If you’re looking for a showstopper that’ll have everyone grabbing seconds at Thanksgiving, let me introduce you to my air fryer bacon lasagna burger. It’s the kind of dish that happened by accident—one lazy Sunday when I couldn’t decide between lasagna and burgers, so I smashed them together. The air fryer works magic here, giving the patties that perfect crispy edge while keeping the inside juicy and loaded with melty cheese. Trust me, once you try this fusion of smoky bacon, rich ricotta, and tangy marinara all hugged by a toasted bun, it’ll earn a permanent spot on your holiday table. Best part? It’s ready in under 30 minutes, leaving you more time to enjoy the feast (and the compliments).
Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Bacon Lasagna Burger for Thanksgiving
This isn’t just another burger—it’s a holiday game-changer. Here’s why:
- Crispy magic: The air fryer gives that irresistible golden crust while keeping the inside gloriously juicy (no dry hockey pucks here!)
- Thanksgiving-ready: Packed with lasagna flavors your guests will recognize, but in fun, handheld form
- 30-minute hero: From mixing bowl to table faster than roasting a turkey breast
- Cheese pull dreams: That molten ricotta-mozzarella blend makes every bite Instagram-worthy
- Bacon makes everything better: Need I say more?
Seriously, it’s like Thanksgiving dinner decided to put on comfy pants and party.
Ingredients for Air Fryer Bacon Lasagna Burger for Thanksgiving
Here’s everything you’ll need to create these flavor-packed patties – measurements matter, so I’ve included my tried-and-true amounts (no eyeballing here!):
- 1 lb ground beef – 80/20 blend works best for juicy burgers
- 1/2 lb bacon, cooked until crisp and crumbled (save that bacon grease for roasting veggies!)
- 1 cup ricotta cheese – whole milk variety gives the creamiest texture
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella – pre-shredded works, but block cheese melts better
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan – the real stuff, not the green can
- 1 large egg – your binding agent (room temp mixes easier)
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder – my secret for depth without raw garlic chunks
- 1/2 tsp onion powder – the flavor booster that won’t overpower
- 1/2 tsp salt – kosher salt distributes best
- 1/4 tsp black pepper – freshly cracked if you’ve got it
- 4 burger buns – brioche holds up best against the juicy patties
- 1 cup marinara sauce – warm it up for assembly (I use my nonna’s recipe)
Pro tip: Set your cheeses out 30 minutes early – cold ricotta makes mixing a workout!
Equipment You’ll Need
Don’t worry—you probably have most of this already! Here’s your quick checklist:
- Air fryer (obviously!)
- Mixing bowl – big enough for sticky hands
- Measuring cups/spoons – cheesy eyeballing leads to burger chaos
- Spatula – for flipping those precious patties
- Kitchen tongs – perfect for grabbing toasted buns
That’s it! No fancy gadgets required—just good old-fashioned burger-making magic.
How to Make Air Fryer Bacon Lasagna Burger for Thanksgiving
Okay, let’s get down to business! These burgers come together faster than your uncle can tell his same old Thanksgiving story. Just follow these simple steps:
Step 1: Prepare the Patty Mixture
First things first – grab that big mixing bowl (I use the one my mom gave me – it’s seen more burger mixtures than I can count). Dump in your ground beef, crumbled bacon, ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, egg, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Now roll up those sleeves!
Here’s my trick: use your hands to mix everything together gently but thoroughly. You want all those cheeses and spices evenly distributed, but don’t overwork it – tough burgers are sad burgers. The egg should make the mixture slightly sticky but still hold together when you pinch it.
Step 2: Shape and Cook in Air Fryer
Preheat your air fryer to 375°F while you shape four equal-sized patties (about 1/2-inch thick works best). Pro tip: make them slightly wider than your buns – they’ll shrink a bit!
Carefully place patties in the basket with some space between them – no crowding! Air fry for 10 minutes, then flip (I use a thin spatula for this delicate operation). Cook another 8 minutes until they’re beautifully golden and reach 160°F internally.
Step 3: Toast Buns and Assemble
While the patties rest (so important!), toss your buns in the air fryer for just 1-2 minutes until lightly toasted. Spread warmed marinara on both halves – be generous! Place your cheesy masterpiece on the bottom bun and top it off.
Voilà! You’ve just created Thanksgiving magic in burger form. Now watch them disappear faster than the last slice of pie!
Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Bacon Lasagna Burger for Thanksgiving
After making these dozens of times (okay, maybe hundreds – don’t judge my burger obsession), here are my can’t-miss secrets:
- Crispy hack: Lightly spray patties with olive oil before air frying for that irresistible golden crust
- Cheese swap: Try provolone or fontina instead of mozzarella for a bolder flavor punch
- No air fryer? Bake at 375°F for 20-25 minutes – just watch for browning
- Make ahead: Prep patties and refrigerate up to 24 hours before cooking
- Gluten-free: Use your favorite GF buns – the patties are naturally GF!
Remember: overmixing = tough burgers. Treat that meat like a delicate lasagna noodle!
Serving Suggestions for Air Fryer Bacon Lasagna Burger for Thanksgiving
These burgers scream for simple, fresh sides that cut through the richness. I always serve mine with crispy air fryer Brussels sprouts (tossed in that leftover bacon grease!) and a bright arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette. For Thanksgiving, add roasted sweet potatoes – they’re practically made for these flavors!
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Leftovers? No problem! Store cooked patties in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. When you’re ready for round two, pop them back in the air fryer at 350°F for 3-4 minutes – they’ll taste just as crispy and delicious as the first time. (The buns are best fresh though!)
Nutritional Information for Air Fryer Bacon Lasagna Burger for Thanksgiving
Now, I’m no nutritionist, but here’s the scoop on what’s in these glorious burgers (because let’s be real – we’re all counting memories, not calories on Thanksgiving!). Just remember: these values are estimates and might change based on your exact ingredients. Here’s the breakdown per burger:
- Calories: 550 – consider it investment in happiness
- Protein: 35g – basically a gym session in patty form
- Carbs: 25g – mostly from that glorious brioche bun
- Fat: 35g (15g saturated) – the delicious cost of bacon and cheese
- Sodium: 900mg – blame the Parmesan and bacon (worth it!)
- Sugar: 4g – just a whisper from the marinara
Pro tip: Want to lighten it up? Use turkey bacon and part-skim ricotta – but honestly? It’s Thanksgiving. Live a little!
Frequently Asked Questions
Over the years (and many burger experiments), I’ve gotten the same burning questions about this recipe. Here are the answers you need to become a bacon lasagna burger pro:
Can I use turkey bacon instead?
Absolutely! While regular bacon gives that classic smoky richness, turkey bacon works great too. Just make sure to cook it extra crispy before crumbling – it helps mimic that texture we love. You might want to add an extra pinch of smoked paprika to boost the flavor.
How can I make this gluten-free?
Easy peasy! The patties themselves are naturally gluten-free (hooray!). Just swap regular buns for your favorite GF version – I love using toasted gluten-free brioche buns. And double-check your marinara sauce to ensure it’s gluten-free (most are, but some sneaky brands add thickeners).
Can I prep the patties ahead of time?
Yes! In fact, I often mix and shape the patties the night before. Just cover them tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate. Let them sit at room temp for 15 minutes before air frying – cold patties won’t cook as evenly. They’ll keep for up to 24 hours before cooking.
Why did my burgers fall apart in the air fryer?
Oh no! This usually happens if the egg wasn’t mixed in thoroughly or if the patties were underhandled. Make sure that egg is fully incorporated to bind everything together. Also, avoid making the patties too thin – 1/2-inch thickness is the sweet spot for holding their shape while cooking.
Can I freeze leftovers?
You bet! Cooked patties freeze beautifully for up to 2 months. Wrap each one individually in foil, then pop them in a freezer bag. Reheat straight from frozen in the air fryer at 350°F for 6-8 minutes – they’ll taste just-made! The buns don’t freeze well though, so keep those fresh.
If you whipped up these bacon lasagna burgers (and I really hope you did!), I’d love to hear how they turned out! Did your family go wild for them at Thanksgiving? Maybe you put your own spin on the recipe? Drop a quick note in the comments – your tips and tricks might help another home cook create their new favorite holiday dish. And if you snapped a photo of that glorious cheese pull, tag me on Instagram – nothing makes me happier than seeing my recipes out in the wild, making memories around your table!
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Irresistible 30-Minute Air Fryer Bacon Lasagna Burger Recipe
- Total Time: 33 minutes
- Yield: 4 burgers
- Diet: Low Lactose
Description
A delicious fusion dish combining the flavors of lasagna and bacon in a burger, cooked in an air fryer for a crispy finish. Perfect for Thanksgiving.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/2 lb bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 4 burger buns
- 1 cup marinara sauce
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
- In a bowl, mix ground beef, crumbled bacon, ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, egg, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
- Shape the mixture into 4 equal-sized patties.
- Place patties in the air fryer basket, leaving space between them.
- Cook for 10 minutes, flip, and cook for another 8 minutes or until fully cooked.
- Toast the burger buns in the air fryer for 1-2 minutes.
- Assemble the burgers by spreading marinara sauce on the buns and adding the patties.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
- For extra crispiness, spray the patties lightly with oil before air frying.
- You can add a slice of provolone cheese on top of the patties for extra flavor.
- If you don’t have an air fryer, you can bake the patties at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: Fusion