My air fryer pork tenderloin is marinated in a Dijon mustard-glazed oil and cooked to tender, juicy perfection. I make this recipe when I want a quick, healthy meal that still feels special!
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My Easy Way to Make Pork Tenderloin in the Air Fryer
I first tried air fryer pork tenderloin one weekend when my husband Ben, and I were hosting a casual family dinner. I wanted something that felt like a centerpiece, but I didn’t want to be stuck in the kitchen the whole time our guests were over.
In the past, I would have roasted the pork low and slow or grilled it. Roasting turns out delicious but requires me to babysit the oven, and grilling can go from underdone to overcooked in a matter of minutes. Plus, it was gross and rainy outside.
Instead, I threw together a quick marinade and left the pork for about an hour, then let my air fryer work its magic. My in-laws were so impressed, they assumed I’d spent all day on the meal and couldn’t figure out where I’d found the time. They were amazed when I told them I just used the air fryer!
Now I make my air fryer pork tenderloin recipe all the time, especially for nights when I want an easy meal that feels a little more special. It’s one of those Sunday dinners that even my kids love.
And, if you love a good pork tenderloin recipe, try my recipes for pork tenderloin in the oven, cast iron pork tenderloin, Ninja Foodi pork tenderloin, and bacon wrapped pork tenderloin.
What to look for when selecting pork tenderloin at the grocery store
I always choose a pork tenderloin that’s evenly shaped and doesn’t have the silver skin or large pieces of excess fat, since those can make the meat cook unevenly. If the butcher hasn’t removed the silver skin or fat, I trim before marinating the pork tenderloin.
It’s important not to confuse pork tenderloin with pork loin. Tenderloin is a smaller, leaner cut that cooks quickly, while pork loin is much larger and takes more time to cook properly. I stick with tenderloin for this recipe because it turns out juicy and tender in the air fryer.
Air Fry Pork Tenderloin Ingredients
- Pork tenderloin – This lean cut stays juicy when marinated and air fried, and it’s nice that it cooks quickly compared to larger roasts.
- Olive oil – This helps keep the meat moist and adds a subtle richness to the marinade.
- Soy sauce – I love how soy sauce adds both saltiness and depth. It infuses the pork with so much flavor!
- Garlic – Freshly minced is my preference to bring a punch of savory flavor. Jarred also works or even garlic powder in a pinch.
- Brown sugar – The sweetness balances the saltiness of the soy sauce and helps create a caramelized crust on the outside.
- Dijon mustard – I love how Dijon adds tang and a hint of sharpness to round out the flavors.
- Salt and black pepper – These classics enhance the pork’s natural flavor and balance the marinade.
How to Cook Pork Tenderloin in the Air Fryer
A full printable version of this recipe with ingredient measurements is available at the bottom of this post.
STEP ONE: Mix the olive oil, soy sauce, garlic, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, and salt and pepper in a bowl.
STEP TWO: Add the marinade and pork tenderloin to a plastic Ziploc bag, making sure the marinade is on the entire tenderloin. Let it marinate in the fridge for at least 30 minutes, but up to 5 days.
STEP THREE: Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees.
STEP FOUR: Remove the pork tenderloin from the marinade and carefully place it in the air fryer basket or air fryer oven.
STEP FIVE: Air fry it for 22 to 25 minutes, flipping it halfway through the cooking time. It is done cooking when the thickest part reads at least 145 degrees with a meat thermometer.
STEP SIX: Let the meat rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Tips for the Best Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin
- Marinate the pork tenderloin for at least 30 minutes for great flavor, but I like to let it sit in the fridge overnight or even several days if I can plan ahead.
- Trim and remove any silver skin before marinating. This is my trick to making sure the pork cooks evenly and stays tender.
- I pat the pork dry before cooking. Removing excess moisture helps it sear and develop a nice crust.
- Once the pork tenderloin reaches 145 degrees F, I remove it from the air fryer. I use an instant-read thermometer to make sure it’s cooked perfectly.
- I let the meat rest for at least 5 minutes before slicing so the juices don’t run out onto the cutting board.
Air Fried Pork Tenderloin Variations and Substitutions
- If I have zero time to marinate, I’ll let the pork sit in half of the mixture while the air fryer preheats, then baste the tenderloin with the rest of the mixture after cooking.
- I sometimes swap the marinade for a dry rub with spices like chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
- For a tangy, slightly sweet flavor, I’ll make a balsamic marinade instead.
- I like to add crushed red pepper flakes to the marinade for a hint of heat.
- Use maple syrup instead of brown sugar for a deeper, richer sweetness. This is my go-to in the fall when I’m craving autumn flavors!
What To Serve with this Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin Recipe
My air fryer pork tenderloin is packed with flavor, so I serve it with simple side dishes like air fryer baked potato, air fryer carrots, air fryer asparagus, or air fryer baby potatoes.
My kids also love dipping their pork in 3 ingredient bbq sauce or garlic parmesan sauce!
Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin FAQs
What temperature should I air fry pork tenderloin at?
I cook my pork tenderloin at 400 degrees F to get a caramelized outside while keeping the inside juicy. I always check the internal temperature with a thermometer and remove it as soon as it hits 145 degrees F before letting it rest.
How to cook frozen air fried pork tenderloin
When I’m starting with frozen pork tenderloin, I put the frozen pork in a cold air fryer, then turn it to 330 degrees F and cook for 33-38 minutes. I flip the pork at the 17-minute mark, baste it with the marinade on both sides and on top, and cook until a meat thermometer says the internal temperature is 145 degrees F.
How to store leftover air fryer pork tenderloin
I let any leftover pork tenderloin cool completely, then slice it into medallions and store in an airtight container in the fridge. It stays fresh for about 3 days, and I usually use leftovers for sandwiches, wraps, or quick stir-fries.
How to reheat pork tenderloin in the air fryer
To reheat, I start by preheating my air fryer to 350 degrees F. Once hot, I place the pork tenderloin slices in the air fryer and cook for 3-4 minutes until heated all the way through.
More Easy Air Fryer Pork Recipes
- Air fryer pork chops
- Air fryer pork loin
- Air fryer pork steaks
- Air fryer boneless pork chops
- Air fryer pork roast
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Easy Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 – 1 1/2 pounds pork tenderloin
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Mix the olive oil, soy sauce, garlic, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, and salt and pepper into a bowl, then add to a Ziploc gallon bag.
- Add the pork tenderloin to the bag, close it, and cover it with the marinade. Marinate the pork for 30 minutes, but up to 5 days while refrigerated.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees.
- Remove the pork tenderloin from the bag and place it in the air fryer. Cook it for 22 to 25 minutes, flipping halfway through until it hits 145 degrees internally.
- Let the air fryer pork tenderloin rest for at least 5 minutes, slice into medallions, and enjoy!
Video
Notes
- Marinate the pork tenderloin for at least 30 minutes for great flavor, but I like to let it sit in the fridge overnight or even several days if I can plan ahead.
- Trim and remove any silver skin before marinating. This is my trick to making sure the pork cooks evenly and stays tender.
- I pat the pork dry before cooking. Removing excess moisture helps it sear and develop a nice crust.
- Once the pork tenderloin reaches 145 degrees F, I remove it from the air fryer. I use an instant-read thermometer to make sure it’s cooked perfectly.
- I let the meat rest for at least 5 minutes before slicing so the juices don’t run out onto the cutting board.
- Cook frozen pork tenderloin at 330 degrees F for 33-38 minutes, flipping it and basting it with the marinade halfway through cooking.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Reheat leftovers in a preheated air fryer at 350 degrees F for 3-4 minutes.
Nutrition
This nutrition information is based on the exact products I used in this recipe. Brands and sizes of products could alter exact nutrition and should always be calculated independently.
My husband and I just finished eating this marinated pork tenderloin for dinner, and it was fantastic. I also have a Cosori air fryer like the one you have an am a novice. I followed the directions exactly but cooked it for a shorter period of time since my tenderloin looked smaller. I cooked it for a total of 19 minutes and it was cooked perfectly. It was juicy, tender and so full of the marvelous flavor from the marinade. Thank you for the recipe and this wonder site that I have come to depend on.
So glad you loved it, Susan! I love that you have come to have an eye for knowing exactly how long to cook the food in there. It sounds like you’re less than a novice than you think now. 🙂
I agree!!!
Can I use this marinade for a pork loin roast?
What size pork loin? I just opened the package and there are two loins in the? One pound each.
One pound is perfect with these directions. Just make sure this is a pork tenderloin, not a pork loin (a pork tenderloin will look long and skinny whereas a pork loin is a square).
I made the marinade and placed the tenderloin in the refrigerator last night. This morning it’s clumpy and congealed.
I’m supposing I need to scrape it off before placing it in the air fryer?
*sorry so dumb* 🙄
Hi Missy, not a silly question at all! It sounds like the oil started hardening up in the fridge, which can happen occasionally. It is completely safe to eat and does not need to scrape off. You can let it sit out for a few minutes before cooking to help re-liquefy it or just use it as is and the oil will turn back to its normal state.
Think of it like Jello. It gels up in the fridge, but melts at room temperature again.
I made this and it was great. I don’t think you need that much olive oil though. I used 1 tsp garlic oil and it turned out excellent. Mine was done at 18 min.
Agreed, I might’ve used a 1/4 cup oil max & it was enough
Sounds delicious… I can’t wait to try this one!!!
Thanks for all of the tips!
I’m just waiting to find tenderloins on sale!
What temperature units are you using Fahrenheit or Celsius?
All of my recipes are in Fahrenheit but can be converted to Celcius using a conversion calculator.
I got an air fryer for Christmas and used a marinated Smithfield pork tenderloin. Cooked it at 400 for about 25-30 minutes. Absolutely delicious. The edges were slightly crispy and the inside was juicy and tender. Can’t wait to use my air fryer for other meals.
I’ve used this recipe a few times now…it’s easy and so delicious! Highly recommend it!
I marinated the tenderloins overnight, and they turned out SO good! Really moist, and the marinade is really good, I love the balance of sweet, salty and …mustardy, if that’s a word?
I poured the leftover marinade over the tenderloins when I turned them over at the halfway point, I ended up with some really good charred parts that were delicious
We have made this for dinner at least once every two week for the last several months. It is cooked perfectly at 17 minutes in my 7 qt Go Wise which gets it to a perfect 145 degrees. Serve it with puréed cauliflower (instead of mashed potatoes) and whatever other vegetable I have in the freezer (usually peas). Tonight we had it with the cauliflower and fresh corn on the cob. There is just no way to mess this up unless it gets overlooked and ends up dried out. Thank you for this nice piece of perfection.
I am so glad to hear that you have enjoyed this recipe! It’s one of my favorite go-to recipes for dinner. I also love the idea of switching mashed potatoes for puréed cauliflower, it sounds delicious!
I just made a Smithfield roasted Garlic and herb in my Gourmia double drawer air fryer. Took a few extra minutes but so easy! Kroger sea salt and black pepper frozen red potatoes in the other side. So much better than turning on the oven with a 110° feels like temperature outside! Thanks so much!
That sounds delicious! I’m glad you were able to cook your pork tenderloin in the air fryer successfully, it always beats heating the oven in this weather. You are so welcome, I’m happy my recipe helped!