This recipe for boneless air fryer pork tenderloin is an easy recipe to make tender and juicy marinated tenderloin! This basic recipe is easy to make and can be used with the marinade recipe provided or even a pre-marinated Smithfield bbq, maple glazed or balsamic flavor! Simple, flavorful and on the table in less than 15 minutes!
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Air fryer pork tenderloin is a great alternative to usual dinner meats like chicken! Pork is one of the first meats other than chicken that my picky eaters took a liking too.
This recipe is a basic one that can make a well-balanced and nutritious meal. Making it with mashed potatoes and broccoli or asparagus is a simple way to get a hearty dinner on the table even during the busiest days.
If you've had issues with making pork chops or tenderloin in the oven and it coming out dry, try air frying it! You'll never believe how juicy and tender air fried pork can be - until you try it!
Love pork? try out Traeger Grill Pork Tenderloin!
What Makes This Recipe Work
- Can be used with homemade marinade recipe provided below or with a store bought marinated loin like Smithfield bbq, balsamic or maple glazed.
- Easy to make ahead and freeze for easy weeknight dinners. Can be cooked straight from frozen if needed.
- Meat can be used as slices in a sandwich or served as cutlets with vegetables like broccoli or asparagus or with potatoes.
- Can be air fried in your Ninja Foodi, Vortex, or any model you own.
- Low carb, low fat and high in protein making it a great lean cut of meat
Ingredients
Here are the ingredients you need to make this recipe. Reference the recipe card at the bottom for exact measurements and the notes below for substitution ideas.
- Pork tenderloin: be mindful of the size you select. The smaller the cut of meat, the less time it will take to air fry. Also, many tenderloins come packed with two in one package so check the package before purchasing.
Instructions
Below are step-by-step instructions for how to cook this recipe. The recipe card at the bottom shows the exact cooking time and temperatures.
- While preparing dry rub, preheat air fryer for 5 minutes at 360F if cooking right away.
- Mix together orange zest, garlic,
- Remove any silver skin or extra fat from loin prior to seasoning with dry rub and avocado oil. Rub avocado oil and seasoning rub into tenderloin and allow to marinate for up to 4 hours. Marinading is not necessary if you are short on time but the longer you can marinate it, the more flavorful it will be.
- If necessary, cut the tenderloin in half to fit into basket. Use tongs to gently place the pieces into the basket. Note that cutting it in half may reduce cook time. See notes for cooking time suggestions.
- Allow tenderloin to rest on a cutting board for at least 3 minutes before cutting into slices.
Expert Tips
- This recipe is for an air fryer pork tenderloin, not a pork loin which is a much larger cut of meat. Generally this cut needs to be sliced into slices or cutlets to cook as quickly as the tenderloin.
- Cut tenderloin in half if needed to fit into basket.
- If you want your outside meat to have more crisp, you can increase the heat up to 400F. This may impact cook time.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze marinated, uncooked meat in a freezer safe container for up to 3 months.
- Make Ahead: May be made ahead up to one day prior to air frying.
- Reheat: Reheat medallions in the basket at 360F for about 3-5 minutes or until heated through but not dried out.
- Cook Time Suggestions: 5 minutes per side for small, 7 minutes per side for medium and 10 minutes per side for large to cook to 145F for medium rare. Cook longer per side to cook to medium or well-done.
FAQs
Air fry at 360F to ensure that marinade does not burn. If you want the outside to be crispy you may increase the heat up to 400F. Note that this may cause the marinade to burn.
The cook time for fresh pork per pound should roughly follow 5 minutes per side for a small tenderloin, 7 minutes per side for medium and 10 minutes per side for large.
If cooking straight from frozen add 10 minutes per side and cook until the thickest section of the meat registers 145F with an instant read thermometer.
Air fryer pork tenderloin is cooked to medium rare at 145F up through well done at 165F. This resource of recommended pork cooking temperatures is super helpful when determining how you want to cook it.
Related Recipes
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Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin
Ingredients
- 2 pounds pork tenderloin 2 small tenderloins in one package, generally
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary chopped
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil
- 2 small oranges zested, only use zest or add in juice for additional flavor.
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer for 5 minutes at 360F if cooking right away.
- Mix together orange zest, garlic and rosemary and chop the mix to form a paste.
- Remove any silver skin or extra fat from loin prior to seasoning with paste and avocado oil. Rub avocado oil and seasoning rub into tenderloin and allow to marinate for up to 4 hours. Marinading is not necessary if you are short on time but the longer you can marinate it, the more flavorful it will be.
- If necessary, cut the tenderloin in half to fit into basket. Use tongs to gently place the pieces into the basket. Note that cutting it in half may reduce cook time. See notes for cooking time suggestions.
- Air fry at 360F for 5-12 minutes per side. See notes for more information.
- Allow tenderloin to rest on a cutting board for about 5 minutes before cutting into slices.
Notes
- Marinade inspired by recipe originally created by Men's Health.
- This recipe is for an air fryer pork tenderloin, not a pork loin which is a much larger cut of meat. Generally this cut needs to be sliced into slices or cutlets to cook as quickly as the tenderloin.
- Cut tenderloin in half if needed to fit into basket.
- If you want your outside meat to have more crisp, you can increase the heat up to 400F. This may impact cook time.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze marinated, uncooked meat in a freezer safe container for up to 3 months.
- Make Ahead: May be made ahead up to one day prior to air frying.
- Reheat: Reheat medallions in the basket at 360F for about 3-5 minutes or until heated through but not dried out.
- Cook Time Suggestions: 5 minutes per side for small, 7 minutes per side for medium and 10 minutes per side for large to cook to 145F for medium rare. Cook longer per side to cook to medium or well-done.
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