This Air Fryer Pork Loin turns out tender and juicy on the inside, and nice and browned on the outside. This recipe only takes about 20 minutes, total. If you are trying to eat healthier for the New Year, this recipe is for you!
Have you told yourself you really want to eat healthier this year? I know I have. I need to lose at least 15 pounds this year. This holiday season found me overindulging. (Of course, being a food blogger really doesn’t help, since I have to come up awesome recipes for you guys every week.) 🙂
To that end, let’s take the journey together and cook more in our air fryers! I have talked to many people that got air fryers for Christmas, but are intimidated to use it! I am here to tell you, don’t be intimidated. This air fryer recipe really couldn’t be easier.
A Word About Using Your New Air Fryer
I always make each recipe that I show you guys, at least 4 or 5 times, to make sure that my measurements are right. I want to make sure that the finished product comes out consistently good.
With the air fryer, it is not that easy. Different air fryers cook with different wattages. Some air fryers have a set temperature control, that can not be changed. My air fryer is the Cuisinart TO-60A. It has a temperature control setting, so for this recipe, I set the temperature at 400°F.
Depending on your Air Fryer, the times, in particular, may vary from mine! When you are learning how to use your air fryer, make sure you keep a vigilant eye on your food. The air fryer cooks so much faster than traditional cooking methods, it is easy to let food go too long and burn it!
Once you get the knack of your particular air fryer, you will be able to approximately gauge the timing of whatever you are cooking. Here’s a good article that covers the benefits of air frying.
Is food cooked in the air fryer healthier?
As with all great human inventions they are only effective if used as intended. (and the common sense of the user, of course) Air fried dishes will not be any healthier, if they are slathered with butter or oil. The beauty of the air fryer is that you do not need the extra oil to make the food crispy and delicious. Here is an interesting article regarding air fried food.
Why does this recipe work?
- Takes less than 30 minutes.
- Just 3 ingredients.
- Pork is juicy and succulent.
- Totally customizable with spices and flavoring.
What you need
- Either pork tenderloin, or a small pork loin roast
- garlic scape pesto (or your favorite pesto and add garlic)
- salt and pepper
- no stick spray, or a light brush of olive oil
How to make air fryer pork loin
- Thoroughly dry pork loin. Salt and pepper both sides.
- Spread garlic pesto or roasted garlic on top side of roast.
- Air fry for 8-10 minutes set on 400°F, if you can change the temperature of your air fryer.
- Carefully remove from air fryer and flip over. Baste the other side with pesto or roasted garlic.
- Return to air fryer. Continue cooking for 8-10 more minutes.
Remove from air fryer and check internal temperature where the meat is thickest. Temperature should be 135-140°F. Then let the meat rest for 5-10 minutes, loosely covered with aluminum foil. NOTE: USDA suggests cooking all pork to 145°F
Spices that are great on pork
- Fresh or dried rosemary
- oregano
- Fresh or dried thyme
- Italian seasonings
- Tarragon
- Paprika
- Parsley
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Cumin
- Chili Powder
You could even put some BBQ Sauce on this delicious Garlic Air Fryer Pork Loin
Suitable sauces for air fryer pork loin
That is how easy it is to make Air Fryer Pork Loin! I love the fact that it takes less than 30 minutes total!
Let me know what you think about this recipe in the comments below. Don’t miss my Air Fryer Chicken Wings! They are crispy and juicy! So much better than take out!
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Air Fryer Pork Loin
Ingredients
- 1.5 lb pork tenderloin, about 1.5 lbs. If using a boneless loin roast, use one that is about 2 pounds
- cooking spray
- 2 tbsp garlic scape pesto (recipe link below) or 2 small heads roasted garlic
- kosher salt
- black pepper
Instructions
For pork tenderloin
- Pat tenderloin dry. lightly coat all sides with non stick cooking spray.
- Salt and pepper both sides. Rub with garlic scape pesto, or plain roasted garlic.
- Spray air fryer basket or rack and tray of air fryer with cooking spray. (NOTE: My air fryer specifies to use cooking spray or olive oil. A reader pointed out that a lot of air fryers suggest NOT using any oil, so check your manufacturer's instructions!!)
- Cook on air fry setting, at 400°F for 8-10 minutes on first side. Carefully remove from air fryer. Flip.
- Return to air fryer and cook for 8-10 more minutes. Check internal temperature with meat thermometer. We cook ours to an internal temperature of 135°F. Then let rest 5-10 minutes.
- If you would like to serve with roasted vegetables, while pork is resting, add cut up veggies, coated with no stick spray (and salt and pepper) to the rack of air fryer. Cook 5-8 minutes, depending on the size of your vegetable pieces, until tender and browned.
For boneless loin roast
- Prepare as above.
- Set air fryer to 400°F and preheat. Cook roast for 10-12 minutes on first side. Flip.
- Continue to air fry another 10-12 minutes, if the outside is getting too brown, drape a piece of foil over top. Let rest for 5-10 minutes.
- NOTE: USDA suggests all pork should be cooked to 145°F! Check temperature with a instant read meat thermometer.
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Notes
Air Fryers vary in wattage, and therefore in cooking times. This recipe is based using my Cuisinart TOA60. If your air fryer is different, carefully watch food the first time you make it, so that it doesn’t burn. Preheating your air fryer will give you the best, crispiest result. Check your brand of air fryer user manual to see if preheating is recommended. Air fryers preheat in about 3-4 minutes. Use cooking spray or a fine mist sprayer to spray food prior to cooking, with the exception of baked goods. Don’t overcrowd foods so air can circulate all around. Flip foods over half way through cooking.
Nutrition
Originally published 1/21/2019
Kirk Hansen
“Air fried dishes will not be any healthier, if they are slathered with butter or oil.”
Agreed that they’ll be way *un*healthier if slathered with seed oils.
But butter is a wonder food.
Beth Neels
I’m a huge fan of butter… in moderation it can be a healthy part of the diet. Moderation of course is the key.
Phil
Can you reheat pork tenderloin? If so, what temp & time. Will the AF reheating dry the tenderloin out?
Thanks
Phil R
Beth Neels
I would wrap it in aluminum foil and reheat on low temp, maybe 250 for 5 minutes or so. It’s really good cold on sandwiches too! Thanks for checking out the recipe Phil!
Doretha Wilson
Thank You.
Beth Neels
Thank you!
Susan
Hi Beth,
I love your recipes and have written many 5🌟reviews and you were always so king to answer any questions I might have.
So here’s another one: I definitely want to make this but my air fryer is in my new range. It says not to use aluminum foil when using the air fryer but I don’t want all the grease to drip down on the bottom of my new oven.
I even called customer support—no resolution. Have you heard how to adapt this recipe to an air fryer in an electric range? I know this might sound like a stupid question to many viewers, but want to start using it and especially to make this recipe.
Many thanks for any suggestions you might have.
Susan
Beth Neels
Hi Susan. I so appreciate your loyalty! Can you use any metal? Like a baking sheet? Or even glass? You could spray it with non stick spray maybe or parchment paper. There isn’t a lot of grease if you use a tenderloin. But certainly if you use a loin, there is much more grease that would make a huge mess.
What the heck do they suggest? Many air fryer recipes are messy. So that is odd.
If the manufacturer says not to use it. Then certainly don’t.
I hope something like that will work. Let me know
Jen Marshall
Need to change title. This isn’t actually for a Pork Loin but rather a Tenderloin. VERY different cooking.
Beth Neels
Both loin and tenderloin are explained in the article.
Jess
When you give a recipe please say what setting the machine should be on. I have just bought one and do not know – are you using the Roast or airfryer setting? Thanks. Be grateful for anyone’s help.
Beth Neels
It’s the air fryer setting. It is specified in step #4 in the recipe card. Thanks for checking out the recipe.