Air Fryer Turkey Burgers
Recipe Snapshot
PREP + COOK TIME: 25 minutes
COOKING METHOD: Air Fryer
OTHER TOOLS NEEDED: small bowl, knife, cutting board
NUMBER OF INGREDIENTS: 4
There’s no need to fire up the grill when you can make air fryer turkey burgers in your kitchen – any day of the week! With only four ingredients, these simple yet flavorful burger patties will be ready in minutes and are an excellent choice for healthy eating!
Air fryers can do so much more than just crisp up veggies and sides! They are also a great option to prepare single-serve portions of meat. With a few added ingredients, these healthy ground turkey burgers will turn out juicy and flavorful, ready for however you like to eat them.
Air Fryer Turkey Burgers – What’s To Love
- At the end of the day, it can be tedious to pull out the grilling gear or have the patience to heat up the grill or oven. By using the air fryer, you can make a simple, healthy recipe in a short amount of time and with easy cleanup at the end! The air fryer is perfect for simple meals that don’t involve hefty prep and cooking time.
- When you’re hungry for a healthy meal, you need it fast before you’re tempted to snack your appetite away on whatever is within reach. Air fryer turkey burgers are the perfect meal choice because they contain plenty of protein and delicious flavor. They can also be made quickly from start to finish – your total prep to eating time will be less than 30 minutes!
- You might be surprised that such a tasty burger can be made with so few ingredients, but it’s true! The air fryer keeps the burger patties juicy and tender with a nice outer texture that’s not too greasy. Serve the burgers with a side of veggies, in lettuce wraps, or on a classic bun!
Ingredients Needed
- Ground turkey – Use 1 pound of ground turkey to create 4 burger patties. For the best quality, choose organic ground turkey or one without any added preservatives. Since turkey is already pretty lean, you can choose the fat percentage that you prefer – 93% lean is a good standard choice.
- Jalapeño – Remove the ribs (membrane) and seeds of one fresh jalapeño pepper and dice it finely. You don’t want to end up with a large bite of pepper in one burger patty!
- Shallot – Shallots are a nice alternative to the typical onion in many burger recipes. They add a nice, light sweetness that pairs well with the heat of the jalapeño. Peel and finely dice the shallot to mix into the patties.
- Garlic – I like to use jarred minced garlic for convenience, and it gives ground meat that extra bit of necessary flavor! If you swap minced garlic for fresh, you may want to reduce the amount slightly so the flavor does not overpower the individual burgers.
How To Make Airy Fryer Turkey Burgers
After you’ve tried this turkey burger recipe, you will be convinced that you can cook burgers any night of the week! No need to wait for the weekends to fire up the grill. Turkey burgers in the air fryer are the perfect choice for lean and healthy protein to add to your weekly menu.
Just a few steps until dinner is served!
- Mix together all ingredients by hand in a small bowl until just combined.
- Divide the meat mixture into 4 equal portions and form them into burger patties.
- Place the burger patties in the air fryer basket and cook them at 380 degrees for 10-12 minutes (or until cooked through). Pause the air fryer to flip the burgers one time during cooking.
- Check the temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches at least 165 ℉. Let the burgers rest for a few minutes before serving to seal in the juices.
Notes
- Some prefer to remove the burger patties when they reach 160℉. The temperature will continue to rise internally to 165 ℉ as the meat rests.
- The uncooked burger patties will be very fragile and can fall apart when handled. This is normal and they will hold their shape as the meat cooks.
Recipe Variations
If you haven’t found a turkey burger you love to eat, I challenge you to try this recipe first and then make it your own with some suggested swaps!
- Change the meat choice by using ground chicken in place of ground turkey or even ground pork.
- For spicier heat, leave the jalapeño pepper seeds in the meat mixture.
- If you can’t find shallot at your local grocery store, use a red onion for similar flavor and texture.
- Add salt, pepper, all-purpose seasoning, or Greek seasoning to add more flavor to the burger patties.
What To Serve With Turkey Burgers
Serve turkey burgers in any way that you enjoy a classic burger! Try adding a fresh hamburger bun, or Hawaiian rolls as another tasty option. Add cheese if you like.
For a low-carb option, create a lettuce wrap with sliced tomatoes, onion, and your favorite condiments or pickles. Ketchup, mustard, and mayo are all great options, or you could choose a fancier option like a garlic aioli.
Serve the burgers with a side of oven-baked French fries, Air Fryer Waffle Fries (also made in just minutes), or next to a crunchy kale or spinach side salad.
Leftover Instructions
Turkey burgers in the air fryer are a fantastic option for low-calorie, high-protein meal prep!
Let the burgers cool completely, then store them in an airtight container in the fridge. You can also freeze them by wrapping them individually and storing them in the freezer for up to 3 months. Reheat by defrosting first, then microwave or use the air fryer again on a reheat function or for about 5 minutes.
To make ahead, you can also freeze raw burger patties and wrap them individually to cook later for quick, fresh meals. Place a frozen patty in the fridge to defrost a few hours before cooking, or unwrap it and add to the air fryer for up to 15 minutes total. Be sure to use a meat thermometer to check that it has fully cooked.
Air Fryer Turkey Burgers
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 1 jalapeno diced ribs and seeds removed
- 1 shallot peeled and diced
- 1 teaspoon jarred minced garlic
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients by hand in a small bowl until just combined.
- Divide meat mixture into 4 equal portions and form into burger patties.
- Place burger patties in air fryer basket and cook at 380 degrees for 10-12 minutes (or until cooked through). Pause air fryer to flip burgers one time during cooking.
- Check temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches at least 165 ℉. Let burgers rest for a few minutes before serving to seal juices.
Notes
- Burger patties can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days or wrapped individually and stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- Reheat in the microwave or in the air fryer on a reheat setting.
- Serve as desired on buns or lettuce wraps.
- Burgers are cooked when they reach an internal temperature of 165 ℉.
- I made 4 average-sized-patties in my 5.8-quart air fryer with a square basket.
Air Fryer Turkey Burger FAQs
- How long does it take to cook a turkey burger in the air fryer? For this recipe, the turkey burgers should fully cook within 10-12 minutes. Use an internal thermometer to check doneness.
- Do turkey burgers need to be flipped in the air fryer? Yes, you will need to flip the burgers during this time to cook both sides evenly. This helps the burgers to achieve consistent texture and temperature. Simply pause and restart the air fryer cook time.
- Can I cook frozen turkey patties directly in the air fryer? If you freeze the turkey burger patties, I suggest setting them out to defrost slightly so that they are not completely frozen. Then, you can add the frozen patties to the air fryer and cook for up to 15 minutes total. Flip them once and check the internal temperature at the end.
- How do I ensure my turkey burgers remain juicy and don’t dry out? To ensure the turkey burgers remain juicy, be sure not to overcook them. A meat thermometer will be your best option to check doneness after 10-12 minutes, then remove them from the air fryer and allow the meat to rest before slicing or serving.
- What internal temperature is needed to ensure my turkey burger is cooked? Turkey burgers should reach 165 ℉ in the middle of the patty.
Unfortunately mine were white on the outside and dry on the inside. How do you get them to brown?
If you use a leaner white meat ground turkey they may not brown up as much do to the lack of fat content.