Confession time: as dedicated grill enthusiasts, we never thought we’d rave about air fryer turkey burgers. But here we are. These shockingly juicy patties have converted even us, proving that turkey burgers don’t have to be dry hockey pucks.
The secret starts with choosing the right ground turkey (and no, it’s not Costco’s – we’ll tell you exactly what to look for). We tested blends to find the one with the ideal fat content and texture. Combine that with our flavor-boosting aioli tips and the controlled cooking environment of an air fryer, and you’ve got genuinely crave-worthy turkey burgers without ever firing up a grill.
Ingredients
For the Turkey Burgers
- Ground Turkey – We recommend 85% lean for the juiciest results.
- Panko or Pork Panko – Adds structure and helps absorb excess moisture.
- Worcestershire Sauce – For that savory umami depth.
- Egg – Helps bind the patties.
- Salt, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Pepper – Foundational seasoning.
Burger Toppings (Optional, but highly encouraged)
- Sliced White Cheddar – Melty, classic, or swap in your favorite.
- Brioche Buns – Buttery and soft.
- Chipotle Aioli – Or try garlic, rosemary-truffle, or your favorite.
- Lettuce, Tomato, Red Onion, Pickles – Fresh toppings to stack it up.
Instructions
1. Form the Patties
- In a large bowl, combine all burger ingredients.
- Mix thoroughly and divide into 4 equal portions.
- Shape each into a burger patty about ½ inch wider than your bun.
- Place patties on a parchment-lined sheet and chill in the fridge for 30 minutes.
2. Air Fry the Burgers
- Preheat the air fryer to 350°F.
- Spray the basket with cooking oil.
- Place patties in a single layer and air fry for 12–15 minutes, flipping once halfway through.
- Use a digital meat thermometer to ensure internal temp hits 165°F.
- Add cheese for the last 30 seconds if desired.
3. Build the Burger
- Remove burgers from the air fryer.
- Place on toasted brioche buns and top with your favorite fixings.
Girl Carnivore Expert Tips
- Wet turkey? Skip the Costco grind. Some brands have more liquid, making it hard to form patties. Use a firmer grind from your local grocer.
- Add flavor: Ground turkey is a blank canvas. Try adding diced roasted hatch chiles for heat.
- Rest time matters: Chilling patties before cooking helps them hold their shape.
Serving Suggestions
Storage & Reheating
- Store: Leftover patties can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Reheat: Warm in the air fryer at 300°F for 3–4 minutes or until heated through.
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Let’s talk turkey (burgers): The ones that made us—charcoal-obsessed grill snobs—actually put down our tongs! These air fryer burgers are juicy, flavorful, and embarrassingly easy. We’re spilling our secrets on which ground turkey is worth buying, the mix-ins that make ALL the difference, and why these have become our “too tired to fire up the grill but still want something delicious” go-to dinner.
Prevent your screen from going to sleep
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Combine the ground turkey with the turkey burger ingredients in a large bowl.
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Mix well.
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Divide the mixture into four equal portions, about 4 oz each.
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Form the mixture into patties about a half-inch wider than your bun.
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Place the patties on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet and rest in the fridge for 30 minutes.
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Meanwhile, preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees F.
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Spray the basket with oil.
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Arrange the patties on the basket in a single layer.
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Air fry for 12 to 15 minutes, flipping once halfway through.
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Use a digital meat thermometer to make sure that the turkey patties have reached an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
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If adding cheese, place the cheese over the patties and return to the air fryer for 30 seconds longer.
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Carefully remove the turkey burgers from the air fryer and place them on your burger buns with all of your favorite burger toppings.
- We tested with Costco ground turkey and do not recommend it. It was very, very wet, and we had to increase the panko to a full cup to try to absorb the liquid, and even then, the burgers were still sticky and hard to handle.
We found the ground turkey at our regular market to have a texture similar to ground beef, making it much easier to form the patties. - Once formed, we put each burger on a small sheet of parchment paper. We found it made flipping the burgers into the air fryer super easy. We placed them paper side down, then used the parchment paper to easily flip the burgers at the halfway mark.
- Ground turkey is a blank canvas for big, bold flavors. We found this combo great with our homemade aioli recipes, like our chipotle aioli, our roasted garlic aioli, or even our rosemary truffle aioli, which is a perfect hack for making these burgers fit whatever flavor profile you’re craving.
- For a little more heat, try adding diced roasted hatch chiles like we do in our favorite pork burger (this trick has become a staple for burger night in the Girl Carnivore Meat Lab)
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 204kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Cholesterol: 103mg | Sodium: 810mg | Potassium: 427mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 92IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 43mg | Iron: 2mg
