1-First Step: Mise en place and mixing Gather your ingredients and tools: 1 lb lean ground beef, 1 tablespoon steak seasoning, 3 slices of cheese, cooking oil spray, a bowl, and your air fryer basket. Wash your hands and any surfaces. In a medium bowl, mix the ground beef and steak seasoning with clean hands until evenly combined, but do not overwork the meat or it will become dense.

2-Second Step: Portioning and shaping Divide the seasoned beef into six equal portions. The recipe calls for six portions so you’ll make three bottom patties and three balls that become tops. Flatten three portions into large, flat patties about 4 inches in diameter. Keep them thin and broad; check there are no holes to avoid cheese leaking. Roll the other three portions into balls. These will become the top halves of the stuffed patties.

3-Third Step: Prepare the cheese pockets Cut each slice of American cheese into four pieces. Each flat patty will receive a stack of four pieces, making a small block of cheese in the center. Place a stack of four pieces on each flat patty so the cheese stays centralized.

4-Fourth Step: Encase the cheese Flatten each of the beef balls into patties that will cover the cheese stacks. Carefully place the flattened top patties over each cheese stack and press the edges of the top and bottom patties together, sealing fully. Crimp and press the seams so cheese is totally encased. Good sealing prevents leaks and helps patties hold when flipped.

5-Fifth Step: Air fryer prep and cooking Spray the air fryer basket with cooking oil spray to prevent sticking. Place the burgers in a single layer in the basket; cook in batches if they do not all fit without touching. Cook at 400°F (200°C) for 15-17 minutes, flipping every 5 minutes for even browning. Use a meat thermometer and cook until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C).

6-Final Step: Resting and serving Let the patties rest for a few minutes before slicing or placing on buns. The cheese will be extremely hot right after cooking, so handle with care. Add burger buns and toppings such as lettuce, tomato, pickles, or caramelized onion and serve. For low-carb serving, use lettuce wraps instead of buns.