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This air fryer pork tenderloin is the best way to cook it and yields the most juicy and tender meat in just 15 minutes.
When it comes to pork tenderloin recipes, cooking it in the air fryer is my absolute favorite.
As much as I love sous vide pork tenderloin and grilled pork tenderloin, nothing beats the convenience and speed that the magical air fryer provides.
Although it is super speedy, cooking the pork this way yields the most juicy and moist meat, and the flavor is phenomenal!
Table of Contents
Why this recipe works
- Quick to prepare. There is no marinating needed so the entire cooking time is less than 15 minutes! It’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 easy it is to customize and flavor 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. What we love about this recipe is just how foolproof it is. If you’ve ever been fearful of over-cooking lean cuts of meat, this cooking method is a game changer!
Ingredients needed
From the seasonings to the sauces, this recipe uses pantry staple ingredients. Here is what you’ll need:
- 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 to help the seasoning stick and also trap the juices in, so you are left 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 the gorgeous caramelization. If you prefer a granulated sweetener, brown sugar will work, but you will need to 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.
Find the printable recipe with measurements below.
How to cook pork tenderloin in the air fryer
With barely any prep time and no marination needed, this is one foolproof and hands-off recipe.
Step 1- Season the pork: Using a sharp knife, 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 the tenderloin: 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 and serve: Finally let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Serving suggestions
I always treat the pork as the main protein source of family dinners, then add side dishes around that.
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 mashed cauliflower.
Tips to make the best recipe
- Let the meat rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving. This traps the juices inside longer, which yields 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 or not. Fully cooked pork tenderloin needs an internal temperature of 160F.
Storage instructions
To store: Place leftover pork 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. 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
Pork is done when its internal temperature is 160 degrees Fahrenheit or 72 degrees Celsius.
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.
Yes! Frozen pork tenderloin in the air fryer works very well. Just be sure to thaw the meat completely before seasoning it.
More air fryer pork recipes
- Air fryer bacon– Always crispy and none of the mess.
- Air fryer pork belly– When the family wants pork belly quickly, this is a winner.
- Air fryer pork chops– I make this at least once a week.
- Air fryer brats– Like bacon, you can skip the oil splutter.
Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin
Video
Ingredients
- 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 remaining ingredients. 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
Nutrition
Recipe originally posted September 2022, but updated to include new photos, video, and information for your benefit.
Absolutely love this recipe. I used the course Dijon mustard and a little extra honey. Didn’t have smoked paprika but it still was amazing. Tender, moist and a hit with everyone.
The instructions listed above in [Step 3] for air frying temperature seem to have a typo. My wife asked about the cooking temperature which is written as [200F/400F] but I think it is meant to read 200C/400F. It seems that the Fahrenheit was listed twice with two [F]’s instead of one temperature listed as being Celsius with one [C].
Sorry I will fix it!
I did not realize my full name would be published when I sent a message about a typo-error.
Could you kindly delete my name and comment after you have corrected the error?
thanks
Made this three times already. Super easy and fast.
Do you cook it at 200F or 400F?
400f!
This is tasty, and very easy to cook! I had to adjust my cooking time as I expected to 18 minutes to reach 137f, resting to about 149f. But that was because of the size of my cut of meat. Thank you Arman, another great recipe!
Thanks, Arman. I’ll try this soon.
Tried this last night. It was great and so easy. The entire family loved it. I had to adjust cooking time to 23 minutes. Mind you the meat came straight from the fridg to air fryer. Moist with a nice coating.
Quick question, do you preheat the air fryer at 400 for 5minutes or just straight put it in at 400? I want to make this tonight. Thanks
Sounds great. I’ll try it. The recipe calls for “chili” but I’m not sure what you mean: chili powder? cayenne powder? chili sauce? Let me know and I’ll put pork tenderloin on my grocery list for sure! Thanks.
Hi! sorry, chilli powder 🙂