FREE 5-Ingredient Recipe EBook

• Why You Need My Air Fryer Turkey Burgers
• Ingredients & Substitutions
• How To Cook Turkey Burgers In The Air Fryer
• My Recipe Tips
• Serving Ideas
• Air Fryer Turkey Burgers Recipe card
• Recipe Reviews

I don’t need it to be January to break out my air fryer recipes (it’s my most-used appliance!), but I know many of you got one for the holidays or dust it off right after them. So, it felt like the perfect time to share the easy, healthy recipe I’ve been making in it on repeat: air fryer turkey burgers !

If you’ve seen my chipotle turkey burgers , you know I’m a firm believer that ground turkey doesn’t have to be bland or dry. This version is more mild, but just as flavorful — and super juicy with my 2 secret ingredients. Make it with me and you might look at turkey (or your air fryer?) in a whole new way!

Why You Need My Air Fryer Turkey Burgers

• Juicy and flavorful – Sure, you could just season with salt and pepper like you might be used to with ground beef. But with lean turkey, that’s how you get a dry, bland burger — even if you’re cooking your turkey burgers in the air fryer, which dries them out less. Instead, I’ve got a few simple-but-mighty add-ins that will add so much flavor and make them incredibly juicy.
• Easy and hands-off – Simple ingredients (just 6 of them, plus salt and pepper), one bowl, and yes to no standing by the stove! Grab ground turkey and you probably already have everything else in your pantry.
• Healthy protein – An air fryer turkey burger is a great lean alternative to beef, that’s still packed with protein… and flavor if you make it right. 😉 This healthy dinner doesn’t compromise!

Ingredients & Substitutions

Here I explain the best ingredients for my air fryer turkey burgers recipe, what each one does, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card .

• Ground Turkey – I recommend 85% lean ground turkey for the juiciest burgers, but extra lean works. You can even use ground chicken if you want.
• Mayonnaise – Secret ingredient #1! I add olive oil to my beef burgers to keep them juicy, but here a touch of mayo works even better. These two are not normally interchangeable, but for these air fryer turkey burgers, olive oil will work instead of mayo.
• Worcestershire Sauce – Secret ingredient #2! I use this in my beef version as well, and it adds the same umami punch here. I like this brand , which is gluten-free. Coconut aminos would be the closest substitute.
• Grated Onion – My mom always puts grated onions into her meat patties (called kotleti), and you’ll love the flavor and moisture it adds to these turkey burgers. When I made these, the first thing my kids said is these are like grandma’s! You can sub a dash of onion powder, but it’s just not the same.
• Minced Garlic – I used fresh garlic cloves, but 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder or 1 teaspoon jarred minced garlic will work.
• Dijon Mustard – I like this one . Feel free to substitute regular yellow mustard or spicy brown mustard.
• Sea Salt & Black Pepper

How To Cook Turkey Burgers In The Air Fryer

I have step-by-step photos here to help you visualize the recipe. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card .

1. Mix the base ingredients. In a large bowl, stir together the mayo, Worcestershire sauce, grated onion, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper.
2. Add the ground turkey. Mix with your hands just until combined.

1. Form the turkey patties. Shape them slightly less than 1/2 inch thick, and press a deep thumbprint in the center of each.
2. Air fry turkey burgers. After preheating, place the turkey burgers in the air fryer basket in a single layer. (I have this air fryer and love the roomy basket.) Cook, flipping halfway through. Let them rest to let the juices settle before enjoying.

My Recipe Tips

• Preheating your air fryer is important for this recipe. For some air fryer recipes, I don’t always bother preheating, but for burgers (of any kind) it makes a difference. Adding them to an already hot basket helps them get a little browning right away and helps prevent sticking.
• Don’t have a grater for the onion? I have and recommend this one — it’s sturdy and easy to use. Otherwise, you can just finely mince the onion. Don’t use large pieces because they can cause the burgers to fall apart more easily.
• Don’t overmix the turkey meat. You’ll get tough burgers if you do! This is why I mix all other ingredients first before adding the ground turkey — it reduces the chance of overworking the meat.
• The mixture will be pretty wet and sticky. You can wet your hands with water to help form patties if the meat is sticking to them. Don’t worry about the turkey burgers sticking to the air fryer – they stop being sticky once they cook for a couple of minutes and should be easy to flip.
• Why do you need the thumbprint? This prevents the meat from puffing up and ensures even cooking.
• Note that these burgers are fairly small. If you prefer larger ones, divide the mixture into 3 instead of 4, and add 2 minutes to the cooking time.
• Do you have to flip them? It’s up to you! They’ll be juicy either way, but flipping gets you more even browning. I always flip.
• Want cheese? Add it in the last 2 minutes. Doing it near the end gives your turkey burgers a chance to brown first and prevents the cheese from melting to the bottom of the basket.
• For the juiciest results, cook to an internal temp of 160-162 degrees. The safe internal temp is 165, but I prefer to remove the turkey burgers from the air fryer a few degrees early and let them come to 165 while resting. Just make sure they do reach 165 before you eat! I use this probe meat thermometer and the thin metal cable has no problems sticking out of the basket with it fully shut.

Serving Ideas

You can enjoy these air fryer turkey burgers the same ways as beef ones. Here are some easy ideas:

• Bun, Lettuce Wrap, Or Bowl – I grabbed gluten-free buns from the store for most of these pictures and piled them with lettuce, sliced tomatoes, red onions, and mayo. But more often, I wrap them in lettuce (shown above before wrapping), or drop them into a burger bowl .
• Sauces – Slather them with my sugar-free ketchup , BBQ sauce , or spicy mayo for an irresistible finish.
• Fries – Pair them with my air fryer fries (pictured in this post) or air fryer sweet potato fries . For a lighter option, try my zucchini fries or even air fryer corn .
• Salad – My creamy cauliflower potato salad or radish salad are perfect for a healthy comfort food vibe.

Ingredients

Tap underlined ingredients to see the ones I use.

• 1 tbsp Mayonnaise ▢
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce ▢
• 2 tbsp Onion (grated with a box grater) ▢
• 2 cloves Garlic (minced) ▢
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard ▢
• 1 tsp Sea salt ▢
• 1/4 tsp Black pepper ▢
• 1 lb Ground turkey ▢

Instructions

Tap on the times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer.

1. Preheat the air fryer to 380 degrees F (193 degrees C).
2. In a large bowl, stir together the mayo, Worcestershire sauce, grated onion, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper.
3. Add the ground turkey and mix gently with your hands just until combined. Do not overmix.
4. Divide the turkey mixture into 4 patties, slightly less than 1/2 inch thick. Make a deep thumbprint in the center of each patty to keep the burgers from bulging out when cooking.
5. Place the turkey burgers in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Air fry for about 8 minutes , flipping halfway through, until the internal temperature reaches 160-165 degrees F.
6. Let your burgers rest for a few minutes before serving.

LAST STEP: Leave a rating to help other readers, or tag me @wholesomeyum on Instagram. I’d love to hear from you!

Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size: 1 turkey burger

• Tips: Check out my recipe tips above to help you get a golden brown outside, form the patties without the mess, get the juiciest results, add cheese at the right time if you want it, and more.
• Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Meal prep: Form the turkey patties 1-2 days ahead and keep them in the fridge, or freeze them for later.
• Reheat: I recommend reheating your turkey burgers in the air fryer again, which will help them stay juicy. I don’t even preheat the second time around — just set it to 1 minute and they’ll be hot when it beeps!
• Freeze: Wrap the cooked patties tightly and keep in the freezer for up to 3 months, or freeze raw ones for up to 6 months. You can air fry them from frozen, it’ll just take a few minutes longer than thawed.

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

Add Your NotesYour Notes

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead.

Air Fryer Turkey Burgers

Free Printable: Low Carb & Keto Food List

• Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
• The Basic Keto Meal Formula
• Understanding Macros
• Keto Food Swaps
• Keto Food List
• Electrolyte Basics
• Keto Diet Types
• Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
• Recipe Reviews

Even though I have a great guide to starting a keto diet , people often ask me for a quick keto cheat sheet they can use. That’s why I created this simple keto diet cheat sheet , so that you can have all the info you need handy. We’ll cover the basic keto formula for building meals, foods to eat and to avoid, delicious keto swaps for high-carb foods, electrolyte basics, and 4 ways to follow the keto lifestyle.

You can keep reading to view this info, or download my keto cheat sheet printable pdf to print out or save ad-free on any device (plus the pdf has more details!).

Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?

Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:

1. Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
2. Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
3. Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
4. Keto food swaps (60+ foods) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
5. Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
6. Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
7. Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
8. Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
9. FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.

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The Basic Keto Meal Formula

Eating keto doesn’t have to be complicated! While there are plenty of delicious easy keto recipes to choose from, you don’t even have to cook from a recipe to get started.

Simply follow the keto cheat sheet formula of protein + veggie + fat for your meals.

Be sure to choose a moderate amount of protein, only low carb vegetables (mostly ones that grow above ground), and generous fat to attain an optimal macro ratio. That’s approximately 60-75% of calories from fat, 20-25% protein, and 5-10% from carbohydrates. The table below will give you ideas for what to choose.

Understanding Macros

Macros are macronutrients for short. They include fat, protein, and carbohydrates.

You can calculate your own macros using the macro calculator , but the macro keto cheat sheet below will explain how to look at macros when following a keto lifestyle.

Carbs Are A Limit.

Keeping carbs low is what gets you into ketosis and keeps you there. Ketosis means that you’re using fat as your primary energy source instead of sugar, and requires keeping carbs very low.

A good starting point is 20-25 grams net carbs per day, but you can experiment after a few weeks to see if your body stays in ketosis at higher levels. People who are very active may be able to do more and stay in ketosis, up to around 50 grams per day.

“Carbs are a limit” means that you set a limit for how many carbs to eat per day and don’t exceed it. You don’t have to hit that limit, so if you’re under that’s okay, just don’t go over. Ideally most of your carbs would come from low carb vegetables, and if you’re eating enough veggies, you’ll usually get close to the limit naturally.

A common misconception is that reaching ketosis requires a certain macro ratio, but it’s really only restricting your carb intake that gets you there [ * ]. In the absence of sufficient carbs to use as energy, the body will switch to using fat as fuel. This is called the metabolic state of ketosis.

Protein Is A Goal.

Protein is made up of amino acids, the building blocks of all our cells. It’s a crucial for keeping our muscles strong and for many cellular functions [ * ].

“Protein is a goal” means that you always want to eat enough protein to reach the goal each day, but not exceed it too much. You want enough for your needs, but excess protein can trigger gluconeogenesis, which is protein being converted to sugar [ * ] and can kick you out of ketosis.

Fat Is A Lever.

Fat is the primary macronutrient in a keto lifestyle, because being in ketosis means that fat is your primary fuel source. Fat as a fuel source will come from your food, and if you are losing weight, from your body.

A big advantage of a keto lifestyle is the high fat intake. It keeps you full and satisfied, making it easier to stick to, and using it as the primary fuel source makes it easier on your body to burn body fat, with a lower chance of breaking down your muscle (provided you get enough protein).

Aside from reaching your protein goal and limiting your carbs, the remainder of your calories on a keto diet comes from fat.

Don’t fear fat – it’s your main energy source on keto, and getting enough of it trains your body to use fat for fuel instead of sugar. That means that as long as you are not overdoing your overall calorie intake, you’ll efficiently burn your body fat for fuel as well.

“Fat is a lever” means that you can increase or decrease your fat intake depending on your goals and hunger levels. Increase it (along with exercise) to gain muscle, or decrease it to lose weight.

Keto Food Swaps

One of my favorite challenges is creating recipes, or just discovering, keto food swaps. These are delicious keto replacements for traditionally high-carb or high-sugar foods.

So, I created this keto diet cheat sheet with all the swaps in one place! I also have more keto food swaps in my Easy Keto Cookbook .

Keto Swaps For Breakfast

Keto Swaps For Bread

Keto Swaps For Meals & Side Dishes

Keto Swaps For Snacks & Sauces

Keto Swaps For Cooking & Baking

Keto Swaps For Drinks

If you’re looking specifically for keto alcohol options, browse the full keto alcohol guide .

Keto Food List

When looking for a keto cheat sheet printable, the most-requested information is a keto food list.

The great thing is that keto doesn’t have to feel restrictive. It’s incredibly satisfying and there’s such a wide variety of foods you can eat!

Foods To Eat On Keto

• Leafy greens – Such as spinach, chard, and lettuce.
• Above-ground veggies – Such as peppers, zucchini, and cauliflower.
• Full-fat cream & cheese – Such as heavy cream, sour cream, and full-fat hard cheeses.
• Natural meats – Such as beef, lamb, and pork.
• Berries – Such as raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries.
• Avocados
• Unsweetened nut milks – Such as almond milk and coconut milk.
• Almond flour and coconut flour
• Eggs
• Healthy fats – Such as coconut oil, avocado oil, olive oil and butter.

Foods To Avoid On Keto

• White flour & sugar
• Rice & grains – Such as barley, wheat, and corn.
• Milk & yogurt – Such as fruit on the bottom yogurt, sweetened Greek yogurt, and all milk.
• Cereal
• Processed food – Such as granola bars, candy
• Most fruit – Such as apples, bananas, and grapes
• Hydrogenated fats – Such as vegetable oil, soybean oil, and margarine
• Sweetened beverages & condiments – Such as soda, ketchup, and sweet dressings
• Starchy veggies – Such as peas, carrots, and beets.
• Potatoes – Such as sweet potatoes and white potatoes.

That’s the short keto diet cheat sheet version of all the keto food categories, but I recommend downloading the full Keto Cheat Sheet System. It includes a super detailed printable keto food list with over 100 items, including 2 color-coded pages with net carb counts, along with 6 more pages of keto cheat sheets:

Get The Keto Cheat Sheet System PDF (Only $37)

Electrolyte Basics

Getting enough electrolytes is crucial for anyone, but especially so on a keto diet. The reason is that ketosis has a diuretic effect, which increases excretion of water and electrolytes, especially sodium [ * ]. This is often the cause of the keto flu.

For more details on electrolytes and avoiding keto flu, check out the full keto flu guide here .

The important thing to know about electrolytes is that replenishing them will keep keto flu away and keep your body functioning well. I always recommend an electrolyte drink and whole food sources of anything your body needs before resorting to supplements, so I made a list of what to eat to get each of the 3 major electrolytes – sodium, magnesium and potassium.

Here’s your keto diet cheat sheet for getting electrolytes from food:

Keto Diet Types

People follow a keto lifestyle for different reasons. Some do it just to lose weight, others are after better overall health, increased energy, and reduced inflammation.

Strictly speaking, the defining factor of a keto diet is the metabolic state of ketosis, which is achieved by restricting carbs. However, many people (myself included) also reduce or eliminate processed, inflammatory, or low-nutrient foods.

Below is your keto cheat sheet summary of the different ways that people follow keto. You choose what works best for your goals and lifestyle!

• Strict Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, count all calories and macros, and eat clean, unprocessed foods.
• Lazy Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, and track only net carbs OR eat keto foods without tracking.
• Dirty Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, with “if it fits your macros” approach including processed foods.
• Low Carb – Up to 50-100g net carbs daily, less strict.

For a more detailed listing of these different types of keto with pros and cons, grab the Easy Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF below!

Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?

Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:

1. Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
2. Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
3. Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
4. Keto food swaps (60+ swaps) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
5. Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
6. Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
7. Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
8. Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
9. FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.

Get The Printable Keto Cheat Sheet System (75 pages, Only $37!)

Air Fryer Turkey Burgers

These air fryer turkey burgers come out extra juicy, tender, and flavorful, thanks to 2 secret ingredients and simple spices. Done in minutes!

Scan this QR code with your phone’s camera for the full recipe, including tips, step-by-step photos, and storage, or to save it to your account. You can also find it at: https://www.wholesomeyum.com/air-fryer-turkey-burgers/

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp Mayonnaise
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tbsp Onion (grated with a box grater)
• 2 cloves Garlic (minced)
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tsp Sea salt
• 1/4 tsp Black pepper
• 1 lb Ground turkey

Instructions

1. Preheat the air fryer to 380 degrees F (193 degrees C).
2. In a large bowl, stir together the mayo, Worcestershire sauce, grated onion, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper.
3. Add the ground turkey and mix gently with your hands just until combined. Do not overmix.
4. Divide the turkey mixture into 4 patties, slightly less than 1/2 inch thick. Make a deep thumbprint in the center of each patty to keep the burgers from bulging out when cooking.
5. Place the turkey burgers in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Air fry for about 8 minutes , flipping halfway through, until the internal temperature reaches 160-165 degrees F.
6. Let your burgers rest for a few minutes before serving.

Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size: 1 turkey burger

• Tips: Check out my recipe tips above to help you get a golden brown outside, form the patties without the mess, get the juiciest results, add cheese at the right time if you want it, and more.
• Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Meal prep: Form the turkey patties 1-2 days ahead and keep them in the fridge, or freeze them for later.
• Reheat: I recommend reheating your turkey burgers in the air fryer again, which will help them stay juicy. I don’t even preheat the second time around – just set it to 1 minute and they’ll be hot when it beeps!
• Freeze: Wrap the cooked patties tightly and keep in the freezer for up to 3 months, or freeze raw ones for up to 6 months. You can air fry them from frozen, it’ll just take a few minutes longer than thawed.

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead. :)