Air Fryer Chicken Burgers

Name: Air Fryer Chicken Burgers
Prep time: 11 min
Cook time: 9 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 1.5 lbs chicken thighs (625g, skinless + boneless, chopped into 2 inch cubes); 1/2 tsp olive oil (plus more to air fry or bake); 1 tsp onion powder (finely chopped); 1 tsp garlic powder (minced); 1 medium egg; 3 tbsp tbsp parsley finely chopped (15g / 0.5oz); 2 tbsp nutritional yeast (or 3 tablespoons freshly grated parmesan); 1 tbsp tomato paste (or 2 tbsp finely chopped sun-dried tomatoes); 2 tsp Italian seasoning; 1/2 tsp smoked paprika; 3/4 tsp salt; 1/2 tsp cracked black pepper; 1 cup white cabbage (100g / 3.5oz) (finely shredded); 1 carrot (60g / 2.1oz) (finely shredded); 2 spring onions (julienne or grated); 2 sticks celery (60g / 2.1oz) (finely sliced); 2 tbsp mayonnaise (chopped); 2 tbsp Greek yogurt (for lighter version you can use 2 tbsp greek yoghurt and 2 tbsp mayonnaise); 1-2 tsp lemon juice (to taste); Pinch of salt and pepper (to taste); Cheddar cheese slices; Sliced tomato; Sliced red onion or caramelised onions; Pickles; Lettuce; Mayo; Ketchup; Brioche buns (toasted); 1 Avocado (slices); Dill pickle (slices)

These wholesome homemade Air Fryer Chicken Burgers are so juicy and perfectly seasoned. Whip them up in 20 minutes for the perfect warm-weather bite!

air fryer chicken burger with slaw on a white plate

I love this recipe for DIY Air Fryer Chicken Burgers because I know exactly what goes into them. The herbs and spices flavor them perfectly and they take almost no-time to cook. If you're looking for a more nourishing way to enjoy burgers, this recipe is free from artificial ingredients.

Your friends and family will love these gourmet-style burgers by the pool or just in the sunshine. Paired with a quick slaw, they are super satisfying to bite into. You can prep the patties and slaw and just reach for them when you're ready to grill. They are also freezer-friendly!

For more burgers, try my Cowboy Butter Burger, these juicy Air Fryer Turkey Burgers and my Easy Hamburger Soup Recipe.

Ingredients

These Air Fryer Chicken Burgers are made with boneless, skinless chicken thighs because, as a cut of chicken, thighs have a higher fat content than breasts, which are leaner.

You can use chicken breasts in place of the boneless thighs, but they won't be quite as juicy.

You'll see that I've included nutritional yeast in this recipe; you can choose between nutritional yeast and parmesan cheese as a way to add rich, umami flavor.

I really like adding paprika or tomato paste to the recipe as it gives the Air Fryer Chicken Burgers a good color.

Chicken Thighs
Olive Oil
Onion Powder
Garlic Powder
Medium Egg
Parsley
Yeast
Tomato Paste
Italian Seasoning
Smoked Paprika
Salt
Cracked Black Pepper

See recipe card for quantities.

Instructions

Here is my exact guide to making my Air Fryer Chicken Burgers:

Step 1: Prepare the ground chicken. Pulse the chicken thighs in a food processor with the S blade until coarsely minced. Transfer to a bowl.

ingredients for chicken burgers in a bowl

Step 2: Season the ground chicken. Mix in 1 teaspoon olive oil, onion and garlic powder, egg, nutritional yeast or parmesan, tomato purée or sun-dried tomatoes, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper. Use your hands to combine.

chicken burgers pattied out on parchment paper

Step 3: Make the patties. Lightly coat your hands with olive oil to prevent sticking, then form the mixture into 4 patties.

Step 4: Make the slaw. In a separate bowl, toss together all the slaw ingredients and refrigerate until serving.

Step 5. Cook the patties. Preheat your air fryer to 190°C / 370°F. Spray the basket with oil, place the patties inside, and cook for 9 minutes or until golden and cooked through. Flip after 7 minutes if you'd like

Serve the burgers in buns topped with slaw, avocado, and pickles

Hint: Lightly oil your hands or a silicone spatula before shaping the patties-this keeps the mixture from sticking and makes cleanup easier than using bare hands alone.

Substitutions

You can swap out some of the key ingredients:

Chicken thighs: You can use ground chicken or turkey if you don't want to make your ground chicken from scratch.
Nutritional yeast or parmesan: Swap both of these out for grated pecorino or grated cheddar. You could also use a dairy free cheese if you want.
Tomato paste and sun-dried tomatoes: Use ketchup or some soft, roasted red pepper puree instead.
In the slaw: You could make the slaw with sour cream instead of Greek yogurt!
Brioche buns: Swap these out with whole wheat buns or use lettuce wraps. You can also use gluten free buns.

Variations

Play around and make this recipe your own - you can add loads of ingredients to your recipe to give it another flavor profile:

Make it spicy! Add in some red chili flakes or chopped jalapenos.
Fresh herbs: Mix in some fresh cilantro, thyme or oregano.
Asian version: Swap out the Italian seasoning with some fresh ginger, soy sauce, and sesame oil.

air fryer chicken burger with slaw and pickles

Equipment

You'll need a food processor with an S blade, mixing bowls, a spatula, and an air fryer for this recipe.
Don't forget a knife and cutting board for toppings, and a fridge to chill the slaw while the burgers cook.

Storage

Storage Fridge for 2 days, or burgers can be frozen for 2 months

Top tip

Take care not to overmix the patty mixture. Just mix it lightly so that it stays succulent and juicy when you cook it.

FAQ

Can I bake these burgers instead of frying them?

Yes! Bake them at 190°C (375°F) for about 30 minutes.

Can I make these burgers gluten free?

Yes just use gluten free buns and make sure all your pastes and bottled products are gluten free.

How can I tell when the Air Fryer Chicken Burgers are cooked through?

Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature-it should reach 74°C (165°F) to ensure safety.

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