These juicy air fryer turkey burgers are quick, flavorful, and made with just six simple ingredients. They're high in protein, super moist, ready in under 15 minutes, and made without breadcrumbs or eggs. They're the perfect easy and healthy weeknight dinner, espcially pair with these air fryer fingerling potatoes!
Air Fryer Turkey Burgers At A Glance
- ✅ Recipe Name: Air Fryer Turkey Burgers
- 🕒 Ready In: 15 minutes
- 👪 Serves: 4
- 🍽 Calories: ~185 per patty (varies by size and ingredients)
- 📋 Protein: Between ~22 -25g per patty
- 🥣 Main Ingredients: Ground turkey, garlic, parsley, Dijon mustard, salt, pepper
- 📖 Dietary Info: High-protein, gluten-free, dairy-free, healthy, low-carb, no breadcrumbs or eggs
- ⭐ Why You'll Love It: Juicy, high-protein, six ingredients, and ready in under 15 minutes-these air fryer turkey burgers are the easiest healthy dinner.
SUMMARIZE & SAVE THIS CONTENT ON
The air fryer is my favorite cooking appliance! I use it every day, and these turkey burgers are in the top five for me. They only take 15 minutes to make and turn out so juicy-it's wild. Best of all, this recipe only calls for six simple ingredients like fresh garlic, onion, parsley, and lean ground turkey.
And they pair perfectly with these thick-cut air fryer sweet potato fries and air fryer smashed potatoes! If you're a fan of burgers and love your air fryer, try these juicy air-fried chicken burgers. So yummy!
Jump to:
- Air Fryer Turkey Burgers At A Glance
- Why This Recipe Works
- Ingredients
- Substitutions & Variations
- Need to substitute an ingredient?
- How to Make Air Fryer Turkey Burgers
- 1 Minute Video Tutorial
- Top Tips
- What to Serve with Turkey Burgers
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Storage Tips
- More Ground Turkey Recipes You'll Love
- 📖 Recipe
- 💬 Comments
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
So easy and really, really juicy! I was surprised there were no eggs or panko in this recipe - it turned out amazing.
- Callie
Why This Recipe Works
- Quick and easy: Ready in just 15 minutes.
- High in protein: Lean ground turkey keeps it filling and satisfying.
- Minimal ingredients: Made with just six pantry-friendly staples.
- No breadcrumbs or eggs needed: This turkey burger recipe is perfect for Whole30, paleo, low-carb, and gluten-free eaters
- Naturally gluten- and dairy-free: Great for a variety of dietary needs.
- Perfect for meal prep: Easy to make ahead and reheat all week.
- Super flavorful: The burgers are juicy and packed with fresh garlic, Italian seasoning, and lots of flavor.
Ingredients
- Ground Turkey: I highly recommend using 93% lean ground turkey to keep these burgers juicy and flavorful. If you use 99% lean, they'll likely turn out dry. You can also swap in ground chicken if preferred.
- Garlic & Onion: Fresh garlic and finely chopped onion not only add flavor, but also help keep the patties moist. I don't recommend skipping them-they make a big difference. Fresh garlic is best!
- Dijon Mustard: Helps everything bind together and gives a subtle tang. It's not overpowering, but it adds complexity. I've tested yellow mustard-it works, but Dijon is better here.
- Parsley: A little chopped parsley goes a long way. It adds brightness and makes the burgers taste fresh without overpowering the other ingredients. I left substitutions in the next section.
- Italian Seasoning: I like to add a small amount for extra depth. It blends perfectly with the garlic and parsley and makes the burgers taste more balanced. A little goes a long way.
See recipe card for quantities.
Substitutions & Variations
- Make it low-carb: Skip the bun and serve in lettuce wraps or on top of a salad.
- Make it gluten-free: These turkey burgers are naturally gluten-free-there are no breadcrumbs or fillers in this recipe.
- Make it dairy-free: Already 100% dairy-free. No cheese needed.
- Ground chicken: You can use ground chicken instead of turkey. Just make sure it's at least 92% lean to keep the burgers juicy. Try this air fryer chicken burger recipe!
- Add cheese: Mix in shredded mozzarella, cheddar, or crumbled feta for extra flavor. Feta works especially well with the garlic and herbs.
- Spice it up: Want some heat? Add red pepper flakes, smoked paprika, or diced jalapeños to the mix.
- No parsley? Swap in fresh basil or chives. Dried herbs won't give the same fresh flavor, so I don't recommend them here.
- Grill them: Feel free to grill these burgers or check out my grilled turkey burger recipe, also made without eggs or breadcrumbs.
Need to substitute an ingredient?
Ask AI for suggestions on how to substitute the particular ingredient.
How to Make Air Fryer Turkey Burgers
- Step 1: In a large mixing bowl, add the ground turkey, shredded onion, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, chopped parsley, onion powder, Italian seasoning (if using), salt, and black pepper.
- Step 2: Gently mix everything together until just combined. Don't overmix-this can make the burgers tough.
- Step 3: Divide the mixture and shape it into four burger patties, each about ½-inch thick. Place each burger into the preheated air fryer basket, ensuring they are evenly spaced and not overlapping. If your air fryer is small, you might need to do this in two batches.
- Step 4: Air fry the burgers for 10 to 13 minutes, flipping them halfway through. Make sure the internal temperature of each patty reaches 165°F (74°C). Overcooked turkey burgers can become dry.
- Step 5 (optional): If you're adding cheese, place one slice on top of each patty in the last 1 minute of air frying.
- Step 6 (optional): Air fry for 1 additional minute to melt the cheese.
- Step 7: If you're serving the burgers with buns, you can toast them in the air fryer once the burgers are done. Lightly butter the buns and air fry them at 300°F (149°C), cut side up, for 3 to 4 minutes until golden. Alternatively, toast the buns in a toaster oven or on the stovetop.
- Step 8: Finally, assemble your burgers by placing the cooked patties on the buns. You can also serve them in lettuce wraps or on a bed of salad for a low-carb option. I top mine with thinly sliced red onion, lettuce leaves, sliced tomato, and cheddar cheese. Enjoy!
1 Minute Video Tutorial
Top Tips
- Use 93% lean ground turkey. After testing this recipe several times, I've found that 93% lean gives the best balance of moisture and flavor. Anything leaner (like 99%) turns out dry every time unless you add egg and breadcrumbs.
- Mix gently. This is key. Overmixing the turkey makes the patties dense and tough-I always stop as soon as everything comes together.
- Preheat your air fryer. Don't skip this step! It helps the patties cook evenly and gives them that lightly crisp exterior.
- Use a meat thermometer. I always check for 165°F in the center. It's the best way to avoid overcooking (and drying them out).
- Let them rest. Just a few minutes after cooking makes a big difference-the juices redistribute and the burgers stay tender.
What to Serve with Turkey Burgers
These air fryer turkey burgers go with just about anything! Here are my favorite sides and toppings to round out the meal:
- Sweet potato fries: Try my air fryer sweet potato steak fries for the ultimate combo.
- Watermelon feta salad: Fresh, juicy, and perfect for summer. I love it with basil and feta.
- Crispy Potatoes: I love these air fryer fingerling potatoes and these oven-roasted crispy baby potatoes.
- Side Salad: Some favorites are this kale crunch salad and cucumber carrot salad.
- Coleslaw or slaw-style salads: Creamy or vinegar-based-both work.
- Roasted veggies: Think hot honey Brussels sprouts, zucchini, or broccoli.
- Lettuce wraps or salad: For a low-carb meal, skip the bun and load them into wraps or over greens.
- Fun burger toppings: Lettuce, tomato, onion, avocado, cheddar, spicy mayo, or tzatziki-customize it!
Frequently Asked Questions
Use 93% lean ground turkey. After a lot of testing, this ratio delivers the best texture-moist, flavorful, and not greasy. Avoid 99% lean unless you want dry burgers. If you're using ground chicken, make sure it's not too lean (aim for 92% lean or higher).
Air fry at 360°F for 10 to 13 minutes, flipping halfway through. The patties are done when they reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). A meat thermometer is the most reliable way to check.
Start with 93% lean ground turkey. I've tested this recipe with both 99% and 85%, and 93% gives you the best balance-moist, tender, and not greasy. Don't overmix the ingredients; the more you work the meat, the tougher the burgers get. Cook them just until they hit 165°F internally, then let them rest for a few minutes before serving. That short rest makes a big difference-it helps the juices settle and keeps every bite super tender.
Absolutely. Let cooked patties cool to room temperature, then freeze in a resealable bag for up to 3 months. Reheat from frozen in the air fryer using defrost mode or microwave for 60 to 90 seconds until warmed through.
Yes, and here's why: they're made with lean protein, no breadcrumbs, no eggs, and just six clean ingredients. They're also naturally gluten-free and dairy-free, with over 22g of protein per patty.
Storage Tips
Let the cooked burgers cool completely, then store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 3 to 5 minutes or in the microwave until warmed through. You can also freeze them for up to 3 months. To prevent sticking, place parchment paper between each patty.
More Ground Turkey Recipes You'll Love
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Did you make this recipe?
If you make this recipe, be sure to comment and rate it down below. Also, don't forget to tag me @healthfulblondie on Instagram and use the hashtag #healthfulblondie so I can see your delicious creation and share it with my followers!
📖 Recipe
Juiciest Air Fryer Turkey Burgers
Ingredients
- 1 lb 93% lean ground turkey, not 99% lean
- ⅓ cup shredded yellow onion
- 2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 2 large garlic cloves, minced
- 3 tablespoon fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning, optional
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 360°F (182°C) and lightly spray the basket with non-stick cooking spray.
- Mix the ingredients in a large bowl: ground turkey, shredded onion, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, chopped parsley, onion powder, Italian seasoning (if using), salt, and black pepper. Gently mix until just combined-don't overmix.
- Shape the mixture into 4 equal patties, about ½-inch thick.
- Place the patties in the air fryer basket, evenly spaced and not overlapping. Cook in two batches if needed.
- Air fry for 10 to 13 minutes, flipping halfway through. The burgers are done when the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Optional: If adding cheese, place a slice on each patty during the last 1 minute of cooking.
- Optional: Toast the buns. Lightly butter and air fry at 300°F (149°C), cut side up, for 3 to 4 minutes until golden.
- Assemble your burgers with your favorite toppings and serve. Enjoy!
Erica says
Great recipe! I used 97/3 ground turkey. I didn't have parsley, so used basil instead. They turned out perfect after 13 minutes. I tried these a second time using a leaner ground of meat, and they were quite dry. So, lesson learned! I will be making these again, using the proper ground of meat.
Pat says
Excellent! I did add 2T pecorino romano cheese and some leftover chopped broccoli (small amt) into the mix. Good for kids or adults that don’t enjoy broccoli as a stand alone.
Tati Chermayeff says
I love air frying everything but most burger recipes I tried in the past are dry or dense. So I was determined to create a great one... this is it! I love these juicy burgers. They are so tender and so delicious. I love that they call for 6 ingredients and store very well for meal prep.
April says
I made these, I found your recipe by googling an eggless turkey burger recipe, it was very simple , turned out super juicy! Also I did it a bit different by cutting those small mozzarella balls in half and putting them in the middle of the patty
Will be looking at all your recipes now thanks
Jan says
tastes good, well written with lots of tips!
Emily says
One of my new favorites!!
Tati Chermayeff says
Hi Emily! Thank you so much for leaving such a kind review. So happy you enjoyed them!
Andrea says
easy to make and just flavorful. I recommend highly
Callie E says
So easy and really really juicy! I was surprised there were no eggs or panko in this recipe, but it would out amazing.
Saskia Chermayeff says
So juicy and made for the perfect lunch! Delicious!!