Make easy cheeseburger sliders with a homemade topping

Easy Cheeseburger Sliders Made in the Air Fryer

These air fryer cheeseburger sliders are one of my favorite “everyone’s happy” dinners. You get juicy, seasoned beef, melty cheese, and warm Hawaiian rolls with golden tops — without turning on the oven or standing at the grill.

My kids rave over anything I turn into sliders (because mini food = instantly more fun). And this method is extra easy because you cook one big burger patty first, then slice and layer it onto the rolls. Less fuss, fewer dishes, and the sliders come out evenly every time.

You can check out my YouTube channel for 8 more simple, yet delicious air fryer dinner recipes.

Air Fryer Cheeseburger Sliders at a Glance

• Prep time: 10 minutes
• Cook time: 10–15 minutes (patty) + 2–3 minutes (toast)
• Air fryer temp: 380°F for the patty, then 330°F to melt/toast
• Doneness: Cook ground beef to 160°F (use a thermometer)
• Best rolls: Hawaiian sweet rolls (but any slider rolls work)

Food safety note: For ground beef, a reliable guideline is cooking to an internal temp of 160°F. For official guidance, see FoodSafety.gov’s internal temperature chart.

Jump to: Air Fryer Cheeseburger Sliders Recipe Guide

Ingredients and Supplies You’ll Need

Ingredients

Beef patty:

• Lean ground beef
• Garlic powder
• Salt
• Black pepper
• White onion, diced
• Sweet rolls (Hawaiian rolls)
• Sliced cheese (your choice)

Glaze (for the tops):

• Butter, melted
• Salt
• Packed brown sugar
• Worcestershire sauce
• Dijon mustard
• Sesame seeds

Supplies

• Large mixing bowl
• Aluminum foil (optional foil sling)
• Spatula
• Air fryer  – we like the Cosori Turbo Blaze
• Serrated knife
• Pastry brush
• Instant read thermometer

What Else Can I Use Instead of Ground Beef?

Yes — you can absolutely swap the protein. Just aim for a similar thickness so the cook time stays close.

• Ground turkey
• Ground bison
• Ground chicken

Do I need to use sweet rolls?

Nope. Hawaiian rolls are my favorite because they’re soft and slightly sweet, but any slider buns or small dinner rolls will work. If your rolls are extra tall or dense, add 30–60 seconds to the final toast step.

Lean beef vs. 80/20 beef

Some slider recipes recommend 80/20 for maximum juiciness. (Totally fair!) If you’re using lean beef like we do here, the glaze + cheese helps keep everything tasting rich and satisfying.

Optional 2-Minute Burger Sauce (Worth It)

This is one of the biggest “page-1” add-ons: a simple sauce makes sliders feel restaurant-y with basically zero effort.

• 1/3 cup mayo
• 1 Tbsp ketchup
• 1 tsp yellow mustard
• 1–2 tsp pickle relish (optional, but so good)
• Pinch of garlic powder + pepper

Stir and spread lightly on the inside of the rolls (or serve on the side for dipping).

How to Make Air Fryer Cheeseburger Sliders

Step 1: Make the Meat Patty

Add the ground beef, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper to a large bowl and mix until evenly combined (don’t overwork it).

Step 2: Air Fry the Burger Patty

Form the meat into one large patty and place it in the air fryer basket. Optional: use a foil sling to make removal easier (just note it can reduce grease drainage).

Step 3: Cook + Add Onions

Air fry at 380°F for 7–15 minutes depending on thickness. Halfway through, add diced onions over the top and continue cooking until the patty reaches 160°F.

Pro tip (competitor gap): If your burger tends to puff in the center, make a shallow indentation in the middle before cooking (even with a large patty). It helps it cook flatter and slice more evenly.

Step 4: Clean the Basket Quickly

Remove the patty to a plate. Carefully drain excess grease and wipe the basket (it helps keep the rolls from absorbing grease later). Let the patty rest 2 minutes for juicier slices.

Step 5: Build the Sliders

Slice the rolls in half lengthwise and place the bottoms in the air fryer. (In a 5.8 qt basket, you can typically fit about 12.)

Place the cooked patty on top (slice to fit if needed), add cheese, then place the top buns on.

Step 6: Add the Glaze

Brush tops with melted butter or your prepared glaze, then sprinkle sesame seeds.

Step 7: Melt + Toast

Air fry at 330°F for 2–3 minutes, just until the cheese melts and the tops are golden. Serve warm.

Favorite Toppings + What to Serve With Sliders

Topping bar ideas: pickles, shredded lettuce, tomato slices, red onion, bacon, jalapeños, burger sauce, BBQ sauce, ketchup, mustard.

Easy sides: air fryer fries, onion rings, fruit salad, simple green salad, or veggie sticks (especially if these are for game day or a crowd).

Make-Ahead, Storage & Reheating

• Make-ahead: Cook the patty up to 24 hours ahead, refrigerate, then assemble and toast right before serving.
• Store leftovers: Refrigerate sliders in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
• Reheat: Air fry at 320°F for 2–4 minutes until warmed through (cover loosely with foil if the tops are browning too fast).

FAQ

Can you make cheeseburger sliders in the air fryer?

Yes! Air fryer cheeseburger sliders cook quickly and are easy to toast at the end so the rolls turn golden and the cheese melts perfectly.

Do I have to make individual patties?

No — cooking one large patty is faster and makes assembly super simple. It also helps the sliders cook evenly once assembled.

How do you keep sliders from getting soggy?

Drain excess grease after cooking the patty and do the final quick toast at the end. That little toast step makes a big difference.

Final Thoughts

If you need a dinner that disappears fast, this is it. These air fryer cheeseburger sliders are kid-approved, party-friendly, and way easier than making a dozen tiny patties. If you try them, tell me your favorite topping combo!

Easy Cheeseburger Sliders

Make dinner fun with easy cheeseburger sliders. Everything is better in the form of a slider, especially these juicy cheeseburgers.

5 / 5 ( 2 Reviews )

Print Rate

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 18 minutes minutes

Total Time: 28 minutes minutes

Serves: 6

Adjust Servings: 6

US CustomaryMetric

Equipment

• Large mixing bowl
• Aluminum foil or parchment paper
• Spatula
• Air Fryer
• Serrated knife
• Pastry brush
• Instant read thermometer

Ingredients

• 2 lb Lean ground beef
• 2 tsp Garlic powder
• 1 tsp Salt
• 2 tsp Black pepper
• 1 White onion Diced
• 9-12 Sweet rolls Mini

Roll Glaze

• ¼ cup Butter Melted
• ½ tsp Salt
• 2 tbps Brown sugar Packed
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
• ½ tbsp Sesame seeds

Instructions

• Combine the beef and spices in a bowl. (see note)
• Press the beef into the bottom air fryer basket. Air fry for 7-15 minutes at 380 °F. Halfway through cooking, add the diced white onions.

  (Tip: To help make removing the patty from the air fryer easier, you can cook it on tin foil by making a tin foil sling. This will mean that the excess grease won't drain as easily, but it will be easier to remove).

  (Note: The total amount of cooking time will depend on how thick your patties are, and the model of your air fryer. Start with 7 minutes then add more time as needed. Keep cooking until the patty contains no traces of pink. Hamburger patties are typically done cooking once they reach an internal temperature of 160 °F).
• Once the patty is done. Carefully remove it from the air fryer basket. Drain any excess grease. Wipe down the air fryer basket and remove any extra grease from the bottom of the basket.
•  Slice the rolls in half lengthwise. Place the bottom half in the air fryer basket. I'm able to fit 6 rolls in my 5.8qt Cosori. If your air fryer basket is smaller than my 5.8qt Cosori air fryer, then break apart the rolls until they fit in your air fryer basket.
•  Place the large hamburger patty on top of the rolls. Top with the cheese slices. Top with the top half of the rolls.
• Optional: In a small bowl combine the melted butter and all other ingredients for the butter topping. Then, brush the tops of the rolls liberally with melted butter (or pour it over) mixture and sprinkle the sesame seeds on top.
• Air fry for 2-3 minutes at 330 °F, or until cheese is melted and tops are browned to your liking.
• Remove from the air fryer basket and enjoy!

Recipe Notes

The amount of spices you use depends on how much beef you are using. Use 1 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp salt, 1 tsp pepper to every 1 lb of ground beef.

Nutrition

Calories: 383kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 16g | Sodium: 760mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 13g

Recipe Adapted From: The Cookie Rookie