Juicy Air Fryer Turkey Smash Burgers with Cheddar in 15 Minutes

Let me tell you about my newest obsession – these insanely juicy air fryer turkey smash burgers with melty cheddar. I swear, I make them at least twice a week now! What started as a “let’s try something healthier” experiment turned into my go-to weeknight dinner. In under 15 minutes, you’ve got crispy-edged, perfectly cooked turkey patties with cheese that oozes just right. And the best part? No greasy stovetop splatters – just pop them in the air fryer and boom, dinner’s done. My kids actually prefer these over beef burgers now (shocking, I know!), and honestly? I don’t miss the extra fat at all. The turkey stays crazy moist in the air fryer – total game changer.

Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Turkey Smash Burgers with Melty Cheddar

Trust me, these burgers will become your new weeknight superhero. Here’s why:

• Lightning fast: Ready in under 15 minutes – perfect when hunger strikes hard
• Juicy magic: The air fryer locks in moisture better than my grandma’s cast iron
• Better-for-you: All that cheesy goodness with way less guilt than beef
• No mess: Skip the grease-splattered stovetop – just one basket to clean
• That crispy edge: You get that perfect caramelized crunch without any flipping fuss

Seriously, I’ve converted beef burger loyalists with these – they’re that good.

Ingredients for Air Fryer Turkey Smash Burgers with Melty Cheddar

Here’s everything you’ll need to make these beauties – simple stuff you probably already have:

• 1 lb lean ground turkey (93% lean works best – trust me on this)
• 1 tsp salt (I use kosher for better distribution)
• 1/2 tsp black pepper (freshly cracked if you’re fancy)
• 1 tsp garlic powder (not minced garlic – it burns in the air fryer!)
• 1 tsp onion powder (the secret flavor booster)
• 4 slices cheddar cheese (sharp is my go-to for maximum flavor)
• 4 burger buns (toasted in the air fryer for 2 minutes – game changer)

Ingredient Notes & Substitutions

No stress if you need to swap things out:

• Cheese lovers: Swiss or pepper jack work amazingly too
• Worried about sticking? Add 1/4 cup breadcrumbs to the turkey mix
• Gluten-free? Just skip the bun or use your favorite GF version
• Spice it up with 1/2 tsp smoked paprika if you’re feeling adventurous
• For extra moisture, mix in 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce (my husband’s trick)

The beauty of this recipe? It’s crazy forgiving – make it your own!

How to Make Air Fryer Turkey Smash Burgers with Melty Cheddar

Okay, let’s get cooking! These burgers come together so fast you’ll barely have time to set the table. Here’s exactly how I do it:

1. Preheat that air fryer to 375°F – this gives you that perfect sear right away (no soggy burgers here!)
2. Mix your turkey with all those yummy seasonings – I just use my hands to really work it in
3. Divide into 4 equal balls (about 1/4 lb each) and smash them thin – like really press them down!
4. Arrange in the basket with space between each patty – they need room to crisp up
5. Cook for 8 minutes, then flip – you should see those gorgeous golden edges
6. Cook 5 more minutes before adding cheese – the timing here is crucial
7. Top with cheese slices and cook just 1 minute more until gloriously melty

That’s it! I told you it was easy. Now just slide those beauties onto toasted buns and dig in.

Pro Tips for Perfect Turkey Burgers

After making these dozens of times, here’s what I’ve learned:

• Press ’em thin – Thinner patties cook faster and get crispier edges
• Check temp – Use a meat thermometer to hit 165°F for safety
• Don’t crowd – Cook in batches if needed – airflow is key!
• Rest 2 minutes – Letting them sit makes the juices redistribute

Follow these and you’ll get perfect burgers every single time!

Serving Suggestions for Air Fryer Turkey Smash Burgers

Oh, let me tell you how I love to serve these bad boys! First – always toast the buns in the air fryer for 2 minutes (no one wants a sad, soggy bun). My go-to sides? Crispy air fryer fries (obviously), a big pile of dill pickles, and maybe some creamy avocado slices if I’m feeling fancy. Sometimes I’ll even throw some onion rings in the air fryer basket while the burgers cook – multitasking at its finest!

Storing and Reheating Leftover Turkey Burgers

Okay, confession time – I rarely have leftovers because we gobble these up! But when I do, here’s my trick: store patties and buns separately in airtight containers for up to 3 days. To reheat, pop the patties back in the air fryer at 350°F for 2-3 minutes – they’ll crisp right back up like magic. The cheese might not be quite as oozy, but it’s still darn delicious. Just don’t microwave them unless you want sad, rubbery burgers – trust me, I learned that the hard way!

Air Fryer Turkey Smash Burgers with Melty Cheddar FAQ

I get questions about these burgers all the time – here’s what folks ask most:

Can I freeze the uncooked turkey patties? Absolutely! Shape them, separate with parchment paper, and freeze in a bag for up to 3 months. No thawing needed – just add 2 extra minutes when cooking from frozen.

Why lean ground turkey specifically? The 93% lean gives you perfect texture – too much fat makes the burgers shrink and the air fryer smoky. But don’t go extra lean or they’ll dry out!

Can I make these without cheese? Of course! Just skip the last step. Though honestly, the melty cheddar is what makes these next-level delicious in my book.

Why smash the burgers thin? Thinner patties cook faster in the air fryer and get those amazing crispy edges we all love. Thick burgers just don’t work as well with this method.

What if my air fryer doesn’t have exact temperature controls? No worries! Just use the “air fry” setting if you have it, or set to 370-400°F. The exact temp isn’t as crucial as not overcrowding the basket.

Nutritional Information

These turkey burgers are naturally lighter than beef, but exact nutrition varies based on brands and bun choices. As my grandma would say – enjoy the flavors first, numbers second!

Share Your Experience

I’d love to hear how your turkey smash burgers turn out! Did your kids gobble them up like mine do? Any clever twists you added? Drop me a note below – your tips might become my new favorite trick!

For more recipe inspiration, check out my Pinterest page!

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