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?
If you’re interested in trying something a bit more unique and poppable, then get your tastebuds ready for my Pretzel Bacon Cheeseburger Air Fryer Bombs!
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 hockey pucks right in the air fryer, and let your favorite appliance do the rest!
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.
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 our best retro air fryers.
It tends to over-char or dry out the burgers versus cooking slightly longer at a lower temperature.
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 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 hamburgers in preheated air fryer basket, allowing air space between each patty
- Cook frozen hamburgers at 360 degrees for 12 minutes, flipping halfway through
- Check for an internal temperature of 165 degrees, adding additional cook time in 1-minute increments as needed to achieve this
- Serve with your favorite buns, toppings, and sides
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 scenario. Your time and temperature may change slightly if you’re using a different size burger or different air fryer.
Serve with a side of a pickle spear, air fryer frozen onion rings, frozen cheese curds in the air fryer, or air fryer chili cheese fries to make a meal!
You can also add an easy gourmet topping to your burger by learning how to make caramelized onions in the air fryer.
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.
I generally don’t recommend adding a slice 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.
In Conclusion
Now you know how easy it is to cook frozen hamburger patties in the air fryer! While you can certainly make homemade 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.
Just top off the hamburger with your favorite toppings (try cooking turkey bacon in the air fryer), add your favorite side, and you’ve got a dinner done quick!
If you’re in the mood for mini burgers, then try cooking up some air fryer White Castle sliders!
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
I enjoy trying new recipes, creating my own, and dabbling with new techniques all the time. My husband loves to protest when I make him my guinea pig, but it’s all for the love of food!
My cooking philosophy is that great tasting food doesn't have to be complicated or time consuming to make. I'm a home cook with over 20 years of experience feeding myself and others. I've learned from a variety of different people, things I've learned online, and some trial and error as well.
I enjoy cooking a variety of foods, from convenience to comfort foods, as well as international cuisine. You can rest assured that all of my recipes have been actually made, thoroughly tested, and most importantly: tasted! I want you to enjoy my food as much as I do!
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