This mouthwatering Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin recipe is impossibly-tender, juicy and full of flavor. I’m a food scientist with secrets to making it melt-in-your-mouth perfect (in just 15 minutes!).
Nothing beats a juicy pork tenderloin, and this is one of my favorite air fryer recipes. It takes minimal prep, is quick and easy and the results are too good not to try!
I’m sharing the best tricks (from my science degree in food) to make it the juiciest ever! Try my juicy skillet-baked pork tenderloin recipe, too!
Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin Ingredient Tips
Here are some personal tips for picking what you need for succulent pork tenderloin in the air fryer.
- Pork tenderloin vs. pork loin: Sometimes people mix up the pork tenderloin with a pork loin. The pork loin is much larger, making the cook time very different. Here’s my Air Fryer Pork Loin recipe.
- Silverskin: It’s best if you remove its silvery skin. I grab the pork tenderloin with paper towel (so it’s not slippery) and use a sharp paring knife to pull it off.
Pork Tenderloin Marinade
This pork tenderloin marinade combines simple ingredients that keep the pork tender, add big flavor, and create a beautiful golden crust.
- Olive oil: Adds some fat to keep the pork tender and helps the seasoning stick and encourages browning. Don’t use extra-virgin, which can burn under the high heat.
- Soy sauce: Brings out the flavor with a savory, umami-rich base.
- Dijon mustard: Mustard helps create a flavorful crust.
- Brown sugar or honey: These promote caramelization for the best golden finish you can get with such a short cooking time.
- Seasonings: Garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, cayenne salt and pepper – these combine to make a super-yummy crust.
Ingredient quantities are on the recipe card at the bottom of the article.
Science-Based Secrets For The Best Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin
Here are my best food nerd notes to help you get the absolute best pork:
- Use a meat thermometer for accuracy—air fryers vary and the MOST IMPORTANT way to ensure moist, juicy perfection is to take the internal temp of the pork.
- After cooking, let the pork tenderloin rest for at least 5 minutes before slicing. After cooking, resting the pork allows the muscle fibers to relax and reabsorb some of the juices, preventing them from spilling out when sliced.
- For best results, start with room-temperature pork tenderloin (if possible!). This ensures the meat cooks evenly throughout, preventing the outside from drying out while the inside finishes cooking. It also helps the marinade or seasoning absorb better into the meat.
Optional, but nice: If you have time, marinate it in the fridge for up to 4 hours for deeper flavor. You can even marinate it for up to 48 hours.
Related: Juicy Air Fryer Pork Chops
5 Common Mistakes When Making Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin
Want to know what not to do? These are a few issues I see people facing when cooking pork in the air fryer:
- Skipping the preheat step: Many people forget to preheat their air fryer, leading to uneven cooking. Preheating ensures the the bottom of the appliance is also hot for even cooking. It also helps get the best possible crust with such a short cooking time.
- Not trimming the silver skin: That tough membrane can make the pork more chewy and less enjoyable. Always remove it with a sharp knife for an evenly-tender bite.
- Overcrowding the basket: Placing too much in the air fryer basket can block airflow, resulting in steaming instead of browning. Cook the tenderloin in a single layer and leave space around it for proper air circulation 💨
- Skipping the resting period: Slicing the pork right away causes the juices to run out. Rest 5 minutes to lock in those juices.
- Overcooking the pork: Cooking lean pork recipes beyond the recommended internal temperature of 145°F can result in dry, tough meat. Use a meat thermometer to ensure accurate doneness and prevent overcooking.
Here’s What You Need
Considering the results, you need very little to whip up this restaurant-quality pork recipe.
Substitutions and Variations
Play around with ingredient alternatives and change up the flavors a little. Check out these easy twists:
- Pork tenderloin: Use pork loin for a similar result, but reduce the heat and add to the cooking time as it’s a larger cut.
- Olive oil: Replace with avocado oil, melted butter, or any neutral cooking oil like canola or vegetable oil.
- Soy sauce: Swap with tamari or coconut aminos for a gluten-free option.
- Dijon mustard: Yellow mustard, spicy brown mustard, or grainy mustard can be used, too.
- Brown sugar or honey: Maple syrup, agave nectar, or coconut sugar work well as sweet alternatives.
- Herb-infused: Add dried or fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, or oregano to the marinade.
- Asian-inspired: Include ginger and a splash of sesame oil, and serve with a drizzle of hoisin or teriyaki sauce.
- BBQ style: Mix in a dash of liquid smoke or barbecue sauce.
- Maple mustard: Swap the brown sugar with maple syrup.
How to Make the BEST Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin: An Easy Guide
Prep, marinate, cook, rest, enjoy. Nothing much to it:
Prep the pork
Pat dry and trim any silver skin.
Make marinade
Mix olive oil, soy sauce, Dijon mustard, brown sugar (or honey), garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
Marinate
Brush the marinade on the pork and let it sit for 10-15 minutes while preheating. RELATED: How To Preheat Air Fryer (the RIGHT Way!)
Cook
Place in the air fryer and cook at 400°F for 12-16 minutes, flipping halfway.
RELATED: Air Fryer Cooking Times vs Oven (Pro Tips + Common Mistakes)
Check for 145°F internal temperature.
Rest & serve
Rest for 5 minutes, then slice and drizzle with juices. Enjoy!
RELATED: Best Way to Clean Air Fryer (and Keep it Clean!)
Want more ways to cook pork tenderloin? Check out my pulled pork tenderloin or grilled pork tenderloin for other delicious options.
Pork Tenderloin Temp: Important Tip
The food-safe internal temperature for pork tenderloin, according to the USDA, is 145°F (63°C) with a 3-minute rest time.
- At this temp, the pork will be slightly pink in the center, which is completely safe and keeps the meat tender and juicy.
- If you prefer it a little more cooked, you can go up to 150°F (65.5°C) for medium doneness, but anything higher risks drying it out since pork tenderloin is so lean.
Make Ahead and Storage
I like to keep the marinating time short to make this Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin recipe super weeknight friendly, but you can prep ahead if you like, and get even more flavor.
Marinating in Advance
- You can prepare the marinade and coat the pork tenderloin up to 48 hours ahead. Store it in an airtight container or a zip-top bag in the refrigerator to let the flavors deepen.
Storing Leftovers
- Store cooked pork tenderloin in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days.
Freezing
- Wrap the cooked pork in foil or plastic wrap, then place it in a freezer-safe bag or container. Freeze for up to 3 months.
Reheating
- For best results, reheat sliced pork in the air fryer at 350°F for a few minutes to maintain its texture.
- Alternatively, microwave it in short intervals with a splash of broth or water to prevent drying out.
How to Serve this Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin Recipe
Pair it with Air Fryer Eggplant and Fluffy Mashed Potatoes for an easy dinner. It’s also delicious alongside my Gluten-Free Au Gratin Potatoes or this easy Kale Caesar Salad.
FAQs About Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin
Just skimming through? Here are a couple of highlights from this recipe post:
While the recipe works best for tenderloin, you can also use it for pork loin. Just adjust the cooking time, as pork loin is larger and may need additional time to cook through. Always check the internal temperature to ensure it’s fully cooked.
Yes! You can add vegetables like carrots, potatoes, or onions to the air fryer basket, but be mindful of the cooking time. Cut vegetables into small, even pieces so they cook alongside the pork. If they need more time, you can remove the pork and finish cooking the veggies separately.
To prevent dryness, don’t overcook the pork—keep an eye on the internal temperature and remove it once it hits 145°F. Also, resting the pork for 5 minutes after cooking helps lock in moisture.
Other Recipes You’ll Love
Explore more pork recipes:
- Slow Cooker Pork Loin, Indian Pork Curry, Roast Pork Loin Recipe Instant Pot Pulled Pork or Thai basil pork.
OR try these other air fryer recipes:
Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin (Melt-in-Your-Mouth Tender!)
Video
Ingredients
- 1 pork tenderloin about 1 to 1 ½ lbs
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tsp soy sauce
- 2 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp brown sugar or honey
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp cayenne optional, for a little heat
Instructions
- Preheat Air Fryer: Set your air fryer to 400°F to preheat.
Prepare the Pork Tenderloin:
- Pat the pork tenderloin dry.
- Trim any silver skin (the tough membrane) if needed.
Make the Marinade:
- In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, soy sauce, Dijon mustard, brown sugar (or honey), garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
Marinate:
- Brush the marinade all over the pork. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes at room temperature while the air fryer preheats.
Cook:
- Place the tenderloin in the air fryer basket.
- Air fry at 400°F for 12-16 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- The internal temperature should reach 145°F for a juicy perfection.
Rest and Serve:
- Let the pork rest for 5 minutes before slicing to keep the juices in. This is key!
- Slice into medallions and drizzle any juices over the top for extra flavor.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I made this for dinner last night and it was absolutely delicious, didn’t change a thing. My husband made a comment on how good it was.This recipe is a definite keeper. Thank you for this recipe. I give it a 5 star.
Turned out perfectly! I had two pieces of tenderloin, cooked them separately, the smaller one for about 12 minutes and the larger for about 14 minutes. They also looked so appetizing with the rub/marinade!
Excellent recipe, especially the tips for prep and cooking. We made this for a somewhat formal dinner, with lemon risotto, roasted butternut squash, asparagus with a hint of soy, olive oil, and toasted sesame seeds. And caesar salad with homemade dressing, including anchovies. Finished off with pears poached in red wine, with creme fraiche topping. Guests raved.
Great recipe! Turned out juicy and tasty.
Just wondering if the nutritional information is per serving or for the entire recipe? Thanks!
Hi Angie, it should be correct for 1 serving now. I’m sorry, google wants us to have nutrition info available, but the actual nutrition calculator that’s built in is not always accurate. Take the info with a grain of salt.
This recipe makes tenderloin that melts in your mouth as promised. Thanks for the tips!
Love my air fryer. This pork tenderloin recipe’s next on my list.
Absolutely loved the air fryer pork tenderloin recipe, Jenn! Tender, flavorful and a hit with the kids and hubby. Thinking of trying it with a bit of a spicy twist next time. Any suggestions on adjusting the marinade for a spicier kick?
Have you tried adding some chipotle peppers in adobo sauce to the marinade? It gives a nice smoky heat that might be just what you’re looking for.
Tori V., that sounds amazing! Gonna try that next time for sure. Thanks!