Cooking frozen beef patties in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to make delicious burgers at home. With an air fryer, you can skip the grill or stovetop and make juicy burgers with crispy edges in just minutes

An air fryer uses super heated air to circulate around food to produce a crispy, fried texture without all the oil of traditional frying. This makes it the perfect appliance for cooking frozen convenience foods like beef patties while reducing calories and fat.

In this comprehensive guide you’ll learn everything you need to know to make mouthwatering frozen beef patties in your air fryer including

• Benefits of cooking frozen beef patties in an air fryer
• Tips for selecting the best frozen patties
• Step-by-step instructions
• Cooking times and temperatures
• Seasoning and serving suggestions
• FAQs on air frying beef patties

So let’s get started and learn how to make delicious burgers from the freezer with ease!

Why Cook Frozen Beef Patties in an Air Fryer?

Cooking frozen beef patties in an air fryer offers several advantages over other cooking methods:

Speed – No need to thaw! Air frying cooks beef patties from frozen in just 10-15 minutes. Much faster than grilling or pan frying.

Convenience – Simple and easy. Just toss the frozen patties in the basket and set the timer. Great for busy weeknights.

Less Oil – Air frying uses little to no oil compared to deep frying, reducing calories.

Crispy Texture – The circulating hot air gives patties a crispy, crunchy exterior.

Even Cooking – Patties cook evenly all over unlike grilling, which can lead to burnt outsides.

Delicious Results – Air fried beef patties are juicy inside with a crisp, fried shell. Burger perfection!

Easy Cleanup – With minimal oil, air fryers are easy to wipe down after cooking.

Choosing Frozen Beef Patties

Not all frozen beef patties are created equal. For best results when air frying, choose patties that are:

• Uncooked – Raw, not pre-cooked patties which will dry out.

• Individually Quick Frozen (IQF) – Not fused together into a block so they cook evenly.

• 80/20 or 85/15 lean/fat ratio – Higher fat content equals more juicy burgers. Avoid extra lean.

• 1⁄4 to 1⁄3 pound patties – Standard burger sizes that cook well.

• Relatively thick – 3⁄4 to 1 inch patties hold juiciness the best.

Popular options include raw patties from brands like Trader Joe’s, Costco, Whole Foods, or your local butcher shop. Avoid thin fast food style patties.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Air Frying Frozen Patties

Cooking frozen beef patties in an air fryer is simple. Here is a step-by-step walkthrough:

1. Preheat air fryer to 370-380°F. This takes 3-5 minutes.

2. Season patties while air fryer preheats. Sprinkle both sides with salt, pepper and any other seasonings.

3. Place frozen patties in air fryer basket. Do not overcrowd. Cook in batches for even browning.

4. Air fry for 5 minutes at 370-380°F. Patties may stick if undercooked when flipped.

5. Flip patties and air fry 5 more minutes. Raw center will finish cooking.

6. Check internal temp with meat thermometer. Cook until 160°F for food safety.

7. Let rest for 2-5 minutes before serving for juiciest burgers.

And that’s it! Perfectly cooked frozen beef patties in just 10-15 minutes. Now just build your burger and enjoy!

Air Fryer Frozen Beef Patty Cooking Times

Frozen beef patty sizes and your particular air fryer model will impact precise cook times. But these general guidelines will help:

• 1⁄4 pound patties – 8-10 minutes total
• 1/3 pound patties – 10-12 minutes total
• 3⁄4 to 1 inch thick patties – 12-15 minutes

Always check internal temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure patties reach food safe 160°F. If needed, cook patties a minute or two longer.

Let patties rest out of the air fryer for 2-5 minutes before eating for maximum juiciness. The inner temperature will continue rising a bit during the rest time.

Air Fryer Temperatures for Beef Patties

The best air fryer temperature range for cooking frozen beef patties is:

• 370-380°F
• Some models only go up to 400°F max, which will work too

At these temperatures, the hot circulating air will help form a nicely browned and crispy crust on the patties while cooking the insides safely and thoroughly.

Preheating the air fryer for 3-5 minutes is recommended so the chamber is fully up to temp before adding the frozen patties.

Seasoning Suggestions

One benefit of air frying over grilling beef patties is that seasonings adhere better when air frying. Here are some tasty seasoning ideas:

• Salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder
• Montreal steak seasoning
• Meat rubs like brisket or hamburger seasoning blends
• Chili powder, cumin, oregano, smoked paprika
• Worcestershire sauce
• Gourmet burger seasoning mixes

For best results, season just before air frying or at the midway point when flipping patties. Avoid heavily seasoning patties while frozen.

Serving Air Fried Frozen Beef Patties

Air fried frozen patties make for quick and easy burger night! Here are some delicious serving suggestions:

• Classic cheeseburgers with lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, mustard, ketchup
• Bacon cheeseburgers
• Chili cheeseburgers
• Patty melts with sautéed onions & Swiss on rye
• Top patties with fried eggs over-easy for breakfast
• Place patties on salad greens for a protein-packed lunch

Homemade fries or tater tots and onion rings also air fry beautifully. So you can have a complete burger meal from your air fryer!

Air Fryer Frozen Beef Patty Tips

Here are some top tips for air frying frozen beef patties:

• Let patties sit at room temp for 10 minutes before frying for faster cooking.
• Lightly oil patties for enhanced browning. Try avocado, olive or canola oil spray.
• Flip patties gently with tongs or spatula to avoid breaking apart.
• Add burger cheese slices in the last 1-2 minutes to melt.
• Double check internal temps with a meat thermometer for doneness.
• Keep an eye on patties through the air fryer window to monitor browning.
• Work in batches to avoid overcrowding for proper air circulation.
• Freeze any leftover cooked patties up to 2-3 months for quick meals later.

FAQs About Air Frying Frozen Beef Patties

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions:

Should patties be thawed before air frying?

No, you can air fry beef patties directly from frozen with great results.

How many patties fit in an air fryer basket?

This depends on the size of your air fryer, but typically 2-4 patties work well to avoid overcrowding.

Can you reuse air fryer patties?

Leftover cooked patties can be refrigerated for 3-5 days and reheated in the air fryer at 300°F for 5 minutes until hot.

Do air fried patties taste fried?

Yes, the circulating hot air gives patties a light fried flavor and irresistible crunch.

Do you need oil to air fry frozen patties?

Minimal or no oil is required since the patties contain fat. But you can brush with oil for more browning.

Conclusion

Cooking frozen beef patties in an air fryer yields delicious burgers in record time. With no thawing required and just a short 10-15 minute cook time, you can enjoy juicy, crispy patties in a flash.

Follow the tips above for selecting the best frozen patties and experiment with different seasonings. In no time, you’ll be serving up gourmet cheeseburgers to your family from the convenience of your freezer.

So skip the frozen patty microwave routine and enjoy fast food quality right at home with your air fryer. Your new go-to for burger night!