If you’re craving a juicy, flavorful, and guilt-free burger night, Air Fryer Turkey Burgers are about to become your new go-to. They’re delightfully moist, packed with herby goodness, and offer that irresistible golden crust—all with minimal oil and barely any mess in your kitchen!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Healthier Than Your Usual Burger: Air Fryer Turkey Burgers are lean, lower in fat, and still wildly satisfying—no greasy guilt required.
- Ready in a Flash: Start to finish, these turkey burgers are on the table in about 15 minutes, making them perfect for busy weeknights.
- Minimal Cleanup: The air fryer does all the hard work (and splatter-catching), so cleanup is almost effortless.
- Juicy And Flavor-Packed: With parsley, Worcestershire sauce, and smoked paprika, each bite bursts with savory, herbaceous flavor.
Ingredients You’ll Need
What I love most about Air Fryer Turkey Burgers is that each ingredient plays a starring role in creating a patty that’s juicy, savory, and never bland. Simple pantry staples combine with the freshness of herbs and the kick of spices—here’s why you’ll want to grab each one!
- Lean ground turkey: The base for our burgers—choose 93% lean or similar for the perfect balance of moisture and flavor.
- Salt & pepper: These classics do all the heavy lifting when it comes to seasoning and brightening the turkey’s flavor.
- Garlic powder: Adds a subtle depth, infusing the burgers with a savory backbone.
- Smoked paprika: Brings a gentle smokiness and gorgeous color to the patties.
- Olive oil: Just a splash for added juiciness and that satisfying, golden-brown crust.
- Worcestershire sauce: The secret to umami magic—this classic boost balances out the lean turkey meat.
- Fresh parsley (finely chopped): Lifts everything with freshness and a burst of green.
Variations
The beauty of Air Fryer Turkey Burgers is just how easy they are to customize. Whether you’re working with what you have in the fridge or catering to food preferences, you can switch things up effortlessly.
- Spice it up: Add a teaspoon of chopped jalapeño or a pinch of red pepper flakes for extra heat.
- Go dairy: Mix in a little grated Parmesan or feta for an extra hit of moisture and flavor.
- Make them gluten-free: Simply check your Worcestershire sauce brand or skip it for a wheat-free version.
- Different herbs: Try chopped basil, cilantro, or chives instead of parsley to put your own twist on things.
- Switch the protein: Feel free to substitute ground chicken or beef if turkey isn’t handy—the air fryer method works beautifully for both!
How to Make Air Fryer Turkey Burgers
Step 1: Mix Up the Patty Mixture
Start by grabbing a large mixing bowl and adding your ground turkey, salt, pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, olive oil, Worcestershire sauce, and chopped parsley. Gently combine everything with your hands or a fork—just enough to bring it together. Overmixing can make burgers tough, so stop as soon as everything’s evenly dispersed.
Step 2: Shape and Prep Your Patties
Lightly wetting your hands makes shaping super easy and keeps the turkey mixture from sticking. Divide the mixture into four equal portions, gently forming each into a patty about ½-inch thick. Use your thumb to press a shallow dimple in the center of each—this helps prevent the patties from puffing up as they cook.
Step 3: Air Fry to Juicy Perfection
Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (180°C). Lightly grease the basket (just a quick spray or rub of oil is all you need), then place the turkey patties inside, making sure they don’t touch. Air fry for 12 minutes total, flipping halfway through. They’re ready when the centers reach 165°F—no guesswork required, just juicy goodness every time!
Step 4: Rest and Serve
Give those gorgeous Air Fryer Turkey Burgers a minute or two to rest after cooking; this lets the juices redistribute, locking in moisture so every bite is irresistibly tender. Now it’s time for buns, toppings, and digging in!
Pro Tips for Making Air Fryer Turkey Burgers
- Handle With a Gentle Touch: Over-mixing ground turkey can make patties dense—mix just until the ingredients are combined for the juiciest burgers.
- Make the Magic Center Dimple: Pressing a dimple into the middle of each patty prevents puffing and ensures even cooking in the air fryer.
- Check Your Doneness: Use a digital thermometer and pull out at exactly 165°F—this keeps turkey safe and delicious, not dry!
- Let Them Rest: A short rest once out of the air fryer lets juices set, giving you burgers that are anything but crumbly.
How to Serve Air Fryer Turkey Burgers
Garnishes
The sky’s the limit when it comes to garnishing your Air Fryer Turkey Burgers! Try the classic combo of crisp lettuce, juicy tomato slices, and creamy avocado, or go adventurous with quick-pickled onions, a dollop of Greek yogurt, or a sprinkle of microgreens for a fresh, bright finish.
Side Dishes
Pair your air fryer turkey burgers with sweet potato fries, a tangy coleslaw, a crisp side salad, or even some garlicky roasted vegetables. For a lighter touch, serve them bun-less with extra greens or stuff them inside pita bread with chopped veggies for a Mediterranean twist.
Creative Ways to Present
Think beyond the bun! Serve smaller patties as sliders at your next get-together, chop up leftover burgers into grain bowls with quinoa and roasted veggies, or stack them on toasted English muffins topped with a jammy egg for an epic brunch sandwich.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Air Fryer Turkey Burgers keep beautifully in the fridge—just wrap them or pop in a covered container and store for up to five days. They stay tender and flavorful, making lunch meal-prep delightfully easy.
Freezing
You can freeze cooked, cooled turkey burgers in a single layer in a shallow container or zip-top bag for up to six months. They’re a lifesaver for future busy nights—just thaw in the fridge and you’re ready for a quick dinner.
Reheating
To reheat, simply pop burgers back into your air fryer for 4–5 minutes until warmed through. This method helps preserve their crispy edges and juicy centers, unlike microwaving, which can dry them out.
FAQs
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Can I use ground chicken instead of turkey for these air fryer turkey burgers?
Absolutely! Ground chicken works almost identically in this recipe—just keep an eye on doneness and you’ll get wonderfully juicy, flavorful patties. You can also experiment with other lean meats, like beef or even ground pork.
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How do I keep turkey burgers from drying out in the air fryer?
The olive oil and Worcestershire sauce in this recipe add moisture to the patties, while the air fryer’s quick cooking helps seal in juices. Be sure not to overcook—pull the burgers out right at 165°F for the best, most succulent texture.
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Do I need to flip the turkey burgers halfway through cooking?
Yes, flipping the burgers halfway ensures they brown evenly and cook through perfectly. Most air fryers circulate heat pretty well, but the little flip goes a long way for that classic burger sear and even doneness.
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Can I prep air fryer turkey burgers ahead and cook them later?
You can! Shape your patties and store them covered in the refrigerator (uncooked) for up to a day in advance. When you’re ready to eat, simply cook them straight from the fridge—just add an extra minute or two to the air fryer time if needed.
Final Thoughts
Give these Air Fryer Turkey Burgers a try and get ready to fall in love with just how easy, flavorful, and endlessly versatile a healthy homemade burger can be. I can’t wait to hear how they turn out in your own kitchen—don’t be surprised if this becomes a new family favorite!
Print
Air Fryer Turkey Burgers Recipe
- Prep Time: 1 minute
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 13 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Air Fry
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Calorie
Description
These Air Fryer Turkey Burgers are juicy, flavorful, and incredibly easy to make. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a weekend barbecue, these burgers are a healthier alternative to traditional beef burgers.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound lean ground turkey
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
Additional Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon parsley, finely chopped
Instructions
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat the air fryer to 180C/350F.
- Mix Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine ground turkey, salt, pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, olive oil, parsley, and Worcestershire sauce. Mix until just combined.
- Shape Patties: Wet your hands lightly and shape the mixture into four turkey burger patties, pressing down in the center of each.
- Air Fry: Place the patties in a greased air fryer basket and air fry for 12 minutes, flipping halfway through. Ensure internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Rest and Assemble: Let the burgers rest for a minute or two before assembling them into burgers.
Notes
- TO STORE: Keep leftovers in the refrigerator, covered, for up to five days.
- TO FREEZE: Store cooked and cooled burgers in the freezer for up to 6 months.
- TO REHEAT: Reheat turkey burgers for 4 to 5 minutes in the air fryer.
- Use other ground meat: Ground chicken and ground beef can be used as alternatives.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 turkey burger patty
- Calories: 183 kcal
- Sugar: 0.3 g
- Sodium: 321 mg
- Fat: 9.6 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6.9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 0.6 g
- Fiber: 0.2 g
- Protein: 22.1 g
- Cholesterol: 78 mg
