High-Protein Air-Fryer Burgers

Juicy burgers are about to become your family’s new favorite weeknight dinner! These protein-packed beauties cook up perfectly in the air fryer with zero splatter mess. Your kids will love the classic flavors while you’ll love how quick and healthy they are.

Recipe Details

Timing & Servings: Active Time: 15 minutes, Total Time: 35 minutes, Serves: 4 people.

Nutrition Profile: Nut-Free, Healthy Pregnancy, Soy-Free, High-Protein, Egg-Free.

Nutrition Facts (per serving): 440 Calories, 20g Fat, 27g Carbs, 29g Protein.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Ground beef: You’ll need 1 pound of 90%-lean ground beef, which is the perfect balance of juicy and not too greasy. This lean ratio keeps your burgers moist without all the mess!

Worcestershire sauce: Just 2 tablespoons of this magic sauce adds so much savory depth to your burgers. It’s like a secret flavor boost that makes everything taste amazing.

Salt and pepper: A simple ¼ teaspoon of each is all you need to season these babies perfectly. Sometimes the best flavors come from keeping things simple!

Cheddar cheese: 4 slices of your favorite cheddar will melt beautifully on top. I love how it gets all gooey and delicious in the air fryer.

Whole-wheat buns: 4 toasted whole-wheat hamburger buns give you extra fiber and nutty flavor. Toast them up nice and golden for the perfect crunch!

Fresh toppings: 4 butter lettuce leaves, 4 tomato slices, 4 white onion slices, and ¼ cup dill pickle chips. These classic toppings make every bite fresh and satisfying.

How to Make High-Protein Air-Fryer Burgers

Step 1: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F for 5 minutes. Mix the ground beef, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl. Form the mixture into 4 patties, each about 4 ounces and ½-inch thick.

Step 2: Place the patties in a single layer in your air-fryer basket. You might need to work in batches if your air fryer is smaller. Cook for about 7 minutes, flipping once halfway through.

Step 3: Check that your burgers reach 160°F with an instant-read thermometer. Top each patty with a slice of cheddar cheese. Cook for another 30 seconds until the cheese melts perfectly.

Step 4: Assemble your burgers on the toasted buns with lettuce, tomato, onion, and pickles. Stack them up however you like and enjoy!

Easy and Quick High-Protein Air-Fryer Burgers Version

Want to make this even faster? You can use pre-formed burger patties from the store! Just season them with a little salt, pepper, and Worcestershire sauce before cooking. Skip the mixing step and go straight to the air fryer. You’ll save about 5 minutes of prep time and still get amazing results!

Serving Ideas

These hearty burgers make a complete meal all on their own! Serve them with crispy sweet potato fries or zucchini fries for extra veggies. A simple side salad or creamy coleslaw pairs perfectly too.

Storage

Store leftover cooked patties in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat them in the air fryer at 350°F for 2-3 minutes until warmed through. The buns and fresh toppings are best assembled fresh each time.

Substitutions

No Worcestershire sauce? Try soy sauce or steak sauce instead. Want to use ground turkey? Go for it, but add a tablespoon of olive oil to keep them juicy. Swap the cheddar for any cheese you love – Swiss, pepper jack, or American all work great!

Pro Tips

• Perfect patties: Don’t overwork the meat when forming patties. Gentle hands make tender burgers!
• Even cooking: Make a small indent in the center of each patty with your thumb. This prevents them from puffing up too much.
• Cheese melting: Add cheese in the last 30 seconds so it melts perfectly without overcooking the burger.
• Temperature check: Always use a thermometer to check for 160°F. Food safety is super important with ground beef!

FAQs

Can I use a different type of ground beef?

We use 90%-lean ground beef, which means it has about 10% fat and 90% lean meat. It’s best to stick with this type since we chose this percentage of fat so that you don’t end up with a dry burger. It’s just enough fat to keep the burger juicy, but not so much that you end up with a greasy, dripping mess.

Can I use ground turkey instead of ground beef?

You bet! But be prepared to possibly have a drier burger, since ground turkey tends to be about 93% lean and 7% fat. If you want to try turkey, add a little olive oil to the mixture to help keep it moist.

Is there a low-carb option for the bun?

Sure! If you’re looking for a fun, tasty, low-carb option to replace a traditional burger bun, try using two portobello mushrooms as buns. You can also use a bell pepper, seeded and cut in half, to sandwich your burger between.

How long does it take to cook burgers in the air fryer?

You’ll know the burgers are done when an instant-read thermometer inserted in the center registers 160°F. It should take about 7 minutes or so, flipping once halfway through.

Do you have to flip burgers in an air fryer?

Yes! We definitely recommend flipping the burgers in the air fryer to make sure they cook and brown evenly on both sides.

I hope you love these easy air-fryer burgers as much as my family does! They’re perfect for busy weeknights when you want something delicious and satisfying. Let me know how yours turn out – I’d love to hear about any fun toppings you try!