Make the best & juiciest Air Fryer Turkey Burgers with just a quick prep, a few simple steps and 10 minutes of air frying. No chopping required as we use powdered seasonings and extra juicy thanks to fresh lemon juice.
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Turkey burgers often get a bit of a bad rap as being "dry" - which is really totally uncalled for. At least with this recipe, which will give you a super juicy turkey burger that will have you skipping the beef without a second thought.
I'm not exaggerating when I say the first time I made these air fryer turkey burgers, I ended up finishing a whole patty over my sink. They're just that good, I couldn't stop!
Why you will love this recipe
- It's quick and all done in under 1 hour (resting time included) with just 10 minutes of hands-on cooking
- It's easy with just a few super simple steps
- Super juicy and flavorful burgers
- Lemon juice adds a fresh pop of flavor
- No chopping thanks to garlic & onion powder
- A healthy choice that will for sure become a new family favorite!
What you need to make them
Ingredient notes & substitutions
- Ground turkey can be swapped for another type of meat, or even fish. Chicken, lamb and salmon (!) work great with these seasonings,
- Breadcrumbs: I use regular, not Panko, here, as the smaller breadcrumbs are easier to integrate into the ground turkey. Choose gluten free breadcrumbs to make it gluten free.
- Lemon juice is always best fresh, but in a pinch you can use the bottled kind
- Worcestershire sauce can be skipped, but adds a nice pop of flavor
- Cooking oil: I prefer a neutral kind like canola oil, but olive oil works as well, and you can also swap it for cooking spray
- Your favorite toppings: I served mine in hamburger buns and topped them with iceberg lettuce, sunflower sprouts, garlic sauce and bacon
Can you coat these turkey burgers in breadcrumbs?
Yes! If you wish, you can dip them in eggwash and then breadcrumbs for a crunchier turkey burger. They might require slightly longer time to cook.
How to make them
- Place ground turkey and all seasonings except lemon juice in a bowl
- Mix well, using your hands if necessary
- Add lemon juice and mix well
- Add breadcrumbs and beat egg
- Mix well - I like to use a fork to start, since it's very sticky at this point, and then move to using my hands
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes
- Divide the turkey into 4 even-sized balls
- Brush a preheated air fryer basket with cooking oil
- Place the turkey balls in the air fryer - just as many as you can fit comfortably
- Press gently with the back of a spatula or spoon to create ½ inch thick turkey burger patties
- Brush with cooking oil
- Air fry 10 minutes at 375°F (190°C), then check if they are done. If not, air fry for a few more minutes. Repeat until you've cooked all the burgers, then serve with your favorite toppings and sides!
Tips & tricks
- Refrigerate the turkey mixture to make it easier to handle, but feel free to skip it if you're in a hurry. If you don't refrigerate it first, the burgers might stick a bit to the basket - but not too much.
- Don't overcrowd your air fryer basket - the patties should not be touching
- If cooking in batches wrap the cooked ones in aluminium foil to keep them warm. You can cook them to a few degrees below done, and they will finish cooking while resting.
- Don't flip the burgers - there's really no need and you risk them loosing their shape if you do attempt it
- Use a meat thermometer to easily check if your burgers are done, they should reach an internal temperature of at least 165°F (74°C)
- Make them gluten-free by using gluten-free breadcrumbs
- Store leftovers in the fridge in an air tight container for up to 4 days
- Store leftovers in the freezer for up to 3 months
- Reheat leftovers in the air fryer for 2-3 minutes on low heat
- Reheat leftovers in the microwave in 30 second increments
- Reheat frozen turkey burgers in the air fryer, straight from frozen
Recipe FAQ
For more answers to your air fryer questions, check out my extensive Air Fryer FAQ and Air Fryer Get Started Guide.
How to know when turkey burgers are done?
The easiest way to know when turkey burgers are done is to use a meat thermometer. The internal temperature should reach at least 165°F (74°C).
If you don't have access to a meat thermometer you will need to cut into the burgers to check. They are done when they are cooked through and the juice is clear.
What temperature do you cook turkey burgers to?
Turkey burgers should be cooked to 165°F (74°C).
How long to cook turkey burgers on stove?
Cook ½ inch turkey burgers stove top over medium heat, for 5-6 minutes per side.
More quick & easy air fryer recipes
Looking for more quick & easy air fryer recipes?
- Frozen French Fries in Air Fryer
- How to Cook Frozen Chicken Fries in Air Fryer
- How to Air Fry Dumplings, Pot Stickers & Gyoza (Fresh, Frozen or Thawed)
- Frozen Sweet Potato Fries in Air Fryer
- How to Cook Frozen Popcorn Chicken in Air Fryer
Recipe
Air Fryer Turkey Burgers
Print RateServings: 4
Calories: 177kcal
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Resting Time 30 minutes
Total time: 1 hour
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground turkey
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon fine table salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 egg
- ¼ cup breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon neutral cooking oil canola oil or other
To serve (optional)
- 4 hamburger buns
- 8 slices bacon
- iceberg lettuce & sunflower sprouts
- garlic sauce
Instructions
- Place turkey in a bowl with all the seasonings except lemon juice. Mix well, then add lemon juice and mix again.1 lb ground turkey, ½ tsp onion powder, ½ tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp fine table salt, ¼ tsp ground black pepper, ½ tsp Worcestershire sauce, 1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
- Beat the egg, then add it together with the breadcrumbs. Mix until everything is combined. Cover and refrigerate 30 minutes or more.1 egg, ¼ cup breadcrumbs
- Bring out the turkey from the fridge, and preheat the air fryer by running it at 375°F (190°C) for 5 minutes.
- Divide the turkey into 4 even sized pieces, and roll into 4 balls.
- Brush the air fryer basket with oil, then place turkey balls in the air fryer basket. Brush with oil and then use the back of a spatula or spoon to press into ½ inch (1.25 cm) patties. Air fry 10 minutes at 375°F (190°C), then bring out and ensure the burgers have reached an internal temperature of at least 165°F (74°C). If not, add a few more minutes and check again. Repeat until you have cooked all burgers.1 tsp neutral cooking oil
- Serve with the sides of your choice!4 hamburger buns, 8 slices bacon, iceberg lettuce & sunflower sprouts, garlic sauce
Equipment (may contain affiliate links)
- Measuring cups (metric or US)*
Video
Notes
This recipe was tested in a Philips HD9252/90 Air Fryer* and a Ninja Foodi DZ401 DualZone XL Air Fryer*. Cook time can vary with your air fryer model.
- Don't overcrowd your air fryer * - the patties should not be touching
- If cooking in batches wrap the cooked ones in aluminium foil to keep them warm. You can cook them to a few degrees below done, and they will finish cooking while resting.
- Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness - they are done when the internal temperature has reached at least 165°F (74°C)
- If you don't have a meat thermometer they are done when you cut into one and the juice runs clear
- Stove top instructions: cook 5-6 minutes per side over medium heat
- Store leftovers in the fridge in an air tight container for up to 4 days
- Freeze leftovers to keep them for up to 3 months
- Reheat leftovers: in the air fryer *for 2-3 minutes on low heat or in the microwave in 30 second increments
Cooking time assumes you cook the turkey burgers in 2 batches.
Nutritional information is for the turkey burgers only, without buns. Any toppings and sides you add will add to the nutritional values.
Nutrition
Calories: 177kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 103mg | Sodium: 421mg | Potassium: 378mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 89IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 25mg | Iron: 1mg
Nutritional information is approximate and automatically calculated, and should only be viewed as an indication.
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