The Delicious Convenience of Air Frying Butterball Turkey Burgers

Butterball turkey burgers are a lean, healthy alternative to traditional beef burgers. Air frying them makes for a quick, easy, and tasty meal With just a few simple steps, you can enjoy juicy, flavorful turkey burgers from your air fryer in 15 minutes or less

Why Air Fry Butterball Turkey Burgers

Air frying is a cooking method that uses super hot, rapidly circulating air to crisp up foods. It produces similar results as deep frying, but without all the oil. This makes it a healthier cooking option.

Air frying turkey burgers results in a browned, crispy exterior with a tender, moist interior. The circulating high heat cooks the burgers evenly and seals in the natural juices. Air frying also brings out the rich, savory turkey flavor.

Butterball is one of the most popular brands of turkey burgers. They are pre-formed into uniform patties that are the ideal thickness for even cooking. Butterball burgers are also pre-seasoned, meaning you can skip complicated seasoning and get right to cooking.

Benefits of Cooking Butterball Burgers in an Air Fryer

There are many benefits to cooking Butterball turkey burgers in the air fryer:

• Quick cooking time – Butterball burgers cook fast in the air fryer, usually 10-15 minutes total This makes air frying ideal for weeknight meals.

• Even cooking – The hot air circulates around the patties, ensuring they cook evenly with no cold spots.

• Crispy exterior – The high heat of the air fryer crisps up and browns the exterior of the patties for added texture.

• Tender and juicy – Air frying locks in moisture so the burgers stay tender and juicy inside.

• Minimal oil needed – Only a light brushing of oil is required when air frying. This results in a healthier meal than frying or grilling the burgers.

• Easy cleanup – With virtually no oil, air frying makes cleanup a breeze compared to stovetop cooking.

• Convenient – Simply place the patties in the basket and set the time and temperature. Air frying requires minimal prep and monitoring.

Tips for Air Frying Butterball Turkey Burgers

Follow these tips for perfect air fried turkey burgers every time:

• Let the patties sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before cooking. This prevents them from falling apart.

• Lightly brush both sides of the patties with oil. This helps them get crispy.

• Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. Leave space between patties for even cooking.

• Flip the patties halfway through cooking. This ensures both sides get evenly browned.

• Use a meat thermometer to check doneness. Turkey burgers should reach 165°F internally.

• Let the cooked patties rest for 2-3 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute.

Step-by-Step Guide

Follow these simple steps for juicy, crispy air fried Butterball turkey burgers:

1. Remove patties from packaging and let sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes. Gently shape into uniform discs if needed.

2. Preheat air fryer to 370°F.

3. Lightly brush both sides of each patty with oil. Season with salt, pepper, or other spices if desired.

4. Place patties in air fryer basket without overcrowding.

5. Air fry at 370°F for 5 minutes.

6. Flip patties and air fry 5 minutes more, until cooked through and browned.

7. Check internal temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure patties reach 165°F.

8. Allow patties to rest 2-3 minutes before serving.

9. Serve on buns with desired toppings like lettuce, tomato, cheese, etc.

Cooking Times for Different Sized Patties

Cooking times can vary slightly depending on the size and thickness of your turkey burger patties.

• 4 oz patties – Cook 8-10 minutes total, flipping halfway
• 6 oz patties – Cook 10-12 minutes total, flipping halfway
• 1 inch thick patties – Cook 12-15 minutes total, flipping halfway

No matter what size you cook, always check internal temperature to ensure the patties are fully cooked through.

Adding Flavor to Turkey Burgers

While Butterball patties contain some seasoning already, you can add extra flavor with just a few simple tricks:

• Marinate – Soak patties for 30 min to 1 hour in sauce or seasoned oil before cooking.
• Season – Sprinkle seasoning blends over patties before or after cooking.
• Stuff – Insert crumbled feta, blue cheese, chopped onion, etc. into the center of patties.
• Mix in – Combine finely diced veggies, herbs, spices, or cheese into the raw ground turkey before forming patties.
• Top – Crown cooked patties with salsa, guacamole, bacon, cheese, etc.

Patties Sticking to the Basket

To prevent turkey burger patties from sticking to the air fryer basket:

• Use a light coating of oil on patties before air frying
• Allow basket to preheat before adding patties
• Don’t overcrowd the basket
• Use a cooking spray formulated for air fryers
• Allow patties to finish cooking completely before removing
• Gently loosen any stuck bits after cooking with a spatula

Avoid using too much oil, as excess oil can drip to the bottom of the air fryer and cause smoke or make a mess.

Air Frying vs Grilling vs Pan Frying

While air frying produces delicious results, how do turkey burgers prepared this way compare to other cooking methods?

Air frying results in a crispy exterior with a moist, juicy interior. It requires little oil and quick cooking. The downside is patties can sometimes stick.

Grilling gives great char flavor and smoky notes, but requires constant monitoring to prevent burning. It also takes longer than air frying.

Pan frying in a skillet gives a nice sear and caramelized crust. But you have to flip the patties carefully to prevent them falling apart. More oil is also required compared to air frying.

Serving Suggestions for Air Fried Turkey Burgers

The possibilities are endless when it comes to serving up your freshly air fried turkey burgers!

• Place patties on whole wheat buns and add lettuce, tomato, avocado, etc. for classic burger taste.

• Make turkey burger sliders on Hawaiian rolls for an appetizer.

• Add a fried egg or bacon for extra indulgence.

• Serve open-faced on toasted English muffins with melted Swiss cheese.

• Make turkey burger wraps with shredded lettuce, salsa, and ranch dressing.

• Pile patties high on salad greens and drizzle with balsamic vinaigrette.

• Serve alongside oven fries and dipping sauces for a satisfying meal.

• Top with guacamole, pico de gallo, and Mexican blend cheese for a Southwest twist.

However you choose to serve them, air fried Butterball turkey burgers make for a quick, easy, and healthier meal than their beefy counterparts. With a little practice, you can achieve perfectly cooked patties from the convenience of your air fryer any night of the week.