These turkey burgers are light, protein-packed, and surprisingly juicy — and best of all, no one in my family complains when I make them. That alone makes them worth sharing!
If you enjoy this recipe, also try my Air Fryer Hot Dogs, my Air Fryer Salmon or my classic Air Fryer Burgers!
Actually good turkey burgers
Turkey burgers get a bad reputation — and I get it. They’re often dry, bland, or fall apart when you try to cook them on the stovetop or grill. But the air fryer is just magic with lean meats. It seals in the moisture and gives the patties the perfect golden finish without drying them out.
I started making these on busy weeknights because I wanted something lighter than beef but still satisfying — and now they’re in permanent rotation. I usually serve them on toasted buns with all the fixings and a side of homemade ranch dip or chipotle mayo, plus whatever’s easy: sweet potato fries, air fryer French fries, or a lemony vinaigrette over salad greens. I’ve even served these for an impromptu backyard dinner party, and they totally held their own.
About the ingredients:
Grated onion is key to a juicy burger — I know it’s a tiny bit more effort than onion powder, but the difference is worth it. You can use onion powder in a pinch, but the burgers will be a little less juicy. Same goes for the mustard — it adds flavor, but it’s not a dealbreaker if you skip it.
Ground chicken? Absolutely works here. The seasoning salt? I usually use Lawry’s, but you can mix it up — try Cajun, ranch, or taco seasoning for a twist. The egg? Don’t skip it — it helps bind everything so the patties hold together.
These are easy, unfussy, and flexible — the kind of dinner that just gets the job done and feels good to eat!
Printable recipe
Air Fryer Turkey Burgers
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 1 large egg
- ¼ cup grated onion (red or yellow)
- ½ tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder (or 2 cloves garlic, minced)
- ¾ teaspoon seasoning salt
- 4 burger buns (plus toppings of choice)
Instructions
- Combine all burger patty ingredients in a mixing bowl. I like to use my hands, but feel free to stir this in any which way you want. Just don’t overmix – you just want it to stick together. Else, the burgers come out weirdly dense.1 pound ground turkey, 1 large egg, ¼ cup grated onion, ½ tablespoon olive oil, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon dried parsley, ¼ teaspoon garlic powder, ¾ teaspoon seasoning salt
- Shape into 4 patties. I keep my patties about ½ inch thick and make them ½ inch larger than my burger buns, because they tend to shrink.
- Preheat the air fryer for 5 minutes. Then, air-fry the patties on 360°F for 8 minutes. Flip and finish air frying for another 4-6 minutes, or until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F (I do not usually flip things in the air fryer (honestly, it’s not necessary for even cooking/browning), however, I’ve found the burgers to have a better overall shape if I do flip them).
- Rest the patties for 2-3 minutes (this is a great time to quickly toast your buns in the air fryer!), then serve on the buns with toppings.4 burger buns
What my friends always ask me about this recipe
Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes! Form the patties and refrigerate (covered) for up to 24 hours before cooking. You can also freeze the raw patties — thaw overnight in the fridge before air frying.
Do I have to flip them?
Technically no — but I’ve tested it both ways, and flipping gives the burgers a better shape and more even browning. Worth it.
Can I use ground chicken instead?
Yep! Just make sure it’s not too lean or you might lose some of that juiciness. Same method, same timing.
Can I skip the egg?
I don’t recommend it — the egg really helps bind the mixture. Without it, the burgers may fall apart in the air fryer.
What if I don’t have seasoning salt?
Use a mix of salt, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder — or swap in your favorite spice blend. Cajun seasoning is great for a little kick!
Let me know if you tried this recipe!
If you try these, I’d love to hear how they turned out — leave a comment and pin it for later!
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