This Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin recipe delivers perfectly juicy pork with a savory herb and garlic crust in just 30 minutes. This simple pork tenderloin air fryer recipe is packed with bold flavors and is an easy yet impressive meal that’s perfect for any occasion!
Love your air fryer? Make sure you try these favorite air fryer recipes: Air Fryer Zucchini, Air Fryer Shrimp and BBQ Air Fryer Chicken Wings!
Pork Tenderloin Air Fryer Recipe
If you’re looking for a quick, flavorful dinner that the whole family will love, this Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin recipe is the perfect solution. With just a handful of ingredients like garlic, Dijon mustard, fresh rosemary, dried herbs and smoked paprika, this simple yet satisfying pork recipe delivers bold, savory flavors without a lot of fuss.
Cooking pork tenderloin in the air fryer reduces cooking time and delivers a wonderful balance of tender, juicy, flavorful pork with minimal effort. This Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin features a savory herb and garlic crust that locks in the juiciness while also adding a ton of flavor. Simple, easy and delicious which makes this recipe perfect for weeknight dinners.
The air fryer makes cooking a pork tenderloin a breeze. This fool proof method delivers perfectly juicy pork with a crispy, golden crust in just 30 minutes.
Why You’ll Love This Pork Tenderloin Air Fryer Recipe
There’s a lot to love about this amazingly delicious pork tenderloin recipe:
- Quick and Easy: Ready in just 30 minutes, this simple recipe is quick to prepare and easy to make – perfect for busy nights.
- Flavor Packed: The herb butter and spice rub give the pork a rich, savory taste and creates a crust which creates a juicer pork tenderloin.
- Air Fryer: The air fryer not only cuts down on the work and time, it also cuts down on added fats without sacrificing the juicy texture of the pork.
Ingredients Needed
Juicy and tender, this flavorful pork tenderloin is ready in just 30 minutes and pairs beautifully with your favorite sides. Easy to make, but guaranteed to impress! Let’s take a quick look at what you’ll need, and, as always, you can find the full, printable recipe card at the end of this post.
- Pork tenderloin: The star of the dish, pork tenderloin is lean yet tender and takes on flavors beautifully. You want to look for a tenderloin that is roughly one and a half to two pounds. A little more, add a few minutes, a little less, subtract a few minutes.
- Butter: Softened butter helps create a crispy crust and locks in moisture.
- Garlic: Adds a punch of flavor and aromatic goodness. I used fresh garlic, four cloves, but you can absolutely use already minced garlic and feel free to use less or more depending on how much you love garlic.
- Fresh rosemary dried herbs: Rosemary, thyme, and sage infuse the pork with an earthy, fragrant flavor.
- Smoked paprika: Provides a subtle smokiness that enhances the overall taste.
- Dijon mustard: Brings a tangy sharpness that cuts through the richness of the pork and creates a consistency that allows the rub to easily adhere to the pork.
- Lemon zest: Brightens up the dish with a hint of citrus.
- Salt & pepper: Essential for seasoning and balancing flavors.
How To Make Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin
Looking for a simple yet satisfying meal that’s ready in under 30 minutes? This Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin is a delicious, no-fuss recipe that delivers big on flavor. With a perfect blend of fresh herbs, smoked paprika, and Dijon mustard, this pork tenderloin turns out juicy on the inside and crispy on the outside, making it a crowd-pleaser every time. Let’s take a quick look at how to make it, and, as always, you can find the complete, printable recipe in the recipe card at the end of this post.
- Prepare the rub by combining butter, garlic, rosemary, thyme, smoked paprika, sage, Dijon mustard, lemon zest, salt and pepper in a medium bowl.
- Stir the rub ingredients together until a paste forms.
- Spread the mixture evenly over the pork, covering all sides.
- Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C) and cook the pork tenderloin for 20-22 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Rest the pork tenderloin for 10 minutes.
- Slice into ½-inch medallions. Serve with your favorite sides!
Make sure the internal temperature of the pork tenderloin reaches 145°F (63°C).
Storage Information
- Make Ahead: You can season the pork in advance, toss it in an airtight container and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before cooking.
- Storing Leftovers: Store cooked pork tenderloin in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezing: Freeze leftovers in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge before reheating.
- Reheating: Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for about 5 to 7 minutes, or until warmed through.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use pork loin instead of tenderloin?
Yes, but pork loin is larger and will require a longer cooking time. Be sure to check the internal temperature frequently.
Do I need to marinate the pork tenderloin?
No, the herb butter and spice rub provide plenty of flavor without marinating. However, you can marinate it for a few hours if you prefer. Simply add the rub, place in a ziploc bag and let marinate in the refrigerator.
How do I know when the pork is done?
Use a meat thermometer to check that the pork reaches an internal temperature of 145°F. After cooking, let it rest for 10 minutes for best results.
Variations To Try
- Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or chipotle powder to the rub for a bit of heat.
- Swap out Dijon for honey mustard to add a touch of sweetness.
- You can switch up the herbs based on what’s available. Oregano or parsley would all work well in place of rosemary and sage but will yield a different flavor.
- If you prefer an extra crispy exterior, increase the air fryer temperature to 400°F during the last 3-4 minutes of cooking.
Trish’s Tips
- Make sure you allow the pork tenderloin to rest after cooking ensures the juices redistribute, making it more tender and juicy.
- To avoid overcooking, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature for that perfect 145°F.
- If you’re using two smaller pork tenderloins, tie them together to cook more evenly.
- For the best results, make sure your pork tenderloin is of similar thickness throughout. If one end is much thinner, consider folding it under and tying it with kitchen twine to ensure even cooking. This prevents the thinner end from drying out while the thicker part finishes cooking.
- If you prefer an extra crispy crust, you can turn the pork halfway through the cooking time or brush a little extra butter on top during the final few minutes in the air fryer.
Serve With These Side Dishes
Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin
Ingredients
- 1½ to 2 pounds pork tenderloin
- 3 tablespoons salted butter softened
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary chopped
- 1 teaspoon thyme leaves
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground sage
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon salt I used fine sea salt
- ½ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
Instructions
- Pat the pork tenderloin dry with paper towels. This will remove the moisture so the crust sticks.1½ to 2 pounds pork tenderloin
- In a small bowl, combine butter, minced garlic, rosemary, thyme, smoked paprika, sage, Dijon mustard, lemon zest, salt, and pepper. Rub this mixture all over the pork tenderloin, making sure to cover the top, sides, and bottom thoroughly.3 tablespoons salted butter, 4 garlic cloves, 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, 1 teaspoon thyme leaves, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon ground sage, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper, 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- If using two pieces of pork, you can tie them together with kitchen twine.
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 5 minutes.
- Place the seasoned pork tenderloin in the air fryer basket, fat side up. Cook at 375°F for 20-22 minutes, flipping halfway through. Check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer and look for a reading of 145°F (63°C).
- Once the pork reaches the desired temperature, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for 10 minutes. This will seal in the moisture and juices.
- Slice the pork tenderloin into ½-inch thick medallions and serve with your choice of sides.
Notes
- Make Ahead: You can season the pork in advance, toss it in an airtight container and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before cooking.
- Storing Leftovers: Store cooked pork tenderloin in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezing: Freeze leftovers in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge before reheating.
- Reheating: Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for about 5 to 7 minutes, or until warmed through.
- Make sure you allow the pork tenderloin to rest after cooking ensures the juices redistribute, making it more tender and juicy.
- Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature for that perfect 145°F.
- If you’re using two smaller pork tenderloins, tie them together to cook more evenly.
- If you prefer an extra crispy exterior, increase the air fryer temperature to 400°F during the last 3-4 minutes of cooking.
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