Air-Fried Turkey Burgers: Quick, Tasty, Healthy

Turkey burgers are a great option for a quick, easy, and healthy meal. They can be made in an air fryer in under 20 minutes, resulting in a juicy and flavorful burger that's healthier than traditional cooking methods. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to make delicious turkey burgers in an air fryer.

Choosing your turkey

Turkey is a great, healthier alternative to beef mince when making burgers. It is low in fat and calories, and cheaper than beef, but still packed with flavour.

When choosing your turkey mince, opt for 90% to 93% lean ground turkey, which will have a combination of dark and breast meat. This will ensure your burgers are juicy and not dry. You can use ground turkey breast, but the burgers will be drier.

If you want to make your own ground turkey, you can do so by adding turkey breast fillets to a food processor and blending them down. You can also use ground chicken or ground beef if you prefer.

If you are making your own turkey mince, you can add in other ingredients to enhance the flavour. For example, you could add in some mushrooms, which will make your burgers juicier and add a more savoury, meaty flavour. You could also add in some garlic and ketchup for extra flavour.

If you are buying pre-made turkey mince, you can still add in extra ingredients to enhance the flavour. Try adding in some herbs and flavourings such as rosemary, parsley, sage and thyme. You could also add in some lemon zest for a bit of zing. Onion and garlic are also great base flavourings, and you can add an egg and some breadcrumbs to bind everything together.

If you want to go for a more Greek flavour profile, try using oregano, garlic, dill, parsley and thyme. For Italian, use oregano, basil, thyme and rosemary. For Asian, use Chinese five-spice or Thai seven-spice seasoning.

Mixing the patty ingredients

The ingredients you'll need for your turkey burger patties include ground turkey, salt, pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, olive oil, and Worcestershire sauce. You can also add shredded cheese, shredded onion, Dijon mustard, parsley, Italian seasoning, or breadcrumbs to your mixture for extra flavour and moisture.

To mix the patty ingredients, grab a large mixing bowl and add all your ingredients. Mix them well until all the spices and sauces are evenly blended into the ground turkey. Be careful not to overmix the patty mixture, as this can make the burgers tough and dense. Once everything is combined, gently form the mixture into four equally-sized patties, each about half an inch thick. Remember to wet your hands slightly to prevent the mixture from sticking to your hands.

Shaping the patties

Shaping the perfect turkey patty is an art, but with a few simple steps, you can master it. Here is a detailed guide:

Firstly, ensure your hands are slightly wet to prevent the mixture from sticking to your hands. Take a handful of the burger mixture and start shaping it into a round patty. It is important to keep the patty about 1/2-inch thick as they will shrink during cooking. Repeat this process until you have four evenly sized patties. You can use a burger press to ensure they are all the same size and shape.

Secondly, place the patties in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes to firm up. This step is important as it helps the patties stay together when cooking in the air fryer.

If you are making a large batch, you can freeze the patties for a future quick dinner. Place the patties on a cookie sheet lined with wax or parchment paper and cover them loosely with plastic wrap. Freeze for 1-2 hours or until firm but not frozen solid. Then, using parchment paper to separate the patties, stack them and place them in a freezer bag. They will last up to three months in the freezer.

Finally, when you are ready to cook, remember to preheat your air fryer to 360°F (182°C) and lightly grease the basket with non-stick spray. Place the patties in the basket, ensuring they are evenly spaced and not overlapping.

Cooking the burgers

Now that your air fryer is preheated and your turkey mixture is shaped into four patties, it's time to cook the burgers. Place the patties in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are evenly spaced and not overlapping. If you are cooking more than four patties, you may need to do this in batches. Close the air fryer and cook the burgers for 10 to 13 minutes, flipping them halfway through. The internal temperature of each burger should reach 165°F (74°C) to ensure they are fully cooked. Overcooked turkey burgers can become dry, so keep an eye on the temperature.

If you want to add cheese to your burgers, place a slice on top of each patty during the last minute of air frying. This will give the cheese enough time to melt without overcooking the burgers.

Once the turkey burgers are cooked, remove them from the air fryer and let them rest for a few minutes. This step is crucial, as it allows the juices to redistribute and enhances the flavour and texture of the burgers.

While the burgers are resting, you can toast the buns in the air fryer if desired. Lightly butter the buns and place them in the air fryer at 300°F (149°C) for 3 to 4 minutes, or until they are golden. Alternatively, you can toast the buns in a toaster oven or on a stovetop.

Now it's time to assemble your burgers! Place the cooked patties on the buns and add your desired toppings. Some suggested toppings include lettuce, sliced tomato, cheddar cheese, sprouts, avocado, BBQ sauce, and bacon. Enjoy your delicious and juicy air fryer turkey burgers!

Serving suggestions

Turkey burgers cooked in an air fryer are a great option for a quick, easy, and healthy meal. They can be served in a variety of ways and are a good choice for a weeknight dinner or a get-together with friends. Here are some ideas for serving these juicy and flavorful burgers:

Burger Build

For a classic burger experience, serve the air fryer turkey burgers on a bun with your choice of toppings and condiments. Some popular topping options include:

• Lettuce
• Tomato
• Red onion
• Cheddar cheese
• Bacon
• BBQ sauce
• Avocado
• Sprouts
• Spinach
• Pickles
• Guacamole

Side Dishes

To make it a complete meal, pair the turkey burgers with some side dishes. Here are some options that go well with the burgers:

• Sweet potato fries
• Watermelon salad
• Kale crunch salad
• Cucumber carrot salad
• Creamy coleslaw
• Grilled or roasted vegetables (zucchini, bell peppers, asparagus)
• Corn on the cob
• Pasta salad
• Homemade guacamole and chips
• Roasted potatoes
• Hummus with carrot, celery, and cucumber sticks

Variations and Customizations

The beauty of turkey burgers is that they can be easily customized to suit different tastes and dietary preferences. Here are some variations you can try:

• Greek-style turkey burger: Add crumbled feta cheese, chopped kalamata olives, fresh parsley, and dried oregano to the burger mixture. Serve with tzatziki sauce.
• Taco turkey burgers: Season the burgers with taco seasoning and serve with guacamole.
• Spinach feta turkey burgers
• BBQ turkey burgers: Add BBQ sauce and chopped red onion to the burger mixture. Serve with extra BBQ sauce and sliced pickles.
• Italian turkey burgers: Add Parmesan cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, basil, and oregano to the burger mixture. Serve with marinara sauce and sliced mozzarella cheese.
• Cheeseburger: Add a slice of your favorite cheese, such as Swiss, cheddar, pepper jack, feta, blue cheese, or Monterey jack.

Make-Ahead and Storage

If you want to make a big batch of these air fryer turkey burgers, they can be frozen and stored for future meals. Here are some tips for making and storing them:

• Form the turkey mixture into patties and freeze them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe container or bag.
• Cooked burgers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-5 days or frozen for up to 3-6 months.
• To reheat, simply pop them back into the air fryer for 4-5 minutes or until warmed through.

Frequently asked questions