Air Fryer Frozen Pork Tenderloin

Forgot to defrost the pork tenderloin? This Air Fryer Frozen Pork Tenderloin cooks up straight from the freezer in under 45 minutes with a crispy outside and juicy, tender center. It’s the perfect high-protein dinner solution for busy weeknights using your air fryer.

Ever found yourself at 5 PM with a frozen pork tenderloin and no dinner plan? In under 45 minutes, you’ll have a juicy, flavorful, and healthy protein on the table with no thawing required.

I can’t count how many times my day has flown by and suddenly it’s dinnertime with nothing thawed. That’s where this recipe comes in clutch. Pork tenderloin is one of my favorite lean proteins because it cooks evenly, it’s naturally tender, and it pairs well with just about any seasoning or side dish. Plus, cooking pork tenderloin in the air fryer means I can skip the oven, save time, and still end up with a meal that feels intentional and delicious.

With the right dry rub and a simple kitchen gadget, you’ll go from frozen to dinner-ready without sacrificing texture or taste. Add some veggies or whole grains on the side, and you’ve got a balanced plate!

🐖 The Key to Juicy Pork Tenderloin: Use a Meat Thermometer

I’m a big fan of using a meat thermometer. As a trained chef, it’s how I’ve been able to learn how to cook meat precisely to make it taste good. This is important especially when cooking frozen meat because you don’t want it to be raw on the inside as the outside crisps up. Pork is fully cooked and safe to eat at 145°F, so after the second round of air frying, just insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the tenderloin to check.

• The BEST meat thermometer: The MEATER is a wireless thermometer that connects to your phone and tells you exactly when your meat is ready to remove from heat and rest. I use this every thanksgiving on my turkey for perfect results.
• An inexpensive runner up: This Alpha Grillers Digital Meat Thermometer is a quick way to check the temperature of meat and costs less than $15.

📖How To Air Fry Frozen Pork Tenderloin

1️⃣ Preheat the air fryer: Set your air fryer to 350°F and let it preheat for about 3–5 minutes.

2️⃣ Begin cooking from frozen: Place the frozen pork tenderloin directly into the air fryer basket, no need to thaw. Cook at 350°F for 20 minutes. This jumpstarts the defrosting process and helps the outer layer soften just enough for seasoning.

3️⃣ Season the pork tenderloin: After the first 20 minutes, carefully remove the tenderloin using tongs and place it on a cutting board. Brush all sides with olive oil or avocado oil, then sprinkle on your favorite dry rub or seasoning blend, making sure to coat every side for the most flavor. If you have a wireless meat thermometer, place it into the thickest part now.

4️⃣ Finish cooking at a higher temperature: Return the seasoned pork tenderloin to the air fryer. Increase the temperature to 375°F and cook for an additional 15–20 minutes, depending on the thickness of the meat. The pork is ready when the internal temperature reaches 145°F but you can cook it to your desired temperature.

5️⃣ Rest before slicing: Once fully cooked, remove the pork tenderloin from the air fryer and tent loosely with foil. Let it rest for 5 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute. Then slice, serve, and enjoy!

👩‍🍳Chef’s Tips

• Let the air fryer fully preheat before placing the pork inside, this helps kickstart the cooking process and promotes even browning from the first minute.
• Use tongs when handling the tenderloin mid-cook to avoid piercing the meat and letting the juices escape. This keeps your pork tender and juicy all the way through.
• If your tenderloin is especially thick, rotate it halfway through the second cooking cycle for the most even cook and color on all sides.
• Don’t skip brushing the surface with oil before seasoning. It helps the spices stick better and also boosts the crisping factor in the air fryer..
• If your pork tenderloin comes vacuum-sealed with ice crystals on the surface, gently run it under cold water for a few seconds and pat it dry to prevent steaming instead of roasting.
• Set your thermometer to beep at 140°F so you can pull the pork right as it climbs to 145°F. The carryover cooking during the resting period will finish it off without drying it out.
• Slice the tenderloin across the grain after resting to keep each bite tender. You’ll know you’re cutting correctly when you see short muscle fibers rather than long strands.

🥩More Frozen Proteins You Can Fully Cook In The Air Fryer

• Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Breast
• Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Cutlets
• Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Tenderloins
• Air Fryer Frozen Pork Chops
• Air Fryer Frozen Salmon
• Air Fryer Frozen Shrimp
• Air Fryer Frozen Cod
• Air Fryer Frozen Scallops
• Air Fryer Frozen Turkey Burgers
• Air Fryer Frozen Steak
• Air Fryer Frozen Burgers
• Air Fryer Frozen Meatballs

🌿 Seasoning Ideas for Pork Tenderloin in the Air Fryer

Here are some go-to rubs and blends that work great on pork:

• Garlic herb blend
• Smoky paprika and cumin
• Lemon pepper
• Cajun seasoning
• BBQ dry rub
• Italian herb mix
• Chipotle honey rub
• Montreal steak seasoning
• Brown sugar and chili powder
• Rosemary and mustard seed

🥩What To Serve With Pork Tenderloin

• Red Lobster Brussels Sprouts
• Ranch Mashed Cauliflower
• Green Beans Almondine
• Sous Vide Carrots
• Cucumber Dill Salad
• Horseradish Mashed Potatoes
• Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad

❓FAQ