Air Frying Turkey Burgers

Craving a juicy, flavorful turkey burger but want to skip the grill or oven? The air fryer might just become your new best friend for juicy and delicious turkey burgers. It’s quick, easy, and brings out the perfect crispiness in your patties without all the fuss. Whether you’re looking for a healthier option or just trying to mix up your burger game, air-frying your turkey burgers can give you that delicious, satisfying bite you’re after in just a few minutes. 

As always, we’ll guide you through everything you need to know about cooking turkey burgers in the air fryer, from selecting the best toppings to detailing each step in the process.

Why Cook Turkey Burgers in the Air Fryer?

If you’re not sure why we’re pulling out our air fryers to cook turkey burgers, we have a few reasons for you to consider:

1. Air frying can be a healthier alternative to frying turkey burgers in a pan. Air fryers don’t require the use of oil or butter to fry up your burgers, so you don’t have to worry about any additional calories or fat making their way into your burgers.
2. Air fryers cook food quickly. You can usually have raw turkey burgers fully cooked in 10-15 minutes and frozen burgers cooked in about 18-20 minutes.
3. You won’t have a big mess to clean up when you air-fry turkey burgers. Air fryers are well-known for their ease of clean-up, restricting the mess to the basket and basket base. This is in contrast to baking sheets you’ll need to clean if you use the oven or grill grates that need to be scrubbed clean after grilling. 
4. Turkey burgers stay nice and juicy in the air fryer if you cook them properly. You may not even be able to tell the difference between baking them and air frying them.

Tips for Amazing Air Fryer Turkey Burgers

Take your turkey burgers to the next level by using the following tips:

• Blend in veggies: Turkey can dry out quickly, but veggies can help add moisture without overpowering the turkey flavor to keep your burgers tender. Mix finely grated zucchini or carrots into your ground turkey to elevate each patty.
• Infuse broth for flavor: Before shaping your patties, mix in a tablespoon or two of low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth or a splash of Worcestershire sauce. This not only adds extra juiciness but also enhances the flavor profile, making your burgers more savory and rich.
• Use parchment rounds: Cut small rounds of parchment paper to fit the size of your patties. Place these under the patties when air frying to prevent them from sticking to the basket. It also helps crisp up the patties on each side.
• Refrigerate the patties before cooking: After forming your patties, let them rest in the fridge for about 20 minutes. This firms up the patties and reduces the chances of them falling apart in the air fryer.
• Spray with cooking spray: Halfway through the cooking process, lightly spray the tops of the patties with cooking spray. This encourages a beautifully golden brown, crispy exterior while keeping the inside juicy.

Turkey Burger Toppings

What toppings can you add to your turkey burger? Anything you’d like that you’d normally add to a beef burger!

The great thing about turkey burgers is that they’re not much different than traditional beef burgers as far as what pairs well with them. If you love cheese on your burger, go ahead and add it to your turkey burger. Top your burger with lettuce, tomato, onions, pickles, jalapeños, and whatever other veggies you like on your burgers. The same goes for sauces; mayo, ketchup, sriracha, hot sauce, mustard, and barbecue sauce are all fair game for turkey burgers.

Step-by-Step Guide to Air-Fried Turkey Burgers

Familiarize yourself with the following steps before jumping into the recipe below. We provide exact measurements in the recipe. 

Step 1: Preparing the Turkey Burgers

Place the ground turkey in a large bowl. Add grated zucchini, Worcestershire sauce, breadcrumbs, grated onion, salt, pepper, and minced garlic to the turkey. Use your hands to mix the ingredients until just combined. Avoid overmixing, as it’ll warm up the mixture and cause it to become mushy.

Form the mixture into four patties of equal size. Press down on the top of each patty to flatten it slightly. Then, use the back of a spoon to make a small indent in the center of each patty.

Transfer the patties to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Refrigerate the patties for 30-60 minutes until they firm up slightly.

Step 2: Preparing the Air Fryer

Preheat the air fryer to 360°F for five minutes. Spray the air fryer basket base with cooking spray if you’re not using parchment rounds. If you’d prefer parchment rounds, cut pieces of parchment paper into circles that are the same size as your patties. Place one round underneath each patty before transferring the patties to the air fryer. 

Step 3: Cooking the Turkey Burgers

Place the patties in the air fryer basket so they don’t touch one another. You may need to work in batches if you have a small air fryer. Cook for 10-15 minutes, or until they reach 165°F in the center of each patty. Flip the burgers halfway through the cooking process to ensure even browning on each side. 

Step 4: Resting Before Serving

Rest the patties at room temperature for about 5 minutes before adding them to your burgers. Set them on a plate during this process to catch running juices.

Step 5: Assembly

It’s time to assemble your burgers! Do so how you’d like: toppings first, followed by the patty or patty first, followed by the toppings. 

Air Fryer Turkey Burger Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 lb lean ground turkey
• ¼ cup of breadcrumbs
• ½ onion, grated
• ½ zucchini, grated
• 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Optional Topping Ingredients

• Tomato slices
• Lettuce 
• Onion slices
• Cheese slices
• Pickle chips
• Diced or sliced jalapeños
• Mayo
• Ketchup
• Mustard
• Barbecue sauce
• Hot sauce
• Buffalo sauce

Instructions

1. Prepare the patties by adding all patty ingredients to a large bowl. Mix the ingredients with your hands until everything is just combined.
2. Form the mixture into four patties of equal size. You can use a burger press if it’s easier. Make a small indent in the center of each patty using the back of a spoon.
3. Move the patties to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Refrigerate them for 30-60 minutes.
4. Preheat the air fryer to 360°F for five minutes. Spray the base with cooking spray or use parchment rounds under each patty to prevent sticking.
5. Add the patties to the air fryer, keeping some space between each one. Cook the patties for 10-15 minutes, flipping halfway through, until browned on each side. The center of each patty should read 165°F.
6. Rest the patties at room temperature for 5 minutes before serving.
7. Assemble each burger using your choice of toppings.

What To Serve With Air Fryer Turkey Burgers

Air-fried turkey burgers pair well with many types of sides. For a light and refreshing option, serve them alongside a crisp, tangy coleslaw, which adds just the right amount of contrast to the more savory burger. If you’re looking for something more traditional, sweet potato fries are a fantastic choice. They offer a slightly sweet flavor that compliments the turkey well, and they can be air-fried alongside the burgers for convenience. 

A fresh avocado salad, roasted Brussels sprouts, or cucumber salad are all great options if you’re looking to add more vegetables to your plate. A pickle spear or some tangy pickled vegetables can provide a satisfying crunch and round out the flavors in your meal.

To Sum Up

Making turkey burgers in an air fryer is a simple way to enjoy a delicious meal without the need for a grill. Whether you’re cooking for a weeknight dinner or a weekend gathering, these air-fried turkey burgers should impress with their juicy texture and rich flavor. 

When you’re in the mood for more recipes and cooking tips, head to Steak University.