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Frozen BBQ Bacon Burgers in the Air Fryer

These BBQ Bacon Frozen Burgers in the Air Fryer are the easiest way to make the best burgers, ever! Made with homemade bbq sauce, crispy bacon and fresh toppings, these burgers are perfect for busy weeknights when you want something quick and easy but completely delicious.
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Two assembled burgers with lettuce, sprouts, tomato, onion, pickles, cheese burger patties, bacon and homemade bbq sauce on brioche buns.

These air fryer frozen burgers are topped with my homemade sugar-free bbq sauce, melted cheese, crispy bacon, and some of my favorite toppings like red onion, tomatoes, lettuce and pickles. If I’m feeling wild, I’ll and my low calorie peanut sauce or big mac sauce to switch it up.

Every Sunday, we BBQ a 12-pack of frozen beef patties to meal prep for the week as an easy way to hit our protein. We make burgers or add the cooked patties to big mac salad bowls throughout the week.

Living in Alaska, I have to choose between frostbite or a juicy burger in the freezing cold months. The air fryer is the easiest way to make a tasty burger and with a quick cook time and easy cleanup, it’s a no-brainer. And I get to keep my fingers and toes warm.ย 

For a little burger twist, try fajita burgers or Big Mac Sloppy Joes.

Close up shot of an assembled burgers with lettuce, sprouts, tomato, onion, pickles, cheese burger patties, bacon and homemade bbq sauce on brioche buns.

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Ingredients and Substitutes:

These are the main ingredients and substitutions for these Air Fryer BBQ Bacon Burgers. See the recipe card below for the full ingredients list and instructions:

Bacon, frozen burger patties, burger seasoning, homemade bbq sauce, brioche buns, sprouts, tomatoes, lettuce, onions, pickles and cheddar cheese laid out for burgers.
  • Frozen Beef Patties: you can also use fresh patties, chicken burgers or turkey burgers.
  • Buns: Brioche buns tend to be lower calorie so I typically grab those.
  • Bacon: use your favorite kind, we like Hemplers which is 70-80 calories for 2 slices.

Variations and Substitutions

  • I’m using beef burgers but frozen turkey or chicken burgers work as well! 
  • Add to wraps or on Big Mac Salad Bowls.
  • If you omit the bacon, you can cook 4 burgers at a time, it will be a slightly tight fit.

Dietary Modifications

  • To make gluten-free use gluten-free buns.
  • For dairy-free, omit the cheese.

How to make a juicy hamburger in the air fryer (a visual step-by-step guide):

Step 1: make your bbq sauce

Honey, marina sauce, coconut aminos, balsamic vinegar, apple cider vinegar, salt, pepper, onion and garlic powder, paprika and chili powder added to a sauce pan.

Add the tomato sauce, water, honey, apple cider vinegar, coconut aminos, liquid smoke, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, salt and pepper to a sauce pan (image 1) and bring to a boil. 

Arrowroot powder (or cornstarch) added to the sauce to thicken.

Lower the heat and simmer for 10-15 minutes. Gradually add 1 tsp. of arrowroot powder or cornstarch at a time while whisking and allowing the sauce to simmer for a few minutes between each addition (image 2).

Freshly made homemade barbeque sauce in a sauce pan.

Remove from the heat and let the barbeque sauce cool completely (image 3) while you cook your burgers and bacon.

Step 2: season frozen burger patties

Two frozen burger patties topped with burger seasoning on a board.

Season the frozen burger patties with your preferred burger seasoning on both sides (image 4), ยฝ tsp. per side. I like using Kinders Steak or Carmalized Onion Blend or Montreal Steak Seasoning.

Step 3: air fry patties

Two frozen burger patties and two bacon strips in the base of the air fryer to air fry.

Add the hamburger patties and slices of bacon the air fryer basket in a single layer (image 5).

Cooked burgers and bacon in the air fryer basket.

Cook at 380 for 8-10 minutes, flipping both the burgers and bacon halfway through (image 6). Cook time can vary depending on the thickness of the burger.

Cheese added to the tops of the burgers to melt.

If adding cheese, top the burgers with a slice of cheese (image 7).

Air fryer melted cheese burgers in the basket of the air fryer with two slices of cooked bacon.

Cook for an additional 1 minute at 380 degrees to melt the cheese (image 8).

Step 4: assemble

Assemble your burgers with your favorite hamburger buns, I like using Brioche buns. Top your bottom bun with lettuce, then the burger patty, then bacon, tomato, pickles, onion, and 2 Tbsp. of homemade barbeque sauce. 

Hands holding a bbq dripping assembled juicy cheeseburger.

Recipe FAQ’s

What to serve with these air fryer bacon burgers

Serve with a side ofย French fries, onion rings,ย potato chips or a broccoli crunch salad for some added veggies.

How to store your burgers

Store leftovers in an airtight container and reheat in the air fryer. To meal prep, keep everything separate and when ready to enjoy, reheat the meat and assemble your burger.

Can I make these ahead of time?

Yes! They reheat fine in the microwave.

Expert Tip

Air Fry straight from frozen. Don’t waste your time defrosting burger patties! 8 minutes and get to eating your delicious burgers.

If you make this recipe, please leave a rating and/or comment! Tag me on Instagram @ohsnapmacros, I love hearing from you!

Two assembled burgers with lettuce, sprouts, tomato, onion, pickles, cheese burger patties, bacon and homemade bbq sauce on brioche buns.

BBQ Bacon Burgers

Danielle Lima
These BBQ Bacon Frozen Burgers in the Air Fryer are the easiest way to make the best burgers, ever! Made with homemade bbq sauce, crispy bacon and fresh toppings, these burgers are perfect for busy weeknights when you want something quick and easy but completely delicious.
5 from 2 votes
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 2 burgers
Calories 403 kcal

๐Ÿ“ฑ MyFitnessPal & MacrosFirst App Users

You can find this recipe and many others on MyFitnessPal and MacrosFirst by searching: Ohsnapmacros – BBQ Bacon Burgers

Equipment

  • 1 Air Fryer

Ingredients
  

  • 2 frozen burger patties Signature Farms 100% Beef 91/9 are my favorite
  • 2 slices bacon Hemplers Zero Sugar
  • 2 tsp. burger seasoning I like Kinders Seasonings
  • 2 slices thin cut cheddar cheese optional

Burger Toppings

  • lettuce
  • tomato
  • onion
  • pickles
  • sprouts
  • brioche buns Signature Select

BBQ Sauce

  • 8 oz. tomato sauce
  • 3/4 cup water
  • 1/3 cup honey 60g
  • 2 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar
  • 1 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar
  • 2 tsp. coconut aminos
  • 1/2 tsp. hickory liquid smoke
  • 1 tsp. paprika
  • 1 tsp. garlic powder
  • 1 tsp. onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp. chili powder
  • 1 1/2 tsp. salt
  • fresh cracked pepper
  • 1 Tbsp. arrowroot powder or constrarch
  • 1-2 Tbsp. water mixed with arrowroot or cornstarch

Instructions
 

BBQ Sauce

  • Add the tomato sauce, water, honey, apple cider vinegar, coconut aminos, liquid smoke, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, salt and pepper to a sauce pan and bring to a boil.ย 
  • Lower the heat and simmer for 10-15 minutes. Combine the arrowroot or cornstarch and water in a small bowl and mix to combine. Gradually add a little at a time while whisking and allowing the sauce to simmer for a few minutes between each addition. If you want a thinner sauce, use 1/2-3/4 of the mixture. I find using all of it is a great consistency. Be sure to whisk well while adding the arrowroot or cornstarch to avoid clumping.ย 
  • Remove from the heat and let the barbeque sauce cool completely while you cook your burgers and bacon.

Burgers

  • Season the burgers with your preferred burger seasoning on both sides, ยฝ tsp per side. I like using Kinders Steak Blend.
  • Add the burgers and slices of bacon the air fryer basket. Cook at 380 for 8 minutes, flipping both the burgers and bacon halfway through. This will give you a medium to medium-well burger. Cook 3 mins each side for medium-rare and and 5 mins each side for well-done (160 degrees Fahrenheit internal temperature using a meat thermometer).ย 
  • If adding cheese, top the burgers with cheese and cook for an additional 1 minute until melted.ย 
  • Assemble your burgers with a bun of choice, I like using Brioche buns. Top your bottom bun with lettuce, then burger patty, then bacon, tomato, pickles, onion, and 2 Tbsp. of homemade barbecue sauce.ย 

Notes

  • Nutritional information is an estimate and will vary with substitutions.
  • Nutrition information includes 1 brioche bun, 1 burger patty, 1 slice of bacon and 2 Tbsp. of BBQ sauce.ย 
  • The cooking time may vary based on the thickness of your burger patties.
  • Nutrition facts for 1 Tbsp. BBQ Sauce: 20g: 19 calories, 0g Fat, 239g Sodium, 47mg Potassium, 4g Carbs, 3g Sugar, 0g Proteinย 
  • I am using Signature Select ground beef burger patties. You can use your favorite.ย 

Nutrition

Serving: 1burgerCalories: 403kcalCarbohydrates: 31gProtein: 32gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 6gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 100mgSodium: 683mgPotassium: 94mgFiber: 1gSugar: 11g
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One Comment

5 from 2 votes (1 rating without comment)

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