A patty forming system which includes a first generally disc-like mold chamber and a second loading chamber in which a manually operated plunger is mounted for reciprocal movement. When the plunger is moved towards the mold chamber, the mass of material from which a patty is to be formed will be forced into the mold chamber and be molded into the shape of such chamber. Preferably the diameter of the mold chamber is variable depending upon the quantity of material forced into such chamber by the plunger. An automatic spring loaded patty ejector may also be incorporated with the plunger mechanism to facilitate removal of the patty from the mold chamber.