Air-Fryer Turkey Burgers: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Turkey burgers are a great healthier alternative to traditional beef burgers, but they can sometimes be dry and tasteless. One way to avoid this is to cook them in an air fryer, which can help to retain moisture and produce a juicy burger. Air fryers are also quicker than conventional ovens, and can produce a perfectly browned and crispy exterior. You can cook both fresh and frozen turkey burgers in an air fryer, and there are a variety of recipes available that include additional ingredients such as apple sauce, grated onion, and various seasonings.

Turkey burger ingredients

Turkey burgers have a reputation for being dry and tasteless, but there are several ways to make them juicy and flavourful.

The first step is choosing the right ground turkey. Ground turkey is often a mix of light and dark meat, but for a moist and succulent texture, opt for 93% lean and 7% fat.

The second step is adding ingredients to the ground turkey to enhance the flavour and moisture of the patty. Here are some common ingredients used in turkey burgers:

• Onion: Fresh grated onion or dried onion flakes add moisture and flavour to the patty.
• Apple Sauce: Unsweetened apple sauce adds moisture to the patty, keeping it juicy without the need for extra oil.
• Mayonnaise: A little mayonnaise helps to add moisture and acts as a binder for the patties.
• Breadcrumbs: Breadcrumbs act as a binder to prevent the patties from falling apart. You can use whole wheat breadcrumbs or gluten-free panko.
• Seasonings: Salt, pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and cumin are commonly used to season turkey burgers.
• Worcestershire Sauce: This adds a smoky, tangy flavour to the burgers that amplifies the other flavours without overpowering them. If you don't have Worcestershire sauce, you can use soy sauce or liquid smoke.
• Garlic: Grated or crushed garlic cloves add a savoury flavour to the patty.
• Egg: This helps to bind the ingredients together and add structure to the patty.
• Herbs: Fresh parsley, for example, can be added for extra flavour without overpowering the other ingredients.

Air fryer temperature and timing

The temperature and timing for cooking turkey burgers in an air fryer vary depending on the air fryer wattage, the size of the patties, and personal preference. It is important to ensure that the internal temperature of the turkey burgers reaches 165°F to prevent foodborne illnesses.

Some sources recommend preheating the air fryer to 360°F and cooking the patties for 15 minutes, flipping them halfway through. For frozen turkey burgers, the same temperature setting can be used, but the cooking time should be increased to 18 minutes.

Other sources suggest preheating the air fryer to a lower temperature of 350°F and cooking the patties for 12 minutes, again flipping them halfway through. This timing may need to be adjusted depending on the weight of the patties, with one source recommending adding 3 minutes for every ounce over 6 ounces.

For those with a larger air fryer, such as the Phillips XL, it may be possible to cook up to 4 patties at once. In this case, a temperature of 400°F and a cooking time of 20 minutes are recommended, with the patties being turned over halfway through.

It is worth noting that one source suggests cooking the patties at 380°F for 12-14 minutes, which is a higher temperature and a shorter cooking time than most other sources. This source also recommends flipping the burgers halfway through and checking that the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

To ensure food safety, it is always best to use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature of the turkey burgers has reached 165°F before serving.

Pattie preparation and shaping

Mixing the Ingredients:

Start by gathering your desired ingredients. You can opt for a simple mix of ground turkey, salt, and pepper, or add additional ingredients like garlic, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, or onion for enhanced flavour. If you're looking for a juicier burger, consider adding apple sauce or grated onion to the mix. Once you have your ingredients, combine them in a large mixing bowl. Use your hands or a utensil to mix thoroughly until all the spices and sauces are evenly distributed throughout the ground turkey.

Shaping the Patties:

Before shaping the mixture into patties, you can lightly wet your hands to prevent the meat from sticking to them. Take a handful of the mixture and start shaping it into a round, flat patty shape. Aim for a thickness of about 1/2 inch, as the patties will shrink during cooking. If you're making multiple patties, ensure they are all evenly sized and shaped.

Additionally, consider making a small indentation in the centre of each patty by pressing your thumb into it. This technique will help prevent the patties from puffing up too much or shrinking excessively during cooking.

Chilling the Patties:

Once you've shaped your patties, it's a good idea to chill them in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes. This step helps the patties firm up, making them easier to handle and less prone to falling apart during cooking.

Freezing Option:

If you want to freeze your patties for later use, place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze for about an hour or until solid. Then, transfer them to a freezer-safe container or bag. Frozen patties can go straight from the freezer into the air fryer when you're ready to cook them, but you may need to increase the cooking time slightly.

Cooking and serving

Air-fried turkey burgers are a great, healthier alternative to traditional beef burgers. They are also a lot less messy than cooking burgers in a skillet or on a grill, as there is less oil splatter.

Ingredients

To make four burgers, you will need:

• 1 lb and 1/3 of ground turkey
• Seasonings (salt, pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and chili powder)
• Worcestershire sauce
• Breadcrumbs
• Egg
• Olive oil
• Apple sauce
• Grated onion
• Ranch seasoning
• Garlic
• Lettuce
• Tomato
• Red onion
• Burger buns

Cooking instructions

First, mix your ground turkey, seasonings, Worcestershire sauce, breadcrumbs, egg, olive oil, apple sauce, grated onion, and ranch seasoning in a bowl. Form the mixture into four equally-sized balls, then press down into a round patty shape, around 1/2" thick. Place the patties in the freezer for 20 minutes to help them hold their shape, then put them in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to firm up.

Preheat your air fryer to 360°F/180°C. Place the burgers in the air fryer basket, ensuring they do not overlap. Cook for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway through. The burgers are done when they reach an internal temperature of 165°F, which you can check with a meat thermometer.

Serving suggestions

You can serve your turkey burgers with classic burger toppings, such as lettuce, tomato, and red onion, in a bun. You could also serve them as a lettuce wrap. On the side, try air fryer French fries, sweet potato fries, or wedges, or even air fryer Brussels sprouts.

Storing and reheating

Storing cooked turkey burgers is simple. You can keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days. If you wish to store them for longer, place the cooked and cooled burgers in a shallow container and store them in the freezer for up to six months.

When you're ready to enjoy your leftover turkey burgers again, simply reheat them in the air fryer! Reheating only takes a few minutes and is a great way to make leftovers taste like new. Grease your air fryer basket, add the frozen or leftover turkey burgers, and air fry at 200°C/400°F for 4 to 5 minutes, flipping halfway through.

You can also reheat frozen, pre-made turkey burgers in the air fryer. There's no need to thaw them first. Just grease your air fryer basket, add the frozen patties, and air fry at 200°C/400°F for about 10 minutes, flipping halfway.

Reheating turkey burgers in the air fryer is not only easy and fast, but it also helps retain the juiciness and delicious flavour of the burgers. So, if you have any leftover turkey burgers, don't hesitate to store them and enjoy them again later!

Frequently asked questions