When I don’t feel like firing up the grill, I love using my air fryer to make hamburgers! It’s so easy, and they come out tasting fresh, juicy, and delicious. To cut down on prep time when I’m busy, I make air fryer frozen hamburgers instead.
Since they’re frozen, it’s one of those quick go-to meals I always have on hand when I need a quick dinner. Plus, there are a variety of pre-seasoned flavors out there. Who has time to caramelize onions, right?
Can You Air Fry Frozen Hamburgers?
Yes, you can air fry frozen hamburgers. In fact, you can air fry frozen hamburgers from frozen, meaning that there’s no defrost time involved at all!
Stick those frozen patties right in the air fryer, and let your favorite appliance do the rest! The air fryer delivers a juicy burger packed with so much flavor with little tending – no standing over a pan required!
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Ingredients Needed
- One frozen hamburger patty (any brand)
- Salt, pepper, or burger seasoning (optional)
- Toppings as desired (optional)
Ingredient Tips and Substitutions
- Use your favorite frozen hamburgers! Bubba burgers are by far the most common name brand option for pure beef burgers, but you can find Costco, Great Value, and other store brands, as well as premium options like Omaha Steaks! Times can vary slightly between different brand sizes and thicknesses. While I’m using angus beef patties, feel free to substitute frozen chicken, turkey, or Impossible (veggie) burgers too, though cooking times will vary here too
- Make sure to grab your favorite burger toppings! I have brioche buns, lettuce, tomato, onion, ad pickles, along with American cheese and your favorite condiments (like ketchup, mustard, burger sauce, barbecue sauce, mayo, and more)
How to Air Fry Frozen Hamburgers
- Preheat the air fryer to 360℉, following manufacturer guidelines
- Remove frozen hamburgers from all packaging
- Season patties with salt, pepper, or burger seasoning if desired (optional)
- Place frozen burger patties in preheated air fryer basket or rack, allowing air space between each one
- Cook frozen hamburgers at 360 degrees for 12 minutes, flipping halfway through
- Check for an internal temperature of 165°F degrees (juices should run clear), adding additional cook time in 1-minute increments as needed to achieve this
- Serve with your favorite buns, toppings, and sides
Frozen Hamburgers Air Fryer Temperature Recommendations
The temperature recommendation for frozen hamburgers in the air fryer ranges between 350 and 370 degrees Fahrenheit. Here’s the rule I generally follow:
| Frozen Burger Weight | Air Fryer Temperature |
| ¼ Pound | 350℉ |
| ⅓ Pound | 360℉ |
| ½ Pound | 370℉ |
This guideline balances the size of the burger with the cooking temperature so that you can get it completely cooked while not over-charring the outside or drying out the burger.
That said, the cooking times will still vary slightly, as different burger compositions will result in different cooking durations.
How Long to Air Fry Frozen Burgers at 400 Degrees?
To air fry frozen burgers at 400 degrees, start with 8 minutes of cooking time. Generally, it takes between 8-12 minutes at 400 degrees to cook frozen burgers in the air fryer.
This is because the higher heat decreases the cooking time needed. However, I really only recommend cooking at 400 if your air fryer only has that setting, like the budget pick in my best retro air fryers.
It tends to over-char or dry out the burgers versus cooking slightly longer at a lower temperature.
Recipe FAQs
Do You Need to Flip Burgers in the Air Fryer?
While you don’t technically need to flip burgers in the air fryer to cook them, it is highly recommended to do so. Flipping during cooking will give you a more even cook overall, which helps keep the meat moist and more evenly browned.
If you don’t flip your burgers in the air fryer, you’ll often have to overcook some areas to get the patty completely cooked through.
How Long Do You Cook Frozen Cheeseburgers in the Air Fryer?
Well, the short answer here is there’s no length of time to cook a frozen cheeseburger in the air fryer, because you shouldn’t do it.
Frozen cheeseburgers come packaged complete with bun and cheese already with the patty in the frozen form. To cook a frozen cheeseburger in the air fryer, you’d end up drying out or burning the bun by the time the rest of the ingredients were thoroughly warmed.
Your best bet is actually cooking a frozen cheeseburger in the microwave! The cello wrap they arrive in is designed to help steam the bun and burger in your microwave for a much better result.
If you want to make a cheeseburger from frozen in the air fryer, start with a frozen hamburger instead. Then, right when it finishes cooking, add a slice of your favorite cheese to the top and let it sit in the air fryer for a minute so the ambient heat melts it.
How Long Do You Cook Frozen Hamburgers in an Air Fryer?
You will need to cook frozen hamburgers in the air fryer for between 10 and 20 minutes on average. The exact time will vary based on the thickness of your burgers, size and power of your air fryer, temperature setting, and desired doneness level.
With all frozen burgers, it is recommended to cook until the interior temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Tips For the Best Burgers
- I’m using ⅓ pound pre-seasoned frozen hamburgers in a Ninja Dual Zone air fryer here. On average, it takes me 14-15 minutes in total with this combination. Your time and temperature may change slightly if you’re using a different size burger or different air fryer!
- I generally don’t recommend adding cheese to the top during cooking, as the air fryer has a propensity to launch the cheese off the burger and up into the heating element. Next thing you know, your air fryer is smoking and that’s both alarming and difficult to clean up! Instead, add it after the fan turns off (but while the basket is still hot) and let it sit for a minute or two to melt, or pop them under the broiler!
Storage and Reheating Tips
- Let the burgers cool completely before storing. Place leftovers in an airtight container or wrap them individually in foil or plastic wrap. Store in the fridge for up to 3–4 days. I do not recommend freezing again after cooking once, as they tend to dry out
- Reheat burgers in the air fryer at 350°F for 3-5 minutes (flip halfway), in the oven wrapped in foil at 350°F for about 10 minutes, or microwave for about 1 minute covered in a damp paper towel
Final Thoughts
Now you know how easy it is to cook frozen hamburger patties in the air fryer! While you can certainly make homemade fresh burgers out of fresh ground beef, sometimes you just need a quick lunch or dinner option.
Assuming that you already love the frozen hamburger brand, you’re going to really enjoy the way the air fryer cooks up your meal. Best of all, this recipe works with a variety of different burger options, from angus beef burgers to turkey burgers and more!
Finish off the tops of the burgers with your favorite toppings and condiments to taste, add your favorite side, and you’ve got a dinner done quick for sure!
Easy Air Fryer Frozen Hamburgers
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 Frozen hamburger patty (any brand)
- Toppings as desired (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 360°F
- Remove frozen hamburger patty from all packaging1 Frozen hamburger patty
- Season patties with salt, pepper, or burger seasoning if desired (optional)
- Place frozen hamburgers in preheated air fryer basket, allowing air space between each patty
- Cook frozen hamburgers on air fry setting at 360 degrees for 12 minutes, flipping halfway through
- Check for an internal temperature of 165°F, adding additional cook time in 1-minute increments as needed to achieve this
- Serve with your favorite buns, toppings, and sidesToppings as desired
Notes
- No oil needs to be applied, as the burgers have plenty of natural fats on their own
- A ⅓ pound burger in a Ninja Foodi Dual Zone air fryer takes me 14-15 mins on average. Specific times will vary based on size and composition of burger and brand of air fryer
- If air fryer starts smoking during cooking, pause cycle, tip out grease, and resume cooking
- Add cheese right at the end of cooking cycle and allow it to sit in warm air fryer for 1-2 minutes to melt (if desired)
- Recommended toppings include: lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, cheese, bacon, ketchup, mustard, burger sauce, mayo, jalapenos, BBQ sauce, onion rings, or your favorites!
- Exact nutritional values will vary depending on specific brand used, weight of burgers, and any toppings added, so please consider this as only a guideline or estimate
Nutrition
