Air Fryer Turkey Burgers: Perfect Timing For Juicy Results

Turkey burgers are a great option for a quick, healthy, and tasty meal. Air frying is a convenient and easy way to cook them, and it only takes a few minutes! In this article, we will answer the question of how long to put turkey burgers in the air fryer, as well as provide tips and tricks for achieving the perfect juicy burger.

How to cook frozen turkey burgers in an air fryer

Ingredients

• Frozen turkey burger patties
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Olive oil or non-stick spray
• Cheese (optional)
• Burger toppings (optional)
• Buns (optional)

Method

• Preheat your air fryer to 375°F for 5 minutes.
• Lightly spray the air fryer basket with olive oil or non-stick spray.
• Place the frozen turkey burger patties in the basket in a single layer, ensuring they don't overlap.
• Air fry the burgers for 14-18 minutes at 375°F. There is no need to flip the burgers, but you can if desired.
• Check that the internal temperature of the burgers has reached 165°F. Cook for longer if necessary.
• If desired, add cheese to the patties and close the basket for 1 minute with the air fryer turned off to melt the cheese.
• If desired, toast the buns on a skillet until golden brown.
• Serve the burgers on the buns with your choice of toppings.

Tips

• You can add your favourite herbs and spices to the frozen turkey burgers before cooking to enhance the flavour.
• If you are using pre-seasoned patties, you may want to add cheese and other toppings instead of extra seasonings.
• To add cheese to your burgers, place it on top of the patties and return them to the hot air fryer while it is turned off. The residual heat will melt the cheese without overcooking the burgers.
• If you want to toast your buns, brush them with butter or olive oil and air fry separately at 325°F for 2-3 minutes.

How to make juicy turkey burgers in an air fryer

Ingredients

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

Optional Ingredients

• Unsweetened apple sauce
• Ranch seasoning
• Breadcrumbs
• Onion
• Egg
• Milk
• Mayo
• Parsley
• Cayenne pepper
• Ground black pepper

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 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 180C/350F. Lightly grease the air fryer basket.
• Air fry the turkey burgers. Place the turkey burger patties in the basket and air fry for 12 minutes, flipping halfway through. For a 5-ounce burger, you may need to cook for up to 10 minutes.
• Rest the burgers. Before assembling your burger, let the patties sit for 5 minutes to retain the juices.

Tips

• If you don't have ground turkey, you can make your own by adding turkey breast fillets to a food processor and blending.
• You can use other types of ground meat, such as ground chicken or beef.
• To maintain the firm shape of the turkey patties, keep the meat in the refrigerator for some time before shaping.
• If you want to add cheese, add it after cooking the burger and then close the basket for a few minutes to allow the cheese to melt.
• You can cook the burgers from frozen. There is no need to thaw them before adding them to the air fryer.

How to make Greek-style turkey burgers in an air fryer

Ingredients:

• Ground turkey
• Olive oil or butter
• Garlic
• Onion
• Feta cheese
• Breadcrumbs
• Dill
• Lemon juice
• Cumin
• Salt and pepper
• Hamburger buns or lettuce wraps
• Red onions
• Tzatziki

Optional Ingredients:

• Spinach
• Red wine vinegar
• Oregano
• Crushed red pepper

Method:

• Heat some olive oil over medium heat. Once shiny, add the garlic and onion and sauté for 2-3 minutes until tender.
• Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.
• In a large bowl, add the ground turkey, feta cheese, breadcrumbs, chopped dill, lemon juice, cumin, salt, and pepper.
• Mix the ingredients together with your hands until well combined. Be careful not to overwork the meat.
• Divide the mixture into five even parts, then shape into 1/4–1/2-inch patties with your hands. Press your thumb into the middle of each patty to create a divot (to prevent the patties from puffing up in the middle while cooking).
• Place the patties in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to help them firm up and stay together while cooking.
• Preheat your air fryer to 375°F. Spray the basket with cooking spray.
• Place the patties in a single layer in the air fryer basket and air fry for 10-11 minutes, flipping halfway through, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
• Serve on a bun or lettuce wrap with red onions, tomato, lettuce, and tzatziki.

Tips:

• If you don't have a meat thermometer, cut into the middle of the patty to ensure it's no longer pink.
• While breadcrumbs help with binding, they can be omitted. If you choose to leave them out, shred your onion with a box grater so that it mixes in more easily with the meat.
• Refrigerating the patties before cooking will also help them stay together.

How to make taco turkey burgers with guacamole in an air fryer

Ingredients

• Ground turkey
• Taco seasoning
• Salt and pepper
• Olive oil
• Worcestershire sauce
• Buns
• Lettuce
• Cheddar cheese
• Tomatoes
• Ketchup
• Mustard
• Red onion
• Guacamole
• Avocado

Method

• In a large mixing bowl, add all your ingredients except the buns, lettuce, cheddar cheese, tomatoes, ketchup, mustard, red onion, guacamole, and avocado. Mix well until all the spices and Worcestershire sauce are evenly blended into the ground turkey.
• Lightly wet your hands and shape the mixture into four turkey burger patties.
• Lightly spray the air fryer rack with non-stick cooking spray.
• Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (180°C) and lightly grease the basket with non-stick spray.
• Place the turkey burger patties in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are evenly spaced and not overlapping.
• Air fry the turkey burgers for 12 minutes, flipping halfway through. Before assembling your burger, let the patties sit for 5 minutes to retain the juices.
• While the patties are cooking, prepare your guacamole and slice your desired toppings.
• Once the patties are done, assemble your burger by placing the cooked patty on the bun and adding lettuce, cheddar cheese, tomato, red onion, and a generous dollop of guacamole.
• Serve and enjoy!

How to make sure your turkey burgers are cooked

Turkey burgers are a delicious, healthier alternative to traditional beef burgers. However, because turkey has to be cooked to a temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit, they can easily become dry and tasteless. Here are some tips to ensure your turkey burgers are cooked to perfection:

Choose the Right Ingredients

Use a combination of ground turkey, garlic, salt, pepper, and Worcestershire sauce as your base. You can also add in some secret ingredients like unsweetened apple sauce, ranch seasoning, grated onion, or breadcrumbs to keep the burgers moist and flavourful.

Mix and Shape the Patties

Combine all your ingredients in a medium-sized bowl and mix well. Then, shape the mixture into four equal-sized patties, about 1/2 inch thick, as they will shrink during cooking. Remember to slightly wet your hands to prevent the mixture from sticking.

Chill the Patties

Place the shaped patties in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes before cooking. This will help them firm up and stay together better during the air frying process.

Preheat Your Air Fryer

Set your air fryer to 360-375 degrees Fahrenheit and preheat for about 3 minutes. This step is crucial, as it ensures the air fryer is fully heated before adding the burgers, which helps to create that desirable crispy outer layer while keeping the inside moist and tender.

Cook the Turkey Burgers

Place the patties in the air fryer basket, ensuring they don't overlap or touch. For a 4-ounce burger, cook for 8-9 minutes. For a 5-ounce burger, cook for 9-10 minutes. For a 6-ounce burger, cook for 10-12 minutes. If your burgers are larger than 6 ounces, simply add 3 minutes for every additional ounce. Don't forget to flip the burgers halfway through the cooking process!

Check the Internal Temperature

The best way to ensure your turkey burgers are cooked is to use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. Fully cooked burgers should have an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. This guarantees that your burgers are safe to eat and helps to prevent overcooking, which can lead to dry and tasteless results.

Let the Burgers Rest

After cooking, let the burgers rest for a few minutes before serving. This step is crucial, as it allows the juices to redistribute, enhancing the flavour and texture of the burgers.

By following these simple steps, you can ensure that your air fryer turkey burgers are cooked to perfection every time! Enjoy your juicy and delicious homemade burgers!

Frequently asked questions