How To Reheat Burger in Air Fryer

When you can reheat burgers in the air fryer, you will have mastered the art of using it! This appliance makes it exceptionally easy to make leftover burgers taste fresh again.

A lot of times when I grill or order takeout, we end up having leftover hamburgers. The vegetable juices, cheese, condiments, and bun can often create a soggy mess.

The air fryer can produce a delicious fresh burger in no time. It works for all types of burgers: classic air fryer hamburgers, air fryer chicken burgers, air fryer turkey burgers, and even vegan varieties.

You can also use the air fryer to reheat leftover patties, so let’s bring back the juicy and delicious taste of a burger in just a few simple steps.

📝 Why This Works

✔️ Quickest method – Reheating burgers in the air fryer is the quickest and most efficient method to exist.

✔️ Lock in the flavor – The air fryer helps lock in the flavor of the burger patties while keeping it juicy on the inside and crisp on the outside.

✔️ No need for oil – You can optionally spray the hamburger with oil if you want it to be extra juicy, but it won’t be necessary. For a healthier alternative, try reheating without oil. Ground beef patties often release juice when heated. However, if your patty doesn’t have any fat percentage or looks dry, it won’t hurt to add a bit of oil.

🍔 Ingredients

🛒 Leftover burger – Whether it is a McDonald’s burger, Burger King Whopper, or a wrapped burger; this recipe will work the same. I had a few beef hamburgers left from the night before.

🛒 Burger components – You can use what you have on hand to add to the patty after it is reheated. I had hamburger buns, lettuce, tomato, onion, and cheese on hand. You can also add pickles and condiments on top, according to your personal preference.

⏲️ Equipment and Tools

✅ Air fryer – I use a Ninja air fryer for most of my small batch air fryer recipes. Cooking time may vary depending on the brand and make of your air fryer. Owning a larger oven style like the Instant Vortex Air Fryer Oven enables you to cook a lot more and a bit faster compared to the Ninja.

✅ Air fryer liner – I like to use either a silicone liner or a single-use liner for easy cleanup. Especially if you are planning to add cheese onto the patty, this will be your best friend!

✅ Tongs – The air fryer gets very hot very fast, so a reliable pair of tongs will be necessary to take hamburger patties in and out.

✅ Meat thermometer – A meat thermometer can help you check the internal temperature of the hamburger to make sure it reaches the food safety requirement.

🔥 Instructions

👉 Step 1: Remove any toppings from the leftover patty.

👉 Step 2: Add a fresh slice of cheese.

👉 Step 3: Preheat the air fryer to 300°F and add the patties with the fresh cheese to a lined air fryer basket.

👉 Step 4: Cook the burger patties for about 3-4 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F, as per USDA’s guidelines for reheating leftovers. Each air fryer will heat differently. Keep an eye on the air fryer and do not move away while it is heating.

Note: You may need to add an extra minute or two, depending on your specific air fryer. Season with salt and pepper if necessary.

👉 Step 5: Remove the burger and assemble it with a fresh bun and toppings.

❗ Recipe Tips and Tricks

📌 Add-ons – I recommend removing any excess burger add-ons before reheating. You can add a new slice of cheese in the last minute of reheating for a cheeseburger. Any other add-ons, like buns or wrappings, can be added later. I recommend discarding the old buns or lettuce as they are beyond saving at this point. You can also enjoy the patty without the carbs.

📌 Room temperature – If you have some time to let the burger patties rest at room temperature for about 10 minutes, they will heat faster and more evenly.

🍱 Storage and Reheating

You can store reheated hamburgers in an airtight container in the fridge for a few days, depending on how old they have already been stored.

To lengthen the shelf life, you can also wrap the leftovers in aluminum foil and freeze them in freezer bags.

♨️ Other Ways To Reheat Burgers

If you don’t want to use the air fryer to reheat burgers, here are a few alternatives:

👍 Microwave – Wrap the burger patty in a paper towel and place it on a plate. Microwave this for about 30 seconds, or until you hear crackling noises. Reheat until it reaches your desired temperature per the USDA guidance.

👍 Toaster oven – Place the patties on a baking sheet and cook at 350°F for 10 minutes in a preheated oven. Keep an eye on it to make sure it doesn’t overcook.

👍 Skillet – Whether using a frying pan or a cast-iron skillet, cook the patty on medium heat for about 2-3 minutes on each side. Use a spritz of oil to make sure it doesn’t stick to the pan.

🍟 Serving Suggestions

⭐ Creative buns – There are many types of buns out there – potato buns, gluten-free buns, whole wheat buns, Hawaiian rolls, etc. Lettuce can also make pretty good buns. Be creative with your buns and make your kind of burger! This is a second chance to switch things up.

⭐ Fresh toppings – The original toppings of your burger might be soggy or wilted. It’s a good idea to remove them and use fresh toppings once you reheat the burger patty. Fresh lettuce, onions, tomato slices, cheese, pickles, and other ingredients can bring back your leftover burger to its past glory.

⭐ Veggie sides – For a healthier side, consider making air fryer zucchini chips, air fryer squash, or air fryer roasted root vegetables.

⭐ Potato sides – Add some satisfying potato side dishes, like these waffle fries in air fryer, air fryer frozen curly fries, or air fryer tater tots. If you have any leftover fries from takeout, you can reheat the fries in the air fryer as well.

⭐Sauces – A side of BBQ sauce, ketchup, or mustard goes a long way with burgers.

More Air Fryer Reheating Recipes

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How to Reheat Burger in the Air Fryer

❓ Recipe FAQ