Air Fryer Turkey Burgers: Quick, Easy, And Delicious

Turkey burgers are a great option for a quick, healthy, and tasty meal. They can be cooked in an air fryer in as little as 10 minutes, with some recipes suggesting a cooking time of up to 20 minutes. The key to juicy turkey burgers is ensuring they reach an internal temperature of 165°F without overcooking, which can result in dry burgers.

How long does it take to cook turkey burgers in an air fryer?

Turkey burgers are a great, healthier alternative to traditional beef burgers. They are also a lot quicker to cook!

The cooking time for turkey burgers in an air fryer depends on the weight of the burger, the wattage of your air fryer, and whether you are cooking from fresh or frozen.

Cooking from Fresh

For a 4-ounce turkey burger, cooking time is around 8-9 minutes. For a 5-ounce burger, this increases to 9-10 minutes, and for a 6-ounce burger, you are looking at 10-12 minutes. For anything over 6 ounces, you should add an extra 3 minutes for each additional ounce.

However, it is important to remember that the best way to check if your turkey burgers are cooked is to use a meat thermometer. Turkey burgers should be cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F.

Cooking from Frozen

You can cook frozen turkey burgers in an air fryer, but you will need to add a few minutes to the cooking time. For example, one source recommends cooking frozen burgers at 360°F for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through. Another source recommends lowering the temperature to 350°F and cooking for 10 minutes, again flipping halfway through.

As with cooking from fresh, the best way to check if your frozen turkey burgers are cooked is to use a meat thermometer.

What temperature should the air fryer be set to?

The optimal temperature to cook turkey burgers in an air fryer is between 350°F and 375°F.

Most recipes recommend preheating the air fryer to 360°F and cooking the turkey burgers for 15 minutes, flipping them halfway through. However, some recipes suggest cooking at 350°F for 12 minutes, or even as high as 400°F for 20 minutes.

The cooking time will depend on the weight of the burgers and the desired doneness. For example, a 4-ounce burger will take around 8-9 minutes, while a 6-ounce burger will take 10-12 minutes. For burgers larger than 6 ounces, add 3 minutes for each additional ounce.

It is important to ensure that the internal temperature of the turkey burgers reaches 165°F to be considered safe for consumption. This can be checked using a meat thermometer.

How to make turkey burgers in an air fryer?

How to Make Turkey Burgers in an Air Fryer

Ingredients

• Ground turkey
• Olive oil
• Salt
• Pepper
• Smoked paprika
• Garlic powder
• Worcestershire sauce
• Burger fix-ins (buns, lettuce, cheddar cheese, tomatoes, ketchup, mustard, and red onion)

Optional Ingredients

• Fresh breadcrumbs
• Milk
• Onion
• Coarse salt
• Garlic
• Mayo
• Parsley
• Cayenne pepper
• Ground black pepper
• Egg

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 the mixture into patties. Wet your hands slightly 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.
• Prep the air fryer. Preheat the air fryer to 350°F and grease the air fryer basket.
• Air fry the turkey burgers. Place the turkey burger patties in the air fryer basket and air fry at 350°F for 12 minutes, flipping halfway through.
• Rest the burgers. Before assembling your burger, let the patties sit for 5 minutes to retain the juices.
• Assemble the burgers. You can toast the buns in the air fryer, stovetop, or toaster oven. Place the cooked patties on the buns and add your desired toppings.

Tips

• If you don't have ground turkey, you can make your own by adding turkey breast fillets to a food processor and blending them down.
• If you prefer, you can use ground chicken or ground beef instead of ground turkey.
• To maintain the firm shape of the turkey patties, keep the meat in the refrigerator for some time.
• If needed, cook the burgers in batches. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may only be able to fit 2-4 patties at a time.
• For frozen turkey burgers, there is no need to thaw them before adding them to the air fryer. Grease the air fryer basket and cook at 400°F for 10 minutes, flipping halfway through.
• To check if the turkey burgers are done, use a meat thermometer to ensure they have reached an internal temperature of 165°F.

How to make turkey burgers from scratch?

How to Make Turkey Burgers from Scratch

Ingredients

Ground turkey is the base of your burger and can be found next to ground beef in your local grocery store. You can also use ground chicken or ground beef. To add flavour to your turkey burgers, you'll need a variety of seasonings, spices, and extras.

For a simple burger, you can use:

• Garlic
• Salt
• Pepper
• Worcestershire sauce

For a spiced turkey burger, you could include:

• Madras curry powder
• Coriander
• Cumin
• Garam masala
• Chilli powder

You can also add:

• Breadcrumbs
• Eggs
• Parsley
• Onion
• Ranch seasoning
• Olive oil

Method

• In a large bowl, mix your chosen ingredients with the turkey mince.
• Form the mixture into equally-sized patties. You can use a burger press to ensure they are all the same size and shape.
• Place the burgers in the refrigerator for around 30 minutes to firm up. This will help them stay together when cooking.
• Preheat your air fryer to 360°F/180°C.
• Place the burgers in the air fryer basket, ensuring they don't overlap or touch.
• Cook at 360°F/180°C for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway through.
• Check the internal temperature of the burgers with a meat thermometer. They are cooked when they reach 165°F.

Tips

• If you are using sticky ground turkey, use parchment paper to help form the patties.
• Pushing a divot into the centre of the patty with your thumb will help prevent the burgers from shrinking too much.
• You can add a variety of seasonings to your burgers, including BBQ, taco, ranch, Greek, and Italian.
• Turkey burgers freeze well and can be cooked from frozen. Simply add 3-5 minutes to the cooking time.

Serving Suggestions

Turkey burgers can be served on a bun with classic toppings such as lettuce, tomato, cheese, and onion. You could also add avocado, bacon, BBQ sauce, or cranberry sauce.

They go well with a variety of sides, including:

• French fries
• Sweet potato fries
• Potato wedges
• Sweet and spicy Brussels sprouts
• Kale and broccoli salad

How to store leftover turkey burgers?

To store leftover turkey burgers, you can keep them in the refrigerator or freezer.

Refrigerating Turkey Burgers

If you plan to eat your leftover turkey burgers within the next few days, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-5 days.

Freezing Turkey Burgers

If you want to store your leftover turkey burgers for longer, you can freeze them. Here are the steps to follow:

• Place the cooked and cooled burgers in a shallow container.
• Put the container in the freezer for up to 3-6 months.
• When you're ready to eat the burgers, reheat them in the air fryer for 4-5 minutes or on a hot skillet or griddle.

By following these storage instructions, you can enjoy your leftover turkey burgers at a later time while maintaining their taste and quality.

Frequently asked questions