Learn how to air fry frozen turkey patties straight from the freezer for a quick, healthy meal. These easy patties work well on a salad, wrapped in lettuce, or served as a low-carb burger. They’re fast to prepare and compatible with GLP-1 friendly and diabetic-conscious eating plans.
Can Frozen Turkey Patties be Air fried?
Yes — you can air fry frozen, solid patties with excellent results. The air fryer’s circulating hot air cooks pre-formed, store-bought turkey patties directly from the freezer. These patties are budget-friendly, convenient, and a great option for low-carb or GLP-1 friendly meals. Making them at home saves money and gives you fast weeknight dinners.
Video: How to Air Fry Frozen Turkey Patties
Do You Need to Thaw the Turkey Patty?
No, thawing isn’t necessary. Store-bought frozen patties cook well from frozen in an air fryer. Place them straight into the basket and cook. After your first batch you’ll learn the best timing for your specific air fryer and the patties you buy — models and brands vary. If you do use thawed patties, reduce the cooking time since they will cook faster.
Tips on How to Air Fry Frozen Turkey Patties
- Use a light coating of oil. Spray or lightly brush oil on both sides of the frozen patties to help keep the exterior moist and prevent drying. We found this keeps the patties juicier.
- Do not preheat. Start with a cold air fryer so the patties don’t overcook on the outside before the center reaches a safe temperature.
- Adjust for thickness. Patties vary by brand and thickness, so timing may need to be increased for thicker patties and decreased for thinner ones.
- After your first batch you’ll quickly discover the right timing for your preferred doneness and your model of air fryer.
- Check internal temperature. Use a digital thermometer to ensure the patty reaches 165°F (74°C), the recommended safe temperature for poultry.
Different Brands of Frozen Turkey Burger Patties We Tested
- Jennie‑O Frozen Turkey Burger Patties: A favorite for flavor. These combine dark and white meat, which helps prevent dryness. They are flat and wide, so they cook evenly and are less likely to be raw in the center. Note that they can shrink a bit while cooking.
- Trader Joe’s Turkey Burgers: Smaller 1/4 lb patties that are well seasoned but shrink noticeably. Watch them closely to avoid drying.
- Good & Gather (Target): These 1/3 lb patties are thicker and can dry out more easily. They were our least favorite for texture and flavor. Check them frequently, especially in powerful air fryers, since an extra minute can overcook them.
- Serve the cooked patties over a simple low-carb salad or use keto-friendly buns for a GLP-1 or diabetic-friendly burger.
Air Fryer Frozen Turkey Patties
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Pin Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 frozen raw turkey patties (typically sold as 1/4 lb or 1/3 lb)
- Salt, to taste (optional)
- Lots of black pepper
- Oil spray, for coating
Equipment
- Air Fryer
- Instant-read thermometer (optional)
- Non-stick silicone air fryer liner (optional)
Instructions
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Lightly coat both sides of each frozen patty with oil spray. Season with salt and plenty of black pepper if desired. Spray the air fryer basket or use a non-stick silicone liner. Arrange patties in a single layer, cooking in batches if needed.
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1/4 lb frozen patties: Air fry at 380°F (193°C) for about 12–17 minutes total. After 10 minutes, flip the patties and cook another 2–7 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
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1/3 lb frozen patties: Air fry at 380°F (193°C) for about 13–18 minutes total. After 10 minutes, flip the patties and cook another 3–8 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
Video
Nutrition Information per Serving
Want to make fresh homemade turkey patties in the air fryer? Here’s the complete recipe for Air Fried Fresh Turkey Patties.
More Easy Recipes:
- Stuffed roast turkey breast with bacon and vegetables
- Healthy air fryer chicken and broccoli
- Many low-carb air fryer recipes
- More healthy recipes
- Baked tuna patties
- Creamy turkey vegetable soup
- Healthy turkey lettuce cups
- This recipe was originally published in 2018