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.
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
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