October Recipe of the Month — Air Fryer Pork & Apple Burgers

Photo by Marusa Jonas, Nutrition Education Program
Photo by Marusa Jonas, Nutrition Education Program

By Alyssa Havlovic MS, RDN, ACSM EP-C, Extension Educator in
Lancaster County

October is National Pork Month. Pork can be a good source of protein and other essential nutrients such as iron, zinc, selenium and B vitamins.

AIR FRYER PORK & APPLE BURGERS
(Yield: 6 servings)

• 1 egg
• 1 apple, scrubbed with clean vegetable brush under running water, grated (about 1 cup)
• 1 pound ground pork
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 6 whole wheat burger buns
• Sauce of choice (optional)
• 1 tomato, gently rubbed under cold running water, sliced
• 1-1/2 cups spring greens or arugula, gently rubbed under cold running water


1. Wash hands with soap and water.
2. Crack egg into a large bowl and beat with fork. Wash hands with soap and water after cracking raw eggs.
3. Add grated apple, ground pork, breadcrumbs, onion and garlic powder. Season with salt and pepper if desired. Mix well.
4. Divide the mixture into 6 parts and shape into patties. Wash hands with soap and water after handling raw meat.
5. Set the air fryer to 400°F and preheat for 5 minutes.
6. Place the patties in an air fryer basket. Make sure they are not touching. Cook for 5 minutes. Flip and cook an additional 5 minutes, or until the meat reaches an internal temperature of 160°F on a food thermometer.
7. Toast buns (if desired). Assemble with a sauce of your choice (if desired), cooked patties, slices of tomato and top with spring greens.
8. Store leftovers in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to four days.

Nutrition Information: Serving Size (1 burger): Calories 350; Total Fat 9g; Saturated Fat 2.5g; Cholesterol 85mg; Sodium 260mg; Total Carbohydrates 36g; Fiber 2g; Total Sugars 7g, includes 3g Added Sugars; Protein 32g; Vitamin D 0%; Calcium 10%; Iron 15%; Potassium 10%.

Nutrition Software Used: ESHA Food Processor