Air Fryer Italian Pork Tenderloin with Lemon & Garlic
This air fryer pork tenderloin recipe is so easy and delicious that it will forever change your weeknight dinner routine! The pork tenderloin is seasoned with Italian seasonings, fresh garlic, and lemon, then air fried to tender and moist perfection, every time!
About the Recipe
Pork tenderloin is one of the most family-friendly cuts of meat. It’s very low in fat, mild in flavor, budget friendly, and readily available in grocery stores. It also cooks quickly, which is perfect for busy weeknights!
Learn how to cook anything in your air fryer with our free cook time chart!
Pork tenderloin is a small and very lean cut of pork, it can very quickly become overcooked, giving you a dry and tough roast. But worry not!
Even though oven roasted pork tenderloin is wonderful, I’ve got a great solution to make it tender and moist every single time… Cooking pork tenderloin in the air fryer!
Because the air fryer cooks food using convection, it evenly and quickly cooks pork tenderloin through without drying out the meat. Oh, and make sure you get my printable Air Fryer Cook Times Chart!
And this air fryer pork tenderloin recipe is generously rubbed with oil, seasonings, garlic, and lemon, then air fried to crispy perfection on the outside and tender, moist perfection on the inside.
As an added bonus, this recipe is totally Whole30, Paleo, Keto, WW, and Low Carb friendly!
Recipe Ingredients
- Pork Tenderloin. Pork tenderloin is a long, lean cut of pork, perfect for quick cooking! I got this one from Porter Road. Note that pork tenderloin is a different, smaller and leaner cut of meat than pork loin, and requires different cooking.
- Olive Oil
- Garlic. Nothing brings more flavor to the party than garlic! You can use as much or as little as you like in this recipe to customize for your personal tastes. I always keep frozen garlic on hand to cut down on prep work.
- Lemon. The squeeze of fresh lemon juice elevates and brightens the earthy, rich seasonings.
- Italian Seasoning Blend: This is a beautiful blend of herbs and spices, made with basil, oregano, rosemary, parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. You can use the my homemade Italian seasoning or substitute your favorite store bought mix.
Step by Step Instructions
Whether you’re new to cooking with the air fryer or a seasoned pro, you’ll want to follow the steps to totally nail this pork tenderloin recipe. Here’s how to do it!
First, preheat the air fryer. This usually takes a few minutes, depending on your air fryer.
While it’s heating, mince the garlic. Pat the pork tenderloin dry with a few paper towels. Drizzle with olive oil, then sprinkle with the minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and lemon juice.
Use your hands or a brush to coat the pork on all sides, turning to make sure the entire roast is seasoned.
Next, set the pork loin in the air fryer basket. Depending on the size of your air fryer basket, the pork loin may not fit easily with enough air to circulate, so you can bend it a bit to fit.
If you pork tenderloin is too big to fit in your air fryer basket even when you bend it, simply cut it it in half along the middle so there are two even sized pieces, then set them spaced apart in the basket.
Cook the pork tenderloin for 20 minutes, then open the basket and use a meat thermometer to test the internal temperature. USDA recommends pork be cooked to 145 degrees Farhenheit.
If the internal temperature is too low, turn the air fryer back on for 2-3 minutes, and check the temperature again.
If the internal temperature is at least 145 degrees Fahrenheit, use tongs to remove the pork, and set it on a cutting board. Wait at least 3-5 minutes for the meat to rest, then slice with a sharp knife.
Guess what? That’s it! You’ve got a fabulous, crowd pleasing dinner ready to go, and almost no dishes to wash. Double win!
Recipe FAQ
Pork tenderloin goes great with any seasonal vegetables or grains you enjoy most. I’d suggest serving it with air fryer mushrooms, oven roasted broccoli, air fryer zucchini, or easy air fryer frozen french fries.
Yes, pink colored pork is safe to eat. Despite the marketing campaign telling you otherwise, pork is actually a red meat, so it’s perfectly normal for the pork to appear a little pink on the inside. In fact, it usually means the pork will be juicy and tender!
Remember to always use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature of cooked pork has reached at least 145 degrees Fahrenheit, per USDA.
Transfer any leftover pork tenderloin to an airtight container and close or set on a plate and wrap tightly with foil or plastic wrap. Store in the refrigerator. Leftover pork lasts for 3 to 4 days, according to USDA.
Related Recipes
- Air Fryer Meatloaf
- Instant Pot Pineapple Pork Chops
- Maple Mustard Pork Loin
- Grilled Italian Pork Kebabs
Making this recipe? Drop a star rating below, and tag me on Instagram @cookathomemom so I can see your creations!
Air Fryer Italian Pork Tenderloin
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1.2 – 1.5 lb. pork tenderloin
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 Tablespoon Italian Seasoning, or mix together 1/2 teaspoon each dried basil and oregano, 1/4 teaspoon each garlic powder, onion powder, rosemary, and parsley, and 1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes.
Video
Instructions
- First, preheat the air fryer to 400°F (~204°C). Meanwhile, mince the garlic. Pat the pork tenderloin dry with a few paper towels. Drizzle the pork with the olive oil, then sprinkle with the minced garlic, Italian seasonings, lemon juice, and a little salt and pepper. Use your hands or a brush to coat the pork on all sides, turning it to fully coat the pork on all sides.
- Transfer the pork loin to the air fryer basket, bending slightly, or even cutting in half if necessary to make it fit. Air should be able to circulate around the pork on all sides.
- Close the air fryer basket and cook for 20 minutes. Open the basket and use a meat thermometer to test the internal temperature of the deepest part of the pork tenderloin has reached 145°F (~63°C). If necessary, cook for another 2-3 minutes, or until it reaches the proper temperature. Remove the pork loin from the air fryer, and set it on a cutting board to rest for at least 3 minutes. Slice the roast and serve immediately with your favorite side dishes.
