Air Fryer Hamburger Sliders are my go-to when I want juicy burgers without heating up the oven. The beef gets perfectly seasoned with onions, the cheese melts into every corner, and those Hawaiian rolls turn golden and buttery on the top. Every bite is soft, juicy, and loaded with tangy sauce. You’ll wonder why you ever made sliders any other way.

Close-up of Air Fryer Hamburger Slider with sesame seed buns, melted cheese, and beef patties on a wooden surface. — Air Fryer Hamburger Sliders. Photo Credit: Your Perfect Recipes

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I make them for Super Bowl parties, summer BBQs, potlucks, and anytime I need quick party food that everyone will actually eat. They’re kid-friendly, budget-friendly, and ready in just minutes thanks to the air fryer. They travel well and stay warm, making them perfect for tailgates or parties. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze for 2 to 3 months.

Ingredients You’ll Need

You’ll need all the ingredients shown in the photograph below.

Top-down view of Air Fryer Hamburger Slider ingredients, including ground beef, cheddar cheese, Hawaiian rolls, condiments, spices, butter, olive oil, and diced onion—all clearly labeled. — Air Fryer Hamburger Sliders. Photo Credit: Your Perfect Recipes

How to Make Air Fryer Hamburger Sliders with Step-By-Step Instructions

Scroll down for the full recipe card containing a full printable recipe and measurements in both US customary and metric units.

You’ll have these sliders ready in under 30 minutes with minimal cleanup.

Cook the Beef and Onions

Heat olive oil in a cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a meat chopper or a sturdy spatula as it cooks. You can also opt for lean ground beef if you want lower fat content in your meat.

Toss in the diced onion and cook until soft and translucent. Season with salt and black pepper to taste, then remove from heat and set aside to cool slightly.

Prepare the Rolls

Using a serrated bread knife, slice the Hawaiian rolls in half horizontally as a single slab without separating the individual rolls.

Place the bottom half of the rolls in a greased or parchment-lined ceramic baking dish that fits in your air fryer basket.

Make the Sauce

In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, and garlic powder with a mini whisk. Mix until smooth and creamy.

Assemble the Sliders

Spread the sauce evenly over both the top and bottom buns. Spoon the beef and onion mixture evenly across the bottom half, spreading it to the edges. Lay the cheddar cheese slices over the beef, covering the entire surface so every slider gets cheese.

Add the Topping

Place the top buns back on and brush generously with melted butter using a silicone pastry brush. Sprinkle with Everything But the Bagel seasoning for a crunchy, flavorful finish.

Air Fry

Bake the slider buns in the air fryer at 350°F (180°C) for 7 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the tops are golden brown. The butter will soak into the rolls and create a crispy top layer.

Slice and Serve

Let cool slightly for about 2 minutes, then slice along the seams of the rolls to separate into individual sliders, or pull them apart and watch the melty cheese stretch. Serve warm and enjoy!

These mini burgers travel well. Keep the sliders in the baking dish and cover tightly with aluminum foil to hold in heat if you’re serving them within an hour. For longer transport, you can also pack them in an insulated carrier to keep them warm for up to 2 hours.

Air Fryer Hamburger Slider

Air Fryer Hamburger Sliders are my go-to when I want juicy, cheesy burgers that come together fast without heating up the oven. They're mini sandwiches with seasoned ground beef, melted cheese, and soft Hawaiian rolls brushed with garlic butter. I make them for Super Bowl parties, tailgates, and potlucks because they're kid-friendly, budget-friendly, and everyone actually eats them. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze for 2 to 3 months.

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Prep Time 10

Cook Time 12

Total Time 22

Course Appetizer, Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings

Calories 450 kcal

Ingredients

1 pound ground beef
1 tablespoon olive oil
½ cup white onion finely diced
Salt and black pepper to taste
12 Hawaiian rolls
2 tablespoons butter melted
1 tablespoon Everything But the Bagel seasoning
8 slices cheddar cheese

For the Sauce:

¼ cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons ketchup
1 tablespoon mustard
½ teaspoon garlic powder

Instructions

Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spatula. Add the diced onion and cook until soft and translucent. Season with salt and pepper. Remove from heat and set aside.
1 pound ground beef, 1 tablespoon olive oil, ½ cup white onion, Salt and black pepper
Slice the Hawaiian rolls in half horizontally as a single slab—do not separate the individual rolls. Place the bottom half in a greased or parchment-lined 9×13-inch baking dish that fits in your air fryer.
12 Hawaiian rolls
In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, and garlic powder. Mix until smooth.
¼ cup mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons ketchup, 1 tablespoon mustard, ½ teaspoon garlic powder
Spread the sauce evenly over both the top and bottom halves of the rolls. Spoon the beef and onion mixture evenly across the bottom half. Lay the cheddar cheese slices over the beef, covering the surface.
8 slices cheddar cheese
Place the top half of the rolls back on. Brush the tops with melted butter and sprinkle with Everything But the Bagel seasoning.
2 tablespoons butter, 1 tablespoon Everything But the Bagel seasoning
Bake the sliders in the air fryer at 350°F (180°C) for 7 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the tops are golden brown.
Let cool slightly, then slice along the seams of the rolls to separate into individual sliders. Serve warm.

Notes

Here’s what I’ve learned from making these sliders dozens of times.

Don’t skip browning the beef: Cooking the beef fully before assembling means you won’t have any grease pooling in the pan or making the rolls soggy.

Use a single slab of rolls: Keeping the Hawaiian rolls connected as one piece makes assembly faster and helps them bake evenly without drying out around the edges.

Spread the sauce on both halves: Putting sauce on the top and bottom layers keeps every bite flavorful and prevents the rolls from getting dry.

Cover the beef completely with cheese: Laying cheese slices edge to edge over the beef mixture means every slider gets melted cheese instead of some being dry.

Brush butter generously: The melted butter soaks into the tops and creates a golden, crispy layer that contrasts perfectly with the soft rolls underneath.

Flash-freeze for storage: Freeze assembled sliders on a baking sheet for 1 hour before transferring to airtight containers so they don’t stick together, and you can grab just what you need. Refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for 2 to 3 months, then thaw and reheat in the air fryer.

Nutrition

Calories: 450kcalCarbohydrates: 26gProtein: 19gFat: 30gSaturated Fat: 12gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 82mgSodium: 398mgPotassium: 222mgFiber: 1gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 315IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 166mgIron: 2mg

Keyword Air Fryer Hamburger Slider

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How to Store Leftovers

Store leftover sliders in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat them in the air fryer at 325°F for 3 to 4 minutes until warmed through and the tops crisp up again.

You can also freeze them for 2 to 3 months by wrapping individual sliders in plastic wrap, then placing them in a freezer bag or freezer-safe container, making them also great for meal prep. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat in the air fryer for best results.

What to Serve With Air Fryer Hamburger Sliders

Air-fried hamburger sliders make a delicious appetizer for parties or casual dinners. I usually serve them with crispy sweet potato fries or regular French fries. A simple side salad with ranch dressing balances out the richness, and coleslaw adds a crunchy, tangy contrast to the cheese.

For parties, I set out pickles, sliced tomatoes, and extra condiments so everyone can customize their sliders. Potato chips, corn on the cob, and baked beans, or even BBQ sauce and other slider recipes, are also great for gatherings and game day spreads.

More Easy Recipes for You to Try at Home

If you love making these, you’ll want to check out my other favorite air fryer recipes.

Air Fryer Hamburger Sliders

Ingredients You’ll Need