Ingredients
Method
Step 1: Make the Burger Sauce
- In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, ketchup, and minced pickles.
- Mix until smooth and creamy. Store in the refrigerator until ready to use.
Step 2: Shape the Burger Patties
- Divide the ground beef into 3 equal portions.
- Shape each portion into a flat patty, about 1/3 to 1/2 inch thick and slightly larger than the burger buns.
- Use your thumb to make a shallow indent in the center of each patty to prevent it from puffing up during cooking.
Step 3: Season the Patties
- Sprinkle both sides of each patty with kosher salt and black pepper, making sure the seasoning is evenly distributed.
Step 4: Prepare the Air Fryer
- Add 1 cup of water to the bottom of the air fryer basket to minimize smoke.
- Lightly spray the basket with nonstick cooking spray.
Step 5: Cook the Burgers
- Place the burger patties in the air fryer basket, ensuring they don’t touch each other for even cooking.
- Set the air fryer to 350°F and cook for 8 minutes.
- After 8 minutes, carefully place a slice of Cheddar cheese on top of each patty and cook for an additional 1–2 minutes, or until the cheese is melted.
Step 6: Assemble the Burgers
- Toast the hamburger buns, if desired.
- Spread the quick burger sauce on the bottom half of each bun.
- Layer lettuce, a slice of tomato, a cooked burger patty with melted cheese, and red onion slices.
- Top with the remaining half of the bun and serve warm.
Notes
- Choose the Right Beef: For juicy burgers, use ground beef with an 80/20 lean-to-fat ratio.
- Avoid Overmixing: Handle the ground beef gently when forming patties to avoid dense burgers.
- No Flipping Required: The air fryer cooks the patties evenly, so there’s no need to flip them while cooking.
- Make-Ahead Sauce: The burger sauce can be made up to 3 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator.
- Customize Your Toppings: Feel free to add bacon, avocado, pickles, or your favorite condiments for extra flavor.