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

Turkey burgers are a tasty, healthier alternative to traditional beef burgers. They can be cooked from fresh or frozen in an air fryer and are perfect for when you're craving a good burger. In this article, we'll explore the benefits of cooking turkey burgers in an air fryer, provide a step-by-step guide on how to make them, and offer tips for customising your burgers.

How to make turkey burgers in an air fryer

Turkey burgers are a great option for a quick, healthy and delicious meal. They are perfect for a weeknight dinner as they are easy to make and require minimal cleanup. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make juicy and tender turkey burgers in an air fryer.

Ingredients:

• Ground Turkey: Use 1 pound of ground turkey for 4 burgers. You can use lean ground turkey or a fattier cut, but keep in mind that fattier cuts may release excess moisture during cooking.
• Seasonings: Salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and garlic powder. You can also add other seasonings like Italian seasoning or onion powder.
• Olive Oil: A small amount of olive oil will be needed.
• Worcestershire Sauce: This adds flavour to the burgers. If you want to make the recipe gluten-free, you can substitute soy sauce for the Worcestershire sauce.
• Toppings: You can choose your favourite toppings such as lettuce, cheddar cheese, tomatoes, ketchup, mustard, and red onion.

Optional Ingredients:

• Breadcrumbs: Breadcrumbs can be added to the burger mixture for moisture and structure, but they are not necessary.
• Eggs: Eggs are not required for this recipe, but you can add them for binding if desired.
• Cheese: You can add a slice of cheese to your burger in the last minute of air frying.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

Step 1: Prepare the Burger Mixture

In a large mixing bowl, add all your ingredients, including the ground turkey, seasonings, olive oil, and Worcestershire sauce. Mix well until all the spices and sauce are evenly blended into the meat.

Step 2: Shape the Patties

Slightly wet your hands to prevent sticking, and shape the burger mixture into four round patties, each about 1/2-inch thick. You can create a divot in the centre of each patty with your thumb to prevent shrinkage during cooking.

Step 3: Prepare the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 350-360 degrees Fahrenheit and grease the air fryer basket with non-stick spray.

Step 4: Air Fry the Burgers

Place the turkey burger patties in the air fryer, making sure they are evenly spaced. Cook the burgers for 10-12 minutes at 350-360 degrees Fahrenheit, flipping them halfway through. The internal temperature of the burgers should reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure they are fully cooked.

Step 5: Rest and Assemble

Let the burgers rest for a few minutes before assembling them into your desired toppings and buns. Enjoy your juicy and tender air-fried turkey burgers!

Tips:

• You can make the burgers ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator or freezer for later use.
• If you are using frozen turkey burgers, there is no need to thaw them before adding them to the air fryer. Simply increase the cooking time by a few minutes.
• Always check the internal temperature of the burgers with a meat thermometer to ensure they are fully cooked.

Ingredients and measurements for turkey burgers

• Ground turkey: Opt for 93% lean ground turkey to make the burgers extra moist and juicy. You can also use ground chicken or beef.
• Onion: Yellow, white, sweet, or red onions work well, grated or finely shredded.
• Dijon mustard: This helps to bind the mixture and adds moisture. You can substitute it with ketchup, BBQ sauce, or mayo.
• Garlic: Use fresh garlic cloves, minced, or substitute with garlic powder.
• Onion powder: This adds a flavour boost.
• Fresh parsley: Freshly chopped parsley adds a great fresh flavour. You can substitute with dried parsley.
• Salt and pepper: To taste.
• Breadcrumbs: These add moisture, structure, and a lighter texture to the burgers. You can use Italian or panko breadcrumbs.
• Egg: This helps to bind the mixture.
• Ketchup: Adds flavour and moisture.
• Worcestershire sauce: Adds incredible umami flavour to the burgers.
• Ranch seasoning: This is another great seasoning option.
• Italian seasoning: Optional, but adds flavour.
• Cheese: For topping the burgers. Cheddar, Swiss, pepper jack, feta, blue cheese, and Monterey jack are great options.
• Buns: Gluten-free if necessary.
• Toppings: Lettuce, tomato, sprouts, bacon, BBQ sauce, avocado, and sliced red onion are all great options.

How to shape turkey burgers

Yes, you can make a turkey burger in an air fryer. Here is a guide on how to shape your turkey burgers:

Firstly, wash your hands and remove any rings you may be wearing. Then, in a large mixing bowl, add all your ingredients and mix them well until all the spices and sauces are evenly blended into the ground turkey.

Next, it's time to shape your mixture into patties. To avoid the mixture from sticking to your hands, slightly wet them before taking a handful/mound of the mixture and shaping it into a round, flat patty. Repeat this process until you have four patties. Each patty should be about 1/2-inch thick as they will shrink during cooking.

To help the burgers keep their shape, push your thumb into the middle of each patty and create a divot. This will also prevent the burgers from shrinking too much during cooking.

If your ground turkey is sticky and hard to form, use parchment paper to help mould the patties. You can also place the patties in the refrigerator or freezer for a little while to help them firm up.

Finally, place the patties in the refrigerator for some time to maintain their firm shape.

How to cook turkey burgers in an air fryer

Yes, you can make turkey burgers in an air fryer! Here is a recipe for how to do it:

Ingredients:

• Ground turkey
• Salt
• Pepper
• Garlic powder
• Smoked paprika
• Olive oil
• Worcestershire sauce
• Burger fixings (e.g. buns, lettuce, cheddar cheese, tomatoes, ketchup, mustard, red onion)

Method:

• Make the burger mixture: In a large mixing bowl, add all your ingredients and mix well until all the spices and Worcestershire sauce are evenly blended into the ground turkey.
• Shape into patties: Slightly wet your hands to prevent sticking. Take a handful/mound of the mixture and shape it into a round burger patty. Repeat until you have four patties.
• Prep the air fryer: Preheat the air fryer to 180C/350F and grease the air fryer basket.
• Air fry the turkey burgers: Place the turkey burger patties in the air fryer basket and air fry for 12 minutes, flipping halfway through.
• Let the patties rest: Before assembling your burgers, let the patties sit for 5 minutes to retain the juices.

Cooking time may vary depending on the weight of your burgers. A good way to check if the turkey burgers are cooked is to use a meat thermometer – fully cooked burgers should have an internal temperature of 165F.

How to store and reheat turkey burgers

Storing and reheating turkey burgers is a straightforward process. Here is a detailed guide:

Storing Turkey Burgers:

Firstly, it is important to let the cooked turkey burgers cool down to room temperature. Then, place them in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator. They will stay fresh for up to five days.

For longer storage, you can freeze the cooked and cooled burgers. Place them in a shallow container or freezer bag and store them in the freezer for up to three to six months.

Reheating Turkey Burgers:

You can reheat turkey burgers in an air fryer or a microwave. Here are the steps for each method:

Reheating in an Air Fryer:

• Preheat your air fryer to 300°F to 350°F (some recipes recommend 400°F for frozen burgers).
• Place the burgers in the air fryer basket in a single layer, adding cheese if desired.
• Reheat for 2-5 minutes, flipping halfway through, or until heated through. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches 160°F to 165°F.
• If you're reheating cheeseburgers, place the cheese on top of the patty for maximum melting.
• If you're reheating fast-food burgers, consider removing delicate toppings like lettuce and tomato before reheating, then adding them back afterward.
• For crispy buns, place them in the air fryer separately for a few minutes.

Reheating in a Microwave:

Although not as effective as an air fryer, you can also use a microwave to reheat your turkey burgers:

• Place the burger on a microwave-safe plate.
• Cover the burger with a damp paper towel to help retain moisture.
• Microwave on medium power for 30-second intervals, checking regularly, until the burger is heated through.
• Again, use a meat thermometer to ensure the burger reaches the desired internal temperature of 160°F to 165°F.

Frequently asked questions