This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my disclosure policy
These air fryer chicken burgers are juicy, perfectly seasoned, and ready in just 15 minutes. Make homemade chicken patties from scratch for an easy weeknight dinner or summer cookout!
These air fryer chicken burgers are juicy, perfectly seasoned, and easy to make completely from scratch. With just a handful of simple ingredients and 10 minutes in the air fryer, you can have homemade chicken patties on the table in 15 minutes flat. Whether you’re pulling together a busy weeknight dinner or firing up a summer cookout without the grill, this is the chicken burger recipe you’ll come back to again and again
Making chicken burgers in the air fryer is one of the best things you can do for a quick family meal. The air fryer locks in moisture so you get a tender, juicy patty every time — no dry, hockey puck burgers here. Ground chicken is leaner than ground beef, making these a lighter option without sacrificing any flavor. A handful of pantry seasonings and a bit of grated onion are all it takes to turn a pound of ground chicken into four incredible burgers that even picky eaters will devour.
These air fryer chicken burgers have become one of our favorite easy dinners. They’re a cinch to prep, cook in under 10 minutes, and go with just about any topping you can dream up. Pair them with crispy fries and you’ve got a summer staple the whole family will love.
Erin’s Notes
- Homemade from scratch. Making chicken patties at home is simple, fast, and so much better than store-bought frozen patties. You only need a few ingredients.
- Ready in 15 minutes. These air fryer chicken burgers cook in under 10 minutes — faster than the grill and with less mess than the stovetop.
- A healthier burger option. Ground chicken is leaner and lower in fat than ground beef, making this a lighter alternative without skimping on flavor.
- Kid-friendly. Juicy and flavorful, yet mild enough for even the pickiest eaters. Grating the onion hides it perfectly.
- Make-ahead and freezer-friendly. Shape the patties ahead of time and refrigerate or freeze them for an even faster weeknight meal.
What You’ll Need
These are the easy ingredients you’ll need to make these air fryer chicken burgers. You’ll find a printable ingredients list in the recipe card below the post.
- Ground Chicken – About 1 pound of ground chicken to make four patties.
- Onion – Grated or finely minced onion. You can use any type of small onion you’d like.
- Herbs and Seasonings – Fresh chopped parsley, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper bring flavor to the patties.
- Cheese – Sliced cheddar or your favorite cheese turn these chicken burgers into chicken cheeseburgers. Other good choices are American cheese, provolone, Monterey Jack, or Pepper Jack cheese.
- Buns – Classic hamburger buns for serving. Pretzel buns or ciabatta buns are also tasty options.
Air Fryer Chicken Burger
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground chicken
- ½ small onion, grated
- 1 Tablespoon chopped parsley
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 4 slices cheddar or favorite cheese
- 4 hamburger buns
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 360º F while you prepare the patties.
- In a bowl, mix together the ground chicken, onion, parsley, salt, garlic powder, paprika, and black pepper until evenly blended.1 pound ground chicken, ½ small onion, 1 Tablespoon chopped parsley, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon paprika, ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Form into 4 equal size patties. The ground chicken mixture will be sticky, so you can spray your hands with non-stick spray to help form the patties if necessary.
- Place the patties in your hot air fryer and cook at 360º F for 9 minutes. After 9 minutes, place a piece of cheese over each one, and cook for 1 more minute.4 slices cheddar or favorite cheese
- Remove from the air fryer and serve on buns with desired toppings.4 hamburger buns
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Make Air Fryer Chicken Burgers
Below is a step-by-step overview of how to make chicken burgers that the whole family loves!
- Combine the patty ingredients. While the air fryer preheats, combine ground chicken with the onion, parsley, and seasonings. I like to use my hands to get everything well mixed.
- Form the patties. Divide and shape the chicken mixture into four even-sized burger patties.
- Cook. Cook the chicken patties in the preheated air fryer at 360ºF for 9 minutes. Afterward, top each patty with a cheese slice and cook for 1 minute longer, until the cheese is melted.
- Serve! Serve your chicken patties on fluffy burger buns loaded with your favorite toppings. See below for ideas and serving suggestions.
How Long Should You Cook Chicken Patties in the Air Fryer?
Fresh, homemade chicken patties take 9–10 minutes at 360ºF in the air fryer. You do not need to flip them during cooking — the circulating hot air cooks them through evenly on all sides. Always check doneness with an instant-read thermometer; the internal temperature should reach 165ºF before serving.
Can I Use Frozen Chicken Burgers?
Yes! You can cook frozen chicken patties straight from the freezer with no thawing required. Place frozen patties in the air fryer and cook at 360ºF for 16–18 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the internal temperature reaches 165ºF.
Recipe Tips and Variations
- Always preheat the air fryer. A hot air fryer gives you a better sear on the outside of the patty and more even cooking throughout.
- No flipping required. Unlike burgers on the grill or stovetop, you do not need to flip these chicken patties in the air fryer. The circulating air cooks both sides evenly.
- Grease your hands. Ground chicken is stickier than beef. A quick spritz of non-stick spray on your hands makes shaping the patties much easier.
- Skip the aerosol sprays. No need to spray the basket — the patties won’t stick. Aerosol sprays like PAM can damage the air fryer basket coating over time.
- Swap the seasonings. Try Italian seasoning or Cajun seasoning in place of the individual spices for a quick flavor variation.
- Try ground turkey. Ground turkey works just as well in this recipe for a slightly different lean burger option.
- Buffalo chicken burgers. Love heat? Swap in buffalo-seasoned patties for a spicy kick.
Topping Ideas
We love these homemade chicken burgers topped with fresh guacamole and sliced ripe tomatoes. Here are some more tasty chicken burger toppings to try:
- Crisp iceberg or romaine lettuce
- Sliced red or white onion
- Sliced jalapeños
- Crumbled goat cheese or feta
- Homemade ketchup
- Crispy air fryer bacon
- Grilled pineapple salsa
What to Serve With Chicken Burgers
Once your chicken burgers are stacked with toppings, round out the meal with a great side. Air fryer frozen French fries or oven-roasted potatoes are always a hit. For dipping, try a homemade Cane’s sauce or spicy Cajun sauce. If you’re serving these at a summer cookout, a creamy Caesar pasta salad or taco pasta salad makes a perfect pairing alongside your burgers.
Make Ahead and Storage
You can mix the chicken patty mixture up to 1 day in advance and store it covered in the refrigerator. When ready to cook, shape and air fry the patties as directed. You can also shape the raw patties and freeze them for up to 3 months. Cook directly from frozen at 360ºF for 16–18 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
- Refrigerate. Store any leftover air fryer chicken burger patties in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat the patties in the air fryer or in the microwave until they’re hot throughout.
- Freeze. Wrap cooked chicken patties tightly in plastic wrap or store them airtight, and freeze them for up to 3 months. Defrost the patties in the fridge before reheating.
These are delicious! I love the spices that keep it from being bland, and air frying it keeps it nice and juicy.
Just had to drop by and say your Air Fryer Chicken Burger recipe was a game changer! It was so crispy on the outside but stayed incredibly juicy inside.
Anything homemade is just delicious and this burger is one of them! It was juicy and flavorful, was so easy to make too!
Great recipe – easy to put together and so flavorful!
Oh my goodness, this recipe was soooo good! My whole family loved it. Big win. Thanks!
Using the air fryer for this chicken burgers is seriously a timesaver! Thanks for the easy recipe!