If you’re looking for a classic, lean take on a hearty burger, air fryer turkey burgers are a great option.
Easy to make in the air fryer with just a few ingredients, these burgers are flavorful and can be topped just the way you like them!
Turkey burgers are a nice, quick dinner option when you’re short on time but want to cook from scratch.
And if you ever feel like making the frozen version, here are the instructions for frozen turkey burgers in the air fryer.
Ingredients
To make this recipe for turkey burgers in the air fryer, here are the ingredients that you will need!
It looks like a long list, but it’s really just ground turkey, some spices, and some things to put on the burgers!
- Ground turkey – The main ingredient.
- Salt – Enhances the overall flavor. Add more or less to taste.
- Coriander – Optional; for extra flavor.
- Paprika – Adds extra flavor and a touch of color. You can use sweet (regular) paprika, smoked paprika, or hot paprika.
- Granulated garlic – Or garlic powder; to add garlic flavor.
- Olive oil – To spray the air fryer to prevent sticking. Alternatively, use a different type of oil in a spray bottle.
- Cheese slices – Choose your favorite cheese slices such as cheddar, Swiss or pepper jack.
- Burger buns – To hold the burgers. Use buns of your choice.
- BBQ sauce – Adds a tangy, smoky flavor. Alternatively, use a sauce of your choice (e.g. mayonnaise, ketchup, honey mustard sauce).
- Tomato – Use a firm, ripe tomato.
- Lettuce and/or spinach – Optional. Use your preferred type of lettuce.
- Red onion – Optional addition to the burger.
Recipe Tips
Before you head off to air fry turkey burgers, here are some tips and tricks that you should read through to ensure you have success with this recipe!
- Feel free to adjust the seasoning to your personal taste. You could try adding onion powder and/or dried herbs.
- Be sure to form evenly-sized patties. That way they will be done cooking at the same time.
- Don’t overcrowd your air fryer. Otherwise, the turkey burgers may not cook evenly.
- The exact cooking time may vary depending on the air fryer and the thickness of the turkey burgers. They should be cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Step by Step Instructions
In this part of the article, we’ll show you exactly how to make a turkey burger in the air fryer.
You’ll see all the recipe instructions with process photos so you can follow along as you cook at home.
The printable recipe card with exact measurements and written instructions is located at the bottom of the post!
Preheat the air fryer to 360 degrees Fahrenheit. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine the ground turkey, salt, coriander (optional), paprika, and garlic powder.
Mix well until the ingredients are evenly distributed.
Shape the turkey mixture into three patties, about 1 inch thick and 4 inches in diameter.
You can use a metal mold lined with plastic wrap to make them more uniform, or just use your hands.
Spray the air fryer basket with some olive oil and place two or three patties in it, depending on the size of your air fryer.
Make sure they have some space between them and do not overlap. Cook in batches if necessary.
Air fry the turkey burgers at 360 degrees Fahrenheit for 12 minutes, then flip and air fry for another 6-8 minutes or until they are cooked through.
The internal temperature should be 165 degrees Fahrenheit. The exact cooking time can vary depending on your air fryer.
When the patties are done, place a slice of cheese on each patty and air fry for a few more seconds until the cheese is melted.
You can use skewers to secure the cheese on the patties if it slides off.
Optional: Cut the buns in half and place them in the air fryer for about 1 minute to toast after you remove the patties.
Spread the bottom halves of the buns with your choice of sauce and place some lettuce leaves on top of the sauce.
Transfer the cheesy patties to the buns and place some tomato slices and red onion rings on top.
Cover with the top halves of the buns that have also been spread with some sauce (optional). Enjoy!
Storage Tips
Assemble only the burgers you plan to eat. If you have leftover turkey patties, allow them to cool and then store them in a sealed container in the fridge.
Properly stored, they’ll keep for about 3 days. If you have other burger ingredients left over – such as lettuce, chopped onions, and sliced tomatoes – store them in sealed containers in the fridge as well.
You can store leftover buns at room temperature in an airtight container.
You can reheat these turkey burgers in the air fryer at a lower temperature such as 280 degrees Fahrenheit until heated through. Just be careful not to overcook them or they may dry out!
What to Serve Turkey Burgers With
There are plenty of sides – mostly potato-based – that go perfectly with these turkey burgers. Classic homemade French fries are a hit, as are sweet potato wedges.
You can also get a little lazy and grab some of your favorite frozen curly fries, frozen onion rings, or frozen potato wedges!
FAQ
Here are two answers to questions about making turkey burgers!
Combine the ground turkey with seasonings and form into patties. Air fry the patties at 360 degrees Fahrenheit for about 12 minutes, then flip and cook for another 6-8 minutes or until fully cooked through to 165°F. Once done, you can add cheese and/or dress the burgers however you like!
These turkey burgers cook for about 12 minutes on one side, then about another 6-8 minutes on the other side after flipping. Since the patty thickness and air fryer might be different, the exact cooking time can vary. Just be sure that the patty is cooked through to 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Related Recipes
If you like turkey, have a look at some of these other great air fryer turkey recipes that you might want to try!
- Air Fried Turkey Meatballs
- Divine Air Fryer Turkey Breast (Boneless, Skinless)
- Crispy Turkey Bacon Air-Fried
- Turkey Thighs in the Air Fryer
Air Fryer Turkey Burgers
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 1/3 teaspoon salt, more to taste
- 1/3 teaspoon coriander, optional
- 1/3 teaspoon paprika
- 1/3 teaspoon garlic powder
- (olive) oil spray
- 3 burger buns
- 3-5 tablespoons BBQ sauce, alternatively mayonnaise
- 3 slices cheese
- 1 tomato
- lettuce leaves, alternatively spinach (optional)
- 1/2 red onion, optional
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 360 degrees Fahrenheit. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine the ground turkey, salt, coriander (optional), paprika, and garlic powder. Mix well until the ingredients are evenly distributed.1 pound ground turkey, 1/3 teaspoon salt, 1/3 teaspoon coriander, 1/3 teaspoon paprika, 1/3 teaspoon garlic powder
- Shape the turkey mixture into three patties, about 1 inch thick and 4 inches in diameter. You can use a metal mold lined with plastic wrap to make them more uniform, or just use your hands.
- Spray the air fryer basket with some oil and place two or three patties in it, depending on the size of your air fryer. Make sure they have some space between them and do not overlap. Cook in batches if necessary.(olive) oil spray
- Air fry the turkey burgers at 360 degrees Fahrenheit for 12 minutes, then flip and air fry for another 6-8 minutes or until cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit. The exact cooking time may vary.
- When the patties are done, place a slice of cheese on each one and air fry for a few more seconds until the cheese is melted. You can use skewers to secure the cheese on the patties if it slides off.3 slices cheese
- Optional: Cut the buns in half and place them in the air fryer for about 1 minute to toast after you remove the patties. Spread some sauce of choice on the bottom halves of the buns and place some lettuce leaves on top of the sauce.3 burger buns, 3-5 tablespoons BBQ sauce, lettuce leaves
- Transfer the cheesy patties to the buns and top with tomato slices and red onion rings. Cover with the top halves of the buns that have been also spread with some sauce (optional). Enjoy!1/2 red onion, 1 tomato
Notes
- Feel free to adjust the seasoning to your personal preference.
- Form evenly-sized patties. That way they will be done cooking at the same time.
- Don’t overcrowd your air fryer. Otherwise, the turkey burgers may not cook evenly.
- The exact cooking time may vary depending on the air fryer and the thickness of the turkey burgers. They should be cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Nutrition
This nutritional information has been estimated by an online nutrition calculator. It should only be seen as a rough calculation and not a replacement for professional dietary advice.
