This air fryer pork tenderloin cooks through to juicy perfection in less time than the oven. It gets a delicious golden crust and is perfectly tender on the inside!
The air fryer makes it so easy to cook your favorite foods quicker than the oven; air fryer chicken fajitas and ultra crispy air fryer chickpeas are two examples, as is this pork tenderloin!
With a delicious golden crust on the outside, it's perfectly tender and juicy on the inside. Serve it up with mashed sweet potatoes and asparagus for a delicious (and easy) meal!
Reasons you'll ♡ this recipe
- your pork tenderloin cooks through in just 15 minutes
- it's got a delicious golden crust on the outside, yet is perfectly tender and juicy on the inside
- the simple spice rub adds delicious flavor without the need for marinating
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Recipe video
Watch the video below to see how I cooked this air fryer pork tenderloin! You can find more of my recipe videos on my YouTube channel.
Ingredient notes
- pork tenderloin- this recipe was tested with 1 lb pork tenderloins; if you have smaller tenderloins you'll need to cut the cook time down, and if you have a larger one, you'll need to increase the cook time.
- olive oil- helps the spice rub stick and create that golden crust on the surface of the pork. Avocado oil is another great option to use in the air fryer
- spices- add flavor without the need to marinate; be sure to mix them together in a bowl before rubbing on the pork tenderloin
Step by step directions
1. Mix up spice blend- In a small bowl, mix together the onion powder, garlic powder, salt, pepper, basil and oregano.
2. Prep pork tenderloin- If you want the most tender pork tenderloin, you will want to take the time to remove the silver skin (the tough strip of connective tissue and fat across the top of the tenderloin). Watch the video to see how I did it, or watch this tutorial to see how it's done.
Next, brush all sides of the tenderloin with olive oil, then rub the spice blend in. It's important to use your hands to press the rub onto the surface of the pork to help it stick.
3. Cook- Pre-heat your air fryer to 400°F for at least 5 minutes, then add your tenderloin to the basket* or lower tray. Cook for 15 minutes, flipping halfway through.
*if you have a small air fryer, it is possible that the pork tenderloin won't fit. Be sure to check before you heat your air fryer!
Air fryer models
This recipe was tested with 1 lb pork tenderloins in both a basket and oven-style air fryer; cook times differed slightly in each:
- Cosori XL air fryer- took 15 minutes
- Instant Pot Vortex air fryer oven- took 15-20 minutes cooked on the bottom rack (I do not recommend using the top rack).
4. Check temperature- Use an instant read thermometer to determine if your pork tenderloin is ready to come out of the air fryer:
- medium rare- 145-150°F
- medium- 150-155°F
- medium well- 155-160°F
Note that your tenderloin can go from medium rare to medium well in a matter of minutes, so keep an eye on it towards the end!
5. Rest- This is KEY to a juicy pork tenderloin as it allows the juices to settle. I noticed that a 10 minute rest yielded a substantially juicier pork tenderloin than a 5 minute rest, even when I accidentally overcooked the tenderloin.
To rest the tenderloin, let it sit on a cutting board before slicing. You can cover it with a dish if you'd like to keep it warmer. After resting, slice and enjoy!
FAQ
At 400°F a 1 lb pork tenderloin takes 15 minutes. If you have larger pork tenderloins, it will take longer.
It really depends on how you like your pork tenderloin cooked. I recommend cooking to 145°F for a slightly pink, but very juicy pork; if you prefer your pork cooked through more, cook to 155°F. The pork in the photos here was around 150°F.
Yes! Here is the oven version of this recipe.
Storage & reheating
Pork tenderloin is best served fresh, as it can dry out as it stores. With that being said, it is perfectly safe to store it:
- Storage- cool completely, then store in an air tight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Reheating- reheat in the microwave or a frying pan until steaming hot.
Serve it with
- Saffron Rice
- Lemon Parmesan Air Fryer Asparagus
- Instant Pot Cauliflower
- Instant Pot Brussels Sprouts
- Air Fryer Carrots
More air fryer recipes
Did you make this? Tag me on social @sweetpeasandsaffron and be sure to leave a comment and rate the recipe!
Herb Crusted Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon basil
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 lb pork tenderloin see note 1
Instructions
- Mix up spice blend- In a small bowl, mix together the onion powder, garlic powder, salt, pepper, basil and oregano.
- Prep pork tenderloin- Use a knife to wiggle under the silver skin of the pork (the vein of fat and connective tissue along the top of the tenderloin). Carefully cut it off.Next, brush all sides of the tenderloin with olive oil, then rub the spice blend in. It's important to use your hands to press the rub onto the surface of the pork to help it stick.
- Cook- Pre-heat air fryer to 400°F for at least 5 minutes, then add the tenderloin to the basket or lower tray. Cook for 15 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Check temperature- Use an instant read thermometer to determine if the pork tenderloin is ready to come out of the air fryer:medium rare- 145-150°Fmedium- 150-155°Fmedium well- 155-160°F
- Rest (note 2)- Transfer tenderloin to a cutting board before slicing. You can cover it with a dish if you'd like to keep it warmer. After resting, slice and enjoy!
Tips:
- medium rare- 145-150°F
- medium- 150-155°F
- medium well- 155-160°F
Video
Nutrition Information
© Sweet Peas & Saffron - Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited.
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Denise Bustard is the creator of Sweet Peas and Saffron, a meal prep-focussed food blog. With a PhD in biochemistry, Denise takes a scientific approach to perfecting her recipes. You can find Denise's work featured on Huffington Post, MSN, Self and more.
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