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My bacon wrapped pork tenderloin air fryer recipe is the best way to cook pork tenderloin quickly. The circulating heat in the air fryer can dry out pork if it’s cooked improperly. Fortunately, the magic of a little bacon really works wonders here! This air fryer bacon wrapped pork tenderloin recipe does a great job keeping lean pork tenderloin juicy and moist.
A quick pork tenderloin recipe (AKA pork fillet) is what’s on today’s menu. Guys, I am SO excited to share this one.
We’re making pretty much the tastiest, most moist pork tenderloin ever. And we don’t even need to use a marinade or brine. It’s so EASY to put together, and cooks in a mere 30 minutes (or less).
You know this one is going to be good because it’s inspired by the famous Bacon Explosion recipe. In that recipe, sausage and bacon is seasoned with a BBQ rub before being stuffed into more bacon. Then everything is put in the smoker, and finished with a glaze of barbecue sauce at the end. *Drool*
What I did here was make a lighter (but still freaking delicious) version. Instead of a filling of sausage and bacon, I’m using a lean pork tenderloin. We’re going to keep the bacon wrapper though; it’s the secret to keeping the pork tenderloin moist.
After making this air fryer pork tenderloin, you might never want to make this meat another way again! It’s just that tasty. (You’ve been warned!)
Read on to learn how long it takes to cook pork tenderloin in an air fryer and what temp you should cook pork tenderloin!
🛒 Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Pork Tenderloin Ingredients
All you need to make air fryer bacon wrapped pork tenderloin is four simple ingredients:
- 1½ lbs pork tenderloin (680g; can be plain or seasoned)
- 9 strips bacon (not thick-cut bacon)
- Barbecue seasoning rub (I LOVE the Classic BBQ Seasoning by Noble Made)
- 4 tablespoons BBQ sauce
Get a printable recipe card at the end of the post!
For the best results, choose a pork tenderloin that is evenly thick from the middle to the ends. Sometimes the ends of a piece of pork tenderloin have a smaller diameter than the middle. This can result in uneven cooking, so try to get one with uniform thickness if possible.
In the U.S., you can find inexpensive pork tenderloin at Costco and Trader Joe’s. The one I’m using is from a local supermarket chain.
Pork tenderloins typically run from 1-1½ lbs. (454-680 grams). You want one that is on the upper end of this range for this air fryer recipe.
You might want a little more or less bacon depending on the length of the pork tenderloin you’re wrapping.
To make bacon wrapped pork tenderloin in the air fryer, you also need (you guessed it!) an air fryer. I also recommend having kitchen twine and a brush for brushing on the BBQ sauce. A meat thermometer is important when air frying pork to ensure it is properly cooked.
You can to make this recipe with the Ninja Foodi, Cuisinart, Philips, Power Air Fryer, Pampered Chef Air Fryer, Actifry, Cosori, Nuwave, Instant Vortex, etc. I’m cutting the pork tenderloin in half in this recipe so it should fit in a small air fryer basket.
Pork Tenderloin vs Pork Loin vs Pork Sirloin
There’s a big difference between pork tenderloin and pork loin in size. They CANNOT be used interchangeably in this recipe.
According to The Kitchn, pork loin is typically a 2-5 lbs. (0.9-2.3 kg) roast cut from the back of the pig. It can be boneless or bone-in. It’s wide enough to be cut into steaks.
Pork tenderloin is long, thin, and much smaller- often 1-1½ lbs. (454-680 grams) in size. It’s a boneless cut from a muscle that runs along the spine of the pig. In line with its name, tenderloin is the most tender cut of pork.
Pork sirloin roasts are taken from the end of the pork loin. Like pork tenderloin, pork sirloin is lean, but tends to be a bit less tender.
🐖 How to Make Bacon Wrapped Pork Tenderloin (Air Fryer)
Here’s how to make bacon wrapped pork tenderloin in the air fryer:
Let the pork tenderloin rest at room temperature for one hour (if you have time).
If your pork tenderloin has silver skin (a silvery membrane), it’s best to use a knife to remove it before beginning recipe. It shouldn’t ruin the dish if you skip this step, but there’s a risk the cooked pork tenderloin may curl. (In full disclosure, I tend to be lazy about silver skin removal, but it’s good to do…)
Cut the pork tenderloin in half widthwise (so it fits in the air fryer easier) and pat it dry with paper towels. Season both pieces on all sides with the BBQ seasoning. I like to generously rub it on there because it is some seriously good stuff!
Fold the thin end of the pork tenderloin under before wrapping. Carefully wrap the bacon strips over the pieces of pork tenderloin, slightly overlapping the bacon pieces. Each piece of bacon is wrapped around the pork about 1½ times. The short ends of each piece of pork tenderloin are not covered.
Secure the bacon to the pork tenderloin with kitchen twine. I ended up tying the bacon to each piece of pork tenderloin in 3 places.
️⏲ How Long to Cook Bacon Wrapped Pork Tenderloin in an Air Fryer
Bacon-wrapped pork tenderloin takes a total of 25-30 minutes in an air fryer set to 400F (200C). Begin by air frying for 20 minutes at 400F (200C), flipping the pork tenderloin over after 10 minutes.
Now remove the pork tenderloin from the air fryer and flip it again. Generously brush the top and sides with the BBQ sauce. Return the BBQ pork tenderloin to the air fryer basket. Air fry an additional 5-10 minutes at 400F (200C).
Check the thickest part of the air fried pork tenderloin with a meat thermometer. If it hasn’t reached the minimum safe internal temperature of 145F (63C), you should air fry it for a few minutes longer.
BTW, if you’re wondering, “Can you overcook pork tenderloin?” the answer is yes. In this case, our bacon “shield” affords a little extra protection to help keep the pork tenderloin from drying out. However, I’d still watch it carefully if you need to go past the 30 minutes air frying time.
After air frying, let your bacon pork tenderloin rest for 5-10 minutes. Then you can clip the twine, slice the tenderloin, and enjoy!
Pork Tenderloin Leftovers
Air fried pork tenderloin will keep for 3-4 days in the fridge; however, the bacon will lose its crispness. Store it in a covered container to help keep it from drying out.
Use leftover pork tenderloin slices in sandwiches or chop it up and add it to salads, soups, and casseroles. It’s also yummy in pork fried rice, hash, and tacos.
Seasonings for Pork Tenderloin
If you don’t like BBQ seasoning, try one of these other delicious ways to season pork tenderloin:
- Crushed garlic cloves or garlic powder
- Cumin
- Chili powder
- Ground mustard
- Cayenne pepper
- Smoked paprika
- Oregano
- Thyme
- Steak seasoning
- Cajun spice
- Jerk seasoning
- Salt and black pepper
Watch How to Make It!
Bacon Wrapped Pork Tenderloin Air Fryer Recipe
Ingredients
- 1½ lbs pork tenderloin (680 grams; unseasoned and even thickness throughout the length)
- 9 strips bacon (not thick-cut bacon)
- BBQ seasoning
- 4 tablespoons BBQ sauce (may need a little more or less depending on the thickness of the sauce)
Instructions
- Let the pork tenderloin rest at room temperature for one hour if you have time. If your pork tenderloin has silver skin (a silvery membrane), use a knife to remove it before beginning recipe. (Full disclosure: I never do this, but you're supposed to when making tenderloin.)
- Cut the pork tenderloin in half widthwise (so it fits in the air fryer easier) and pat it dry with paper towels. Season the pork tenderloin generously on all sides with the BBQ seasoning.
- Fold the thin end of the pork tenderloin under before wrapping. Carefully wrap the bacon strips over the pieces of pork tenderloin, slightly overlapping the bacon pieces. Each piece of bacon is wrapped around the pork about 1½ times. The short ends of each piece of pork tenderloin are not covered.
- Tie the bacon to the pork tenderloin with kitchen twine. Secure each piece in three places.
- Put the pork tenderloin in the air fryer basket. Air fry for 20 minutes at 400°F (200°C), flipping the pork tenderloin over after 10 minutes.
- Remove the pork tenderloin pieces from the air fryer and flip them again. Generously brush the top and sides with the BBQ sauce using a pastry brush. Return the pork tenderloin to the air fryer basket. Air fry an additional 5-10 minutes at 400°F (200°C).
- Check the thickest part of the pork tenderloin with a meat thermometer to ensure it reached a minimum safe internal temperature of 145°F (63°C). Add more air frying time if needed.
- Let the pork tenderloin rest for 5-10 minutes before clipping the twine and cutting it into slices.
Notes
💭 Expert Tips from Dietitian Summer Yule
This is a level 3 recipe (weight maintenance and active lifestyles). Any recipe wrapped in bacon probably isn’t going to be the lightest dish! Haha Bacon aside, some cuts of pork (including pork tenderloin) are actually lean proteins. In fact, pork tenderloin is about as lean as chicken breast! Chicken breast provides 3.6 grams fat per 100 grams, while pork tenderloin has 3.5 grams fat per 100 grams. Pork is a rich source of B-complex vitamins, as well as minerals such as zinc. If you don’t eat grains (such as on some of the diets mentioned above) pork is another way to get vitamin B1, B2, and B3. Additionally, you are getting over 40 grams of filling protein with each generous serving of this recipe. If you’re looking for a high protein main dish, pork tenderloin is a great choice. Depending on the BBQ seasoning and BBQ sauce you use, you can even make this recipe keto (very low carb), dairy free, and gluten free. Though it’s not plant based, this recipe can work for most of the other special diets! Nutrition information is for one serving. Sodium content depends on the type and amount of BBQ seasoning you use.
nutrition info disclaimer
All recipes on this website may or may not be appropriate for you, depending on your medical needs and personal preferences. Consult with a registered dietitian or your physician if you need help determining the dietary pattern that may be best for you.
The nutrition information is an estimate provided as a courtesy. It will differ depending on the specific brands and ingredients that you use. Calorie information on food labels may be inaccurate, so please don’t sweat the numbers too much.
“To taste” means to your preferences, which may have to be visual to follow food safety rules. Please don’t eat undercooked food x
Nutrition
FAQs
How to make frozen pork tenderloin in an air fryer?
It’s possible to make air fryer frozen pork tenderloin, but you need to be careful to prevent overcooking. Try cooking at 325F (163C) for 30-40 minutes, just until it reaches the minimum safe internal temp of 145F (63C). Spray with oil or brush with marinade or sauce as it thaws to prevent it from drying out.
Does cooking pork longer make it tender?
If you’re slow cooking a pork butt, yes, longer cooking times can make it more tender. For lean pork chops and pork tenderloin, prolonged cooking times will dry them out. Marinating or brining your pork tenderloin can help keep it tender.
Is it safe to eat pink pork?
Maybe, since the color of pork isn’t necessarily a good indicator of doneness. The minimum safe internal temperature for pork roasts is 145F (63C). For ground pork, it is 160F (71C), and for leftover pork in mixed dishes it is 165F (74C).
Can you cook pork tenderloin on an air fryer rotisserie?
Yes, you can make air fryer rotisserie pork tenderloin. If your air fryer spit doesn’t have a spike on the end, you’d need to secure the tenderloin to the spit with kitchen twine.
🥗 Side Dishes for Pork Tenderloin
Here are some ideas for what to serve with air fryer pork tenderloin:
- Smoked Stouffer’s Mac and Cheese
- Air Fryer Frozen Sweet Potato Fries
- Air Fryer Frozen French Fries
- Kale Apple Slaw
- Air Fryer Radishes (Keto alternative to loaded potatoes)
- Homemade Unsweetened Applesauce
And maybe try this Sugar Free Apple Crisp for dessert! 🙂
👩🏻🍳 More Air Fryer Pork Recipes
Check out these air fryer recipes using pork next:
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Hello! I’m Summer, a registered dietitian and home chef who loves to cook, eat, and create recipes for you! Every recipe on this site has been tested by me to help ensure your success in the kitchen. All eaters are welcome here 🙂