These air fryer bison burgers are mouthwateringly tender and delicious. They have everything you love in a juicy beef hamburger but are even more flavorful and tender - and bison happens to be a healthier meat, too. Make this easy recipe in under 15 minutes with simple ingredients, and serve for a fast dinner or casual get together!
You will also love these bison recipe from my site: bison carpaccio, instant pot bison chili and bison meatballs in air fryer.
Elevate your favorite classic hamburger with this easy air fryer bison burgers recipe!
It takes minimal effort to make melt-in-your-mouth burgers with lean, flavorful bison meat and a handful of pantry staples. Just like a traditional beef burger, the steps are quick and simple: Season the meat, form the patties, and cook for only 10 minutes until beautifully browned and juicy. Then serve with your favorite toppings and enjoy!
For the healthiest and, in my opinion, the best tasting burgers, we use the air fryer to cook our patties. The fryer basket allows any fat to drain away from the meat so you aren't cooking in a layer of grease. But you still get that terrific meaty burger taste in every tender bite.
These hamburgers with bison are healthy yet satisfying, familiar but intriguing and delicious. They are sure to be a hit for family meals, game day, or any fun gathering!
How to cook air fryer bison burgers
Begin by ensuring that your workstation is clean. Lay out all your ingredients and kitchen tools, so everything is within easy reach.
Using a sharp knife and cutting board, finely chop the ½ onion. You want the onion pieces small enough to blend well into the bison mixture without creating large chunks.
In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the ground bison, finely chopped onion, Worcestershire sauce, liquid smoke, garlic powder, salt, and dried parsley. Use clean hands to mix the ingredients gently but thoroughly. You want to ensure even distribution of flavors without overworking the meat.
Divide the mixture into 4 equal portions (or more/less depending on your desired patty size). Roll each portion into a ball and then flatten gently to form a burger patty. Ensure that the patties have an even thickness for consistent cooking.
Preheat your air fryer to 380°F if your model has a preheat option. Lightly grease the air fryer basket with a non-stick spray to prevent the burgers from sticking.
Once the air fryer is ready, carefully place the formed patties into the air fryer basket, ensuring they aren't touching. Cook at 380°F for 6-8 minutes. If you prefer a well-done burger, you may want to add an additional 1-2 minutes, but remember, bison is lean and can dry out if overcooked.
After the cooking time has elapsed, use a meat thermometer to ensure the burgers have reached an internal temperature of at least 160°F which is recommended for ground meats. If not, cook for an additional minute or two and check again.
Remove the bison burgers from the air fryer basket using a spatula and let them rest on a plate for a couple of minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring a moist burger. Once rested, assemble your burger using your favorite buns and toppings.
Serve immediately and enjoy your delicious, juicy air fryer bison burgers.
Tip: Bison meat is leaner than beef, so be cautious not to overcook the patties. Adjust cooking times based on the thickness and size of your patties and your air fryer model.
Recipe ingredients
Ground bison. Purchase fresh, or frozen and then thaw before cooking.
Onion. White onion has a more spicy bite. Yellow onions are sweeter. Choose whichever you prefer!
Worcestershire sauce. Enhances the meaty umami flavors of the bison.
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Liquid smoke. Adds a great smoky flavor, as if you were grilling the burgers.
Garlic powder. Classic savory spice for cooking.
Salt. A healthy pinch brings together the ingredients without overpowering.
Dried Parsley. For a deep herby, earthy taste.
Why is bison good for burgers
Like beef hamburgers you know and love, burgers made from bison are thick, meaty, and hearty. The meat is ground and therefore easy to shape into hefty patties. And cook time in minimum since you want the inside of the burger to be tender and slightly pink.
However, bison is much leaner and healthier. It has a great deal less saturated fat and fewer calories than beef, but is still an excellent source of protein and vital minerals.
Toppings
From fresh to savory and/or sweet, add whatever toppings you like to your burgers! Here are a few of our favorite ideas to get you going:
- Lettuce
- Onion slices
- Tomato slices
- Crispy bacon
- Cheddar, Colby jack, Swiss, or pepper jack cheese slices
- Bread and butter pickles
- Pickle relish
- Crispy fried onions
- Jalapeno slices
- Mayonnaise
- Yellow or Dijon mustard
- BBQ sauce
Expert tips and notes
- Do not overwork the meat when making the patties. Mix the ingredients just until they combine, then gently form the patties. This will keep the burgers tender and juicy.
- Use your thumb to add a slight indent to the middle of each patty before cooking. Doing so keeps the burgers from expanding and cracking.
- Place the bison patties in the basket in one layer. Do not let them touch or overlap, so they get lightly crisp on the outside.
- Check the doneness of the burgers with a meat thermometer. The internal temperature of bison needs to be 160 degrees.
- If making bison cheeseburgers, add a slice of melty cheese in the last few seconds of air frying.
Frequently asked questions
Bison meat tastes very nearly like ground beef. Because they have less fat, air fryer bison burgers do not have any greasy taste -- rather, the flavor is more sweet, meaty, and earthy.
Yes, it is! Less fat means the burgers are more hearty-healthy. They also have more protein, zinc, and iron vs. classic beef hamburgers.
You sure can! With this recipe the fresh raw patties are popped right into the fry basket to cook.
Cut a piece of parchment paper to fit the basket. Preheat the fryer first, then place the parchment inside the basket. Set the burger patties right onto the paper and cook.
Storage and leftovers
To store leftovers, first allow them to cool to room temperature. Once cooled, transfer them to airtight containers, ensuring there's minimal air inside.
Label the containers with the date and contents, then place them in the refrigerator if consuming within a few days, or freeze for longer storage. Use freezer safe container or plastic bag. Always reheat leftovers thoroughly before eating.
More air fryer recipes
- Checkers frozen fries air fryer
- Air fryer turkey cutlets
- Chicken lollipop air fryer
- Air fryer flat iron steak
- Air fryer pork chop bites
- Air fryer frozen tuna steaks
- Air fryer duck
Hope you will like this bison burgers in air fryer recipe as much as we do. Please rate the recipe if you made it and leave a comment below if you have any questions or suggestions.
Air Fryer Bison Burgers
These air fryer bison burgers are mouthwateringly tender and delicious. They have everything you love in a juicy beef hamburger but are even more flavorful and tender - and bison happens to be a healthier meat, too. Make this easy recipe in under 15 minutes with simple ingredients, and serve for a fast dinner or casual get together!
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground bison
- ½ onion, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon liquid smoke
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
Instructions
- Combine all the ingredients in a medium size bowl. Form 4 patties and place them in air fryer basket.
- Cook at 380 degrees for 8 minutes.
- Use your favorite burger toppings.
Notes
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 279Total Fat: 17gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 94mgSodium: 628mgCarbohydrates: 2gFiber: 0gSugar: 1gProtein: 27g
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