Last week, I found myself in that familiar dinnertime dilemma – craving pizza AND burgers but wanting something a bit lighter than either option. With ground turkey in the fridge that needed to be used, inspiration struck! Why not combine these two comfort food favorites into one delicious meal? These Pepperoni Pizza Turkey Burgers were born out of that kitchen experiment, and they’ve quickly become a weeknight favorite in our house. They’re juicy and flavorful and give you all those pizza vibes without the guilt. Plus, they come together in under 30 minutes, making them perfect for busy evenings when you want something satisfying but don’t have hours to spend in the kitchen.
Making Pepperoni Pizza Turkey Burgers
These burgers are incredibly easy to make, which is one of the reasons I love them so much. The key is adding those classic pizza flavors directly into the turkey patty mixture and then doubling down on the toppings.
First, you’ll combine your ground turkey with breadcrumbs, egg, and all those pizza-inspired seasonings – garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and a bit of tomato paste for richness and color. This mixture creates a flavorful base that’s already reminiscent of pizza before we even add the toppings. Make sure to mix everything thoroughly but gently – overworking ground turkey can make it tough.
Once you’ve formed your patties, the air fryer makes cooking them a breeze. I love using my air fryer for these burgers because it gives them a nice exterior while keeping the inside juicy. If you don’t have an air fryer, no worries! These work great on a skillet, too. Just make sure you cook them to 165°F for food safety – a meat thermometer is your best friend here.
The magic happens in the final minutes when you add the pizza toppings – a spoonful of pizza sauce, shredded mozzarella, pepperoni slices, and a sprinkle of parmesan. After another quick stint in the air fryer, the cheese melts perfectly, and the pepperoni gets that slight crisp around the edges that we all love on pizza. Add a few fresh basil leaves for brightness, sandwich it all between your favorite bun, and you have the perfect pizza-burger mashup! Looking for more burger inspo? Try my Asian Chicken Burgers or for a lower-carb option, make these Healthy Burger Bowls.
Pepperoni Pizza Turkey Burgers
Equipment
- Mixing Bowls
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground turkey lean
- 1/4 cup plain bread crumbs
- 1 egg
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1/4 cup pizza sauce
- 16 pepperoni slices
- 1/2 cup fat free mozzarella cheese shredded
- 2 tbsp parmesan cheese grated
- fresh basil leaves
- 4 burger buns of choice
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine ground turkey, bread crumbs, egg, salt, pepper, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and tomato paste. Mix well until uniform, being careful not to overwork the meat.
- Form mixture into 4 even patties, slightly indenting the center of each (this helps them cook evenly).
- Spray air fryer tray with non-stick spray. Place patties in the air fryer and cook at 365°F for 15-17 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness.
- Top each burger with 1 tbsp pizza sauce, 2 tbsp shredded mozzarella, 4 pepperoni slices, and 1/2 tbsp grated parmesan.
- Return to the air fryer for about 2 minutes, until the cheese melts and pepperoni edges begin to crisp.
- Place each burger on a bun, top with fresh basil leaves, and enjoy!
Notes
- If you don’t have an air fryer, cook the patties in a skillet over medium heat for about 5-6 minutes per side until they reach 165°F internally.
- For a lower-carb option, serve these on lettuce wraps or over a salad instead of buns.
- These patties can be made ahead and frozen raw between parchment paper for quick weeknight meals.
