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Air Fryer Sliders

Name: Air Fryer Sliders
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: 2 pounds ground beef (80/20); 1 tablespoon dried minced onion; 1 teaspoon salt (to taste); 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper (to taste); 1 large egg; 3/4 cup breadcrumbs; 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce; 16 Slider buns; Your favorite toppings (like cheese, lettuce, tomato, etc.)

Author: Laurie Fleming
Published: May 9, 2018

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Air Fryer Sliders — Get ready to revolutionize the way you make sliders! Introducing our Air Fryer Sliders recipe – a game-changer for quick, delicious, and healthier slider preparations.

Say goodbye to the hassle of grilling or pan-frying and hello to the convenience and crispiness that an air fryer brings.

These bite-sized delights cook perfectly in the air fryer, offering juicy, flavorful patties with a delectably crispy exterior. Ideal for parties, family dinners, or even a fun cooking session, these sliders are not just incredibly tasty but also a breeze to make. So, gear up for a delightful culinary adventure where simplicity meets irresistibly mouth-watering results!

Perfect for game-day parties or a quick dinner! Who doesn’t love mini burger patties? This is a family favorite! And it makes for a great, easy dinner idea!

If you love a great Air Fryer Burger, some of my favorites are: BLACKSTONE GRIDDLE SMASH BURGERS, AIR FRYER BOURBON BBQ BURGERS, AIR FRYER COPYCAT BIG MAC and AIR FRYER-GOURMET BLUE CHEESE BURGERS.

The Best Air Fryer Slider Recipes

Air fryer sliders are a game-changer for anyone looking to whip up a quick, delicious, and satisfying meal. The beauty of air fryer slider recipes lies in their versatility and the remarkable efficiency of the cooking method. Whether you’re craving classic beef sliders, adventurous with chicken or turkey patties, or even exploring vegetarian options like black bean or falafel sliders, the air fryer ensures each patty is cooked to perfection. The hot circulating air in the air fryer creates a beautifully crisp exterior while locking in the juices, making each bite a delightful combination of textures and flavors.

What sets air fryer sliders apart is their ease and convenience in cooking. There’s no need to fire up the grill or deal with the splatter of a frying pan. It’s all about hassle-free cooking, perfect for busy weeknights, casual entertaining, or when you crave a tasty burger without the fuss. The compact size of these sliders makes them ideal for serving as appetizers, snacks, or as part of a larger meal with sides. Plus, the reduced cooking time and minimal oil usage make them a healthier alternative without sacrificing the indulgences of a good juicy burger. These air fryer sliders are a canvas for culinary creativity, from classic cheese and bacon toppings to gourmet options like caramelized onions and blue cheese.

Why You Will Love This Recipe!

You will love this recipe for air-fried sliders for several compelling reasons:

Quick and Convenient: Air fryers are renowned for their speed and convenience, and this recipe takes full advantage of that. You can have perfectly cooked sliders in just a few minutes without the hassle of setting up a grill or heating a skillet.
Healthier Option: Air frying requires significantly less oil than traditional frying methods, making these sliders a healthier option. You get the deliciousness of a fried burger with a fraction of the fat and calories.
Perfectly Cooked Every Time: The air fryer’s consistent and even cooking ensures that your sliders are perfectly done, with a juicy interior and a nicely browned exterior.
Flavorful and Versatile: This cooking method locks in the flavors and juices, resulting in mouthwateringly tasty sliders. You can easily customize them with different seasonings, cheeses, and toppings to suit your taste.
Ideal for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a family dinner, a casual get-together with friends, or even a quick solo lunch, these air-fried sliders are versatile enough to fit any occasion.
Less Mess, Easy Cleanup: Cooking sliders in an air fryer typically involves less mess than traditional methods, and the cleanup is a breeze, especially if your air fryer has dishwasher-safe components.
Compact and Efficient: Ideal for small kitchens or when cooking for a few people, air-fried sliders don’t require a lot of space or resources, making them an efficient choice.
Fun and Engaging: This recipe’s simplicity and quick turnaround time make it fun and engaging, even for novice cooks. It’s a delightful way to get into cooking or involve kids in meal preparation.

In summary, this air fryer slider recipe is not just about creating delicious mini burgers; it’s a fusion of convenience, healthiness, and versatility that makes cooking a joyful and rewarding experience.

Ingredients Needed For Air Fryer Sliders

Embark on a culinary adventure with these easy-to-make Air Fryer homemade Sliders, whose simple ingredients play a crucial role in creating the perfect mini burger. This simple yet delicious recipe combines classic burger elements with the efficiency of air frying, ensuring every slider is a delightful blend of flavor and texture.

Remember the step-by-step directions, full recipe, and detailed ingredient list are below, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post, as well as the nutritional information.

Ground Beef: This blend of ground beef, with its ideal fat-to-meat ratio, ensures that each slider patty is juicy and flavorful, providing the perfect base for your sliders.
Onions: The dried minced onion adds a subtle, savory flavor to the meat, infusing the patties with a mild onion aroma that enhances their taste without overpowering. You can also use fresh red onions or white onions.
Kosher Salt: Salt is essential for seasoning the meat, helping to highlight its natural flavors and ensuring that each bite of your slider is perfectly seasoned.
Black Pepper: A hint of ground black pepper adds mild heat and depth, balancing the flavors in the patties and giving them a slight kick.
Large Egg: The egg acts as a binding agent, keeping the beef, breadcrumbs, and seasonings together, ensuring the patties hold their shape while cooking.
Breadcrumbs: Breadcrumbs help absorb excess moisture and add structure to the patties, contributing to their texture and keeping them from falling apart.
Worcestershire Sauce: Worcestershire sauce brings a complex, umami flavor to the mix, adding a touch of tanginess and depth to the overall profile of the sliders.
Slider Buns: The right slider bun, soft and slightly sweet, complements the savory beef patty, creating a perfect balance and making each slider a complete delight. Use your favorite slider rolls; mine are King’s Hawaiian Rolls.
Your Favorite Toppings: Customize your sliders with your favorite cheese slices, lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, onions, or special sauces – to add personal flair and additional layers of flavor.

How To Make Sliders In Air Fryer

Making sliders in an air fryer is a simple and delicious process. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

Mix the Ingredients: Combine the ground beef, dried minced onion, salt, black pepper, egg, breadcrumbs, and Worcestershire sauce in a large bowl. Mix until well combined, but avoid over-mixing to keep the patties tender.

Form the Patties: Divide the mixture into small portions, each about the size of a golf ball. Flatten each portion into a patty slightly larger than your slider buns, as they will shrink while cooking.

Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 360 degrees F (180°C) for 1-2 minutes. This step ensures even cooking of the sliders and gives the burgers a great sear.

Cook the Sliders: Place the patties in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you might need to cook them in batches. Set cook time for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through or until the patties reach your desired level of doneness.

Add Cheese (Optional): If you add a slice of cheese, place a slice on each patty during the last minute of cooking to let it melt.

Assemble the Sliders: Toast the slider buns if desired. Then place each cooked patty on a bun and add your favorite toppings. Serve the sliders hot for the best taste.

These air fryer sliders are easy to make and incredibly flavorful. The air fryer ensures they are cooked evenly, resulting in juicy, delicious sliders perfect for a quick meal, game day, party appetizer, or family dinner. Enjoy customizing them with various toppings to suit your taste!

Recipe Variations

Experimenting with different recipe variations can add exciting twists to your Air Fryer Sliders. Here are some creative ideas to try:

Cheeseburger sliders: Who doesn’t love cheese sliders? Place a small chunk of cheese (like cheddar, mozzarella, or blue cheese) in the center of each patty before cooking. As they cook, the cheese will melt, creating a gooey center.
BBQ Style: Mix your favorite BBQ sauce into the beef mixture for a smoky, tangy flavor. You can also brush the patties with extra sauce before serving.
Spicy Sliders: Add chopped jalapeños or a teaspoon of chili powder to the beef mixture for a spicy kick. Top with pepper jack cheese for extra heat.
Greek-Style Lamb Sliders: Swap the beef for ground lamb and add minced garlic, oregano, and feta cheese. Serve with tzatziki sauce and cucumber slices.
Turkey or Chicken Sliders: Use ground turkey or ground chicken for a lighter option. Add some finely chopped onion and herbs for flavor.
Veggie Sliders: For a vegetarian option, use mashed beans or lentils mixed with breadcrumbs, finely chopped veggies, and spices. These patties may be softer, so handle them gently.
Breakfast Sliders: Make smaller patties and serve them on mini-biscuits with a slice of bacon and a fried egg for a breakfast twist.
Asian-Style Sliders: Add soy sauce, minced ginger, and garlic to the beef mixture. Serve with a slaw of cabbage, carrots, and a sesame vinaigrette.
Mexican-Style Sliders: Mix in some taco seasoning, and top the cooked sliders with avocado, salsa, and a dollop of sour cream.
Italian Sliders: Incorporate Italian seasoning, minced garlic, and Parmesan cheese into the beef mixture. Top with marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese.

Each variation brings its own unique flavor profile, allowing you to cater to different tastes and occasions. Have fun experimenting with these different options to find your perfect slider recipe!

Pro Tips

Creating the perfect air-fried sliders involves key tips and tricks to ensure they are always delicious. Here are some pro tips for making air-fried sliders:

Quality of Meat: Choose good ground beef with fat (like 80/20) for juicier and more flavorful sliders. The fat content is crucial for keeping the sliders moist and tasty.
Don’t Overwork Meat: Handle the meat as little as possible when forming your slider patties. Overworking it can lead to tough sliders.
Uniformity in Size: Make sure all your patties are of uniform size and thickness. This ensures they cook evenly in the air fryer.
Preheating the Air Fryer: Always preheat your air fryer briefly before adding sliders. A preheated air fryer ensures a nice sear and even cooking.
Avoid Overcrowding: Cook the sliders in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket. Overcrowding can lead to uneven cooking and less crispy results.
Flipping Halfway: For even cooking and browning, flip the sliders halfway through the cooking time.
Checking for Doneness: Use a meat thermometer to ensure your sliders are cooked to the desired doneness. For beef, the safe internal temperature is 160°F when fully cooked.
Resting the Sliders: Allow the sliders to rest for a couple of minutes after cooking. This helps redistribute the juices throughout the meat, making for a juicier slider.
Customizing Toppings: Get creative with your toppings. Classic options include cheese, lettuce, tomato, and onion, but feel free to experiment with ingredients like avocado, bacon, or your favorite sauces.
Toasting the Buns: For extra flavor and texture, lightly toast the slider buns in the air fryer for a minute before assembling your sliders.

By following these tips, you can create air-fried sliders that are consistently delicious, with perfect texture and flavor. Whether serving them at a party or enjoying a family meal, they will surely be a hit.

Faq’s

What is the best type of meat to use for air fryer sliders? A ground beef mix with higher fat content, like 80/20, is ideal for juicy and flavorful sliders. You can also use ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based alternatives for a healthier option.

How long should I cook sliders in the air fryer? Typically, sliders need about 8-10 minutes at 360°F (180°C) in the air fryer, but this can vary based on the size of your patties and the desired level of doneness. For best results, use a meat thermometer and check the internal temperature of the sliders before removing them from the air filter basket.

Do I need to flip the sliders while cooking? Yes, it’s recommended to flip the mini cheeseburgers halfway through the cooking time to ensure even cooking and browning on both sides.

Can I cook frozen sliders in the air fryer? Yes, you can cook frozen sliders in the air fryer, but you’ll need to add a few extra minutes to the cooking time. There’s no need to thaw them first.

How can I prevent my sliders from sticking to the air fryer basket? Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray or brush it with olive oil before adding your sliders to prevent sticking. Or use a parchment paper sheet or aluminum foil to line the bottom of your air fryer basket.

Can I make my sliders ahead of time and refrigerate them before cooking? Yes, you can shape the sliders and store them in the refrigerator for a few hours or overnight. This can help them hold their shape better when cooking.

Is it necessary to preheat the air fryer for sliders? Preheating the air fryer is recommended for the best results, as it helps the sliders start cooking immediately and sears the outside for a crispy finish.

How many sliders can I cook at once in the air fryer? This depends on the size of your air fryer basket. Ensure the sliders are in a single layer with space between them for proper air circulation. Cook in batches if necessary.

What are some good toppings for air fryer sliders? Classic toppings include cheese, lettuce, tomato, deli ham, garlic butter, onion, pickles, and sauces like ketchup, mustard, barbecue sauce, or mayonnaise. Feel free to get creative with options like avocado, bacon, or unique sauces.

How do I store and reheat leftover sliders? Store leftover sliders in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat them in the air fryer at a lower temperature, like 320°F, until heated.

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Don’t Forget To Pin!

Each ingredient in this recipe for Air Fryer Sliders plays a vital role in creating a mouth-watering mini burger that’s delicious, easy to prepare, and sure to be a crowd-pleaser and a perfect quick lunch.