High-Protein Air-Fryer Burgers
This recipe delivers juicy, high-protein burgers cooked efficiently in an air fryer. Seasoned ground beef patties are cooked to perfection, then topped with melted Cheddar cheese and served on toasted whole-wheat buns with classic fresh toppings for a quick and satisfying meal.
Equipment
- 1 Air Fryer Essential for crispy burgers with less oil.
- 1 Mixing Bowl For seasoning the ground beef.
- 1 Spatula For flipping burgers and serving.
- 1 Meat Thermometer For precise doneness.
- 1 Small Ramekin or Dish For melting cheese efficiently.
Ingredients
Main
- 1 pound 90%-lean ground beef
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground pepper
- 4 slices Cheddar cheese
- 4 whole-wheat hamburger buns toasted
- 4 leaves butter lettuce
- 4 slices tomato
- 4 slices white onion
- ¼ cup dill pickle chips
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, gently combine the ground beef with Worcestershire sauce, salt, and ground pepper. Avoid overmixing to keep the patties tender.
- Divide the mixture into 4 equal portions and form them into ¾-inch-thick patties, ensuring they are slightly larger in diameter than your hamburger buns.
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 5 minutes.
- Place the patties in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring not to overcrowd it (cook in batches if necessary).
- Air fry for 8-12 minutes, flipping halfway through, or until the burgers reach your desired doneness. For medium, an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C) is ideal.
- In the last 2 minutes of cooking, place a slice of Cheddar cheese on top of each patty to melt.
- While the burgers finish, lightly toast the whole-wheat hamburger buns.
- Carefully remove the cooked burgers from the air fryer.
- Assemble the burgers: place a cooked patty with melted cheese on each toasted bun.
- Layer with butter lettuce, tomato slices, white onion slices, and dill pickle chips before serving immediately.
Notes
To achieve a truly excellent air-fried burger, focus on patty consistency; avoid overworking the meat, which can lead to tough burgers. Form patties slightly wider than your buns as they will shrink during cooking. For an extra flavor boost, consider adding a pinch of garlic powder or smoked paprika to the beef mixture. Ensure the air fryer basket is not overcrowded to allow for even cooking and browning. A quick toast of the buns in the air fryer at the end, after removing the burgers, will add textural contrast. Always use an instant-read thermometer to confirm doneness; for medium-rare, aim for 135-140°F (57-60°C).