Air Fryer Taco Burgers
Change up your Taco Tuesday with these easy, juicy Air Fryer Taco Burgers! In less than 30 minutes you’ll sit down to burgers full of flavor, perfectly juicy, and deliciously seasoned.
Hamburgers can get really boring when you make them the same way every time. There’s all the usual ways of cooking them on the grill or in a skillet, but have you tried making burgers in the air fryer?
Using the air fryer for burgers is a great option that leaves you with minimal cleanup and, if you live in a cooler climate, you can enjoy fresh burgers year-round without firing up an outdoor grill.
I thought it might be fun to try a taco-themed burger recipe and was really pleased with the way they turned out. They’re just full of juicy goodness and the right amount of spice, giving us a little change from the ordinary.
You’ll especially like the way the cheese melts into the meat and with the salsa distributed throughout the mix, you’ll get a bite of everything each time you sink your teeth into these yummy burgers.
My air fryer taco burger recipe is a delicious option for Taco Tuesday if you’re looking for a change from the same old same old tacos and chips. Mix up a batch of margaritas while your burgers cook and have everything ready to go in no time.
For a group, you could make a taco bar with a variety of toppings for your guests to choose from. Just put out the sour cream, shredded cheese, lettuce, tomato, guacamole, pickled jalapeno peppers, and a choice of hot sauce or taco sauce, and you’ll be all set to serve a crowd!
❤️ Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and easy to make
- Uses only 4 ingredients (plus toppings and buns)
- Freezer friendly (make extra and freeze them for later)
- Quick weeknight meal with minimal cleanup
🛒 Ingredient Notes
- Ground Beef (I always recommend 80-20 (or ground chuck) for burgers. The higher fat percentage keeps the burgers from drying out and just tastes better. You can substitute turkey, chicken, venison, or bison if you prefer but you’ll need to add about 2 tablespoons of oil to your burger mixture with those lower fat proteins.)
- Taco Seasoning (Use mild or spicy according to your preference. Or, try mixing your own taco seasoning to use in this and other recipes.)
- Cheddar Cheese (Grate the cheese by hand from a block for best results. Packaged, shredded cheese won’t be as moist and won’t incorporate into the mixture as well.)
- Buns (Use your choice of buns – white, whole wheat, potato, pretzel buns, Kaiser rolls, or brioche buns are all great options.)
You’ll find detailed measurements for all ingredients in the printable version of the recipe at the bottom of this post.
🔪 How to Make Air Fryer Taco Burgers
- Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray (for easier cleanup, use a parchment liner)
- In a large mixing bowl, lightly combine the ground beef, taco seasoning mix, salsa, and shredded cheese until all ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Divide the mixture into four equal portions. Form each portion into a patty.
- Preheat the air fryer to 370 degrees F.
- Place the hamburger patties into the basket and set the timer for 6 minutes.
- Flip the patties and cook for an additional 4-5 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 155-160 degrees F (for well done).
👉 PRO TIP: Try to use a light touch when mixing and compact the meat mixture as little as possible. This helps prevent a dense, heavy burger.
- Assemble the burgers with a bun and choice of toppings.
- HEALTHY & EFFICIENT: Cooks up to 50% faster than a traditional oven.
- ONE-TOUCH COOKING: Choose from 13 convenient cooking functions with a single touch.
- LARGE CAPACITY: Spacious 5.8-quart square baskets can fit a whole 5-pound chicken.
- MESS-FREE COOKING: The removable, dishwasher-safe basket has nonstick coating that makes cleanup quick and easy.
🔀 Recipe Variations
- Substitute Monterey jack or pepper jack cheese for the Cheddar.
- Add all your favorite taco toppings (cheese, salsa, pico de gallo, pickled jalapenos, cilantro, avocado).
- For a lower-carb option, use corn tortillas or lettuce in place of the bun.
- Replace the beef with another protein of your choice. Lower fat proteins will require some oil added to the mixture to keep the burgers moist.
🍚 How to Store and Reheat
Leftovers may be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days or in the freezer for up to three months. To reheat, place refrigerated (or defrosted) burgers in the air fryer again for about 5 minutes.
⏲️ Prep Ahead
You can make the patties earlier in the day and keep them covered in the refrigerator until you’re ready to cook.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
I like to serve taco burgers with a side of black bean and corn salad, and corn chips with queso dip. This creates a delicious and easy meal that everyone will love.
❓ Questions About Air Fryer Taco Burgers
Fajita seasoning is similar, but not exactly the same flavor profile. You can use it in a pinch, but it won’t be exactly the same.
For any kind of burger, you should select ground beef with at least 20% fat whether it’s chuck, round, or sirloin. The higher percentage of fat, the more flavor and juiciness. Lean ground beef makes dry, tasteless, tough hamburgers.
If you’re using a high-fat content beef (at least 20%), it’s not necessary to spray the patties with oil before or during cooking. But it won’t hurt anything if you do.
Questions? I’m happy to help!
If you have more questions about the recipe, or if you’ve made it and would like to leave a comment, scroll down to leave your thoughts, questions, and/or rating!
Thanks so much for stopping by!
Recipe
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Air Fryer Taco Burgers
Ingredients
- cooking spray
- 1 pound ground beef 20% fat content
- 1/4 cup chunky salsa mild, medium, or hot
- 4 ounces Cheddar cheese shredded
- 4 hamburger buns or sandwich rolls
For serving:
- Toppings as desired: sour cream, guacamole, jalapenos, lettuce
Instructions
- Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray (for easier cleanup, use a parchment liner)
- In a large mixing bowl, lightly combine the ground beef, taco seasoning mix, salsa, and shredded cheese until all ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Divide the mixture into four equal portions. Form each portion into a patty.
- Preheat the air fryer to 370 degrees F.
- Place the hamburger patties into the basket and set the timer for 6 minutes. Flip the patties and cook for an additional 4-5 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 155-160 degrees F (for well done).
- Assemble the burgers with a bun and choice of toppings.
Notes
- Ground Beef (I always recommend 80-20 (or ground chuck) for burgers. The higher fat percentage keeps the burgers from drying out and just tastes better. You can substitute turkey, chicken, venison, or bison if you prefer but you’ll need to add about 2 tablespoons of oil to your burger mixture with those lower fat proteins.)
- Taco Seasoning (Use mild or spicy according to your preference.)
- Cheddar Cheese (Grate the cheese by hand from a block for best results. Packaged, shredded cheese won’t be as moist and won’t incorporate into the mixture as well.)
- Substitute Monterey jack or pepper jack cheese for the Cheddar.
- Add all your favorite taco toppings (cheese, salsa, pico de gallo, pickled jalapenos, cilantro, avocado).
- For a lower-carb option, use corn tortillas or lettuce in place of the bun.
- If you’re using a high-fat content beef (at least 20%), it’s not necessary to spray the patties with oil before or during cooking. But it won’t hurt anything if you do.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information is calculated by software based on the ingredients in each recipe. It is an estimate only and is provided for informational purposes. You should consult your healthcare provider or a registered dietitian if precise nutrition calculations are needed for health reasons.
