Air Fryer Turkey Burgers

This air fryer turkey burger recipe has been a family favorite for years. They’re juicy, flavorful, easy to make, and perfect for busy weeknights. I almost always keep a batch in the freezer because they cook beautifully straight from frozen. They’re also naturally gluten-free, grain-free and dairy-free.

If you’ve only had dry or bland turkey burgers before, these are completely different. The air fryer cooks them quickly while keeping the inside moist, and the outside gets perfectly browned without needing a grill.

I was honestly skeptical about turkey burgers for a long time. My thinking was basically, “Why eat a turkey burger when you could have a regular burger?” But after trying them, I totally got the appeal. They’re lighter than beef burgers but still super satisfying and packed with flavor.

Ingredient Notes

Please scroll down for the full recipe. These are just some notes on select ingredients.

• Ground turkey – ground chicken also works well here. Just make sure not to use extra-lean meat or the burgers can turn out dry. Fresh or previously frozen turkey both work well, but if you’re using thawed frozen turkey, make sure to discard any excess liquid in the package. Too much liquid makes the burger mixture sticky and harder to shape. If you want to use ground beef, I have this recipe for Air Fryer Burgers.
• Egg – helps hold the patties together and keeps the burgers tender and moist.
• Oil or butter – olive oil gives a lighter flavor, while butter adds extra richness.
• Dried parsley – adds flavor and a little color without overpowering the burgers.

Why Turkey Burgers Need Egg

Unlike classic beef burgers, turkey burgers (and Venison Burgers!) benefit from a binder like egg.

Ground turkey is much leaner than beef, so it can dry out and fall apart more easily during cooking. The egg helps hold everything together while keeping the burgers tender and juicy.

That’s why traditional beef burgers usually don’t need eggs or breadcrumbs, but turkey burgers often do.

How to Make Air Fryer Turkey Burgers

These burgers, along with my Air Fryer Chicken Quarters, are my favorite dinners for busy weeknights. The prep time is basically nothing, they come together so quickly and there’s zero mess.

1. Mix together the turkey, egg, seasonings, and oil.
2. Divide into three equal portions and gently shape into patties.
3. Press a small indentation into the center of each burger.
4. Preheat the air fryer and lightly grease the basket. Place a patty in the basket.
5. Cook until browned and the internal temperature reaches 165 °F.
6. Add cheese during the last minute or two if desired.
7. Serve!

How to Freeze Turkey Burgers

These are perfect for meal prep. Place the shaped patties on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze until firm. Separate them with parchment paper and store in a freezer-safe bag.

You can thaw them overnight in the refrigerator or cook them straight from frozen. If cooking from frozen, they’ll need a few extra minutes in the air fryer.

Storage

Store leftover turkey burgers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Reheat in the microwave or warm in the air fryer until heated through.

5 from 50 votes

Air Fryer Turkey Burgers

Author Erin Dooner

Course Main

Cuisine American

Servings 3 large burgers

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 19 minutes mins

These air fryer turkey burgers are juicy, flavorful, and easy to make with simple ingredients. They can be cooked fresh or frozen and make a quick weeknight dinner the whole family will love. Naturally gluten-free, grain-free and dairy-free.

Ingredients

• ▢ 1 pound (453 grams) ground turkey ground chicken also works
• ▢ 1 large egg 50 grams out of shell
• ▢ 1 teaspoon salt
• ▢ 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• ▢ 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• ▢ 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• ▢ 1 tablespoon olive oil or refined coconut oil or if not dairy-free, unsalted butter also works

Instructions

• In a large mixing bowl, stir together all the ingredients. I think using the hands is easier but you can use a fork if you prefer.
• Remove from the fridge and form into three 165-gram balls, being careful not to overwork the meat.
• Shape the balls into about 1" thick (and 1/2" wider than the hamburger buns) patties. You don't need to squash the meat together or overwork the meat, but the patties should have the same thickness.
• Use your thumb to make an indentation in the center of each patty, to prevent the patties from puffing up like meatballs.
• Preheat the air fryer to 360 °F (183 °C). Spray the air fryer basket with oil.
• Place the patties in the basket. They shouldn't be touching.
• Cook for 8 minutes, flip and fry another 8-11 minutes or until a thermometer inserted in the middle of a patty is 165 °F (74 °C).
• Turn the heat off, put the cheese on and let it sit in the air fryer for a minute or two or until slightly melted.
• Add to the bun with the toppings.
• Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Video

Notes

• As you can see in the video, I didn't have issues with the meat being sticky or hard to handle. When using frozen ground turkey, I've accidentally dumped in the liquid from the bag. Then they were sticky. If they're sticky, place in the fridge for 2 hours (or freeze quickly) or overnight. If using butter or coconut oil, that will especially help firm them up.
• The nutrition information provided is calculated as a courtesy and is only an estimate. I am not a licensed nutritionist or dietitian. For the most accurate nutritional data, consult a professional or use your preferred calculator.

Nutrition

Calories: 233kcalCarbohydrates: 0.4gProtein: 38gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0.03gCholesterol: 138mgSodium: 874mgPotassium: 473mgFiber: 0.1gSugar: 0.1gVitamin A: 119IUVitamin C: 0.05mgCalcium: 15mgIron: 1mg

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