Ground turkey patties cooked in an air fryer or Ninja Foodi are a truly fantastic culinary creation. Whether you’re making them as a clever leftover turkey recipe or starting with fresh ground meat and a blend of savory seasonings, these patties make for an incredibly versatile meal or side dish. They boast a wonderfully crispy exterior and a tender, flavorful interior, making them an excellent choice to serve on buns as satisfying burgers for an effortless dinner any night of the week.
Last year, after the holiday feast, we experimented with making ground turkey patties in a classic cast iron skillet. The results were good, but this year, we decided to try crisping them up as an air fryer recipe – and the transformation was absolutely amazing! If you find yourself with an abundance of leftover turkey meat and are looking for creative ways to utilize it, this recipe is an absolute must-try. The air fryer truly elevates the texture, delivering an unbeatable crunch that makes every bite a delight. (Please note: this article may contain affiliate links.)
Easy Air Fryer Turkey Patties: A Clever Solution for Leftovers
One of my core cooking philosophies is minimizing food waste. I genuinely dislike letting food go to waste, so no matter what we prepare for dinner, I always make an effort to save any leftovers and repurpose them into a new and exciting dish for the following day. When it comes to Thanksgiving or any holiday with a large turkey roast, the culinary possibilities for leftovers are truly endless. If you frequently enjoy frozen turkey burgers in your air fryer, then you’re going to love learning how to make these homemade versions, which offer superior flavor and freshness.
While you could certainly use freshly bought ground turkey for this recipe, the magic truly happens when you transform precooked turkey meat. By blending it with a few key ingredients, you create a whole new texture and flavor profile. It’s a bit like making tuna patties in an air fryer – you’ll need a good binder and a generous selection of seasonings to take the basic turkey meat and elevate it into a completely new and irresistible dish. This approach ensures every last bit of your holiday bird is enjoyed, giving it a delicious second life.
Jump to:
- Easy Air Fryer Turkey Patties
- Ninja Foodi Turkey Patties Recipe: Maximize Your Air Fryer
- Essential Ingredients for Flavorful Turkey Patties
- Step-by-Step: How to Make Turkey Burgers in Air Fryer or Ninja Foodi
- Creative Meat-Free Alternatives to Turkey Patties
Ninja Foodi Turkey Patties Recipe: Maximize Your Air Fryer
While these are delightful as smaller patties, you can also easily adjust their size to create full-sized turkey burgers, perfect for serving on burger buns for a truly complete and satisfying meal. Our preferred cooking method for achieving that perfect crispiness is using a Ninja Foodi or a Cosori air fryer. However, don’t feel limited by brand – any air fryer will work beautifully, as long as you ensure the patties don’t overlap in the basket. Overlapping prevents proper air circulation, which is crucial for achieving that signature crispy texture we all love. Larger air frying machines naturally allow you to cook more patties at once, while smaller models simply require you to cook in batches, which is a small trade-off for such delicious results. For those using a Ninja Foodi, you’ll utilize the attached lid with the air fryer basket that typically comes with the pot, making the process seamless and efficient.
Transforming leftover turkey into a ground consistency is surprisingly simple and creates a world of new culinary possibilities. Just place your cooked, boneless turkey meat into a food processor or a high-speed blender. To help bind it and achieve the right texture, add an egg or two and a dollop of Greek yogurt. Pulse until it reaches a ground-like consistency. Once you have this versatile “ground turkey,” you can embark on making delicious dishes such as meatloaf, these incredibly flavorful ground turkey patties, or even homemade meatballs. This method ensures no delicious morsel goes to waste.
Forget the same old boring turkey sandwiches! Day-old turkey is a treasure trove of culinary potential, and making these patties is arguably the best way to give it a fresh, exciting twist. By transforming your leftover meat into flavorful patties with a wonderfully crispy exterior, you create a dish that’s far from mundane. These patties are incredibly versatile – they can be perfectly pan-fried for a classic approach or, for an even crispier and healthier option, air-fried to perfection. It’s an ingenious way to revitalize your holiday leftovers.
Essential Ingredients for Flavorful Turkey Patties
- Precooked and diced turkey meat: Approximately 1 lb of leftover turkey from a roasted or air-fried turkey breast, thighs, or legs. Ensure it’s boneless and skinless for the best texture.
- Eggs: 2 large eggs. These are crucial for binding the ground turkey mixture together, preventing the patties from falling apart during cooking.
- Greek yogurt: Approximately 1/2 cup, or you can substitute with sour cream. This ingredient adds moisture, a subtle tang, and acts as an additional binder, contributing to a tender and flavorful patty.
- Onions: 2 small onions, finely diced. Onions provide essential aromatic depth and moisture, enhancing the overall flavor profile of the patties.
- Breadcrumbs: 1/3 cup. Breadcrumbs absorb excess moisture, helping to bind the mixture and contributing to a desirable texture. For extra flavor, consider using seasoned breadcrumbs.
- Paprika: 1/3 tsp. Paprika adds a mild, sweet pepper flavor and a beautiful reddish hue to the patties, making them more appealing.
- Granulated garlic: 1/3 tsp, or substitute with garlic powder. This provides a foundational savory flavor that complements the turkey perfectly.
- Coriander: 1/3 tsp. Coriander offers a warm, citrusy, and slightly sweet note that elevates the overall seasoning blend.
- Salt and pepper: To taste. These essential seasonings are vital for balancing and enhancing all the other flavors in the patties.
You might be wondering, can you safely use parchment paper in an air fryer? The answer is yes, but with a few important caveats. For all the comprehensive details, you can refer to our dedicated article on the subject. However, in short, it is safe when used correctly and only placed on the bottom of the air fryer basket with food on top. This crucial tip brings us to a practical application in this recipe.
We’ve extensively covered how long to cook ground turkey in various preparations on our site, and this particular method for patties has quickly become a personal favorite. Utilizing a piece of parchment paper on the bottom of your air fryer basket will significantly simplify the cooking process, particularly when it comes to flipping each patty halfway through. Even if you diligently spray the basket with cooking oil, the patty mixture can sometimes settle into the grates and potentially fall apart when you attempt to move them with a spatula. The parchment paper creates a smooth, non-stick surface, ensuring your beautifully formed patties remain intact and easy to handle, guaranteeing a perfect golden crisp every time. This small step makes a big difference in achieving culinary success.
Step-by-Step: How to Make Turkey Burgers in Air Fryer or Ninja Foodi
- Prepare the Turkey: Begin by grinding your precooked leftover turkey meat in a blender or food processor until it reaches a finely ground consistency. You can use boneless, skinless meat from any part of the turkey – breast, thighs, or legs – whatever you have on hand works wonderfully. Transfer this ground turkey into a large mixing bowl.
- Combine Aromatics: Next, take your peeled onions and either finely dice them or grind them in the blender (after the turkey) to ensure they are very small. Add the prepared onions to the same large bowl with the turkey.
- Mix All Ingredients: Into the bowl, add the two eggs, along with your salt and desired spices such as paprika, granulated garlic, and coriander. Pour in the Greek yogurt (or sour cream) and the breadcrumbs. Finish with a few generous pinches of black pepper to taste.
- Form the Mixture: Using a spatula or your hands, mix all the ingredients thoroughly until they are well combined and uniform. Be gentle but ensure everything is fully incorporated, forming a cohesive mixture ready for shaping.
- Preheat Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 5 minutes. This ensures the air fryer is at the optimal temperature for immediate crisping when the patties are added.
- Prepare the Basket: While the air fryer preheats, line the basket with a sheet of parchment paper. Lightly spray the parchment paper with olive oil or your preferred cooking spray to further enhance non-stick properties and crisping.
- Shape and Cook (Initial): With wet hands (this helps prevent the mixture from sticking), form the turkey mixture into uniform patties, approximately 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick. Place them carefully on the parchment paper in the air fryer basket, ensuring they do not overlap. Cook for an initial 8 minutes.
- Flip and Finish: After the initial 8 minutes, the patties should have developed a beautiful golden color on the bottom. Carefully flip each patty to the other side. Continue to bake for another 3 to 5 minutes, depending on the thickness and how crispy you desire them. For larger turkey burger patties, the total cooking time might be closer to 15 minutes.
- Ensure Doneness: Always use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature of the thickest part of the patty reaches a safe 165°F (74°C) before removing them from the air fryer and serving. This guarantees they are thoroughly cooked and safe to enjoy.
Absolutely! Pan-frying is an excellent alternative method for cooking these turkey patties if you don’t have an air fryer or simply prefer a stovetop approach. Once your patties are formed, heat about 2 tablespoons of olive oil (or other preferred cooking oil) in a skillet over medium-high heat. Carefully add the patties to the hot oil, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Cook for approximately 3-5 minutes on each side, or until they are beautifully browned and cooked all the way through, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Once done, transfer the cooked patties to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb any excess oil before serving. This method yields a delicious, golden-brown crust and a juicy interior.
Leftover turkey doesn’t have to be limited to just slices in a sandwich. Its potential is vast! Once you’ve transformed your cooked turkey into “ground turkey” using a food processor with eggs, breadcrumbs, and your choice of seasonings, a whole new world of culinary creations opens up. Beyond these fantastic turkey burger patties, you can also use this mixture to make flavorful turkey meatballs, a comforting turkey meatloaf, or even incorporate it into casseroles or pasta sauces for added protein and flavor. We particularly love them air-fried for that perfect crisp, as demonstrated in this recipe, but they are equally delicious and versatile when prepared in a skillet, offering a different but equally appealing texture.
For a hearty main course, simply make these patties larger and serve them alongside classic mashed potatoes or crispy sweet potato fries. If you’re presenting them as an appealing side dish or a party appetizer, a dollop of fresh sour cream or a zesty aioli on top of each one adds an extra layer of deliciousness. They also pair wonderfully with other vibrant side dishes, such as our fresh and flavorful zucchini corn fritters. These patties are incredibly adaptable, making them a perfect addition to almost any meal.
Creative Meat-Free Alternatives to Turkey Patties
The concept of creating flavorful, crispy patties from simple ingredients extends far beyond turkey! From this foundational recipe, you can easily pivot to crafting delicious vegetarian versions. Imagine making air fryer latkes using shredded potatoes, perhaps even pre-bagged hashbrowns for convenience, or whipping up our delightful air fryer zucchini fritters. These meat-free options offer a super fun and healthy way to combine a variety of fresh ingredients into kid-friendly dishes that everyone will love. The air fryer works magic on vegetables too, giving them that irresistible crispy finish.
You’ll find a comprehensive printable recipe card with detailed nutritional information, including estimated calories and saturated fat, listed below. Please remember that this information is automatically calculated by the recipe card software based on the ingredient amounts listed and should be considered an approximation, as slight variations may occur depending on specific product brands and preparation methods.
Air Fryer Crispy Ground Turkey Patties
Save Recipe
Saved Recipe
Pin Recipe
Comment
Print Recipe
Equipment
-
1 food processor or high-speed blender
-
1 air fryer or large skillet for stovetop frying
Ingredients
- 1 lb turkey, precooked leftover meat, boneless and skinless
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 c Greek yogurt, can substitute with sour cream for richness
- 2 small onions, finely diced or ground
- 1/3 c breadcrumbs, plain or seasoned
- 1/3 tsp paprika
- 1/3 tsp granulated garlic, or garlic powder / onion powder
- 1/3 tsp ground coriander
- 1 pinch salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
-
Prepare Turkey & Onions: Grind the precooked roasted turkey in a food processor or blender until it forms a ground-meat consistency. Ensure you use boneless, skinless meat from the thigh, legs, or breast. Transfer the ground turkey to a large mixing bowl. Next, grind the peeled onions in the same blender until finely chopped, then add them to the bowl with the turkey.
-
Mix Ingredients: To the bowl, add the eggs, salt, paprika, granulated garlic, and coriander. Pour in the Greek yogurt (or sour cream) and the breadcrumbs. Add a few pinches of black pepper. Mix everything thoroughly with a spatula or your hands until all ingredients are well incorporated and the mixture is cohesive.
-
Air Fryer Preparation & Cooking (Initial): Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 5 minutes. Line the air fryer basket with parchment paper and lightly spray it with olive oil. With wet hands to prevent sticking, form the turkey mixture into evenly sized patties and place them on the parchment paper in a single layer, ensuring they do not touch. Bake in the preheated air fryer for 8 minutes.
-
Flip & Finish Air Frying: After 8 minutes, the patties should be golden brown on the underside. Carefully flip each patty to cook the other side. Continue to bake for another 3 to 5 minutes, or until the patties are beautifully golden and crispy. The exact timing may vary slightly depending on the size and thickness of your patties. Ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) with a meat thermometer.
-
Optional Pan Frying Method: If you prefer to pan fry, add 2 tablespoons of olive oil to a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is shimmering, add the formed patties. Cook for a few minutes on each side until they are nicely browned and cooked all the way through, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). When done, transfer the patties to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb any excess oil.
-
Serve: Serve the hot patties immediately. They are delicious on their own, with a dollop of sour cream or your favorite sauce, and alongside a fresh green salad or roasted vegetables.
Nutrition
,
Calories: 146kcal
,
Carbohydrates: 9g
,
Protein: 16g
,
Fat: 5g
,
Saturated Fat: 1g
,
Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g
,
Monounsaturated Fat: 2g
,
Trans Fat: 0.04g
,
Cholesterol: 94mg
,
Sodium: 139mg
,
Potassium: 234mg
,
Fiber: 1g
,
Sugar: 3g
,
Vitamin A: 166IU
,
Vitamin C: 3mg
,
Calcium: 52mg
,
Iron: 1mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should only be used as an approximation. Actual values may vary.
Additional Info
Tried this recipe?
Mention @thetypical_mom or tag #thetypicalmom!