Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin
This juicy air fryer pork tenderloin recipe is our all-time favorite way to cook pork tenderloin. The meat turns out juicy and tender and is ready in less than 20 minutes!
I’ll be honest, pork loin isn’t one of my favorite cuts of meat. As is the case with all lean cuts of meat, it tends to dry out quickly. Unless we’re grilling pork tenderloin or wrapping it in bacon, I don’t ever reach for it when I’m in the supermarket. THIS recipe however? Total game changer. It cooks in a fraction of the time it would take to roast in the oven and delivers the most perfect juicy, tender meat. So much so that even my pork-hating daughter had seconds!
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Pork tenderloin/pork fillet. Ask your butcher to remove the silver skin/sinew.
- Extra virgin olive oil. Any vegetable oil of your choice can be substituted, I also love cooking with avocado oil.
- Spice mixture: Salt, black pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, dried oregano. Onion powder, cumin and herbs like sage and thyme are also delicious with pork. You could add brown sugar to the mix if you wanted a more caramelized exterior.
- Fresh lemon juice.
How to cook pork tenderloin in the air fryer
- Slice and season: Trim the pork of any excess fat/silver skin if your butcher hasn’t done it for you. Slice each tenderloin into two even pieces with a sharp knife – this reduces the cooking time significantly. You could also air fry a whole pork tenderloin but the cooking time will need to be slightly adjusted. Mix together all the spices in a small bowl. Rub the pork with the olive oil and lemon juice then sprinkle over the spice mixture.
- Air fry: Place the pork tenderloin in the air fryer basket then air fry at 400°F/205°C for 15-18 minutes until the pork reaches an internal temperature of 145°F/62°C on a meat thermometer/instant-read thermometer. This will deliver more well-done pork. We prefer serving prime pork while it’s still slightly pink in the center so I remove the pork from the air fryer when it reaches 137°F/59°C. Allow the pork to rest for 5 minutes then slice and serve with your favorite side dishes.
Can I make this ahead?
The pork can be marinated in the seasoning mix for up to 24 hours in the fridge. Leftover pork tenderloin can be kept in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days and related before serving.
Serving Suggestions
Juicy pork tenderloin is fantastic served with a variety of sides. We love it with green beans, asparagus or broccoli. Pork is also fantastic with sweeter sides or sauces so sweet potatoes or carrots are a great option. Of course potatoes are always welcome on any dinner plate so creamy mashed potatoes or crispy smashed potatoes are what we would suggest.
Air Fryer Dinner Recipes
Ingredients
- 2 lb (1kg) pork tenderloin trimmed of any excess fat and silverskin
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1½ tsp garlic powder
- 1½ tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
Instructions
- Trim the pork of any excess fat/silver skin if your butcher hasn't done it for you.
- Slice each tenderloin into two even pieces with a sharp knife – this reduces the cooking time significantly.
- You could also air fry a whole pork tenderloin but the cooking time will need to be slightly adjusted.
- Mix together all the spices in a small bowl.
- Rub the pork with the olive oil and lemon juice then sprinkle over the spice mixture.
- Place the pork tenderloin in the air fryer basket then air fry at 400°F/205°C for 15-18 minutes until the pork is cooked through.
- For well-done pork, cook it until it reaches an internal temperature of 145°F/62°C on a meat thermometer/instant-read thermometer. We prefer serving prime pork while it's still slightly pink in the center so I remove the pork from the air fryer when it reaches 137°F/59°C as it will continue cooking as it rests.
- Allow the pork to rest for 5 minutes then slice and serve with your favorite side dishes.
Please let me know a bake recipe for this great find! How long and temp. Much thanks!
Hi Jack – I would recommend a nice high temp in the oven, maybe 430F/220C? You could even do it with the broiler on to get some good color developed. I would start with 15 minutes, check the internal temperature and go from there.