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    Home » By Cooking Method » Juicy Pork Tenderloin Air Fryer Recipe

    Juicy Pork Tenderloin Air Fryer Recipe

    Published: Jan 5, 2023 by Andrea Howe · This post may contain affiliate links.

    8 shares
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    After making this juicy and tender pork tenderloin air fryer recipe, you may never cook pork any other way again. Ready in less than 30 minutes, using minimal ingredients, it’s the perfect delicious dinner for any day of the week. Add the optional creamy Dijon mustard sauce for a meal that is anything but boring.

    pork tenderloin air fryer recipe cut up and plated with a creamy sauce all over

    Grilled pork tenderloin is one of my favorite ways to cook this delicious cut of meat in the summer time. But this air fryer pork tenderloin recipe may be the best way the rest of the year. Minimal cooking time, easy prep and clean up, and simple flavors the whole family will love, this is the perfect easy meal. And an added bonus is that this lean cut of meat is perfect if you’re really focusing on healthy eating.

    Jump to:
    • Why this recipe works
    • Ingredients
    • Easy directions for juicy pork tenderloin
    • Why air frying makes sense
    • FAQ’s
    • Other expert cooking tips
    • Pork Tenderloin Air Fryer Recipe

    Why this recipe works

    • Air frying pork tenderloin is easy, quick and healthy. Not only are you cutting down on excess cooking oil, you’re getting dinner on the table in a fraction of the time.
    • Lean and tender cut of meat, especially compared to other types of pork like the shoulder or butt. Makes for a healthy low-fat, high protein meal that tastes delicious!
    • Highly customizable to suit your taste preferences. Use your favorite spice rub or marinade.
    • Uses minimal ingredients that are pantry staples.
    raw pork tenderloin, olive oil and seasonings on a cutting board

    Ingredients

    • Pork tenderloin – they are most commonly sold two small pieces in a pack, weighing approximately 3-3.5 lbs in total. Occasionally markets sell them in larger single cuts, therefore you’ll need to adjust cooking time (see note below).
    • Olive oil – use about 1 tbsp per piece, just to give the spice mixture something to adhere to.
    • Favorite dry rub or mix of herbs and spices. I love to use a simple blend of kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, paprika and a bit of cayenne. But feel free to adjust/swap out to your liking!

    To make the optional creamy Dijon mustard sauce:

    • Butter
    • Diced onion
    • Whole grain mustard and Dijon mustard
    • Heavy cream
    • Chicken stock
    • Salt and pepper and parsley

    Easy directions for juicy pork tenderloin

    Dry pork with paper towels, and then rub olive oil all over both pieces. Alternatively, you can coat with cooking spray if you prefer. Sprinkle seasoning mix all over and rub in well.

    Sear first, then air fry

    For best results, I highly recommend pan searing the pork first. This locks in juices and gives that nice gorgeous brown crust. While this step is optional, and I have air fried without first searing, I do prefer it best seared. Plus, searing will coat the pan in yummy bits to enhance the flavor of the mustard sauce.

    raw pork tenderloin with olive oil and spices rubbed on top
    brush raw pork with olive oil and seasonings
    pork tenderloin being seared in a hot pan
    sear in a hot pan with olive oil, about 3-4 minutes per side

    Heat about 2 tbsp of olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add pork tenderloin pieces to a hot pan and sear for about 3-4 minutes on each side. Remove from the pan and place in the air fryer basket.

    seared pork tenderloin on a cutting board
    seared pork tenderloin ready to go into the air fryer

    Heat air fryer to 400 degrees f and air fry for 20-22 minutes. The internal temperature should reach 140 degrees. Remove from the air fryer, place on a cutting board and tent with aluminum foil. Let the meat rest for 5-10 minutes, while internal temperature rises to recommended temperature of 145 degrees.

    cooked and rested pork tenderloin cut and placed on a plate
    after air frying, tent with foil and allow to rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing and plating

    While the pork tenderloin cooks, you can make the easy and delicious mustard sauce.

    creamy Dijon mustard sauce being poured on top of air fried pork tenderloin

    Why air frying makes sense

    Air frying foods isn’t just for “frying foods”, or lowering oil consumption. In fact, the machine is not even really a fryer, but a mini superpowered convection oven. The air fryer cooks by way of a fan that can quickly circulate very hot air throughout its chamber. This allows foods to cook in less time, and less cooking time typically means foods won’t dry out as easily. Hence making the best pork tenderloin that is tender and juicy.

    Because of its small size, it also preheats very quickly compared to conventional ovens. This allows you to get cooking in a flash.

    pieces of air fryer pork tenderloin on a gray plate with a mustard cream sauce all over

    FAQ’s

    Is there a difference between a pork tenderloin and pork loin?

    Yes! I know it can be confusing, but pork loin and pork tenderloin are different cuts of meat. A pork tenderloin is a long, narrow, boneless cut of meat that comes from the muscle that runs along the backbone. A pork loin is wider and typically larger cut of meat. It can be a boneless or bone-in, and has a different texture and cooking time. Pork tenderloin is often thought of as the filet mignon of pork.

    I don’t have an air fryer. Can I cook this in the oven?

    Absolutely! In fact for *years* before I had an air fryer or a gas grill, I only ever cooked in the oven. To do so, first sear the pork in an oven safe pan. Then transfer pan to a 400 degree oven and roast for 20-25 minutes, until cooked through.

    I have a large piece of tenderloin. How should I cook it?

    If you have 1 large 3 lb pork tenderloin, cook it the same, but you will need to increase cooking time by at least 5-7 minutes in the air fryer. Maybe more depending on your make and model.

    cut up pork pieces with mustard gravy on top

    Other expert cooking tips

    • The best way to ensure your air fryer pork tenderloin stays nice and juicy, is to let your meat rest! If you cut into the meat right away, all those juices will just leak right out and you will be left with a dryer tenderloin. Resting allows the meat fibers and connective tissue, which contract when hot, to relax and reabsorb juices they’ve squeezed out. If cut too soon, the roast will release these juices onto your cutting board.
    • If using an oven air fryer, make sure to line the drip pan with aluminum foil for easy clean-up.
    • Sometimes you will get 2 uneven pork pieces, and that’s okay. You may have to slightly adjust cooking times, but only by a couple of minutes.
    tender pieces of cut pork tenderloin with a creamy sauce smothered all over

    I hope you love this air fry pork tenderloin as much as my family does and becomes one of your favorite recipes! Please consider leaving a comment and rating if you loved the results with this air fryer cooking process.

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    Tried this recipe? Please leave a comment and/or rating, letting me know how you enjoyed it! Connect with me on Instagram and Pinterest, and never miss a post by signing up for my weekly newsletter!

    pork tenderloin air fryer recipe cut up and plated with a creamy sauce all over

    Pork Tenderloin Air Fryer Recipe

    After making this juicy and tender pork tenderloin air fryer recipe, you may never cook pork any other way again. Ready in less than 30 minutes, using minimal ingredients, it’s the perfect delicious dinner for any day of the week. 
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate
    Prep Time: 8 minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes
    Total Time: 28 minutes
    Servings: 6 people
    Author:Andrea

    Equipment

    • 1 Air Fryer

    Ingredients

    • 3 lbs Pork tenderloin usually comes in 2 smaller pieces equaling apx 3 pounds
    • 4 tbsp olive oil
    • 1 tbsp kosher salt
    • 2 tsp garlic powder feel free to use your favorite dry rub blend
    • 2 tsp paprika
    • 1 tsp black pepper
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • Dry pork with paper towels, and then rub olive oil all over both pieces. Alternatively, you can coat with cooking spray if you prefer.
    • In a small bowl, mix dry seasoning and sprinkle seasoning mix all over and rub in.
    • For best results, pan sear pork first. Heat about 2 tbsp of olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add pork tenderloin pieces to a hot pan and sear for about 3-4 minutes on each side. Remove from the pan and place in the air fryer basket.
    • Heat air fryer to 400 degrees f and air fry for 20-22 minutes. The internal temperature should reach 140 degrees. Remove from the air fryer, place on a cutting board and tent with aluminum foil. Let the meat rest for 5-10 minutes, while internal temperature rises to recommended temperature of 145 degrees.
    • Cut into 1"-2" medallions and enjoy.

    Notes

    To make in the oven, first sear the pork in an oven safe pan. Then transfer pan to a 400 degree oven and roast for 20-25 minutes, until cooked through.
    To make the creamy Dijon mustard sauce, visit this link.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 359kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 47g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 147mg | Sodium: 1282mg | Potassium: 911mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 0.1g | Vitamin A: 58IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 17mg | Iron: 2mg
    Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @Howe.We.Live or tag #HoweWeLiveRecipes!
    « Old Fashioned Pot Roast with Gravy
    Creamy Dijon Mustard Sauce »

    About Andrea Howe

    Andrea Howe is the recipe developer and photographer of Howe We Live. She is also a seasoned home cook of over 20 years, for her family of 5. Andrea has spent over 10 years in the food industry, writing for various publications including Babble and Disney. Her work has appeared in Real Simple, Taste of Home, Yahoo, Buzzfeed and ABC News.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Ellen says

      January 11, 2023 at 4:18 pm

      This was amazing and so easy for a weeknight! My whole family loved the pork, and the Dijon cream sauce even got my kids (ages 4-12) to eat their Brussel sprouts without complaining!

      Reply
      • Andrea Howe says

        January 11, 2023 at 5:36 pm

        that is so good to hear! I’m glad your family all enjoyed it 🙂

        Reply

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    Welcome to Howe We Live. I’m Andrea, a passionate home cook and mother of 3. I’ve been cooking and writing about healthy eating for almost a decade, and my number one goal here is to help you develop the tools needed to throw together a great meal at home that is both delicious, and healthy-ish. All eaters are welcome here! Read More

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