This air fryer vegan burger recipe is a delicious and healthy alternative to traditional meat burgers. It's packed with flavor and has a satisfying texture, making it perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a weekend cookout. Plus, it's easy to make and requires minimal ingredients.
If you don't usually have black beans or breadcrumbs in your pantry, you might need to pick them up at the supermarket. Black beans are typically found in the canned goods aisle, while breadcrumbs can be found in the baking section. Make sure to get plain breadcrumbs to keep the flavor profile balanced.

Ingredients for Air Fryer Vegan Burger Recipe
Black beans: These provide the base for the burger, offering a hearty texture and rich flavor.
Breadcrumbs: Used to bind the mixture together, ensuring the patties hold their shape.
Onion: Adds a subtle sweetness and depth of flavor to the patties.
Garlic: Enhances the overall taste with its aromatic and pungent qualities.
Soy sauce: Provides a savory umami flavor that complements the other ingredients.
Smoked paprika: Adds a smoky, slightly spicy note to the burgers.
Black pepper: Gives a mild heat and enhances the other flavors.
Salt: Essential for bringing out the flavors of all the ingredients.
Technique Tip for This Vegan Burger
To ensure your patties hold together well, make sure the black beans are thoroughly mashed. This will help bind the mixture and prevent the burgers from falling apart during cooking. If the mixture feels too wet, you can add a bit more breadcrumbs to achieve the desired consistency.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
cooked and mashed black beans - Substitute with cooked and mashed chickpeas: Chickpeas provide a similar texture and protein content, making them a great alternative for the base of the burger.
breadcrumbs - Substitute with oat flour: Oat flour helps bind the ingredients together and adds a slightly nutty flavor, while also being gluten-free.
finely chopped onion - Substitute with finely chopped shallots: Shallots offer a milder and slightly sweeter flavor compared to onions, which can enhance the overall taste of the burger.
minced garlic - Substitute with garlic powder: Garlic powder provides a similar flavor profile and is easier to mix evenly throughout the burger mixture.
soy sauce - Substitute with tamari: Tamari is a gluten-free alternative to soy sauce and offers a similar umami flavor, making it suitable for those with gluten sensitivities.
smoked paprika - Substitute with chipotle powder: Chipotle powder adds a smoky and slightly spicy flavor, which can enhance the depth of the burger's taste.
black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper provides a similar heat but with a slightly different flavor profile, which can add a unique twist to the burger.
salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce can add both saltiness and umami flavor, reducing the need for additional salt while enhancing the overall taste.
Other Alternative Recipes Similar to This Vegan Burger
How to Store or Freeze Your Vegan Burgers
To store your air fryer vegan burgers, let them cool completely after cooking. Place the patties in an airtight container, separating each patty with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
For freezing, allow the patties to cool completely. Lay them out on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, ensuring they do not touch each other. Place the baking sheet in the freezer for about 1-2 hours, or until the patties are frozen solid.
Once the patties are frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or airtight container. Label the container with the date to keep track of freshness. These vegan burgers can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.
When you're ready to enjoy a frozen patty, you can reheat it directly from the freezer. Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Place the frozen patties in the air fryer basket and cook for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway through, until heated through and crispy on the outside.
Alternatively, you can thaw the patties in the refrigerator overnight before reheating. Once thawed, reheat in the air fryer at 375°F (190°C) for about 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through.
For added flavor, consider brushing the patties with a bit of olive oil or your favorite barbecue sauce before reheating. This will help to keep them moist and enhance their taste.
Serve your reheated vegan burgers on fresh buns with your favorite toppings such as lettuce, tomato, avocado, or vegan cheese. Enjoy a delicious and convenient meal any day of the week!
How to Reheat Leftovers
- Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Place the leftover vegan burger patties in the basket and heat for 5-7 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they are warmed through and crispy on the outside.
- If you prefer using an oven, preheat it to 375°F (190°C). Place the patties on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for about 10-12 minutes, flipping once halfway through.
- For a quick microwave option, place the patties on a microwave-safe plate and cover them with a damp paper towel. Heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, checking to ensure they are heated evenly.
- To reheat on the stovetop, heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add a small amount of olive oil or cooking spray and cook the patties for 3-4 minutes on each side until they are heated through and have a nice crust.
- If you have a toaster oven, preheat it to 375°F (190°C). Place the patties on the rack or a baking sheet and heat for 8-10 minutes, flipping once for even reheating.
Best Tools for Making Vegan Burgers in an Air Fryer
Air fryer: This is the primary cooking device used to cook the vegan burger patties to a crispy perfection without the need for excessive oil.
Mixing bowl: A large bowl is essential for combining all the ingredients together to form a uniform mixture.
Masher: This tool is used to mash the cooked black beans to the right consistency for the burger patties.
Measuring cups: These are used to accurately measure out the black beans, breadcrumbs, and other ingredients.
Measuring spoons: These are used to measure smaller quantities of ingredients like soy sauce, smoked paprika, black pepper, and salt.
Knife: A sharp knife is needed to finely chop the onion and mince the garlic.
Cutting board: This provides a safe and clean surface for chopping the onion and mincing the garlic.
Spatula: A spatula is useful for flipping the patties halfway through the cooking process in the air fryer.
Serving plate: Once the patties are cooked, they can be placed on a serving plate before being assembled into burgers.
Buns: While not a tool, buns are essential for serving the patties as burgers with your favorite toppings.
How to Save Time on This Recipe
Prepare ingredients in advance: Chop the onion and mince the garlic ahead of time to streamline the process.
Use canned beans: Opt for canned black beans to skip the cooking step and save time.
Preheat the air fryer: Preheating the air fryer ensures even cooking and reduces overall cooking time.
Make extra patties: Double the recipe and freeze extra patties for a quick meal later.
Use a food processor: Quickly mix all ingredients using a food processor to save time on manual mixing.

Air Fryer Vegan Burger Recipe
Ingredients
Burger Ingredients
- 1 cup black beans cooked and mashed
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup onion finely chopped
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- 1. Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
- 2. In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients and mix well.
- 3. Form the mixture into 4 patties.
- 4. Place the patties in the air fryer basket and cook for 10 minutes. Flip the patties and cook for another 10 minutes.
- 5. Serve the patties on buns with your favorite toppings.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
Suggested Appetizers and Desserts
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