Flavorful Air Fryer Smash Burger

If you ask me, smash burgers are one of the best things to ever happen to a beef patty.

Making them in the air fryer brings that perfect crispy crust and juicy middle right to your kitchen counter – no grill or griddle needed. The thin patties cook up fast, giving you those tasty browned edges that burger lovers crave.

A hot air fryer gets you those classic diner-style burgers where the meat is pressed thin against the cooking surface, creating lots of those delicious crispy bits. Add your favorite cheese, and it melts perfectly over the hot patty.

It’s a quick and easy way to make restaurant-quality burgers at home, perfect for busy weeknight dinners or casual weekend lunches.

What Kind of Ground Beef Should I Use?

For a truly juicy smash burger, 80/20 ground beef is your best friend – this means 80% lean meat and 20% fat content. While you might be tempted to go with a leaner mix, that extra fat is what gives smash burgers their signature flavor and helps create those crispy, lacy edges everyone loves. If you can, ask your butcher to grind the meat fresh, or look for packages labeled “ground chuck” which typically have this ideal fat ratio. Just make sure your beef is very cold when you start cooking, and try not to overwork the meat when you’re forming your patties – this keeps the fat from melting too early and helps maintain that perfect smash burger texture.

Options for Substitutions

This smash burger recipe is super adaptable – here’s what you can switch up:

• Ground beef: The 80/20 beef mix is ideal for juicy smash burgers, but you could use 85/15 if needed. I wouldn’t go leaner than that, or your burgers might turn out dry. You can also try ground turkey or chicken, but know that they won’t develop the same crispy crust.
• Cheese options: American cheese gives you that classic melt, but any cheese works great here – provolone, pepper jack, or even dairy-free cheese slices if you’re avoiding dairy.
• Buns: Regular burger buns are perfect, but feel free to use brioche, potato rolls, or even English muffins. For a low-carb option, try lettuce wraps or portobello mushroom caps.
• Condiments: The classic trio of ketchup, mustard, and mayo can be swapped for ranch, chipotle mayo, garlic aioli, or any sauce you like. For a healthier spread, try mashed avocado or hummus.
• Toppings: All toppings are flexible – try sprouts instead of lettuce, different types of onions (red, grilled, or crispy), or cucumber slices instead of pickles. The beauty of this burger is that you can make it your own!

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking

The biggest mistake when making air fryer smash burgers is overworking the meat – simply divide your ground beef into loose balls and avoid pressing or shaping them until they hit the hot surface, as this keeps the meat tender and juicy. A common error is not preheating your air fryer long enough – give it at least 3-5 minutes to reach the right temperature (400°F) for that perfect sear and crust formation. To nail the signature smash burger texture, press the meat ball firmly with a spatula or burger press right after placing it in the air fryer basket, and don’t be tempted to flip the patty too early – wait until you see the edges getting crispy (about 3-4 minutes). For the best melty cheese experience, add your slice during the last 30 seconds of cooking, and remember to toast your buns separately in the air fryer for about 1 minute to prevent a soggy bottom.

What to Serve With Smash Burgers?

When it comes to serving smash burgers, you can’t go wrong with classic burger joint sides that complement those crispy, beefy patties. French fries are the obvious choice – whether they’re regular, sweet potato, or even air fried to keep things consistent with your cooking method. For something lighter, a simple coleslaw adds a nice crunch and helps cut through the richness of the burger, while pickle spears bring that perfect tangy bite. If you’re feeling a bit more adventurous, try some onion rings or a handful of crispy tater tots on the side – they’re perfect for dipping in any extra sauce you’ve got hanging around from your burger toppings.

Storage Instructions

Keep Fresh: Once cooked, these smash burgers are best enjoyed right away while the cheese is melty and the patty is hot! If you have leftovers, wrap the assembled burgers in aluminum foil and pop them in the fridge for up to 2 days. Keep any fresh toppings like lettuce, tomato, and avocado separate to prevent sogginess.

Make Ahead: You can form the burger patties ahead of time and keep them in the fridge, separated by wax paper, for up to 24 hours. This makes dinner prep super quick when you’re ready to cook! Just remember to let the patties sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes before cooking.

Warm Up: To enjoy leftover burgers, remove any cold toppings first. Give the burger a quick zap in the microwave for 30-45 seconds, or pop it back in the air fryer for 2-3 minutes at 350°F to get that nice crispy exterior again. Add fresh toppings before serving.

Preparation Time	10-15 minutes
Cooking Time	8-10 minutes
Total Time	18-25 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 800-900
• Protein: 40-50 g
• Fat: 50-60 g
• Carbohydrates: 50-60 g

Ingredients

• 80/20 ratio ground beef
• Buns
• American or cheddar cheese slices
• Lettuce leaves
• Tomato slices
• Onion rings
• Pickle chips
• Ketchup
• Mustard
• Mayonnaise
• Bbq sauce (if desired)
• Cooked bacon pieces (if using)
• Crumbled blue cheese (optional)
• Sautéed mushrooms (optional)
• Swiss cheese (as alternate or in addition)
• Avocado slices (optional)
• Pickled jalapeño slices (optional)
• Spicy sauce (optional)
• Fried egg (optional)

Step 1: Prepare Ingredients and Air Fryer

• 80/20 ratio ground beef
• buns
• american or cheddar cheese slices
• lettuce leaves
• tomato slices
• onion rings
• pickle chips
• ketchup
• mustard
• mayonnaise
• bbq sauce (if desired)
• cooked bacon pieces (if using)
• crumbled blue cheese (optional)
• sautéed mushrooms (optional)
• swiss cheese (as alternate or in addition)
• avocado slices (optional)
• pickled jalapeño slices (optional)
• spicy sauce (optional)
• fried egg (optional)

Gather all burger ingredients and optional toppings.

Lightly spray your air fryer basket with non-stick cooking spray or line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking.

Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) so it’s hot and ready when you start cooking.

I always recommend using ground beef with an 80/20 fat ratio to keep the burgers juicy and prevent dryness.

Step 2: Shape the Burger Patties

• 80/20 ratio ground beef

Gently form the ground beef into evenly sized balls, being careful not to overwork the meat.

This helps ensure the patties stay tender after cooking.

Step 3: Smash and Cook the Burger Patties

• formed ground beef balls (from Step 2)

Place a beef ball carefully in the preheated air fryer basket.

Immediately smash down each ball with a spatula or burger press to create a thin patty that will develop a crispy, caramelized crust.

Avoid moving the patty once smashed.

Cook the patties for 4-5 minutes per side or until a golden crust forms and the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C).

For multiple burgers, cook in batches as needed to prevent overcrowding.

Step 4: Add Cheese and Optional Toppings

• american or cheddar cheese slices
• swiss cheese (as alternate or in addition)
• bbq sauce (if desired)
• cooked bacon pieces (if using)
• crumbled blue cheese (optional)
• sautéed mushrooms (optional)
• avocado slices (optional)
• pickled jalapeño slices (optional)
• fried egg (optional)

During the last minute of cooking, top each patty with a slice of American, Cheddar, or Swiss cheese, allowing it to melt.

For extra flavor, you can brush the patties with BBQ sauce, or add cooked bacon, crumbled blue cheese, or sautéed mushrooms, depending on your preference.

You can also prepare a fried egg, avocado, or pickled jalapeños for special variations.

Step 5: Assemble and Serve the Smash Burgers

• buns
• cooked burger patties with cheese and any toppings (from Step 4)
• lettuce leaves
• tomato slices
• onion rings
• pickle chips
• ketchup
• mustard
• mayonnaise
• spicy sauce (optional)

Toast the buns lightly, then assemble the burgers by placing the cooked beef patty with cheese (from Step 4) on the bottom half of each bun.

Add classic burger toppings like lettuce leaves, tomato slices, onion rings, pickle chips, and any remaining optional toppings.

Finish with your favorite sauces: ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, spicy sauce, or a dash of BBQ sauce if desired.

Serve immediately while hot.

I like to pile on extra pickles for crunch and add a splash of spicy sauce for a little heat.