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Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin is my go to when I want a juicy, restaurant worthy dinner on a busy weeknight with almost no effort, and the kids never guess it took me about 25 minutes start to finish. A simple seasoned butter rub gives the pork a gorgeous crust while the air fryer locks in all the juices. If you love a flavorful pork dinner, you have to try our brown sugar balsamic pork tenderloin marinade too.
One slice into that tender, blushing pink center and you will never go back to drying out pork tenderloin in the oven again.
Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin Quick Look
- 🕒 Prep Time: 10 minutes
- 🌡️ Cook Time: 15 minutes
- ⏳ Total Time: 30 minutes
- 🍽️ Serving: 4 servings
- ⚡ Calories: 331kcal
- 🌶️ Flavor Profile: Savory and juicy with smoky paprika, garlic, and rosemary
- ✋ Difficulty: Easy, as hands off as our air fryer chicken thighs
Quick Answer
To make Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin, stir together melted butter, garlic, smoked paprika, rosemary, salt, and pepper, then brush it all over two pork tenderloins and let them rest 15 minutes. Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees, add the pork, and cook 14 to 16 minutes, flipping halfway, until the center reaches 145 degrees. Rest the pork 5 minutes before slicing so the juices redistribute.
Jump to:
- Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin Quick Look
- Quick Answer
- Why This Recipe Works
- Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Key Ingredients
- Variations and Substitutions
- How to Make Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin
- Recipe Tips & Tricks
- Serving Ideas and Suggestions
- Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin FAQs
- Other Recommended Easy Air Fryer Recipes
- Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin
Why This Recipe Works
Click to see the technique science
- The air fryer seals in the juices. Circulating hot air gives the pork a browned, flavorful exterior in minutes while keeping the inside tender and moist.
- A butter rub builds a flavorful crust. Brushing on melted butter mixed with garlic and spices helps the seasoning cling and caramelize into a savory crust.
- Resting the rub deepens flavor. Letting the brushed pork sit for 15 minutes lets the garlic and herbs soak in before it ever hits the heat.
- Cooking to 145 keeps it safe and juicy. An instant read thermometer takes the guesswork out, so you pull the pork at the perfect, slightly pink, juicy stage.
- Flipping halfway browns it evenly. Turning the tenderloins once gives both sides that gorgeous color and even cooking.
- Resting before slicing matters. Five minutes of rest lets the juices redistribute, so every slice stays moist instead of running onto the cutting board.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Fast enough for weeknights. From rub to rest, dinner is on the table in about 25 minutes.
- Juicy every time. The air fryer keeps the pork tender and moist while building a beautiful crust.
- Simple pantry seasonings. No marinade hours needed, and if you love air fryer mains, our air fryer ribeye steak is just as easy.
Key Ingredients
Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin needs just a few simple ingredients. Here is what each one brings.
- Pork tenderloins: Two lean, quick cooking tenderloins, about 12 ounces each, are the star. They stay juicy in the air fryer and slice beautifully.
- Melted salted butter: It carries the seasonings onto the pork and helps everything brown into a rich crust.
- Garlic and smoked paprika: Minced garlic and smoky paprika give the rub savory, slightly smoky depth, similar to our pesto marinated pork tenderloin.
- Dried rosemary: A little rosemary adds a woodsy, aromatic note that pairs perfectly with pork and our rosemary roasted fingerling potatoes.
- Salt and black pepper: The simple finishers that season the pork through and make every other flavor pop.
See recipe card for exact quantities.
Variations and Substitutions
Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin is easy to tailor to your taste. Try these ideas.
- Sweet and savory: Add a tablespoon of brown sugar to the rub for a caramelized, slightly sweet crust.
- Spicy kick: Stir in a pinch of cayenne or red pepper flakes for heat.
- Herb swap: Use thyme, sage, or Italian seasoning in place of the rosemary.
- Garlic herb butter finish: Brush a little extra seasoned butter over the sliced pork before serving.
- Mustard crust: Whisk a teaspoon of Dijon into the butter rub for a tangy edge.
- Stuff it: For a fancier meal, try our stuffed pork loin instead.
How to Make Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin
- In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, minced garlic, smoked paprika, rosemary, salt, and black pepper.
- Whisk the mixture into a smooth, seasoned butter rub.
- Brush both pork tenderloins all over with the rub and let them rest for 15 minutes.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees for 5 minutes, then arrange the pork inside, working in batches if needed.
- Cook for 14 to 16 minutes, flipping halfway, until an instant read thermometer in the center reads 145 degrees.
- Let the pork rest for 5 minutes, then slice and serve.
Recipe Tips & Tricks
- Pat the pork dry. A dry surface helps the butter rub stick and the exterior brown.
- Do not skip the rest before cooking. Fifteen minutes lets the seasoning soak in for deeper flavor.
- Use a meat thermometer. Pull the pork at 145 degrees for the juiciest result, every time.
- Avoid crowding. Cook in batches if your tenderloins do not fit in a single layer so they brown instead of steam.
- Rest before slicing. Five minutes keeps the juices in the meat instead of on the board.
- Slice against the grain. Cutting across the muscle fibers gives you the most tender bites.
Serving Ideas and Suggestions
Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin pairs with just about any side. We love it with our roasted garlic mashed potatoes or a batch of rosemary roasted fingerling potatoes to soak up the juices.
For an all air fryer meal, serve it with air fryer baked potatoes and a simple green salad. Warm dinner rolls are perfect for mopping up every last bit.
Leftover slices are fantastic the next day. Tuck them into sandwiches or wraps, or pile them over a bed of creamy mashed potatoes for an easy second dinner.
Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin FAQs
Cook Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 14 to 16 minutes, flipping halfway through. It is done when an instant read thermometer in the center reads 145 degrees, which keeps the pork juicy and slightly pink.
Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin takes about 14 to 16 minutes to cook, plus a 5 minute preheat, a 15 minute rub rest, and a 5 minute rest after cooking, so plan on roughly 25 to 30 minutes total.
Yes, flip the pork halfway through cooking. Turning Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin once gives both sides an even, golden crust and helps it cook through evenly.
Overcooking is the most common cause. Use a thermometer and pull the pork at 145 degrees, then let it rest 5 minutes before slicing so the juices stay in the meat.
You can brush the pork with the rub up to a day ahead and keep it covered in the fridge, then air fry when ready. Cooked pork also reheats well, though it is juiciest fresh from the air fryer.
Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin pairs well with mashed or roasted potatoes, air fryer baked potatoes, dinner rolls, and a simple salad or roasted vegetables for an easy, complete meal.
Hungry for more air fryer dinners? Try our air fryer chicken drumsticks next.
Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons salted butter melted
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 2 pork tenderloins about 12 oz each
Instructions
- Mix the melted butter, minced garlic, smoked paprika, rosemary, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl.2 tablespoons salted butter, 2 garlic cloves, 2 teaspoons smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon dried rosemary, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ tsp black pepper
- Then, brush both pieces of pork with the prepared mixture and let it rest for 15 minutes.2 pork tenderloins
- Preheat the Air Fryer to 400*F for 5 minutes. Then, arrange pork tenderloin inside. Depending on the size of your Air Fryer, you may need to work in batches.
- Cook for 14-16 minutes, flipping it halfway through or until an instant meat thermometer inserted into the center registers 145ºF.
- Remove the pork from the air fryer and let it rest for about 5 minutes before slicing. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in a moist and tender final product.
Notes
- Preheat your air fryer first for the best results.
- Use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature of the meat and ensure it’s cooked perfectly.
- Add the marinade ingredients to a large zip-top bag for easy clean-up.
- Don’t forget to let the pork rest after air frying. This lets the juices redistribute, ensuring a juicy pork tenderloin.
- Try different ways of serving your pork, like slicing it thin for sandwiches.
- Feel free to experiment with the marinade ingredients to suit your taste buds.
Nutrition
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