer French Fries
Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries
Air Fryer Onion Rings
Air Fryer Blooming Onion
Air Fryer Vegetables
Steak Stir Fry
More Burger Recipes
How to Grill Burgers
Air Fryer Cheeseburgers
Cheeseburger Soup
Keto Cheeseburger Casserole
Mushroom Swiss Burgers
Queso Burgers
More Frozen Air Fryer Recipes
Air Fryer Frozen Shrimp
Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Wings
Air Fryer Frozen Meatballs
Air Fryer Frozen Burgers (No Thaw)
Ingredients
- 2 frozen beef patties You can use turkey burgers if you wish.
Homemade Burger Seasoning and Rub (Feel free to use your favorite rub if you wish)
- 1/2 teaspoon liquid smoke Optional for grilled/smoky flavor.
- 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon brown sugar or sweetener
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried minced onions
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Place the frozen patties in the air fryer. It's ok if you are unable to pull apart multiple frozen patties. Place them in the air fryer while they are still stuck together.
- Air fry for 5 minutes on 360 degrees.
- Open the air fryer and use a spatula to split up the patties (if necessary).
- Brush liquid smoke and Worcestershire sauce onto both sides of each patty.
- Sprinkle the spices onto both sides of each patty.
- Air fry for an additional 4 minutes on 360 degrees.
- Open the air fryer and flip the patties. Air fry for an additional 3-4 minutes (If adding cheese, I like to add it at 3 minutes and then air fry for an additional 1 minute to melt the cheese) or until the burgers reach your desired level of doneness. Use a meat thermometer and check the internal temperature. 125 degrees rare135 degrees medium rare145 degrees for medium155 degrees for medium-well160 degrees for well done.
- Serve on buns with your favorite toppings.
Video
Notes
- You can cook as many burgers as you like and double the serving sizes and ingredients for the rub, etc.
- I like to serve my burgers on toasted buns. After cooking the burgers, you can let them toast in the air fryer for a couple of minutes.
- If you are using turkey burgers, the cook time should remain the same.
- According to the USDA, hamburgers should be cooked to a safe minimum internal temperature to destroy harmful bacteria that may be present. Use a food thermometer to be sure they have reached a safe minimum internal temperature of 160 °F. If you’re cooking turkey burgers, they should be cooked to 165 °F. Per these standards, you should aim for a burger that’s medium-well to well done. Ground meat is different from steak consumption.
Kristin
Thursday 6th of January 2022
Anytime I don't have to thaw out my meat, this working momma is HAPPY! These burgers were seasoned to perfection and delicious!
staysnatched
Sunday 9th of January 2022
I'm so glad to hear that!
Jennifer
Wednesday 5th of January 2022
Loved being able to cook frozen burgers quickly, and they were delicious. Thanks Brandi!
staysnatched
Wednesday 5th of January 2022
You're welcome. I'm glad you enjoyed these.
Susan
Tuesday 4th of January 2022
Wasn’t a believer in frozen patties but had some to use up. My family tried this recipe without high expectations as I loved grilled burgers but honestly this burger was juicier and more flavorful than the grill. Absolute favorite in our house!
staysnatched
Wednesday 5th of January 2022
I'm glad to hear it's a favorite!
Felicia
Wednesday 27th of October 2021
Very easy to make for a quick dinner! I especially loved the tip about not bothering to separate them if they were stuck. They came right apart after a few minutes in the air fryer. Thank you!
staysnatched
Friday 29th of October 2021
Yes! Best trick ever!