This post may contain affiliate links.

Don’t forget about pork tenderloin! A versatile, healthy cut of pork, it’s good enough for company and quick-cooking enough for a weeknight. With a flavorful marinade that makes the pork incredibly juicy, this Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin is the perfect way to enjoy it.

Sliced air fryer pork tenderloin on a plate

Unlike tough, fatty cuts of meat that need time to break down (like Slow Cooker Pulled Pork) lean cuts like pork tenderloin benefit from either:

Since the air fryer is essentially a high-powered convection oven, its intense heat makes it perfect for the hot-and-fast method of cooking juicy pork tenderloin.

This lesson applies to pork, like Air Fryer Pork Chops, and you can see it applies well to other lean cuts of meat, such as Air Fryer Chicken Breast.

A black plate of air fryer pork tenderloin

Everything You Need to Know about Juicy Pork Tenderloin

As we’ve discussed, for juicy pork tenderloin, you need to use a high temperature—but that’s not all!

The most important aspects of making juicy, not dry pork are:

  • Avoid overcooking the meat.
  • Let the meat rest.

Pork tenderloin only needs 11 to 14 minutes to cook in an air fryer at 400 degrees F.

  • Most pork tenderloin weighs between 1 and 1 ½-pounds. It is often sold in packs of two.
  • If you’d like to cook a larger amount of pork, you can use kitchen twine to tie two tenderloins together to make a thicker meat “log.”
  • If your pork tenderloin is larger than 1 ½ pounds, you’ll need to add time to the recipe. Estimate between 18 and 22 minutes to air fry a 2-pound pork tenderloin.
A plate with sliced air fryer pork tenderloin and green beans

Resting is mandatory.

  • Resting meat is critical for it to taste moist.
  • While the meat rests, the juices reincorporate.
  • If you cut meat right after cooking, all of those yummy juices will escape onto the plate and your pork will taste dry.

Tip!

The best way to know if pork is cooked is to use an instant read digital thermometer.

  • Per the FDA, pork is considered cooked at 145 degrees F. HOWEVER, its internal temperature will rise as it rests.
  • I recommend removing pork at 135 degrees F, then letting it rest for 10 minutes. You’ll have perfect, juicy pork every time!

Best Instant Read Thermometers


The Ingredients

  • Pork Tenderloin. Packed with lean protein and iron, pork tenderloin is an excellent choice for a healthy meal. Since this recipe ensures it will be juicy and flavorful, it’s also sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
  • Olive Oil + Balsamic Vinegar. These two ingredients add moisture to the pork and help it taste delicious. The vinegar will also help tenderize the pork while it’s marinating.
  • Garlic. For scrumptious garlicky flavor.
  • Fresh Rosemary. Woodsy, peppery, and delicious with pork.
  • Dijon. Dijon tastes fantastic with pork and gives it a little tang.

The Directions

  1. Dry and trim the pork. Place it in a baking dish.
Herbs, vinegar, and oil in a small wooden bowl
  1. Stir the remaining ingredients together in a bowl.
Pork tenderloin being coated in a sauce
  1. Brush the mixture over the pork. Let marinate for 15 minutes at room temperature or up to 1 day in the refrigerator.
Pork tenderloin in the basket of an air fryer
  1. Cook the marinated pork tenderloin in the air fryer at 400 degrees F. About 11 to 14 minutes is how long a pork tenderloin takes in the air fryer. Transfer the pork to a plate to rest for a few minutes. Slice and ENJOY!

Storage Tips

  • To Store. Refrigerate pork in an airtight storage container for up to 3 days.
  • To Reheat. Very gently rewarm the pork in a skillet or in the microwave.
  • To Freeze. Freeze pork in an airtight freezer-safe storage container for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Meal Prep Tip

Up to 1 day in advance, prepare the recipe through Step 2. Let the pork marinate overnight in the refrigerator, then prepare as directed.

Leftover Ideas

Take inspiration from my Steak Sandwich and use leftovers to make an air fryer pork tenderloin sandwich with pork tenderloin slices, caramelized onions, and cheese.

Slices of air fryer pork tenderloin on a plate

What to Serve with Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin

  • Air Fryer. The model I own and love for air fryer recipes. The air fryer basket is dishwasher safe.
  • Instant Read Thermometer. The best way to know when your pork is done. (See the blog post above for different meat thermometer options.)
  • Baking Dish. A great place for the pork to marinate.

Air fryer pork tenderloin: where quick and dirty meets DELICIOUS!

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I Don’t have Dijon Mustard?

While I highly recommend using Dijon mustard, you could try swapping stone ground mustard instead.

Can I Marinate My Pork More than a Day in Advance?

I don’t recommend letting your pork marinate for more than a day ahead of time, as the meat can start to break down and become mushy if it’s left too long.

What Are the Best Side Dishes for Pork Tenderloin?

There are countless side dishes that would pair well with pork tenderloin. Some of our favorites are Instant Pot Mac and Cheese, Lemon Rice, Crockpot Mashed Potatoes, Roasted Green Beans, Roasted Carrots, Grilled Broccoli, and Maple Bacon Brussels Sprouts.

Can Pork Tenderloin Be a Little Pink?

As long as your pork tenderloin registers 145 degrees F on an instant read thermometer, it’s ok for it to be a little pink.

Can I Make Frozen Pork Tenderloin in the Air Fryer?

No, I would not recommend preparing this recipe with frozen pork tenderloin. However, you can certainly use a frozen pork tenderloin once it is fully thawed.

Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin

4.70 From 55 reviews . Help us out! Review HERE.Help out & review HERE

Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 13 minutes
Total: 30 minutes

Servings: 2 to 3 servings
How to cook juicy air fryer pork tenderloin. This fast, healthy cut is easy enough for a weeknight and special enough for company!

Ingredients
  


Instructions
 

  • With paper towels, pat the pork dry. Cut away the silver skin, the shiny tough membrane you'll see on the side. To cut it away: slip a thin, sharp knife underneath it to cut away one end of it from the meat. Hold this loose end and gently pull it up and off of the meat with one hand while cutting it away with the other. Discard. Transfer the pork to a baking dish.
  • In a small bowl, stir together the vinegar, garlic, rosemary, Dijon, oil, salt, and pepper.
  • Brush it all over the sides of the pork. Let marinate at room temperature for at least 15 minutes (or up to 30 minutes), or cover and refrigerate for up to 1 day. When ready to cook, let the pork come to room temperature first.
  • Preheat your air fryer to 400°F. Add the pork (cut it into half crosswise if it is too large and add it in two pieces; check the cook time 2 minutes early). Air fry for 11 to 14 minutes, until the pork registers 135°F on an instant read thermometer (pork is considered cooked by the FDA at 145°F, but its temperature will continue to rise as it rests; I find if I leave pork in all the way until it hits 145, it tastes dry).
  • Remove the pork to a plate. Cover and let rest 5 to 10 minutes. Cut into slices and enjoy!

Video

Notes

  • TO STORE: Refrigerate pork in an airtight storage container for up to 3 days.
  • TO REHEAT: Very gently rewarm the pork in a skillet or in the microwave.
  • TO FREEZE: Freeze pork in an airtight freezer-safe storage container for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
  • TO MAKE AHEAD: Up to 1 day in advance, prepare the recipe through Step 2. Let the pork marinate overnight in the refrigerator, then prepare as directed.

    Meal Prep Tip

Nutrition

Serving: 1(of 2)Calories: 305kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 47gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 147mgPotassium: 926mgFiber: 0.4gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 37IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 28mgIron: 2mg

Join today and start saving your favorite recipes

Create an account to easily save your favorite recipes and access FREE meal plans.

Sign Me Up

More Delicious Pork Recipes

Did you try this recipe?

I want to see!

Follow @wellplated on Instagram, snap a photo, and tag it #wellplated. I love to know what you are making!

You May Also Like

Free Email Series
Sign Up for FREE Weekly Meal Plans
Each includes a grocery list, budget, and 5 healthy dinners, helping you save time, save money, and live better!
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

Erin Clarke

Hi, I'm Erin Clarke, and I'm fearlessly dedicated to making healthy food that's affordable, easy-to-make, and best of all DELISH. I'm the author and recipe developer here at wellplated.com and of The Well Plated Cookbook. I adore both sweets and veggies, and I am on a mission to save you time and dishes. WELCOME!

Learn more about Erin

Leave a Comment

Did you make this recipe?

Don't forget to leave a review!

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




The maximum upload file size: 5 MB. You can upload: image, video. Links to YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and other services inserted in the comment text will be automatically embedded. Drop files here

  1. This turned out fabulous. My loin was 1.5 lbs and took 21 minutes at 400 to reach 125 internally but that wasn’t a big deal for us. I also added sliced onions under the loin – they were great as well!5 stars

  2. Lots of firsts for me on this one! I just bought a stove that has air fry and this was my first time using it to make anything. My pork lion was juicy and delicious! It even forgave me for slightly overcooking because it just didn’t seem like a long enough cook, but was still really good! I’m not so afraid to use this feature of my stove now. Thank you and I’m sure I will be back as this adventure continues.5 stars

  3. The best air fryer pork tenderloin recipe I have tried! No need to look any further! Pure perfection and so easy!5 stars

  4. The easiest pork tenderloin recipe ever! The marinade was so flavorful and the pork cooked perfectly in the air fryer. This will be a new go-to pork tenderloin recipe for me. Delicious and so simple to prepare!5 stars

  5. Hi Erin,
    Thank you for this easy, delicious recipe! My family and I loved it. Perfect for weeknights. Thanks for the tip about letting meat “rest.”5 stars

  6. Mine came out underdone. I had a 1.55lb tenderloin and cooked in my air fryer for 14 mins. It was reading 135 (fat end) as and 140 (thinner end).
    During rest, it came down to 120, almost immediately, not up.3 stars

    1. I’m sorry to hear you had trouble with the recipe Donna. I would of just continued to cook it longer until it reached the desired temperature. Maybe for just another minute or two. You can also use foil to cover it, this is normally what I do and the temperature will rise. Hope this helps!

  7. Excellent, easy and delicious! Plan to share with all my airfryer friends. My pork roast was 1.21 lbs and took 12 minutes. (We like our pork medium rare.) served with roasted red potatoes, maple glazed baby carrots and apples. All done in my airfryer.
    Thank you Erin, for the perfect pork loin recipe.5 stars

No comments (yet). Help our readers and give a thumbs up to any comment you found helpful!