Air Fryer Veggie Burger Sliders
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Honestly, these Air Fryer Veggie Burger Sliders are my new favorite way to get a delicious, good meal on the table fast. Lentils, black beans, and mushrooms come together into a patty that is golden and crispy outside, tender and savory inside. Pile them onto soft slider buns with creamy sauce, fresh cucumber, and purple cabbage, and trust me, one is never enough.
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I love making these for game day parties, summer picnics, potlucks, and family dinners because they’re hearty, bold, and always the most talked-about appetizer on the table. They’re also great for making ahead since the patties reheat well in the air fryer. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze the patties for up to 3 months.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll need all the ingredients shown in the photograph below.
How to Make Air Fryer Veggie Burger Sliders with Step-By-Step Instructions
Here’s exactly how I make these from start to finish, with everything you need to know along the way.
Scroll down for the full recipe card containing a full printable recipe and measurements in both US customary and metric units.
Blend the Patty Mixture
Add the lentils, black beans, onions, garlic, breadcrumbs, oat flour, mushrooms, parsley, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper to a food processor with a large bowl capacity. I always use this food processor, which makes this step much easier when you’re working with a big batch.
Blend until smooth, but don’t over-process if you want a little texture in your patties. Pulse the food processor rather than running it continuously so you can stop as soon as everything is just combined. A slightly grainy mix holds together better and gives each patty more bite than a completely smooth puree.
Shape the Burger Patties
Turn the mixture out and divide it into 16 equal portions. Shape each one into a small patty directly on a sheet of parchment paper to prevent sticking and make it easy to transfer them to the air fryer without losing their shape.
When shaping, press each patty together firmly with your hands so they stay compact and don’t crack or fall apart during cooking. Making them about half an inch thick gives you that crispy outside without drying out the center.
A burger press patty maker gives you uniform, even sliders that hold their shape perfectly.
Preheat and Prep the Air Fryer
Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease the basket or line it with a sheet of air fryer parchment liner so the patties release cleanly without sticking or falling apart.
Silicone air fryer liner makes this step completely effortless and keeps cleanup minimal, too.
Cook the Patties
Place the patties in a single layer in the basket, making sure none touch. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook them in batches.
Cook for 12 to 15 minutes, flipping halfway through, until each patty is golden brown and crisp on the outside.
Serve the Sliders
Load each patty into a small burger bun and top with fresh cucumber, red onion, and your favorite sauce. Mini slider buns are perfect for this, and setting out a few different sauces lets everyone build their own.
If you’re taking these somewhere, pack the cooked patties and buns separately in a portable container inside this insulated casserole carrier to keep everything fresh and prevent soggy buns. Bring toppings in small containers and assemble on-site. If you need to keep them warm, wrapping the patties in foil before placing them in the carrier helps hold the heat for up to an hour.
Equipment
Ingredients
- 6 cups canned lentils drained
- 2 cups canned black beans drained
- 4 onions chopped
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 2 cups breadcrumbs
- 2 cups rolled oats ground to oat flour
- 32 mushrooms cut into small pieces
- ¼ cup fresh parsley chopped
- Worcestershire sauce vegetarian
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Combine the lentils, black beans, onions, garlic, breadcrumbs, oat flour, mushrooms, parsley, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper in a food processor. Blend until smooth, leaving it a bit grainy if you prefer more texture.6 cups canned lentils, 2 cups canned black beans, 4 onions, 4 cloves garlic, 2 cups breadcrumbs, 2 cups rolled oats, 32 mushrooms, Worcestershire sauce, Salt and pepper, ¼ cup fresh parsley
- Divide the mixture into 16 portions and form into small burger patties over parchment paper.
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
- Lightly grease the air fryer basket or line it with parchment paper.
- Place the patties in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not touching. You may need to cook them in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
- Cook the patties for 12-15 minutes, flipping them halfway through, until they are golden brown and crisp on the outside.
- Serve the sliders in small burger buns with fresh cucumber, red onion, and your favorite sauce. Enjoy!
Notes
- Blend to your preferred texture: Pulse the food processor rather than running it continuously so you can stop as soon as everything is just combined. A slightly grainy mix holds together better and gives each patty more bite than a completely smooth puree.
- Press the patties firmly: When shaping, press each patty together firmly with your hands so they stay compact and don’t crack or fall apart during cooking. Making them about half an inch thick gives you that crispy outside without drying out the center.
- Don’t skip preheating: Preheating the air fryer to 375°F (190°C) before adding the patties helps them develop a proper crust right from the start rather than steaming in a cold basket.
- Cook in batches if needed: Never stack or overlap the patties in the basket. A single layer with space between each one is what gets you that even golden crust on all sides.
- Flip at the halfway point: Flipping the patties at the 12- to 15-minute mark gives you even browning and crispiness on both sides. Don’t skip this step.
- Flash-freeze before storing: If you’re making these ahead, freeze the patties in a single layer on a baking sheet for 1 hour, then transfer to a freezer bag. This keeps them from sticking together, so you can pull out exactly how many you need at a time.
Nutrition
How to Store Leftovers
Cooked patties keep well in the fridge for up to 4 days. Let them cool completely, then store them in an airtight glass container to keep them from getting soggy, and reheat in the air fryer at 375°F for a few minutes to bring back that crispy exterior.
For longer storage, freeze the patties in a single layer on a baking sheet for about an hour, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll keep for up to 3 months. Reheat straight from frozen in the air fryer at 375°F for 8 to 10 minutes, flipping once halfway through.
What to Serve With Air Fryer Veggie Burger Sliders
They’re filling enough to stand on their own, but a side of crispy sweet potato fries or a simple garden salad rounds out the meal really well. You could also serve them alongside coleslaw or roasted corn for a cookout-style spread that works great for a crowd.
For dipping and topping, a smoky chipotle mayo, classic mustard, or a tangy yogurt-based sauce all pair beautifully. Sliced avocado, pickled red onions, or extra fresh cucumber on the side give everyone a chance to customize their own slider exactly how they like it.
More Easy Recipes for You to Try at Home
Here are more easy air fryer vegetarian appetizers I think you’ll love.
