Air Fryer Sliders – quick, easy prep ahead recipe! JUICY loose meat Cheeseburger Sliders with Big Mac sauce. Perfect for parties, Super Bowl, game day or busy weeknights!

These Air Fryer Sliders are juicy and jam-packed with delicious flavor (PLUS a creamy Big Mac sauce).
They’re the ideal simple, prep-ahead dinner, THE Super Bowl snack and for parties of all kinds because why make ONE slider when you can make an entire BATCH.
WHAT I LOVE ABOUT THIS RECIPE:
- Fast and easy – for a quick lunch or dinner, football watching or any party.
- Delicious – mini burgers are one meal the whole family (even the picky eaters!) will LOVE.
- Bite size food = fun party food and is a great way to feed a crowd!
- Prep ahead recipe (day before) – then just assemble and air fry or bake!
- Air fry or oven baked – irresistible either way!
TIPS FOR THE BEST CHEESEBURGER SLIDERS:
- I have a very small air fryer. If your air fryer is larger, you’ll be able to make these in one batch (two at most), but if your air fryer is like mine, consider baking them in the oven (full details below).
- Add a single layer of cheese slices over the bottom bun to prevent soggy.
- Bake uncovered so the top bun gets nice and toasty.
- Make ahead: mix the sauce and cook beef. Store both in an airtight container in the fridge. Slice buns and return to their original packaging.
- Everything Bagel (or sesame seeds) will stick better if you add as soon as you brush on melted butter.
WHAT DO I NEED TO MAKE AIR FRYER CHEESEBURGER SLIDERS:
- ground beef (I like 80/20 for best flavor)
- olive oil
- salt and black pepper
- garlic powder
- diced yellow onion
- worcestershire sauce
- sliced sharp cheddar cheese
- shredded cheddar cheese
- slider buns or Hawaiian rolls
- 2 tablespoons butter melted
- 1 teaspoon Everything Bagel Seasoning
- cooking spray
Creamy Big Mac Sauce:
This sauce is optional, but it adds tons of flavor to an already delicious burger. Just combine sauce ingredients in a small bow. Refrigerate until ready to use.
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon ketchup
- 2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish drained
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar (can use red wine or white vinegar)
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
HOW TO MAKE AIR FRYER CHEESEBURGER SLIDERS:
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat swirling the skillet so oil coats the bottom.
Drop in diced onions, season with salt and pepper and saute 2 minutes or until softened and slightly browned.
Add ground beef, season with 1 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder and 2 teaspoons worcestershire sauce.
Cook over medium heat just until no longer pink, continuing to break it up as it cooks.
Remove from the heat, tilt the skillet spooning off any excess fat, then set aside.
Determine how many rolls will fit in your air fryer at a time (will vary with air fryers) then slice off those rolls keeping them attached.
If your rolls aren’t already cut, slice them horizontally keeping them attached as best you can.
Lightly spray the bottom of the air fryer basket with cooking spray then place the bottom section of rolls into the air fryer.
Add slices of cheese over the buns slightly overlapping each piece.
Spread ground beef mixture evenly over the cheese then (optional) drizzle Big Mac sauce over top of meat and sprinkle on shredded cheese.
Place top buns over the shredded cheese and press gently down on them.
Add butter to a small bowl and microwave until just melted. Brush the top of the buns with melted butter then immediately sprinkle on Everything Bagel seasoning.
Air fry 4-5 minutes or until the cheese is melty, tops are lightly browned and the beef is heated through. NOTE: cook time will vary with air fryers. Check during cook time and if buns are getting too dark, tent with foil.
Slide a spatula underneath the group of sliders and remove from the air fryer. Slice and serve with dill pickles or any favorite toppings.
HOW TO MAKE CHEESEBURGER CHEESEBURGER SLIDERS IN THE OVEN:
No air fryer or too small air fryer? Don’t let that keep you from all this deliciousness! Oven baking takes just a few extra minutes (totally worth the wait!) with the same amazing flavor.
Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Mix up the Creamy Big Mac Sauce.
Cook the meat as directed above and layer as instructed on the baking sheet finishing with brushing melted butter over the top of the buns.
Transfer to a preheated 350 degree oven. Bake 12-14 minutes or until the cheese is melted, top buns are golden brown and beef is warmed through.
Remove from the oven, slice to separate and eat right away.
WHAT TO SERVE WITH AIR FRYER CHEESEBURGER SLIDERS:
Potato Chips or Cheesy Potatoes
MORE SLIDER RECIPES:
SUBS AND VARIATIONS TO THIS RECIPE:
- Try Air Fryer Ham Sliders using deli ham or leftover ham or roast beef and provolone cheese.
- Use King’s Hawaiian Rolls, brioche rolls or any other slider bun or rolls that come attached.
- Top with poppy seeds or sesame seeds.
- Use another melty cheese like American, Swiss cheese or Pepper Jack.
- Sub ground beef for ground turkey or ground chicken.
- Add diced red onions instead of yellow.
HOW TO SAFELY STORE LEFTOVER AIR FRYER SLIDERS:
Cool completely then transfer to an airtight container. Refrigerate up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or air fryer.
Full details in the printable recipe card below. Enjoy!
Tried this recipe? Leave a comment, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating and TAG ME with a photo of yours on social media! @agoudalife or #agoudalife
Air Fryer Sliders
Equipment
- air fryer OR oven
Ingredients
Air Fryer Sliders:
- 1 pound ground beef 80/20 used
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 cup yellow onions diced
- 2 teaspoos worcestershire sauce
- 8 slices sharp cheddar cheese
- 6 ounces sharp cheddar cheese shredded
- 12 slider buns Hawaiian or other
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- 1 teaspoon Everything Bagel Seasoning
- cooking spray
Big Mac Sauce:
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon ketchup
- 2 tablespoon sweet pickle relish drained
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar can sub red wine or white vinegar
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
Big Mac Sauce:
- Combine sauce ingredients in a small bow. Refrigerate until ready to use.
Air Fryer Sliders:
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat swirling the skillet so oil coats the bottom. Drop in diced onions, season with salt and pepper and saute 2 minutes or until softened and slightly browned.
- Add ground beef, season with 1 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder and 2 teaspoons worcestershire sauce. Cook over medium heat just until no longer pink, continuing to break it up as it cooks
- Remove from the heat, tilt the skillet spooning off any excess fat, then set aside.
- Determine how many rolls will fit in your air fryer at a time (will vary with air fryers) then slice off those rolls keeping them attached.If your rolls aren’t already cut, slice them horizontally keeping them attached as best you can.
- Lightly spray the bottom of the air fryer basket with cooking spray then place the bottom section of rolls into the air fryer.
- Add slices of cheese over the buns slightly overlapping each piece. Spread ground beef mixture evenly over the cheese then drizzle Big Mac sauce over top of meat and sprinkle on shredded cheese.
- Place top buns over the shredded cheese and press gently down on them. Add butter to a small bowl and microwave until just melted. Brush the top of the buns with melted butter then immediately sprinkle on Everything Bagel seasoning.
- Air fry 4-5 minutes or until the cheese is melty, tops are lightly browned and the beef is heated through. NOTE: cook time will vary with air fryers. Check during cook time and if buns are getting too dark, tent with foil.
- Slide a spatula underneath the group of sliders and remove from the air fryer. Slice and serve with dill pickles or any favorite sides.
How to Make Cheeseburger Sliders in the OVEN:
- Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Mix up the Creamy Big Mac Sauce and set aside.
- Cook the meat as directed above and layer as instructed on the baking sheet finishing with brushing melted butter over the top of the buns.Transfer to a preheated 350 degree oven. Bake for 12-14 minutes or until the cheese is melted, top buns are golden brown and beef is warmed through.Remove from the oven, slice to separate and eat right away.
OMG a whole BATCH of juicy cheeseburger sliders with Big Mac sauce. Lemme at ’em!