Making frozen hamburgers in the air fryer is very easy. The air fryer burgers cook quickly and evenly each and every time.
Air fryers are simply revolutionizing the way that we cook in our kitchens.
We have previously shared how to make the perfect fresh Air Fryer Hamburger and how to compliment it with frozen Air Fryer French Fries.
There are times when we don't have time to thaw out the burgers before we toss them in the air fryer.
That is okay! You can air fry frozen burgers!
It works!
CAN YOU COOK A FROZEN HAMBURGER IN AN AIR FRYER
Yes, you can cook a frozen hamburger in an air fryer.
This is a question we see almost daily in our air fryer facebook group!
Whether you cook your burger in the frozen or fresh form, it comes out consistently juicy and delicious when made in the air fryer.
I appreciate the consistency of how the air fryer cooks.
You can cook thin or thick burgers in your air fryer.
You may need to adjust the time depending on the size and thickness of your burger. It is best to use a meat thermometer.

How to make Frozen Hamburgers in Air Fryer
Place your hamburger patty into the basket/tray of your air fryer.
Cook your air fryer burger for 8-10 minutes at 350F/176C. At the 5 minute mark (halfway through cooking your hamburger), flip the patty over to ensure that it will cook evenly.
When the air fryer is done cooking, you can add a slice of cheese and continue cooking for 1 minutes at 350 degrees F to melt the cheese. (optional)
Remove the hamburger from the air fryer basket and place onto bun.
Add desired toppings, and enjoy!
HOW LONG DO YOU COOK A FROZEN HAMBURGER PATTY IN AN AIR FRYER?
The average sized frozen burger patty will take about 10 minutes to cook.
Cook time will depend on the size of patty you have and how you like your meat cooked.
ARE AIR FRYER BURGERS KETO?
It depends on the burger.
You need to check the ingredient labels of all burgers you purchase or all ingredients you purchase to make your burgers.
Always, always read the labels to confirm it fits your dietary needs.
WHY DOES MY AIR FRYER SMOKE?
If your air fryer smokes while you are cooking a food where the grease drains, like hamburgers or bacon, you might add a tablespoon or two of water to the inner basket.
Other readers have suggested putting a piece of bread between the air fryer baskets to catch the grease.
Wondering. how to cook thawed hamburgers?
Pro Tip: This recipe can be made in the air fryer unit with a basket or the air fryer oven.
If you are using the air fryer oven, use the middle rack and select the "Air Fry" function.
Are you gluten-free? Me too! We also have a sister site where EVERYTHING is gluten-free. It is called VegetarianMamma.
Always be sure to read ingredient labels to make sure that the product/ingredients fits your dietary restrictions!
Generally, we make simple enough recipes where you can sub the ingredients.
Common subs in our recipes include: Bread = Canyon Bakehouse Bread Crumbs = Ian's GF Bread Crumbs Flour = GF Jules All Purpose GF Flour.
Because our household is mixed between gluten and gluten-free, we have made almost everything on our site both ways. (except some of the frozen foods).
If you have any questions, please ask!
Meat Air Fryer Resources - We have a Meat/Veg Air Fryer Newsletter, which you can subscribe to here. We also have several Air Fryer Facebook Groups that you can join (see below for links).
Vegetarian Air Fryer Resources – We have a vegetarian air fryer newsletter, which you can subscribe to here. We also have a specific vegetarian air fryer recipes group on facebook.
If you are looking for vegetarian recipes beyond air fryer ones, we have a Vegetarian Newsletter as well as a Vegetarian Recipes facebook group. This newsletter and FB group offers up recipes that on the stove, in the oven, on the grill, in the instant pot and more!
Have you made this recipe? Please leave a comment AND rating below! It helps other readers!
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If you are interested in a Cosori Air Fryer, check out my review on Cosori Air Fryers! We share pros and cons!
How to make Frozen Hamburgers in Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 2 burger patties frozen
Instructions
- Place your hamburger patty into the basket/tray of your air fryer.
- Cook your air fryer burger for 8-10 minutes at 350F/176C. At the 5 minute mark (halfway through cooking your hamburger), flip the patty over to ensure that it will cook evenly. Burger is done when it reaches an internal temp fo 165F. You may need to adjust the time.
- When the air fryer is done cooking, you can add a slice of cheese and continue cooking for 1 minutes at 350 degrees F to melt the cheese. (optional)
- Remove the hamburger from the air fryer basket and place onto bun.Add desired toppings, and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Air Fryers can vary greatly. Please take the time to learn your specific air fryer. You may need to adjust times and temperatures based upon your air fryer. All though this website attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, the information should only be considered an estimate. Varying factors such as different product types, different brands, etc. can change nutritional information. It is your responsibility as a consumer to read all labels to make sure the ingredients fit your dietary needs as well as calculate your own nutritional information as a double check.
Meat Air Fryer Bundle - Click here
Vegetarian Air Fryer Bundle - Click here
A HUGE thank you for my friend Chrystal for shooting the stacked patty picture. She is an amazing friend and does amazing work. She writes at https://www.glutenfreepalate.com/ and https://www.fourscoreliving.com/. You have GOT to check out the wonderfully creative and delicious recipes she shares!
Carol
How do you keep the cheese on? Every time I have tried the cheese blows every all over!
Cindy
Great question, what I usually do if the cheese seems to fly, then I quickly put the cheese on and put back into the air fryer. But I don't turn it back on, I like the heat that already in there melt it. You can also put a toothpick in it. 🙂
Tom
Wow, I can't believe how easy this was! I never have to thaw a hamburger again!
Cindy
Hi Tom, it is super easy to make frozen hamburger in the air fryer, isn't it? We love the ease of doing this! Glad you did too!
Lucy H
Wow, this is super easy, thanks for sharing this directions. It worked out great for me.
Cindy
You are very welcome Lucy!
Pearl
This worked great for me. Thanks for reaching me how to use my air fryer!
Cindy
Hi Pearl, so glad it worked well for you!
Cynthia
Burgers in the air fryer are great. Being able to pop them in when frozen is such a time saver! Thanks so much for the tips.
Cindy
You are very welcome, glad you liked the frozen hamburgers in the air fryer. It is so easy, isn't it?
Maureen Olson
Does the cooking time change if you are doing just one burger?
Cindy
Nope, it does not as long as they are side by side and not stacked 🙂
Vic
No mention of patty weight? I pack/freeze 8 ounce patties.
Cindy
Sorry about that Vic 🙂 I added it into the notes section of the recipe card, thanks for bringing that to my attention. This recipe gives a starting point of temp/time for 8 oz patties. With the variety of air fryers out there they all run a touch different so you may need to adjust your time a bit, but that gives you a good idea :).
Todd
Used this method with my Costco burgers and they turned out great, thank you.
April
Just threw in some frozen burgers for lunch. So good.
Mehul Edward Martin
hey, my air fryer cant fit two in at a time, can i stack them?
Cindy
Hello, I wouldn't stack them, they won't cook evenly 😉
mehul
hey do you think i would be able to stack the pattys
Cindy
I don't think you should stack them, they probably will not cook evenly 🙂