Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin will become your new go-to recipe for pork! It’s juicy and tender, faster than using the oven, and it turns out perfect every time!
Pork tenderloin is a lean, flavorful cut of meat that is perfect for the air fryer. Just like my air fryer chicken breast and air fryer turkey breast recipes, air fryer pork tenderloin turns out tender, juicy, and flavorful with minimal effort—and you only need a small amount of oil to cook it to perfection. In this way, it's a lot like this pan fried pork chop recipe.
You can air fry one to two pork tenderloins at once, depending on your air fryer size, and because it’s an easy hands-off cooking method, you’ll have time to put together some homemade sides! Plus, since the air fryer cooks so quickly, you can even make your sides in the air fryer too — try air fryer asparagus or air fryer mushrooms.
This air fryer pork tenderloin is perfectly seasoned, so it's delicious all on its own. But, I love to take mine to the next level with a simple Dijonnaise sauce. It's so delicious with the paprika and onion seasoning.
Is pork tenderloin healthy?
Pork tenderloin is a lean cut of pork, so it’s often considered one of the healthiest cuts. It’s a good source of protein, along with niacin, vitamins B6 and B12, iron, and zinc. (Source)
What you’ll need
Scroll down to the recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions.
- pork tenderloin(s) – Be sure to buy pork tenderloin! Pork loin has a similar name, but it’s a very different cut of meat.
- extra virgin olive oil - or any cooking oil or cooking spray.
- sea salt and black pepper – the most basic, must-have seasoning for any cooked meat in my book.
- seasonings - My go-to seasoning is paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder, but you can use any spices you have on hand to create your favorite flavors.
How to make air fryer pork tenderloin
Here’s what you’ll need to do to make pork tenderloin in an air fryer.
Season the pork. Combine the paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder in a small bowl. Coat the pork tenderloin with oil, salt, and pepper, then rub it with the blend of seasonings.
Air fry. Place the pork tenderloin in the air fryer basket or tray. Set your air fryer temperature to 380°F and cook for 10 minutes.
Flip and continue cooking. Use clean tongs to flip the tenderloin over, then cook it for another 5 to 8 minutes, or until a quick-read thermometer registers a minimum internal temperature of 140°F.
Rest pork for carryover cooking. Use clean tongs to transfer the pork to a plate. Cover and rest for 5 minutes. During this time, carryover cooking will bring the tenderloin to 145°F.
Serve. You can serve the whole pork tenderloin on a platter or cutting board and slice as needed. Or pre-slice it into medallions
How do you keep pork tenderloin from drying out?
A short cooking time is key to keeping pork tenderloin from drying out, which is why the air fryer is a great method for cooking this cut. Air fryer pork tenderloin is always juicy and tender, and you don’t even need to cover it with foil while it cooks!
Tips for success
Here are some hints and tips for making this air fryer pork tenderloin recipe.
- Getting the temperature right. It might seem common to cook pork tenderloin at 400ºF in the air fryer, but I recommend sticking closer to 380ºF. I find this temperature cooks pork perfectly—it’s never over-cooked or under-cooked.
- Use clean tongs. Use clean tongs between transferring and rotating pork to prevent cross-contamination.
- Don’t crowd the air fryer. The air fryer works by circulating air around food; if food is too crowded, it won’t cook properly. Leave space between tenderloins if cooking more than one.
What is a good side for pork?
This pork tenderloin is quite versatile, as it’s made with a seasoning blend that goes with a variety of different flavors and cuisines. Some of my favorite recipes for pairing with it include:
- Maple Roasted Brussels Sprouts With Fennel
- Smashed Potatoes
- Creamy Healthy Macaroni Salad
- Instant Pot Green Beans
- Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes
How to store and reheat leftovers
To store, allow the pork to cool at room temperature and refrigerate it in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Leftovers are best reheated in the air fryer at 250ºF for 5 to 10 minutes, or until it’s warmed through.
Can you freeze and reheat cooked pork?
Yes, cooked pork can be frozen up to 3 months and reheated. Wrap it well to prevent freezer burn. When you’re ready to eat it, let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
Frequently asked questions
Pork tenderloin is a long, narrow, boneless cut of meat taken from along the backbone. Pork loin is wide and flat, and unlike tenderloin, it can be boneless or bone-in.
Pork tenderloin is done cooking when it reaches a safe internal temperature of 145ºF.
When you pierce the pork tenderloin with a knife or fork, the juices should run clear. The meat should be tender and juicy; a bit of pink is fine.
Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin
INGREDIENTS
- 1 pound Pork Tenderloin, or as many as space allows
- 1 teaspoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- ¼ teaspoon Sea Salt
- ⅛ teaspoon Black Pepper
- ½ teaspoon Paprika
- ½ teaspoon Garlic Powder
- ½ teaspoon Onion Powder
Instructions
- Coat PORK TENDERLOIN with OLIVE OIL, SALT, and PEPPER.
- Combine PAPRIKA, GARLIC POWDER, and ONION POWDER in a small mixing bowl and rub evenly over the surface to coat lightly.
- Place pork tenderloin in the air fryer basket or tray.
- Air fry at 380°F for 10 minutes.
- Use clean tongs to flip the tenderloin over, and cook another 5-8 minutes, or until a quick-read thermometer registers a minimum of 140°F.
- Transfer pork to a plate, cover, and allow to rest 5 minutes. During this time, carryover cooking will bring it 145°F.
- Serve warm.
- To store, allow to cool at room temperature and refrigerate in an airtight container up to 5 days or freeze up to 90 days.Leftover tenderloin can be reheated in the air fryer at 250°F (time will vary based on size).
Equipment
- 5.8 quart basket air fryer (Cosori XL) or other air fryer
- steak knife
NUTRITION
Nutrition data provided as courtesy estimates using unbranded ingredients from a nutrition database. Please consult preferred resource for precise data.
jojobe says
This is a fabulous recipe! My pork tenderloin was already cut into four pieces so I had to try and adjust the cooking time. I think I still overcooked it but it remained juicy! I was planning on serving the leftovers in pita wraps but I was up in the night and finished half of it off. I put the remainder, thin sliced, over a green salad with green olives and vinaigrette dressing instead. Yummy.
Traci says
Awesome! I'm so glad you enjoyed this and made it work for your situation and it sounds like perfection. Thank you so much for taking the time to leave feedback. It's greatly appreciated 🙂 Cheers!!
Jeff says
Oh man, I already love your pan fried pork chops, but this is next level efficiency and pork tenderloin is my favorite cut! Air fryer pork is getting made on the regular. Thanks KG!