Order my new cookbook today! 
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our privacy policy.
Learn how to cook frozen bison burgers in an air fryer! Air fry frozen hamburger patties at 375F (190C) for 15-22 minutes, flipping after 8 minutes. This is for 6-ounce (170g) burgers; 4-ounce burgers only take 10-12 minutes. Make air fryer frozen burgers with Bubba burgers, bison burgers, Trader Joe’s Grass-Fed Angus Beef Burgers, and more! It is safe to cook hamburgers from frozen, just check they’ve reached a minimum internal temperature of at least 160F, and they won’t be undercooked!
After following this guide on how to cook frozen burgers, you may never bother thawing hamburgers again! They’re fast and these air fryer frozen beef patties (or buffalo patties) fit a variety of special diets. Skip the bun or use a low-carb hamburger bun for a low carb and keto friendly option.
Use these gluten free hamburger buns to make your hamburger gluten free. You could also use a lettuce wrap instead of a GF bun.
For dairy-free air fryer bison burgers, skip the cheese and use sliced avocado instead. Unless you’re looking for a plant-based burger, this recipe will likely work for you. I hope that you enjoy it as much as we do, and that it makes weeknight dinner a little easier.
🍔 How to Make Frozen Bison Burger in Air Fryer
The only thing you need to make air fryer frozen hamburger patties is a package of frozen burgers. I used ½-inch thick, 6 ounce (170g) 100% bison patties with no seasoning. You don’t need cooking oil spray or other ingredients for this recipe.
The frozen burgers I used were 90/10 (90% lean, 10% fat). This produced a juicy burger that did not dry out with air frying. Higher fat burgers such as 80/20 or 85/15 burgers would also work well. Extra lean beef (93/7, 96/4) may not produce a moist burger, so I’d use it with caution.
Bubba burgers that are ⅓ lb (151g) will take about the same amount of time as the burgers I used. Small and thin frozen burgers will take less time to air fry.
You can cook frozen burgers in the Ninja Foodi, Cosori, Pampered Chef Air Fryer, Actifry, Nuwave, Instant Vortex, Cuisinart, Philips, Power Air Fryer, and other air fryers. Smaller air fryer baskets may only fit 1-2 burgers at a time.
You may need to make slight adjustments to the cooking times depending on the air fryer you use. I recommend watching the food closely the first time you try a new air fryer recipe. This will help to ensure your food gets cooked perfectly.
If your air fryer smokes when you cook fatty foods, add a little water to the drip pan. Some use a piece of bread instead to catch the grease.
To air fry frozen burgers, put the burgers in a single layer in the air fryer basket. My small air fryer could fit one burger, while my air fryer oven fits 2-3. Then just put the tray in the air fryer (use the top rack of the air fryer oven). You’re ready to cook!
⏲ How long to cook frozen bison burgers in air fryer?
How long to cook frozen burgers in the air fryer? What temp to cook frozen burgers in air fryer? It takes a total of 15-22 minutes in an air fryer at 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190C) to air fry frozen burgers.
Start by air frying the burgers for 8 minutes then flip the burgers, and air fry for an additional 7-14 minutes. (My small air fryer took much less time to cook burger patties than my larger air fryer oven.)
For cheeseburgers, add a slice of cheese after cooking, and leave the burger in the air fryer for one minute. The heat left in the air fryer will melt the cheese.
You will need to adjust the cooking time and temperature based on your air fryer and the size of your burger. Thinner burgers and smaller diameter burgers will require shorter cooking times, as little as 10-12 minutes. BUBBA burgers recommends air frying their burgers at 370F (188C) for 15 minutes.
If you’re having the burgers with buns, I would toast them first. Preheat the air fryer to 400F (200C) and toast the buns (cut side up) for 2 minutes. I use the top rack of my air fryer oven for this.
Don’t forget the ketchup, mustard, pickles, and other toppings!
Bison Burger Internal Temp
The safe minimum internal temperature for ground beef and ground bison is 160 degrees Fahrenheit (71C) using a meat thermometer.
️🌡️ How to Store Leftovers
You can keep leftover cooked burgers patties in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. They can also be wrapped individually, put in a freezer bag, and stored in the freezer. Crumble your leftover cooked burger and use it in tacos, burritos, soups, stews, salads, and casseroles.
Here are easy air fryer directions for how to reheat burgers. You can also reheat burgers in the microwave on high for 30-60 seconds. Add the buns after reheating.
Watch How to Make It!
Frozen Bison Burger Air Fryer Recipe (Hamburger Patties)
Ingredients
- 1 bison burger, frozen 6 ounces (170g) per patty
- hamburger buns and hamburger toppings (as desired)
Instructions
- Place the burger in the air fryer basket (single layer if cooking more than one). Air fry the burgers for 8 minutes at 375℉ (190℃). Use the top rack if using an air fryer oven. Then flip the burgers, and air fry for an additional 7-14 minutes. (Smaller and thinner burgers only take 10-12 minutes total.)
- The safe minimum internal temperature for ground bison is 160°F (71°C). Check your burgers with a meat thermometer and add more cooking time if needed.
- For cheeseburgers, top with a cheese slice after cooking, and leave in the hot air fryer for one minute.
- Top your cooked burgers as desired, and enjoy!
Equipment
Notes
💭 Expert Tips from Dietitian Summer Yule
This is a level 2 recipe (transition and weight maintenance). Is bison meat healthy? Bison burgers are a nutritious whole food that is rich in high-quality protein as well as highly bioavailable iron and zinc. They’re delicious and can fit easily into many healthy eating patterns. The frozen bison patties I’m using in this recipe are large and 280 calories each. You can find lean beef hamburger patties that are only 130 calories per 4 ounces (113 g). Choosing lean proteins is one method that can help you maintain the calorie deficit needed for a weight loss goal. Additionally, the leaner beef options are lower in saturated fat. If you want a low-calorie meal, another thing I recommend is serving the burger as a burger bowl rather than with a bun. Pile your burger bowl high with veggies like lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and peppers. These will add low-calorie volume to your meal to help keep you full. (And if you aren’t calorie conscious, bacon, chipotle mayo, and fluffy brioche buns are also quite nice with these burgers.) When it’s winter (or otherwise not grilling season) the air fryer can really come to the rescue. You can air fry frozen burgers in any weather, without needing an outdoor grill. I hope you enjoy this quick dinner idea 🙂 Nutrition information is for one 6-ounce bison burger (170g) without a bun or toppings. The exact nutritional information of your burger will depend on the size and leanness of your burger, as well as the toppings and bun you choose.
nutrition info disclaimer
All recipes on this website may or may not be appropriate for you, depending on your medical needs and personal preferences. Consult with a registered dietitian or your physician if you need help determining the dietary pattern that may be best for you.
The nutrition information is an estimate provided as a courtesy. It will differ depending on the specific brands and ingredients that you use. Calorie information on food labels may be inaccurate, so please don’t sweat the numbers too much.
“To taste” means to your preferences, which may have to be visual to follow food safety rules. Please don’t eat undercooked food x
Nutrition
FAQs
How to cook frozen hamburgers in the oven?
BUBBA burgers recommends cooking frozen burgers in the oven on a greased baking sheet near the top of the oven. Cook the burgers for 15 minutes in an oven preheated to 425F (218C). Then flip the burgers and bake an additional 5-10 minutes.
How to season frozen hamburger patties?
You don’t need to season frozen hamburger patty to make it delicious! If you do want some seasoning, add it when you flip the burgers. I recommend using steak seasoning, BBQ seasoning, Cajun spice, salt and black pepper, garlic powder, or a sprinkle of liquid smoke.
Can you air fry frozen Beyond burgers?
Yes, you can make air fryer frozen Beyond Burgers using the air frying directions here. You may want to mist the veggie burgers with cooking spray if they’re looking dry. The downside is that Beyond Burgers are a pricey ultra-processed food. Unless you’re vegan, vegetarian, or restricting beef for other reasons, I’d stick with regular beef burgers.
Is raw hamburger meat bad if it is brown on the outside?
According to the USDA, beef that has been refrigerated for about five days may start to turn brown due to oxidation. This is a normal change during refrigerator storage. However, it may indicate spoilage if all the beef in the package turned brown, has an off odor, and is tacky to touch.
Do you need to flip burgers in the air fryer?
Yes, I recommend flipping air fryer burgers for more even cooking.
👩🏻🍳 More Air Fryer Recipes
Here are more recipes for the air fryer you may enjoy:
- Frozen Raw Meatballs in Air Fryer
- Air Fryer Stuffed Burgers with Cheese
- Air Fryer Frozen French Fries
- Healthy Sweet Potato Fries (one of my favorite side dishes for burgers)
- Frozen Vegetables in the Air Fryer
- Ore Ida Tater Tots Air Fryer Recipe
- Keto Onion Rings Air Fryer Recipe
- Air Fryer Turkey Burgers
- Air Fryer Salmon Patties
Join our community! Subscribe for all of the latest and greatest recipes, and follow me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and YouTube!
Hello! I’m Summer, a registered dietitian and home chef who loves to cook, eat, and create recipes for you! Every recipe on this site has been tested by me to help ensure your success in the kitchen. All eaters are welcome here 🙂