This Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin recipe will transform your weeknight dinner routine. This dish is a game-changer, offering juicy, flavorful pork with a crispy crust in under 30 minutes.
It’s incredibly easy to prepare, requiring minimal prep work and perfect for busy weeknights. Pair it with your favorite sides for a satisfying and delicious meal.
Are you ready to make the ever-popular low-carb and low-calorie pork tenderloin into a scrumptious dish in just 30 minutes? I have got a perfect recipe for you.
Juicy pork tenderloin, the filet Mignon of pork, is a favorite in my home. I’m always happy to whip up this easy recipe because it’s mess-free and simple. Plus, it doesn’t eat up much of my time.
The best part? It’s perfect for meal prep! Just add spices (we’re going above and beyond a typical dry rub) and let the pork tenderloin marinate for 24 hours. That means you can get it all set up a day or two ahead, and when you’re ready to cook, dinner will be quick and easy.
Why You’ll Love Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin
Easy Weeknight Dinner: If you’ve marinated the pork tenderloin, all you need is 25 minutes of air frying to make dinner.
Perfectly Cooked and Juicy: Air frying locks in the juices of the pork tenderloin, resulting in a perfectly cooked and tender piece of meat every single time.
Easy to Make into a Meal: Pair your delicious pork fillet with your favorite side dishes for an amazing dinner. Mashed potatoes, roasted veggies, or creamy polenta are all great options.
Versatile Flavors: Play with the seasonings and enjoy a new flavor every time.
Difference Between Pork Loin and Pork Tenderloin
These are two very different cuts of meat. I’m using a pork tenderloin because it’s a leaner cut.
You can easily tell the difference between the two as the pork tenderloin is a smaller long piece of meat, where as the pork loin is more rectangular and thicker.
If you decide to use a pork loin, you’ll need to adjust the cook time for a larger piece of meat.
Kitchen Equipment Needed
- Air Fryer: It’s an air fryer recipe – easy and hands-off. The hot circulating air of the air fryer will create a crispy crust on the outside while keeping the inside juicy and flavorful. Always preheat your air fryer for the best results.
- Measuring Spoons and Cups
- Small Bowl: To mix the spices for the marinade. If you’re doubling the recipe, use a larger bowl.
- Whisk
- Zip Lock Bag: Marinade your pork tenderloin in a well sealed large bag or container.
- Cutting Board: Slice your cooked (and rested) pork on a cutting board.
- Sharp Knife: To remove the extra fat and silver skin.
- Meat Thermometer: An easy instant-read thermometer will let you know when your air fryer pork tenderloin is fully cooked. Here’s the inexpensive instant read thermometer on Amazon that I use constantly!
Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin Ingredients
Olive Oil: We’re using it to add moisture to our dish. Olive oil will also help the spices to stick. Don’t have olive oil? Use vegetable oil. No problem.
Soy Sauce: It’s a star ingredient of my marinades. I feel soy sauce boosts the flavor profile. It also works as a meat tenderizer. So, why not?
Worcestershire Sauce: A great way to add umami goodness to the recipe.
Honey and Brown Sugar: Bring in some sweetness to create a balance of flavors. These two ingredients will also caramelize your meat and help bring that beautiful crusty texture to the pork. You can also use maple syrup in place of honey.
Honey Mustard: Okay, I love this one. It creates a stunning glaze on the pork and pairs beautifully with the savory flavors in this dish.
Garlic: Freshly minced garlic works perfectly, but you can use garlic powder, too.
Lemon Juice: Add some tang to the pork tenderloin with a splash of lemon juice. It’ll also make your meat tender.
Poultry Seasoning: A flavorful seasoning mix of onion powder, nutmeg, sage, thyme, and rosemary. It’s usually easily available in grocery stores, but you can make your own blend at home if you can’t find it.
Pork Tenderloin: Pick a good quality lean meat for this recipe and remove excess fat.
Kosher salt and black pepper to taste.
Check out the recipe card for all the details.
How to Make the Best Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin
In a small bowl combine all ingredients except for the pork tenderloin and whisk until well combined.
Place pork tenderloin in a large zip lock bag or container and pour the marinade over it, covering it completely.
Seal and refrigerate overnight.
Set your air fryer to 400 F and pre-heat for 1-2 minutes (depending on your model).
Place the pork tenderloin in the air fryer basket.
Cook at 400 degrees F for 5 minutes.
Reduce the heat to 325 degrees F and continue cooking for 12-15 minutes, until an inserted meat thermometer reads 145 degrees F in thickest part of the meat.
Tips and Tricks
- Remove the “silver skin” before marinating your pork tenderloin.
- Let the mouthwatering (cooked) tenderloin rest for a bit before slicing it. It will give you a tender and juicy cut.
- If you can’t fit one big tenderloin cut in your air fryer basket, cut it in half. The cooking time won’t change.
Variations to Try
- Add a bit of heat to your pork tenderloin by mixing chili powder or cayenne pepper into your marinade.
- For a tangier flavor, pour in some apple cider vinegar. The acidity will add a refreshing kick to your dish.
- If you’re looking for a low-carb option, skip the honey and brown sugar in the marinade. Instead, use a sugar-free sweetener like erythritol or stevia.
How Do I Know When the Pork is Done?
Pork tenderloin is a lean cut of meat that needs a cook time between 15-20 minutes. A thinner cut will have a lower cooking time. So, keep checking to be sure.
The internal temperature on your instant-read thermometer should read 145 degrees F. Don’t just depend on the color of the meat, use the meat thermometer to ensure it’s fully cooked.
Can I Use Frozen Pork Tenderloin?
Yep, go for it. Just make sure you thaw it completely first. I prefer thawing in my refrigerator overnight, but you can use the defrost settings on your microwave.
How Do You Store Leftover Air Fry Pork Tenderloin?
Use an airtight container and keep the leftovers in the fridge for about 3 days. Before re-heating, I prefer to let it sit out and reach room temperature first.
More Air Fryer Recipes to Love
Try this real game-changer of a recipe and make everyone swoon! Trust me, this succulent air fryer pork tenderloin recipe will make it to your list of favorite recipes in absolutely no time.
Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin
This Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin recipe will transform your weeknight dinner routine. This dish is a game-changer, offering juicy, flavorful pork with a crispy crust in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
- 2 pound Pork Tenderloin
- 1/3 cup Olive Oil
- 2 Tablespoons Soy Sauce
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce
- 1 Tablespoon Honey
- 1 Tablespoon Brown Sugar
- 2 Tablespoons Honey Mustard
- 2 teaspoons Garlic, minced
- 1/2 Tablespoon Lemon Juice
- 1 Tablespoon Poultry Seasoning
Instructions
- In a small bowl combine all ingredients except for the pork tenderloin and whisk until well combined.
- Place pork tenderloin in a large zip lock bag or container and pour the marinade over it, covering it completely.
- Seal and refrigerate overnight.
- Set your air fryer to 400 F and pre-heat for 1-2 minutes (depending on your model).
- Place the pork tenderloin in the air fryer basket.
- Cook at 400 degrees F for 5 minutes.
- Reduce the heat to 325 degrees F and continue cooking for 12-15 minutes, until an inserted meat thermometer reads 145 degrees F in thickest part of the meat.
Notes
See recipe post for tips and variations.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 463Total Fat: 24gTrans Fat: 0gCholesterol: 168mgSodium: 580mgCarbohydrates: 11gFiber: 0gSugar: 8gProtein: 60g