Experience the joy of cooking with a juicy, tender pork loin recipe that's both swift and satisfying, promising a delightful dinner on the table in under an hour using your best air fryer.
This dish, with its expertly chosen herbs and a luxuriously smooth roasted garlic sauce, offers a depth of flavor that belies its simple preparation.
Its uncomplicated nature doesn't sacrifice the juicy meal for convenience, making this pork loin recipe an ideal choice for both weeknights in the air fryer and for occasions when you wish to impress guests.
What Makes This Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin Recipe Stand Out
- Efficient cooking: Utilizing an air fryer cuts down on cooking time and helps achieve that desirable crispy exterior without the need for excessive oil.
- Convenience and flavor: The blend of dried rosemary, garlic, and onion powder creates a robust flavor profile that perfectly complements the tenderloin. Plus, it’s easy to make!
- Healthier choice: Air frying is a healthier alternative to traditional frying, reducing the amount of oil without sacrificing texture or taste.
- Versatility: The addition of roasted garlic cream sauce adds a gourmet touch and can be repurposed for other meals, maximizing your cooking efforts.
Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin Ingredients
Step into a culinary adventure with these carefully selected ingredients, chosen to deliver maximum flavor and enjoyment. Here's what you'll need for this exquisite dish:
For the meat:
- 1 to 1¼ pounds of pork tenderloin, trimmed
- 2 pounds of red potatoes, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil, divided
- 2 teaspoons of dried rosemary, divided
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder, divided
- 1 teaspoon onion powder, divided
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Garnish (optional): fresh rosemary and thyme leaves
For the garlic cream sauce:
- 1 large head of roasted garlic
- 1½ cup of whole milk, divided
- ¼ cup of unsalted butter
- ¼ cup of all-purpose flour
- 4 ounces of cream cheese, cut into chunks
- ¾ cup of Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Easy Step-by-Step Process for Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin With Creamy Roasted Garlic Sauce
Follow these steps to create a mouthwatering meal that's both quick and easy!
Steps for the Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin
Step 1: Pork Tenderloin Preparation
Begin by taking the pork tenderloin out of the fridge 30 minutes before you plan to cook. Trim away any excess fat and peel off the silver skin.
Let it rest at room temperature.
Step 2: Air Fryer Preheating
Turn on the air fryer, select "Air Crisp," and set it to 375°F for 25 minutes. Hit "Start" to preheat the air fryer.
Step 3: Seasoning the Pork
Mix together half the olive oil with dried rosemary, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper in a bowl. Brush the tenderloin with the herbed oil mixture thoroughly.
Step 4: Preparing the Potatoes
Toss the diced potatoes into a bowl and add the remaining olive oil and the same herbs and spices until they're well coated.
Step 5: Cooking the Tenderloin and Potatoes
Once the air fryer indicates it's time to add food, carefully (it will be very hot) arrange the tenderloin in the air fryer, and nestle the seasoned potatoes around it. Close the air fryer to start cooking.
While this is cooking, prepare the roasted garlic cream sauce. Jump to the next section for the steps.
Step 6: Mid-Cooking Adjustments
After 10 minutes of cooking, open the air fryer to flip the tenderloin and shuffle the potatoes for an even roast.
Step 7: Checking Doneness
Check the pork's internal temperature after another 10 minutes. Aim for a reading slightly above 140°F, keeping in mind it will rise after resting.
Step 8: Finalizing the Potatoes
Once the pork is done, let it rest while you give the potatoes a final 5-minute crisp.
Step 9: Serving
Slice the rested tenderloin, plate with the potatoes, and drizzle generously with the roasted garlic cream sauce. Garnish with fresh herbs if you like, and serve hot.
Steps for the Roasted Garlic Cream Sauce
Step 1: Garlic and Milk Mixture
Mash roasted garlic with a fork in a bowl with whole milk, or blend for a smoother texture.
Step 2: Making the Roux
Melt butter in a pan over medium-low heat, then whisk in flour until smooth.
Step 3: Adding Cheeses and Final Touches
Stir in cream cheese and the garlic-milk mixture until the cheese melts.
Blend in grated Parmesan and salt, then gradually add milk until you've reached the perfect sauce consistency.
Step 4: Finalizing the Sauce
Remove from heat, and it's ready to enhance your dish!
Expert Tips for Making Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin
- Always preheat the air fryer.
Preheating your air fryer ensures that the pork and potatoes start cooking immediately at the right temperature, essential for that crispy finish.
- Don't overcrowd the meat in the air fryer.
Spacing out the food allows hot air to circulate freely, achieving an even cook and the perfect crust on your tenderloin and potatoes.
- Shake or turn the food halfway.
Shaking or turning the food halfway ensures all sides get direct heat, creating a uniformly cooked meal with a desirable golden exterior.
- Save your remaining garlic sauce.
If you have any roasted garlic cream sauce remaining, store it in an airtight container, and keep it in the fridge. You can use it later with rotisserie chicken breast, pasta, and roasted vegetables.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Use Other Types of Potatoes?
Absolutely, starchy varieties like russets or all-purpose potatoes like Yukon Golds are excellent for roasting and will work well with this recipe.
What if I Don't Have an Air Fryer?
You can still enjoy this meal by roasting the tenderloin in a conventional oven. Try baking at 400°F for about 25 to 30 minutes or until the desired doneness is reached.
How Do I Store Leftovers?
Place leftovers in a sealed container and refrigerate. For a just-cooked taste, reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for a few minutes or until heated through.
Can I Make the Sauce Ahead of Time?
Yes, prepare the sauce whenever convenient, store it in the fridge, and gently warm it on the stove or in the microwave when ready to serve.
How Do I Know When the Pork Is Done?
Use an instant read thermometer and look for a reading of 145°F in the thickest part of the tenderloin.
For example, if you remove the pork at 140°F, the residual heat will continue to cook the meat to the perfect temperature as it rests.
Ingredients
For the meat:
- 1 to 1¼ pounds of pork tenderloin trimmed
- 2 pounds of red potatoes cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil divided
- 2 teaspoons of dried rosemary divided
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder divided
- 1 teaspoon onion powder divided
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Garnish optional: fresh rosemary and thyme leaves
For the garlic cream sauce:
- 1 large head of roasted garlic
- 1½ cup of whole milk divided
- ¼ cup of unsalted butter
- ¼ cup of all-purpose flour
- 4 ounces of cream cheese cut into chunks
- ¾ cup of Parmesan cheese freshly grated
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
Steps for the Pork Tenderloin
- About 30 minutes before cooking, remove pork tenderloin from the refrigerator to bring it to room temperature. Remove any excess fat and silver skin.
- Preheat the air fryer using the "Air Crisp" function, setting the temperature to 375°F and the timer to 25 minutes.
- Mix half the olive oil with dried rosemary, garlic powder, and onion powder in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper, then brush this mixture onto the pork.
- Toss diced potatoes with the remaining olive oil, rosemary, garlic powder, and onion powder. Season with salt and pepper.
- Once the air fryer indicates it's time to add food, place the pork tenderloin inside and surround it with the seasoned potatoes.
- After 10 minutes of cooking, flip the pork and stir the potatoes for even browning. Continue cooking for another 10 minutes, then check the pork's internal temperature.
- Remove the pork when it reaches just above 140°F and let it rest for 3-5 minutes to allow residual heat to carry it to a safe temperature.
- Finish cooking the potatoes for the remaining time.
- Serve the sliced pork tenderloin with the roasted potatoes and Roasted Garlic Cream Sauce, garnished with fresh herbs if desired.
Steps for the Roasted Garlic Cream Sauce
- Mash roasted garlic cloves with whole milk in a bowl.
- Melt butter in a skillet and whisk in flour until smooth.
- Combine cream cheese and the garlic-milk mixture in the skillet, stirring until the cheese melts.
- Stir in grated Parmesan cheese and salt until smooth.
- Gradually add the remaining milk to the sauce until it reaches your desired consistency, then remove from heat.
Related Recipes
- Easy and Amazing Pulled Pork Sliders
- Honey Sesame Pulled Pork Tacos Recipe
- Pulled Pork Baked Potato Recipe
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