My air fryer pork tenderloin is the best way to cook it and yields the most juicy and tender meat in just 15 minutes.
My family loves a juicy pork tenderloin, but we used to enjoy it only on occasion—until I started experimenting with my air fryer.
Friends, my air fryer pork tenderloin recipe is an absolute game changer. It’s made a seasonal favorite into an almost weekly dinner staple. I’ve tested this so many times to guarantee the juiciest meat every single time.Table of Contents
- Why I love this recipe
- Ingredients needed
- How to cook pork tenderloin in the air fryer
- Arman’s recipe tips
- Storage instructions
- Frequently asked questions
- Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin (Recipe Card)
Why I love this recipe
- It’s quick to prepare. No marinating is needed, so the entire cooking time is less than 15 minutes! That’s one of the reasons why I make it often for my family’s weeknight dinners.
- Versatile. The beauty of this cut of meat is how easily it can be customized and flavored with a plethora of options. I like to douse it in umami sauces, add some breading, or even season it with a pre-made spice blend.
- Healthier. Air-frying pork cuts down on the use of oil considerably (at least 80%!) without affecting the flavor.
- Perfect every time. If you’ve ever been fearful of over-cooking lean cuts of meat, this cooking method is a game changer!
★★★★★ REVIEW
“Very easy recipe with excellent result!!” – Atoosa
Ingredients needed
- Pork tenderloin. Not to be confused with a pork loin, the tenderloin is longer, thinner, and has a slightly silver skin when cooked. I like to get mine from a butcher, but you should easily find it at any mainstream grocery store.
- Olive oil. Just a little oil helps the seasoning stick and traps the juices, leaving you with super juicy meat.
- Dijon mustard. Mustard is the perfect pairing with pork, and coating it with some of it takes the flavor to another level.
- Honey. Adds a sweet and sticky element to the pork and balances out the savory flavors. It also gives it gorgeous caramelization. If you prefer a granulated sweetener, brown sugar will work, but you must increase the oil by an extra tablespoon to compensate.
- Spices. I like to keep things simple to let the pork shine, so I use paprika, chili, kosher salt, black pepper, and garlic powder.
How to cook pork tenderloin in the air fryer
I’ve included step-by-step photos below to make this recipe easy to follow at home. For the full printable recipe instructions and ingredient quantities, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Step 1- Season. Remove the skin of the pork and rub some oil over it. Mix all the seasonings, mustard, and honey in a bowl. Rub the spice mixture over the pork to coat well.
Step 2- Air fry. Place the tenderloin in the air fryer and cook the pork for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through. Remove from the air fryer once the exterior is sticky and glistening and when the internal temperature reaches at least 160F.
Step 3- Rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Serving suggestions
I always treat pork as the main protein source of family dinners and add side dishes around that. Here are my favorites:
Air fryer baked potatoes are always popular, along with some greens (my little ones love sauteed brussels sprouts or sauteed broccolini!).
During the holiday period, I like to serve it with more hearty sides, like a butternut squash casserole or cauliflower mashed cauliflower.
Arman’s recipe tips
- Let the meat rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving. This will trap the juices inside longer, yielding more juicy pork tenderloin.
- Do not stuff your tenderloin in the air fryer; otherwise, the pork won’t cook evenly. If my tenderloin won’t comfortably fit in the air fryer, I slice it in half and cook it in two batches.
- Always use a meat thermometer to check whether the pork is done. Fully cooked pork tenderloin needs an internal temperature of 160F.
Storage instructions
To store: Place leftover pork in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to five days.
To freeze: Place the cooked and cooled tenderloin in a ziplock bag and store it in the freezer for up to 6 months. Thaw it overnight in the fridge before heating it up.
Reheating: You can reheat portions in the microwave for 20-30 seconds or in the air fryer.
Frequently asked questions
Can I bake this in the oven?
Yes, if you’d prefer to bake the tenderloin, preheat the oven to 180C/350F. Place the seasoned pork on a greased baking sheet and bake for 40-45 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Can I use frozen pork tenderloin?
Yes! Frozen pork tenderloin in the air fryer works very well. Just be sure to thaw the meat completely before seasoning it.
Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin
5 from 128 votes
My air fryer pork tenderloin is the best way to cook it and yields the most juicy and tender meat in just 15 minutes.
Servings:
Prep:1minute min
Cook:15minutes mins
Total:16minutes mins
Ingredients 1x2x3x
- ▢1 1/2 pounds pork tenderloin
- ▢1/2 teaspoon salt
- ▢1/2 teaspoon pepper
- ▢2 tablespoons olive oil
- ▢1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ▢1 teaspoon honey
- ▢1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ▢1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ▢1/2 teaspoon chili optional
Instructions
- Season the pork with salt and pepper.
- In a small bowl, whisk the olive oil, Dijon mustard, honey, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and chili. Coat the exterior of the pork tenderloin with it.
- Add the pork into an air fryer basket and air fry at 200F/400F for 15 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- The pork tenderloin is fully cooked when it reaches an internal temperature opf 145F.
- Let the pork rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
TO STORE: Place leftovers in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to five days.
TO FREEZE: Place the cooked and cooled tenderloin in a ziplock bag and store it in the freezer for up to 6 months.
TO REHEAT: You can reheat in the microwave for 20-30 seconds or in a preheated air fryer.
Nutrition
Serving: 1servingCalories: 173kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 24gFat: 7gSodium: 264mgPotassium: 471mgFiber: 0.4gVitamin A: 13IUVitamin C: 0.03mgCalcium: 18mgIron: 1mgNET CARBS: 2g
Cuisine: American
