Pat the ground beef dry with paper towels.

Season the ground beef with salt and pepper.

Form the ground beef into 5” in diameter and 1/2” thick patties, evenly around. A burger press will do this best.

Preheat the air fryer to 400F for 3 minutes.

Pause, and take out the basket. Place the air fryer liner inside the basket (air fryer liners are our favorite way to easy clean-up).

Add patties into the air fryer in a single layer. You may need to work in rounds depending on the size of your air fryer.

Cook for 6 minutes.

Take out the basket. Carefully turn the burgers over with your tongs.

Cook for another 3 minutes or until the burgers reach 158 F internal temp.

 Take out the basket. Let the patties rest for 2 minutes before adding to buns. Check temp with meat thermometer; they should now be at 160F. 

While the patties rest, let’s toast the hamburger buns.

 Cut the buns in half unless they are already split.

 Spread the butter on the buns EDGE TO EDGE of the cut side.

 Put a skillet on a stove burner and set it to medium heat.  

 Place the buns cut-side down on the skillet. 

 Cover with a lid and toast the buns for about 2 minutes.

 Sometimes they don’t toast evenly, so check and press down lightly with a   spatula, so most of the area gets evenly browned.

 Once the buns are toasted, grab a plate. Take your patties from the air fryer basket and place them on the buns.

Then dress your hamburgers with any cheese, vegetables, and condiments that you have on hand in your kitchen and enjoy!