Juicy Air Fryer Turkey Burgers (Easy + Flavorful)

Name: Air Fryer Turkey Burgers
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 1 pound ground turkey; 1-2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil; 1 shallot or 1/2 yellow onion (grated); 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 1 teaspoon dried oregano; 1 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon black pepper; 1 teaspoon paprika; 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard; Cooking spray; 4 slices cheddar cheese (optional)

These Air Fryer Turkey Burgers are juicy and flavorful, and come together in just 30 minutes. They're perfect for busy weeknights or meal prep, made with pantry staples and a clever trick (grated onion!).

Juicy air fryer turkey burger on a brioche bun with lettuce and tomato, served on parchment paper with a glass of beer in the background.

Air Fryer Turkey Burgers Recipe

These juicy air fryer turkey burgers are quick, flavorful, and perfect for a weeknight dinner or make-ahead meal prep. They use simple pantry ingredients and come together in under 30 minutes. Grated onion adds moisture, while olive oil keeps the burgers tender without drying out. Serve them with your favorite toppings and sides for an easy meal the whole family will love.

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Air Fryer Turkey Burgers Recipe
Key Ingredients
Instructions
Recipe FAQs
Sarah's Top Tips
Serving Suggestions
Storage & Reheating
Similar Recipes
Recipe
Comments

Key Ingredients

Ingredients needed to make air fryer turkey burgers,

Turkey. Use "ground turkey" instead of "ground turkey breast" or "lean ground turkey". You want turkey with a higher fat content for burgers.
Olive oil. Adding fat helps to keep the burgers from drying out while cooking.
Shallot or yellow onion. You can use either a shallot or ¼-½ of a yellow onion. This adds flavor, texture, and juiciness to the burger. Use a box grater to grate the onion directly into the ground turkey to create a juicy turkey burger.

See the recipe card below for the remaining ingredients and quantities.

Instructions

Step 1

Add the ground turkey, olive oil, grated shallot or onion, mustard, and all seasonings to a bowl. Mix gently with your hands until just combined.

Step 2

Form the mixture into 4 equal-sized patties, about 1-inch thick. Press a small indent into the center of each to help them cook evenly.

Air fryer turkey burger with tomato and lettuce on a bun, served with fries, pickles, and a pint of amber beer.

Step 3

Air fry the patties at 360°F for 15–17 minutes, flipping halfway if needed. If using cheese, add it in the final 1–2 minutes. Let rest, then serve on buns with your favorite toppings and sides.

Recipe FAQs

Can I make the burgers without an air fryer?

Yes! The burgers can be made on a grill or the stove. Heat the grill to medium-high heat, about 450 degrees F. Make sure the grates are well-oiled so the burgers don't stick. Cook for 6 minutes per side. If using the stove, heat a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat, add 2 tablespoons of oil, and cook for 6 minutes per side.

How can I avoid a dry turkey burger?

Dry turkey burgers are a big reason many people don't like them or don't want to make them. My tips for avoiding dry burgers:
Fat Content. Use ground turkey vs. ground turkey breast because it has a higher fat content. Adding fat, such as olive oil, to your burger mix helps to add moisture to the burgers.
Cooking time. Don't overcook the burgers as this causes them to become dry and crumbly. You want to stop cooking as soon as the burgers reach 165 degrees F.

Turkey burgers in a tray with golden fries, garnished with lettuce and tomato.

Sarah's Top Tips

Don't overmix the burgers, or you may end up with tough burger patties.
For best results, preheat the air fryer before adding the burgers to ensure they cook evenly.
Depending on the type of air fryer you have, you may want to flip them halfway to make sure both sides cook uniformly.
Use a meat thermometer to check the temperature of the burgers. They should be 165 degrees F internally.
Allow the burgers to rest for a few minutes before serving.

Serving Suggestions

Serve your burgers on toasted brioche buns or wrapped in lettuce. Top with:

Cheddar, provolone, mozzarella, or American cheese
Lettuce, tomato, red onion, pickles
Mayo, ketchup, mustard, BBQ sauce, avocado

Pair with Air Fryer Steak Fries or Air Fryer Seasoned Fries, Caesar salad, or roasted veggies.

If you’re craving a Mediterranean twist, try my Greek Turkey Burgers with Tzatziki next. They’re packed with lemon, herbs, and feta—perfect for summer grilling!