Bacon cheeseburger with lettuce and tomato on a toasted bun, served on a wooden plate with a glass of beer in the background.

Air Fryer Recipes > Beef Recipes

Bourbon Bacon Burger

Name: Bourbon Bacon Burger
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 24 min
Total time: 34 min
Yield: 2
Ingredients: 1 tbspbourbonAmount1 tbspIngredientbourbon; 2 tbspbrown sugarAmount2 tbspIngredientbrown sugar; 3maple baconAmount3Ingredientmaple baconPreparationcut in half cut in half; 3/4 lbground beefAmount3/4 lbIngredientground beefPreparation80% lean 80% lean; 1 tbspminced onionAmount1 tbspIngredientminced onion; 2 tbspBBQ sauceAmount2 tbspIngredientBBQ sauce; 1/2 tspsaltAmount1/2 tspIngredientsalt; freshly ground black pepperIngredientfreshly ground black pepperPreparationto taste to taste; 2Colby Jack cheese or Monterey Jack cheeseAmount2IngredientColby Jack cheese or Monterey Jack cheese; 2Kaiser rollsAmount2IngredientKaiser rolls; lettuce and tomatoIngredientlettuce and tomatoPreparationfor serving for serving; 2 tbspmayonnaiseAmount2 tbspIngredientmayonnaise; 1/4 tspground paprikaAmount1/4 tspIngredientground paprika

A sweet-smoky air fryer burger with sticky bourbon bacon energy.

SERVINGS 2
PREP 10 mins
COOK 24 mins
AUTHOR Meredith Laurence

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Category Air Fryer Recipes

Ingredients

Bourbon Bacon

1 tbspbourbon
2 tbspbrown sugar
3maple bacon cut in half

Burgers

3/4 lbground beef 80% lean
1 tbspminced onion
2 tbspBBQ sauce
1/2 tspsalt
freshly ground black pepper to taste
2Colby Jack cheese or Monterey Jack cheese
2Kaiser rolls
lettuce and tomato for serving

Zesty Burger Sauce

2 tbspBBQ sauce
2 tbspmayonnaise
1/4 tspground paprika
freshly ground black pepper to taste

More to Know

This bourbon bacon burger is a bold, air fryer-friendly burger that layers sweet-savory bacon, seasoned beef, melty Colby Jack, and a tangy BBQ mayo sauce for a juicy, messy-in-a-good-way result. The recipe works because each layer adds a different kind of flavor: the beef is seasoned inside the patty, the bacon gets a sticky brown sugar glaze, and the sauce ties everything together without drowning the burger.

What makes the flavor pop

The mix of BBQ sauce, onion, salt, and pepper in the beef gives the patties more flavor than a plain burger, so you do not need a long topping list to make it interesting. Colby Jack or Monterey Jack melts smoothly and stays mellow enough to balance the sweeter bacon. The bourbon-brown sugar coating on the bacon brings caramelized sweetness and a little warmth, which is what gives this burger its weekend-drama feel.

How the air fryer keeps it easy

Cooking the burger and bacon in the air fryer keeps this recipe low-drama and cuts down on skillet cleanup. The bacon starts first so it can get crispy and glazed, then the burgers go in at a slightly lower temperature so they cook through without drying out too fast. Adding a little water to the drawer helps reduce smoking from the rendered bacon fat, which is especially useful in smaller kitchens.

What to watch for

Do not overmix the beef or the patties can turn dense instead of tender.
If the bacon is browning too fast, keep an eye on it during the second half of cooking.
Use a toothpick to hold the cheese in place if your air fryer fan is strong.
Let the burger cook until it looks done the way you like it, since air fryers can vary a lot.

Easy swaps and variations

This recipe is already built from grocery-store ingredients, but it is easy to make it your own. If you want a sharper cheese flavor, try Monterey Jack. If you prefer a little more crunch, add extra lettuce or sliced tomato. You can also use your favorite BBQ sauce in the patties and sauce, as long as it is one you actually like eating with bacon.

Swap Kaiser rolls for brioche buns if you want a softer, richer bite.
Use smoked bacon if you want a deeper savory flavor.
Make the sauce a little spicier with extra paprika or a hotter BBQ sauce.
Serve it open-faced if you want a slightly lighter, less-bun-heavy burger.

Serving ideas that fit the mood

This burger is rich enough to stand on its own, but it pairs well with simple sides that bring a little crunch or freshness. Fries, potato wedges, coleslaw, or a green salad all work without competing with the burger. If you are serving it for a casual dinner or weekend cookout, keep the sides easy so the burger stays the main event.

Storage and make-ahead tips

This burger is best assembled and eaten right away, since the bacon stays crispier and the rolls hold up better when they are not sitting under sauce for too long. If you want to prep ahead, cook the bacon, mix the sauce, and shape the patties in advance, then cook the burgers just before serving. Leftover cooked patties can be refrigerated and reheated, but the texture will be best if you store the buns, toppings, and meat separately.

Best way to serve it

Spread the sauce on the rolls, add the burger, then finish with bacon, lettuce, and tomato so the freshest ingredients stay on top. That order keeps the bun from getting soggy too fast and gives every bite a mix of creamy, crispy, and fresh. If you are into bold burgers that still feel easy enough for a home cook to pull off, this one is worth making again.

If you’re in the mood for more handheld meal ideas, browse these sandwich recipes for another easy lunch or dinner option.

For a crispy side, these air fryer onion petals would make a fun match with the burger’s smoky-sweet flavors.

Meredith Laurence attribution: Meredith Laurence, known as The Blue Jean Chef, as a nationally recognized trained chef and a best-selling author. Her new book, Air Fry Genius, was released in November 2017. www.meredithlaurence.com.

For a crispy side, these air fryer onion petals would make a fun match with the burger’s smoky-sweet flavors, and you can also find another air fryer dinner idea in these air fryer banh mi meatball bowls.

If you want another burger that leans into bacon, cheese, and BBQ flavor, try the Steakhouse BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger.

If you’re in the mood for more handheld meal ideas, browse these sandwich recipes for another easy lunch or dinner option.

If you want another burger that leans into bacon, cheese, and BBQ flavor, try the Aloha BBQ Burger Sliders.

More Context

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About the Author

Meredith Laurence

Meredith Laurence, better known as the Blue Jean Chef, is a cookbook author, culinary instructor, and television personality with more than 30 years of experience in the food industry. After training at the New England Culinary Institute and working in professional kitchens in France and San Francisco, she discovered her passion for teaching home cooks how to feel confident in the kitchen. Meredith is the author of multiple bestselling cookbooks and spent 17 years sharing recipes, techniques, and kitchen tips on QVC. Through her recipes, videos, and classes, she continues to help home cooks create delicious meals with confidence. Her philosophy is simple: cooking should be easy, approachable, and as comfortable as your favorite pair of blue jeans.

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Bourbon Bacon Burger