Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin

Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin is juicy and simple to make. It cooks in less than 30 minutes, perfect for busy weeknight meals. This recipe is Whole30 and Keto-friendly!

I really love my air fryer! It's no secret since half my recipes on this site are air fryer meals! I like that I do not have to preheat the oven, and I like the crisp it adds to veggies or meats. Cooking pork tenderloin in the oven is good, but it's hard to get crispy skin on the outside without over-cooking the meat.

Jump to:

• What is a Pork Tenderloin
• Ingredients
• Instructions
• Whole30 or Paleo Substitutions
• Variations
• Equipment
• Make-Ahead and Storage
• Cooking Tips
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Other Recipes to Try
• Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin
• You May Also Like...

What is a Pork Tenderloin

Pork tenderloin is a muscle that runs alongside the backbone. It's basically the filet mignon of a pig vs. a cow. The meat is lean and tender - if cooked correctly. Unlike other pieces of pork, this is thin and cooked quickly. You'll likely find the tenderloin in a vacuum-sealed bag, and they come plain or pre-seasoned.

Pork tenderloin is not the same as a pork loin; the loin is larger and, if purchased whole, will require longer to cook. The loin is commonly used for bone-in or boneless pork chops.

The recipe below is for a tenderloin. The loin is perfect in the air fryer as well, but the cooking time will be increased depending on the size.

Ingredients

For this simple recipe, you'll need the following ingredients.

• Pork Tenderloin - about 1 - 1.5 pounds
• ½ tablespoon Oil (I like a natural oil for this like olive oil)
• 1 tablespoons of Seasoning of choice

See the recipe card for quantities.

Instructions

To start, set your air fryer to 400 degrees and preheat for a few minutes while you prep the meat.

Place the meat in a large bowl, pat with paper towels to remove any moisture, and drizzle with oil. Rub to coat the meat thoroughly, and then sprinkle with seasoning. Apply a generous amount to the outside - making sure to coat all sides.

Place the meat in the air fryer and cook at 400 degrees for 8 minutes. Flip the tenderloin and continue cooking for 8-10 more minutes or until the internal temperature is 145 degrees.

Remove from the air fryer and rest for 5-10 minutes before cutting.

Tip: Pork is done when the internal temp reaches 145 degrees and is still slightly pink in the interior.

Whole30 or Paleo Substitutions

To make this recipe Whole30 or Paleo, season the meat with a seasoning blend that does not include sugar. Check out our Whole30/Paleo spice blends for Chili Rub, Greek Blend, Smoky Dry Rub, or Lemon Pepper.

Variations

If you do not have an air fryer, you can cook the pork tenderloin on the grill or in the oven.

Grill - preheat your grill over medium heat and place the seasoned pork directly over the heat. Cook for 6-8 minutes and flip. Continue cooking until the internal temp is 145 degrees.

See our post for Whole30 Pork Tenderloin with Pineapple Salsa for oven directions.

Equipment

You will need an air fryer, large bowl, tongs, and a meat thermometer to make this recipe. A meat thermometer is one of my top 5 recommended kitchen items to buy! They're inexpensive and help ensure that your meat is cooked perfectly every time. Meat is expensive, and there is nothing worse than overcooking an expensive piece of meat.

Make-Ahead and Storage

The meat can be marinated up to 2 days in advance. Lightly coat the meat in oil and season as directed above. Store in an air-tight container in the refrigerator until you're ready to cook.

For quick weeknight meal ideas, season the meat when you bring it home from the grocery store and place it in a Ziploc bag in the freezer. On the day you're planning to cook, put it in the refrigerator in the morning to thaw and cook it as directed.

Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days in an air-tight container. The meat can be reheated in the microwave or air fryer until warm. Be careful not to overcook the pork as it can become dry and rubbery.

Cooking Tips

Buy a meat thermometer. It is inexpensive and worth every penny, and this will ensure you do not overcook your meat. Pork is done when it reaches an internal temp of 145 degrees and is still slightly pink in the center.

You can marinate the pork when you arrive home from the grocery store and place it in a Ziploc bag in the freezer until ready to cook. Thaw the meat in the refrigerator overnight and cook as directed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Other Recipes to Try

Try cooking our chili-rubbed Whole30 Pork Tenderloin with Pineapple Salsa in the air fryer for a kick!

This recipe is excellent with Air Fryer Okra, Greek Salad, and Crispy Smashed Potatoes for a complete and easy meal.

Don't forget to check out all our Air Fryer recipes! All of them cook in under 30 minutes!

Like this recipe? Don't forget to Pin it, and you can check out our Instagram, Facebook, or YouTube Channel for cooking demos and more. You can also see what I am pinning on Pinterest for more Whole30 and Paleo recipe ideas!

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