Frozen BBQ Bacon Burgers in the Air Fryer
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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.Â
For a little burger twist, try fajita burgers or Big Mac Sloppy Joes.
Why you’ll love this recipe:
- Ready in 8 minutes with minimal cleanup!
- 32g of protein per burger.
- An easy meal to avoid the drive-thru.
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:
- 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
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.
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).
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
Season the frozen burger patties with your preferred burger seasoning on both sides (image 4), ½ tsp. per side. I like using Kinders Steak or Carmalized Onion Blend or Montreal Steak Seasoning.
Step 3: air fry patties
Add the hamburger patties and slices of bacon the air fryer basket in a single layer (image 5).
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.
If adding cheese, top the burgers with a slice of cheese (image 7).
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.
Recipe FAQ’s
Serve with a side of French fries, onion rings, potato chips or a broccoli crunch salad for some added veggies.
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.
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.
Check out some other easy air fryer meals!
If you make this recipe, please leave a rating and/or comment! Tag me on Instagram @ohsnapmacros, I love hearing from you!
BBQ Bacon Burgers
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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.Â
- 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.Â
- 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, ½ 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).Â
- If adding cheese, top the burgers with cheese and cook for an additional 1 minute until melted.Â
- 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.Â
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.Â
- 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 ProteinÂ
- I am using Signature Select ground beef burger patties. You can use your favorite.Â
Genius!!! The perfect solution for when you’re craving a juicy burger but short on time.