Easy Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin Recipe

A lean cut of meat that’s also super affordable, pork tenderloin has so much flavor and is the perfect protein to include in your regular meal planning rotation. This Easy Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin Recipe doesn’t take much time to prep with just a handful of ingredients, great for busy weeknights.

I love to serve this for a non-traditional Easter dinner menu.

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If you haven’t discovered the beauty of the Pork Tenderloin, let this be the day. One of the lean cuts of pork that often go on sale for just a couple bucks a pound, pork tenderloin is super delicious, an ideal weeknight main dish. The easiest way to prep it, rain or shine, is to air fry pork tenderloin, where the circulating hot air cooks it quickly without drying it out.

This juicy air fryer pork tenderloin recipe will quickly become one of your favorite recipes!

Why Make This Recipe

It’s delicious. I’ve been using this Dijon mustard marinade on pork tenderloin for years and it always turns out super yummy. The herbs and mustard in the homemade pork rub give the pork roast just enough of a flavorful crust to complement the tender inner meat.

It’s quick. Cooking pork tenderloin in the air fryer is a quick process that’s practically hands-free. While the pork cooks, you’ll have time to make some fancier sides. It’s delicious served with Quinoa Pilaf and a salad.

It’s cheap. Pork tenderloin feels fancy, like the “filet mignon of pork” but is actually one of the cheaper cuts of meat you can find at the grocery store. Watch for sales and you’ll save even more money. Cooked on the grill, in the air fryer, or sautéed in medallions, it serves as a star meat dish.

Pro tip: this Dijon spice rub is also good on different cuts of meat, such as pork chops, pork steaks, or pork loin.

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make this easy recipe for Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin:

Dijon mustard – Dijon is a French mustard that has white wine and a strong mustard flavor. You can use whole grain mustard if you like, but I’d avoid regular yellow mustard in this recipe.

red wine vinegar – Red wine vinegar is a go-to in my kitchen, but this recipe is also delicious with apple cider vinegar or balsamic vinegar.

herbs and spices – I use a combination of salt, pepper, garlic powder, thyme, and paprika, but you can really use any combination of flavors that you enjoy. Some options might include onion powder, chili powder, another dried herb, or even a commercial seasoning blend, like cajun spice or Italian herbs. This cooking method is pretty versatile, so you can mix and match flavor profiles as you like.

olive oil – I typically use olive oil, but you can use a favorite vegetable oil.

pork tenderloin – These usually come shrink-wrapped at the butchers, two per package. You can cook them both and freeze the leftover pork tenderloin if you won’t eat them both at one sitting. For best results with air fryer cooking, cut each tenderloin in half crosswise so that they cook more evenly and quickly.

Variations: if you like a little sweet and savory flavor to your pork, add a tablespoon or maple syrup or brown sugar to the seasoning mixture.

Step-by-Step Instructions

In a bowl, combine the Dijon, vinegar, garlic powder, oregano, and cayenne. Slowly add the olive oil and stir well to make a paste-like emulsion.

Pat the pork pieces dry and cut them in half crosswise. Season the dry pork pieces with salt and pepper, then coat them with the mustard mixture. Allow the meat to rest up to 10 minutes.

Arrange the pieces of pork tenderloin in the air fryer basket, tucking skinny ends underneath if needed to help them be the same size.

Cook at 350 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes or until a meat thermometer shows an internal temperature of 140 degrees.

About halfway through the cook time, you’ll want to rotate and flip the pork tenderloin pieces. Once they hit the desired temperature on the instant read thermometer, remove them from the air fryer, cover, and let the pork tenderloin rest for ten minutes. 

Curious about the internal temps? Learn more about pork cooking temperatures so you never overcook it.

Slice and season with additional salt and pepper.

To make this as a meal prep:

Prepare the pork tenderloin according to the recipe and divide the juicy pork tenderloin into meal prep containers along with your preferred side dishes. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. Consume within 4 days.

To make this as a freezer meal:

Prepare the pork tenderloin according to the recipe and allow it to cool. Wrap in an airtight container or ziptop freezer bag and chill in the fridge until very cold. Then transfer to the freezer. Store for up to 6 weeks. Thaw before serving.

Alternatively, you can freeze the pork and its seasoning mix uncooked. Place all ingredients in a ziptop freezer bag and store in the freezer. Thaw overnight in the fridge before proceeding with the recipe.

Air Frying Cooking Tips

• Avoid overfilling the machine. There needs to be room for the air to circulate.
• Rotate and flip food items for more even cooking.
• Cut or shape foods in uniform size for even cooking. Cut large roasts or steaks in smaller pieces rather than trying to cook one large piece of meat.

Quinoa Pilaf is an easy side to serve with this lovely pork tenderloin!

More Things to Make in the Air Fryer

This post was originally published on May 14, 2015. It has been updated for content and clarity.