Air Fryer Black Currant Smashburger Sliders — crispy-edged, juicy mini burgers with a sweet-smoky crust you get from McCormick’s brand-new Sweet & Smoky Black Currant Seasoning. They’re done in under 20 minutes, there’s almost no cleanup, and they disappear off the platter faster than I can plate them.
If you’ve followed along here for a while, you know I’ll smash a burger in the air fryer any day of the week. (My Air Fryer Smash Burgers are one of the most-made recipes in my house.) But this version is something special. I got my hands on McCormick’s 2026 Flavor of the Year and I’ve been sprinkling it on everything — and let me tell you, on a smashed beef patty it is unreal.
What Is McCormick Sweet & Smoky Black Currant Seasoning?
McCormick names a Flavor of the Year every year, and for 2026 they chose black currant — a small, dark, tart-yet-sweet berry that tastes a little like raspberry and grape had a more grown-up cousin. To bring it to the kitchen, they released Sweet & Smoky Naturally Flavored Black Currant Seasoning in a 2.62 oz jar.
Here’s the part that surprised me: it’s not a sweet, dessert-y seasoning. It’s a savory blend. Alongside the black currant powder you get toasted onion, aged red jalapeño, garlic, a touch of molasses, and oak smoke. So what you actually taste is sweet meets smoky meets a gentle backyard-BBQ heat — which is exactly why it’s so good on beef. The dark-berry note plays the same role a good steak sauce does: it rounds out the savory and makes everything taste richer.
You’ll find it in the baking/spice aisle wherever McCormick is sold, or online. If you grab the matching Black Currant Finishing Sugar too, save that one for desserts and cocktails — for these sliders you want the savory seasoning.
Why You’ll Love These Sliders
- Sweet-smoky crust. The seasoning has sugar and molasses in it, so it caramelizes on the patty and gives you that deep, craveable edge.
- Mess-free. No grease all over the stovetop — the air fryer does the work.
- Fast. Under 20 minutes start to finish, including the sauce.
- Crowd-pleaser. Sliders are made for game day, parties, and “I need dinner NOW” nights.
- Foolproof. If you can press a spatula down, you can make these.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Ground beef (80/20) — you want the fat for a juicy smash. Leaner beef dries out.
- McCormick Sweet & Smoky Black Currant Seasoning — the star. No need for extra salt; this blend already has it.
- Slider buns — soft potato or Hawaiian rolls are perfect.
- American cheese — the classic melt. Cheddar works too.
- Butter — for toasting the buns.
- Special sauce — mayo, ketchup, a little relish, and (you guessed it) more black currant seasoning stirred right in.
- Pickles & thin onion — optional, but they cut the richness beautifully.
(Full measurements and step-by-step directions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post, along with the nutrition info.)
How to Make Air Fryer Black Currant Smashburger Sliders
Step 1: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). A hot basket is what gives you a crust.
Step 2: Roll the beef into balls, about 2 ounces each. Don’t overwork the meat or the sliders turn tough.
Step 3: Place the balls in the basket (a parchment round cut to fit makes cleanup even easier) and press each one flat with a spatula or burger press into a thin patty slightly wider than your bun. Generously with the black currant seasoning.
Step 4: Air fry about 5–6 minutes, until the edges are crispy and the patties are cooked through (160°F for ground beef). Add a half-slice of cheese for the last minute to melt.
Step 5: Make the sauce while they cook — just stir everything together. Toast the buns (1–2 minutes in the air fryer, or in a buttered skillet). Sauce on the bun, patty with melty cheese, pickles, onion, top bun. Done.
Want that screaming-hot griddle crust? A flat-top like the Blackstone gives you the most dramatic smash crust because the patty hits a blazing-hot surface. The air fryer trades a little of that char for zero mess and zero babysitting — and honestly, with this seasoning doing the heavy lifting, nobody at my table noticed the difference.
Pro Tips for the Best Smashburger Sliders
- Smash thin, smash once. The thinner the patty, the more crispy edges. Press firmly right away and then leave it alone.
- Don’t pre-salt the beef if you mix it — salt draws out moisture and firms up the meat. Season the outside instead.
- Room-temp beef cooks more evenly than cold-from-the-fridge.
- Work in batches if your basket is small. Crowded patties steam instead of crisping.
- Use a meat thermometer. Air fryers vary; 160°F is your safe target for ground beef.
Variations
- Black Currant BBQ Sliders: Brush the patties with your favorite BBQ sauce in the last minute, the way I do on my Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Flatbread.
- Smoky bacon: Add a crispy air-fried bacon piece to each slider.
- Spicy: The seasoning already has red jalapeño — add a few pickled jalapeños to push it further.
- Bigger appetite? Skip the slider buns and make full-size patties using the same method from my Air Fryer Burgers.
What to Serve With Black Currant Sliders
These are basically built for a platter. Pile them next to crispy fries, tots, or a slaw. If you’re going all-in on a fun “burger bar” night, set them out alongside my Air Fryer Sliders so everyone can grab a couple of each.
And because that black currant seasoning is so versatile, don’t stop at sliders — it’s genuinely incredible on a steak. Try it on my Best Air Fryer Steak, shaken over Air Fryer Steak Frites, or tossed with Air Fryer Steak Bites for an easy appetizer. If you want a full breakdown of times and temps for every cut, my Air Fryer Steak: The Ultimate Guide has you covered.
Storage & Reheating
- Refrigerate: Store cooked patties (separate from buns and toppings) in an airtight container up to 3 days.
- Freeze: Wrap uncooked patties individually and freeze up to 3 months; thaw in the fridge before cooking.
- Reheat: Warm patties in the air fryer at 350°F for 2–3 minutes so they stay juicy instead of rubbery.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does black currant seasoning taste like? It’s savory, not sweet — dark-berry richness balanced by toasted onion, aged red jalapeño, garlic, and oak smoke. Think sweet-and-smoky BBQ flavor with a sophisticated fruity backbone. It’s excellent on beef, chicken, roasted vegetables, and in dressings.
Where can I buy McCormick Sweet & Smoky Black Currant Seasoning? It launched in 2026 as McCormick’s Flavor of the Year. Look for it in the spice/baking aisle at major retailers or order it online. There’s also a matching Black Currant Finishing Sugar — that one’s for sweets, not these sliders.
Can I make smashburger sliders without an air fryer? Absolutely. Smash and sear them on a hot griddle or cast-iron skillet for 2–3 minutes per side. You’ll get an even more dramatic crust that way.
How do I keep the sliders juicy? Use 80/20 beef, don’t overwork the meat, season the outside (not the inside), and pull them right at 160°F. Resting them a minute before assembling helps too.
Can I make these ahead for a party? Yes — cook the patties, refrigerate, and reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for a couple minutes. Make the sauce up to 3 days ahead and store it covered in the fridge.
More Air Fryer Recipes You’ll Love
If you loved these Black Currant Smashburger Sliders, here are a few more easy air fryer favorites to try next:
- Air Fryer Smash Burgers
- Air Fryer Sliders
- Air Fryer Burgers (Juicy & Delicious!)
- Best Air Fryer Steak
- Air Fryer Steak Bites
- Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Flatbread
- Air Fryer Onion Rings
- Air Fryer Steak Fries
Air Fryer Black Currant Smashburger Sliders
Description
Ingredients
For the sliders
- 1 lb ground beef, 80/20
- 1 tablespoon McCormick Sweet & Smoky Naturally Flavored Black Currant Seasoning, divided
- 8 slider buns, potato or Hawaiian
- 4 slices American cheese, halved
- 2 tablespoons butter, softened (for toasting buns)
- ½ small yellow onion, very thinly sliced (optional)
- Dill pickle chips, for serving (optional)
For the black currant special sauce
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 teaspoon dill pickle relish
- 1 teaspoon McCormick Sweet & Smoky Black Currant Seasoning
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3–5 minutes. A hot basket gives you the crispiest edges.
- Form the beef into 8 equal balls, about 2 ounces each. Don’t overwork the meat.
- Smash: Place the balls in the air fryer basket (use a fitted parchment round for easy cleanup) and press each one flat with a spatula or burger press into a thin patty slightly wider than your buns. Work in batches if needed so they aren’t crowded.
- Season the tops of the patties generously with about 2 teaspoons of the black currant seasoning.
- Air fry for 5–6 minutes, until the edges are crispy and the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C). Top each patty with a half-slice of cheese during the last minute to melt.
- Make the sauce: While the patties cook, stir together the mayonnaise, ketchup, relish, and 1 teaspoon black currant seasoning in a small bowl.
- Toast the buns: Butter the cut sides and toast in the air fryer for 1–2 minutes, or in a skillet, until golden.
- Assemble: Spread sauce on the bottom buns, add a cheesy patty, then pickles and onion. Cap with the top bun and serve hot.
Equipment
- Cooking Spray
- Parchment Paper, optional
Notes
- Beef: 80/20 ground chuck gives the juiciest smash. Leaner beef will dry out.
- No extra salt needed — the seasoning blend already contains salt.
- Griddle option: For maximum crust, smash and sear on a hot flat-top or cast-iron skillet 2–3 minutes per side.
- Make ahead: Sauce keeps 3 days; cooked patties keep 3 days refrigerated. Reheat patties at 350°F for 2–3 minutes.
- Freezer: Freeze uncooked patties up to 3 months; thaw before cooking.
Nutrition
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