Craving a restaurant-style burger at home? These air fryer smash burgers with cheese and bacon are juicy, flavorful, and cooked perfectly every time — no grill required! Smash burgers are famous for their crispy, caramelized edges and juicy centers, and your air fryer makes them foolproof.
The trick to the perfect smash burger is forming small balls of beef, smashing them thin, and cooking them hot and fast. This creates that signature crust while keeping the inside tender. Adding crispy bacon and melty cheese takes this burger to the next level.
You don’t have to deal with grease splatter or a smoky kitchen — the air fryer cooks the burgers evenly while you prepare your toppings and buns. These burgers are ideal for a quick weeknight dinner, game night, or weekend treat.
Ingredients
For the Burgers
- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef (80/20 for best flavor)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 4 slices cheddar cheese (or your favorite cheese)
- 4 brioche or burger buns
For the Bacon:
- 8 slices bacon
Optional Toppings
- Lettuce
- Tomato slices
- Pickles
- Onions (grilled or raw)
- Burger sauce, ketchup, mustard, or mayo
Instructions
- Cook the bacon – Place bacon slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook at 370°F (188°C) for 7–8 minutes until crispy. Remove and drain on paper towels.
- Shape the patties – Divide beef into 4 equal portions and gently roll into balls. Season with salt and pepper.
- Smash and cook – Place the beef balls in the air fryer (use parchment paper to prevent sticking if needed). Smash them flat with a spatula. Cook at 400°F (200°C) for 6–8 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Add cheese – In the last 1–2 minutes of cooking, place a slice of cheese on each patty to melt.
- Toast the buns (optional) – Place buns in the air fryer for 1–2 minutes until warm and slightly crisp.
- Assemble – Spread sauce on the buns, add lettuce, tomato, burger patty with melted cheese, crispy bacon, and your favorite toppings. Serve hot.
Tips & Tricks
- Use ground beef with some fat (80/20) for the juiciest smash burgers.
- Don’t overwork the meat when forming balls — this keeps burgers tender.
- For extra flavor, sprinkle a little garlic powder or smoked paprika on the patties.
- Smash burgers thin but not too thin — about ½ inch thick is ideal for air fryer cooking.
Notes
- Leftover cooked patties can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months.
- You can also use turkey, chicken, or plant-based ground meat for a lighter version.
Air Fryer Smash Burgers with Cheese & Bacon
Description
Juicy air fryer smash burgers topped with crispy bacon and melted cheese. A quick, flavorful dinner that tastes just like diner-style burgers!
Duration
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef (80/20)
- Salt & pepper
- 4 slices cheddar cheese
- 8 slices bacon
- 4 burger buns
- Optional: lettuce, tomato, pickles, onions, sauce
Instructions
- Cook bacon in air fryer at 370°F (188°C) for 7–8 minutes. Remove.
- Roll beef into 4 balls, season with salt & pepper.
- Smash in air fryer, cook at 400°F (200°C) for 6–8 minutes, flipping halfway.
- Add cheese in last minute to melt.
- Toast buns (optional).
- Assemble burgers with bacon, toppings, and sauce. Serve hot.
