Before it goes in the basket
Remove the silverskin — the shiny membrane along one side. It never softens and it contracts, bending the whole loin. Dry, oil, season. If the tail end is much thinner, fold it under and tie it so the piece is one even thickness.
Step by step
- 1. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (205°C) for 2–3 minutes.
- 2. Single layer. Arrange without crowding — air needs to reach every side.
- 3. Cook 20–25 minutes. Shake the basket or flip at the halfway mark.
- 4. Check doneness. Confirm 145°F (63°C) at the thickest part with a thermometer. Rest 3 minutes before cutting.
The tip that matters
Pull at 145°F even if it looks pale pink inside — that's the juicy, USDA-safe zone.
Why this temperature
400°F gives a browned crust on a lean cut that has nothing to spare. Tenderloin is thin for its length, so it can take high heat for the 20 minutes it needs without drying, as long as you pull it at 145°F.
What usually goes wrong
- Bowed into an arc. Silverskin left on. Slide a thin knife under it and strip it off before cooking.
- Dry all the way through. Past 145°F. This cut has almost no fat; there is no buffer above that temperature.
- Thin end overdone. Uneven thickness. Fold and tie the tail under before cooking.
Times vary — here's why
Air fryers differ in wattage and basket size, so treat 20–25 minutes as a range, not a promise: check early the first time, then note what your machine needed. Quantity matters too — a full basket can add 2–3 minutes, and anything stacked will steam instead of crisp. Converting your own oven recipe instead? Use our air fryer conversion calculator.
FAQ
How long do you air fry pork tenderloin?
Air fry pork tenderloin at 400°F (205°C) for 20–25 minutes, shaking or flipping halfway through, then rest 3 minutes. Start checking at 20 minutes — models vary.
Do you need to flip pork tenderloin in the air fryer?
Yes — shake the basket or flip halfway through for even browning.
How do you know when pork tenderloin is done?
Use a thermometer — the safe internal temperature is 145°F (63°C) at the thickest part. Then rest 3 minutes before cutting.
More meat
Lamb Chops · Baby Back Ribs · Meatloaf (Beef) — or see the full air fryer cooking times chart.