Do You Need To Flip Burgers In An Air Fryer?

Air fryers can cook just about anything, and that includes burgers! But do you need to flip your burger in the air fryer? Let's take a look below so you can make the best decision for your next air-fried burger.

You don't have to flip burgers when cooking them in the air fryer. However, some believe that you will get a more even cook if you do. If you're worried about your burger not cooking evenly, you can always flip it halfway through the cooking time.

When cooking burgers, you always want to ensure they are juicy and full of flavor. In this article, we will discuss both schools of thought on flipping burgers in the air fryer. In addition, we will answer other frequently asked questions about cooking with an air fryer, so read on!

Should Burgers Be Flipped In An Air Fryer?

Air fryers have been a hot kitchen appliance for the last few years. They are a great way to cook food with less oil, and they can be used to cook a variety of foods.

Plus, who doesn't love a crispy outside with a juicy inside? Home cooks have found that using an air fryer for their burgers gives them the best of both worlds.

Normally, when you cook a burger on the grill or in a skillet, you would flip it once (or maybe even twice) to ensure that both sides get an equal amount of time cooking.

Since an air fryer uses convection heat, the air circulates around the food, cooking it evenly on all sides. This means that you don't have to flip your burgers as often, if at all.

Some people believe that flipping your burger halfway through the cooking time will help to ensure an even cook.

If you are worried about your burger not cooking evenly, flipping it once during the cooking time may give you the peace of mind you need. Nonetheless, you will find recipes online that don't call for flipping the burger at all.

It really comes down to personal preference, so experiment and see what works best for you. Who knows, you might find that you don't need to flip your burgers at all!

Can I Cook Frozen Burgers In An Air Fryer?

Just like raw burger patties, you can toss a couple of frozen burgers into your air fryer. Cooking times may vary depending on the size and thickness of your burgers, but a good rule of thumb is to cook them for about 8-10 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

No matter if it's a raw or frozen burger, always use a meat thermometer to check that your burger has reached an internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit before eating. This will ensure that any bacteria has been killed and your burger is safe to eat.

How Do You Know When An Air Fryer Burger Is Done?

There are different factors that will affect the cooking time of your burger, such as the size and thickness of the patty. Depending on if you are making sliders or monster burgers, the cooking time will be different.

Another factor to consider is how well done you like your burger. If you like your burger rare or medium rare, it will take less time to cook than if you like it well done.

Typically, 8-10 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit will cook a burger to medium. If you like your burgers well done, then increase the cooking time by 2-minute increments. Keep in mind that the longer your cook a burger in the air fryer, the dryer it will become.

Lastly, an instant meat thermometer is your best friend when cooking burgers in the air fryer (or any method, for that matter).

Click here to see this instant meat thermometer on Amazon.

After about 8 minutes of cooking, insert the thermometer into the center of the burger.

If it reads 160 degrees Fahrenheit or above, your burger is done and safe to eat. If it doesn't read 160 degrees Fahrenheit, put the burger back in for a few more minutes and check it again.

Do You Need An Air Fryer Liner When Cooking Burgers?

While it's not a must, an air fryer liner can make cleanup a breeze.

If you don't have an air fryer liner on hand, or if you just prefer not to use one, that's perfectly fine. You can still cook delicious burgers without one. To clean up, simply remove the wire basket from the air fryer and wash it with soapy water.

If there is any stubborn grease or food stuck on the basket, you can use a nylon scrubber to help remove it. Once the basket is clean, dry it off and place it back in the air fryer.

If you don't want the mess but don't have an air fryer liner, you can always cook your burgers on foil.

Just place a sheet of foil in the bottom of the air fryer basket and cook as usual. Be sure to do a quick spray of cooking oil on the foil so the burgers don't stick.

When you're done cooking, simply remove the foil (being careful not to touch the hot surface) and dispose of it. And that's it! Your air fryer is now clean and ready for its next meal.

Avoid the mess with these disposable paper air fryer liners on Amazon. 

What Are Some Tips For Making The Perfect Burger In An Air Fryer?

Here are a few tips to help you make the perfect air fryer burger:

Be Generous With Seasoning

If you are making hand-pressed burgers, be generous with your seasoning. Before making the burger into patty form, season the meat with salt, pepper, and any other spices or herbs you like.

If you season the burgers after they are formed into patties, there is a chance that the seasoning will cook out, and you'll be left with a bland burger.

The key is to have the seasoning on the inside and outside of the burger for the best flavor.

Don't Overcrowd The Basket

Don't overcrowd the basket when cooking multiple burgers in the air fryer. This will prevent the burgers from cooking evenly. If you are cooking more than a few burgers, cook them in batches so each one has plenty of space.

Lower Temperature

It's easy for burger patties to overcook in the air fryer, resulting in a dry and tough burger. To prevent this from happening, cook the burgers at a lower temperature (around 350 degrees Fahrenheit) for longer. This will help to keep the burgers moist and juicy.

Let The Burger Rest

Like steak or other meats, it's important to let the burger rest before cutting into it. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the burger so they don't all come spilling out when you take your first bite. Let the burgers rest for at least 5 minutes before biting into them.

Watch The Timer

In addition to cooking at too high of a temperature, another common mistake is cooking the burgers for too long. Burgers don't take long to cook, so it's important to keep an eye on the timer and not walk away.

Set a timer for the minimum cook time, and check the burgers regularly until they are done. As mentioned earlier, this is when a meat thermometer comes in handy.

Can You Put Burgers On Top Of Each Other In An Air Fryer?

No, you should not put burgers on top of each other in an air fryer. This will prevent the burgers from cooking evenly and could result in an unevenly cooked burger.

You will more than likely end up with raw parts of the burger and overcooked parts. If you are cooking multiple burgers, cook them in batches so each one has its own space.

Can You Put A Burger Patty And Fries In The Air Fryer At The Same Time?

Cooking a burger and french fries at the same time is possible. To do so, you will need the perfect ratio in order for the burger patty and fries to finish cooking at the same time. In some cases, you may need to cook the burger patty and fries at different temperatures.

For example, you may need to cook the burger at 350 degrees Fahrenheit and the fries at 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

It's important to keep in mind that cooking times will also be different. The french fries may take longer to cook than the burger patty.

You may also run into overcrowding issues if you try to cook too many french fries at the same time. If you are up for the experiment, then we say go for it! However, you may find it's better to cook the burger and fries separately.

Final Thoughts

Overall, an air fryer can make a crispy burger with a juicy center. If you want to ensure the burgers cook evenly, be generous with seasoning, don't overcrowd the basket, and give them a flip halfway through cooking.

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