Air Fryer Turkey Burgers

Air fryer turkey burgers are a great way to have a fun and delicious meal with the family while saving calories. Healthy never tasted so good. Cut calories and fat in your turkey burgers by cooking them in a hot air fryer. It’s lower in fat and still has all that great flavor you want in a burger.

Why You Will Love This Air Fryer Turkey Burger

Easy To Make: Air fryer turkey burgers are mixed in a single mixing bowl and require nothing other than your hands to mold the patties and mix the spices in.

Very Little Cleanup: You only have to clean up your mixing bowl and your air fryer when you’re done.

They Are Better for You: They are lower in fat because you don’t use oil to cook them. They still get that great fried flavor and outer texture without frying them in oil.

Ingredients

Ground turkey: You can choose how lean you want this to be by the turkey you decide to buy. I used 93% lean ground turkey.

Ground rosemary: Make sure you use ground rosemary instead of rosemary leaves. The dried herb is too hard to chew.

Garlic granules: These are optional but tasty. Garlic powder will work in a pinch.

Salt: You can use any salt you like. Pink Himalayan salt is quite tasty here.

Pepper: Ground black pepper is best. Use freshly ground black pepper for the best flavor if it is available.

Equipment

Air Fryer: This can be any style of air fryer. They will all cook similarly, though cooking times vary slightly from appliance to appliance.

Instant Read Thermometer: A meat thermometer is a minimal investment that ensures your meat is adequately cooked. Poultry must reach 165 degrees F to be safely cooked.

Instructions

Gather and measure all ingredients as needed. If your air fryer has a preheat function, preheat it to 400 degrees F.

Combine the ground turkey and all the spices in a large mixing bowl. Mix well by hand for the best results.

Divide the dough in half and press the meat into the shape of a burger patty.

Place the turkey patties in the air fryer and cook at 375 degrees F for 15 to 20 minutes.

The patties should reach a minimum of 165° F to safely and properly cook. Some appliances can take up to 25 minutes to cook completely, so using a meat thermometer is important the first time you make these.

If you want to make these cheeseburgers, add cheese to the burger patties at the last 1 minute of air frying.

Transfer the burger patty to a burger bun, add your favorite toppings and serve.

Substitutions

If you don’t care for rosemary, dried thyme is a good substitute in this recipe.

Recipe Variations

I enjoy varying cheese types, such as Swiss, cheddar, pepper jack, feta, blue cheese, and Monterey jack, as they all add different flavors. You can’t go wrong with any of them.

You can play around with the flavors of these burgers by changing the spices. Taco seasoning can be yummy, as well as spices like sage.

You can use various buns for a turkey burger, such as whole wheat, brioche, pretzel, or sesame seed buns. Each type of bun can provide a different texture and flavor to complement the lean turkey patty. A multigrain or ciabatta bun can add a hearty and rustic element to the turkey burger.

More Ways To Season Your Air Fryer Turkey Burgers

Mediterranean

• 1 teaspoon ground rosemary
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic granules
• Zest of 1 lemon

Southwest

• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro

Italian

• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• A pinch of red pepper flakes

Serve Italian turkey burgers with Italian spiced eggplant fries.

Asian Fusion

• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
• 2 tbsp. chopped scallions

BBQ 

• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon mustard powder

Herbs & Spices

• 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
• 1 teaspoon dried dill
• 1 teaspoon chopped chives
• 1/2 teaspoon lemon pepper

Cajun

• 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• A pinch of cayenne pepper

Citrus 

• Zest of 1 lemon
• Zest of 1 orange
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander

Umami 

• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1-2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon dried shiitake mushroom powder
• A pinch of ground black pepper

Pair umami turkey burgers with air fryer mushrooms for complementary flavors.

Storage

To Store: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the fridge.

To Reheat: Rewarm gently in the microwave or an air fryer until it’s warmed through.

To Freeze: You can freeze these patties either before or after cooking. Either way, you’ll want to pack them well in a freezer-safe container to avoid freezer burn. They will keep in the freezer for up to 4 months.

Serving Suggestions

Serve these air fryer turkey burgers with your favorite burger toppings. The standard toppings are tomatoes, red onion, pickles, ketchup, mustard, and mayonnaise. But you can also try things like bacon, hummus, or guacamole for some burgers, depending on the spices you mix into the meat.

Great side dishes are:

• Veggies such as zucchini or corn on the cob
• Sweet potato fries
• Steamed vegetables 
• A green salad
• A side of chips
• Air fryer french fries

Recipe Additions

1. If you want to soften the texture of these burgers, add about half a cup of breadcrumbs when adding spices to the raw meat.
2. Try adding about 1 teaspoon of dried thyme to expand the flavors of your turkey burgers.
3. For more umami, add about 1 to 2 tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce to the raw meat.

FAQ

How Long To Cook Raw Frozen Turkey Burgers?

If you freeze your turkey patties and want to put them directly into the air fryer without thawing, you can do that. While every appliance will be slightly different, the cooking temperature is 375 degrees F for 15 to 20 minutes. Please note that the thickness of the patty can alter the cooking time significantly.

At What Temperature Are Turkey Burgers Cooked?

They are fully cooked and safe to eat when they reach an internal temperature of at least 165 degrees F.

Do Burgers Need To Be Flipped In An Air Fryer?

While some people swear by it, flipping your burger in an air fryer is not strictly necessary. That said, they will cook much more evenly if you flip them once halfway through the cooking time.

Can I Use Ground Chicken Or Ground Beef Instead Of Turkey?

Definitely! It’s a simple switch to make. Everything else will stay the same. The only difference is with cooking times depending on the meat you choose. You’ll want to stick to safe internal temperatures as recommended by the USDA. If you like Indian flavors, try our Indian chicken burger recipe too.

Can I Cook These Turkey Burger Patties On A Grill Instead?

Definitely, yes. Prepare them according to the recipe and simply cook them on a grill instead of in the air fryer.

Related Recipes

• Baked Turkey Burgers
• Taco Turkey Burgers
• Easy Cheeseburger Casserole

Turkey burgers are fast, easy, and delicious. They offer minimal cleanup and are far healthier for you than fried burgers while still giving you all the flavor you look for in a turkey burger. They make a great family night meal.

This article originally appeared on Pink When.