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

Turkey burgers are a great option for a quick, healthy, and juicy meal. Air frying is a convenient and healthier way to cook, and you can have your turkey burgers ready in no time! But how long do they take to cook in an air fryer?

Cooking time and temperature

The cooking time for turkey burgers in an air fryer depends on the weight of the burgers and the temperature you are cooking at. For example, a 4-ounce burger will take 8-9 minutes to cook, whereas a 6-ounce burger will take 10-12 minutes. If your burgers are more than 6 ounces, add 3 minutes for every ounce. It's important to ensure that your turkey burgers are cooked thoroughly, which means they should reach an internal temperature of 165°F. You can use a meat thermometer to check this.

Some recipes suggest cooking turkey burgers in the air fryer at 360°F for 15 minutes, flipping them halfway through. Others recommend cooking at 350°F for 12 minutes, also flipping halfway through. If you are cooking frozen turkey burgers, you may need to increase the cooking time to 18-20 minutes, and ensure your air fryer is preheated to 360°F.

If you are cooking pre-made frozen turkey burgers, you can simply place them in the air fryer straight from the package. However, if you are making your own turkey burgers, you will need to mix the ingredients and shape them into patties before cooking.

Ingredients and substitutions

Ground Meat

Ground turkey is the star of the show in these juicy, tender, and healthy burgers. Using ground turkey instead of beef is a healthier option, and it's also a nice change to have some diversity in your food. The recommended ratio of lean meat to fat is 93/7 or 85/15. Using 99% lean turkey can result in dry burgers, as there are no eggs or breadcrumbs in the recipe. If you don't have ground turkey, you can use ground chicken or beef, which will work just as well.

Seasonings

The seasonings are what make these turkey burgers so flavourful. The basic seasonings are salt, pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. However, you can also add in Worcestershire sauce, ranch seasoning, Italian seasoning, and onion powder for an extra kick of flavour. If you want to get creative, try using taco seasoning, BBQ seasoning, Greek spices, or Italian spices.

Sauces

Some recipes call for Dijon mustard, which helps to make the burgers moist and bind them together. You can also use BBQ sauce, ketchup, or buffalo sauce instead of mustard. Another secret ingredient to keep the burgers juicy is unsweetened apple sauce, which adds moisture without the need for extra oil.

Vegetables

Onions and garlic are the most commonly used vegetables in turkey burgers. You can grate or mince them to add to the meat mixture for extra flavour and moisture. If you want to add more veggies, try finely chopped mushrooms, peppers, onions, or shredded zucchini.

Substitutions

If you're missing any of the ingredients, there are some easy substitutions you can make. For example, if you don't have fresh garlic, you can use garlic powder. If you're not a fan of Dijon mustard, you can substitute it with ketchup, BBQ sauce, or mayo. If you don't have fresh parsley, you can use dried parsley instead.

Toppings

The beauty of turkey burgers is that you can top them with just about anything. Common toppings include lettuce, tomato, onion, ketchup, and mustard. You can also get creative with toppings like avocado, bacon, cheese, BBQ sauce, or sprouts. If you're feeling fancy, try stirring together equal parts BBQ sauce and sour cream and spreading it over the buns.

Buns

While you can serve the turkey burgers on traditional buns, there are also gluten-free and keto options available. You can also serve the burgers in lettuce wraps or on a bed of salad for a low-carb alternative.

How to make

Ingredients

You will need the following ingredients to make juicy turkey burgers in an air fryer:

• 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)

Optional Ingredients

• Minced garlic
• Ranch seasoning
• Breadcrumbs
• Onion
• Dijon mustard
• Italian seasoning
• Cheese

Steps

Step 1: 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.

Step 2: Shape into patties

Slightly wet your hands to prevent the mixture from sticking. Take a handful/mound of the mixture and begin shaping it into a round burger patty. Repeat this process until you have four patties.

Step 3: Prep the air fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 180C/350F. Lightly grease the air fryer basket with non-stick spray or oil. Place the turkey burger patties in the basket, ensuring they are evenly spaced and not overlapping.

Step 4: Air fry the turkey burgers

Air fry the turkey burgers for 10-15 minutes, flipping halfway through. The cooking time will depend on the weight of your burgers. For example, a 4-ounce burger will take 8-9 minutes, while a 6-ounce burger will take 10-12 minutes. The best way to check if the turkey burgers are cooked is to use a meat thermometer—fully cooked burgers will have an internal temperature of 165F.

Step 5: Let the burgers rest

Before assembling your burger, let the patties sit for 5 minutes to retain their juices.

Tips

• If your ground turkey is sticky and hard to shape, use parchment paper to help form the patties, or refrigerate/freeze the meat for a little while to help it firm up.
• To prevent the burgers from shrinking too much, push your thumb into the middle of each patty to create a divot.
• You can make these turkey burgers ahead of time and freeze them. Simply shape the mixture into patties and place them on a cookie sheet lined with wax or parchment paper. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and freeze for 1-2 hours or until firm but not frozen solid. Then, stack the burgers with parchment paper in between and place them in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 3 months.
• To cook from frozen, add 3-5 minutes to the cooking time, or thaw them in the refrigerator overnight.

Tips and tricks

Air frying turkey burgers is a quick and easy way to cook a healthy, juicy, and flavorful burger. Here are some tips and tricks to help you achieve the best results:

Choosing the Right Turkey

• Opt for ground turkey as it is one of the leanest and healthiest protein options available. You can use lean or fattier cuts, but keep in mind that fattier cuts may release excess moisture during cooking.
• If you prefer, you can also use ground chicken or ground beef instead of turkey.

Preparing the Meat

• To make the burger mixture, combine the ground turkey with your choice of seasonings, spices, and other ingredients such as garlic, onion, Worcestershire sauce, or apple sauce.
• Mix the ingredients well until they are evenly blended. You can use your hands or a large mixing bowl.
• Shape the mixture into round, evenly-sized patties. Slightly wet your hands to prevent the meat from sticking.
• Place the patties in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes to help them firm up and maintain their shape during cooking.

Air Frying Instructions

• Preheat your air fryer to the recommended temperature, typically between 350°F to 370°F.
• Grease the air fryer basket with a little oil or non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
• Place the turkey burger patties in the air fryer, ensuring they are spaced apart and not overlapping.
• Air fry the burgers for about 10 to 15 minutes, depending on their size. For a 4-ounce burger, cook for 8-9 minutes; for a 5-ounce burger, cook for 9-10 minutes; and for a 6-ounce burger, cook for 10-12 minutes.
• Flip the burgers halfway through the cooking time to ensure even cooking.
• To check if the burgers are done, use a meat thermometer to measure the internal temperature. Fully cooked turkey burgers should reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
• If you are adding cheese to your burgers, place a slice on top during the last minute of air frying. This will allow the cheese to melt without overcooking the burgers.

Serving Suggestions

• Air fryer turkey burgers can be served on buns with your favorite toppings such as lettuce, tomato, onion, ketchup, and mustard.
• For a low-carb option, serve the burgers in lettuce wraps or on a bed of salad.
• Air fryer turkey burgers go well with a variety of sides, such as sweet potato fries, roasted vegetables, coleslaw, or grilled corn on the cob.
• You can also toast the buns in the air fryer. Lightly butter the buns and air fry them at 300°F for 3 to 4 minutes until they are golden.

Storing and Reheating

• Cooked turkey burgers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days in an airtight container.
• To freeze cooked burgers, let them cool to room temperature, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 3 months.
• To reheat, you can use the air fryer for 4 to 5 minutes or pop them in the microwave for 30 to 60 seconds until warm.

Serving suggestions

Turkey burgers cooked in an air fryer can be served with a variety of toppings and sides.

Toppings

You can serve your air-fried turkey burgers with classic toppings such as lettuce, tomato, onion, ketchup, and mustard. You could also try something different, like spreading a mixture of BBQ sauce and sour cream over the buns, or topping the burger with mashed avocado, crumbled goat cheese, and bacon. For a Mexican-inspired twist, top with avocado, pepper jack cheese, and a drizzle of warm queso.

Sides

Turkey burgers pair well with a variety of side dishes. Here are some options:

• Sweet potato fries
• Salad (e.g. kale crunch salad, cucumber carrot salad, or a simple mixed green salad)
• Coleslaw
• Grilled or roasted vegetables (e.g. zucchini, bell peppers, asparagus)
• Corn on the cob
• Pasta salad
• Guacamole and chips
• Roasted, baked, or air-fried potatoes
• Hummus with carrot, celery, and cucumber sticks

Frequently asked questions