How long to cook burgers in an air fryer

At-a-glance cooking parameters

Temperature

380 °F

193 °C

Total time

10 min

per single layer

Flip at

5 min

flip once

Internal temp

160 °F

71 °C

Quarter-pound beef burgers cook in 10 minutes at 380 °F (193 °C) with a single flip at the 5-minute mark. The convection air builds a hard sear on both faces without the smoke or splatter of stovetop frying. Aim for 160 °F internal temperature for USDA food safety — ground beef cannot be served pink the way a steak can.

Per serving

Approximate values for a single portion of burgers (USDA baseline, cooked, includes light air-fryer oil spray).

Calories

290 kcal

Protein

22 g

Fat

22 g

Carbs

0 g

Burgers in popular air fryer brands

Adjusted for how each brand actually heats. Tap a brand name to see every food we calibrate for it.

Cooking burgers differently?

Times and technique change when starting from frozen or reheating leftovers. Open the matching guide for the right temp, time and brand notes.

• From frozenFrozen Burgers in an Air Fryer380 °F · 11 min · flip at 6 min5 brand variants covered
• Reheat leftoverReheat a Burger in an Air Fryer350 °F · 4 min · flip at 2 minRestore-the-crisp technique

How to tell it’s done

Deep brown crust on both sides; no pink in the centre when split with a knife; juices run clear rather than pink-tinted.

Internal temperature: 160 °F / 71 °C. Always verify with an instant-read thermometer.

Step-by-step method

1. 1

   Prep

   Bring ingredients close to room temperature. Skip the oil — 20% fat content renders out of the patty and self-bastes the crust.

2. 2

   Season

   Season with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, Worcestershire (mixed into patty, optional), onion powder.

3. 3

   Load

   Arrange 4 quarter-pound patties (80/20 ground beef), formed with a slight thumbprint dimple for best convection airflow.

4. 4

   Cook

   Set the air fryer to 380 °F (193 °C) and cook for 10 minutes total, flipping once at 5 minutes.

5. 5

   Check & rest

   Verify the internal temperature reaches 160 °F / 71 °C and rest 2–3 minutes before serving.

6. 6

   Store

   Refrigerate cooked patties up to 3 days. Reheat at 350 °F for 3 minutes to restore the crust without overcooking the centre.

Watch out for

• !USDA-safe internal temperature for ground beef is 160 °F / 71 °C — visual cues alone are not enough for ground meat. Use an instant-read thermometer.
• !Press a slight thumbprint dimple into the centre of each patty before cooking — it stops the burger from doming up into a meatball as the proteins contract.
• !Do not press or smash the patty during cooking. Pressing squeezes out juices that should stay inside.
• !Add cheese in the final 60 seconds with the air fryer off (residual heat melts cleanly); cheese added earlier slumps off the patty.

FAQ about burgers in an air fryer

What temperature should I cook burgers at in an air fryer?

Cook burgers at 380 °F (193 °C). The convection air at this temperature cooks the centre evenly while still browning the surface.

How long do burgers take in an air fryer?

Burgers take 10 minutes total at 380 °F (193 °C). Flip the food once at 5 minutes so both sides cook evenly.

Do you need to flip burgers in an air fryer?

Yes — flip burgers once at 5 minutes. The side touching the basket grate develops a darker, more crusted surface; flipping evens out the cook so both sides match.

Do you need to preheat the air fryer for burgers?

Preheating is optional for burgers — most modern air fryers reach temperature in under 2 minutes and the food's total cook time already accounts for the ramp-up. If you do preheat, reduce the total time by 1–2 minutes and check earlier than usual.

What internal temperature are burgers safe to eat?

Burgers should reach an internal temperature of 160 °F (71 °C) measured at the thickest point with an instant-read thermometer. Visual checks alone are not a reliable substitute for protein — always confirm with a probe.

Can I cook frozen burgers in an air fryer?

Yes. From frozen, cook at 380 °F (193 °C) for 11 minutes, flipping once at 6 minutes. The dedicated guide has brand-by-brand timings for Bubba Burger, Bubba Burger, Costco Kirkland and more. Open the frozen burgers guide →

Can I reheat leftover burgers in an air fryer?

Yes. Reheat at 350 °F (177 °C) for 4 minutes, flipping once at 2 minutes. The reheat guide covers the full restore-the-crisp technique. Open the burger patty reheat guide →