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Two Air Fryer Cheeseburger Sliders with melted cheese are stacked on a wooden board, with a blurred background and a beige cloth nearby.

Air Fryer Cheeseburger Sliders

Author: Mandy Applegate
Air Fryer Cheeseburger Sliders are my go-to when I want everything a real burger has to offer, just in a bite-sized pull-apart version that feeds a crowd without any fuss. Juicy mini patties, melty American cheese, and a homemade Big Mac-style sauce layered right onto soft slider buns before they go into the air fryer. The buns come out golden and lightly crispy on top while staying soft underneath, soaking up all that saucy, tangy flavor. I make these for game days, weeknight dinners, and any time a full-size burger feels like too much effort. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheat in the air fryer.
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Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Course: Air Fryer, Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Air Fryer Cheeseburger Sliders
Servings: 6
Calories: 693kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 package slider buns 12 count
  • 12 mini patties burgers around 1 pound
  • 6-8 slices American cheese
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Ketchup
  • Mustard

For the Big Mac sauce:

  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish
  • 1 tablespoon onion grated
  • 2 tablespoons mustard
  • 1 teaspoon white vinegar
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt to taste
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Cook the patties in a skillet, seasoning with salt and pepper. Set aside.
    12 mini patties burgers, Salt and pepper
  • In a small bowl, mix the burger sauce ingredients, adjusting the seasoning to taste.
    ½ cup mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish, 1 tablespoon onion, 2 tablespoons mustard, 1 teaspoon white vinegar, ½ teaspoon paprika, ½ teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon salt
  • Lightly grease the bottom of a 9x13 baking dish. Place the bottoms of the slider buns in the dish and spread an even layer of the burger sauce on them.
    1 package slider buns
  • Arrange the mini patties on top of the buns, then add the cheese, ketchup and mustard. (Optional: brush the buns with a little oil or milk before baking for a shiny look).
    6-8 slices American cheese, Ketchup, Mustard
  • Bake in the air fryer at 350ºF (180°C) for 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the tops are golden and crispy.
  • Serve warm and enjoy!

Notes

Here are a few tips I've picked up from making these Air Fryer Cheeseburger Sliders more times than I can count.
  • Use a large-capacity or oven-style air fryer: A standard basket air fryer won't fit a 9×13 dish. Make sure yours has the space before you start.
  • Don't skip the sauce: The Big Mac-style burger sauce is what sets these apart from a plain slider. It takes about two minutes to mix and makes a huge difference in flavor.
  • Grate the onion finely: A finely grated onion blends right into the sauce without any harsh texture or large pieces. A box grater works perfectly for this.
  • Overlap the cheese for full coverage: With 12 patties and only 6 to 8 slices of cheese, slightly overlapping ensures every slider gets a good cheesy pull when you serve them.
  • Brush the tops for a bakery finish: That optional oil or milk brush before baking is worth it. It gives the bun tops a glossy, golden look that makes them look like they came from a restaurant.
  • Flash freeze for make-ahead sliders: If you want to prep ahead, assemble the sliders without baking, wrap the dish tightly in plastic, and freeze. When ready, thaw overnight in the fridge and air fry as directed.

Nutrition

Calories: 693kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 38g | Fat: 57g | Saturated Fat: 20g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 10g | Monounsaturated Fat: 21g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 149mg | Sodium: 926mg | Potassium: 659mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 357IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 246mg | Iron: 5mg
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