Air Fryer Turkey Tenderloin

Air fryer turkey tenderloin offers a quick and healthy way to enjoy a juicy and flavorful meal. This lean cut of turkey cooks to perfection in the air fryer, resulting in a tender, moist interior with a lightly crisped exterior. It’s a versatile option that’s perfect for weeknight dinners or a smaller holiday gathering, and it pairs well with a variety of sides.

We love the taste of turkey in our household. And although I enjoy dark meat over white meat, I ADORE this turkey breast tenderloin recipe. Christopher wants me to make it again next week, which of course, I will, as not only is the flavor wonderful, but the sliced turkey is also good on sandwiches.

I also have a turkey breast recipe that I brined. You can find the recipe here.

Here are some side dishes and/or condiments to go with this recipe: carrots, creamed spinach, peas, twice-baked potatoes, cranberry sauce, mushroom rice, and scalloped potatoes,

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Helpful tips

• I used a tray type of air fryer. I have the Instant Vortex Pro, which I love. I mention this because, I have not made this recipe in an air fryer basket, but I’m sure it will work. Just keep your eye on it, so it doesn’t brown too much.
• My air fryer has three tray slots—one for the drip pan and two for the cooking trays. I air-fried this turkey tenderloin in the lower tray slot so it’s as far away from the heating element as possible.
• Preheating your air fryer ensures that the turkey tenderloin cooks evenly and helps achieve a nicely browned exterior.
• I cook the turkey at 380°F for 22 minutes. But as all ovens are different, keep your eye on it and take internal temperatures starting at 20 minutes.
• Use paper towels to pat the turkey as dry as you can before seasoning. This helps the seasonings stick better and promotes even browning.
• Turkey tenderloin is a lean cut, so season it well with salt, pepper, and your favorite herbs or spices for maximum flavor. A simple mix of garlic powder, onion powder, tarragon, and sage works great. Other great additions are thyme and smoked paprika, but I didn’t want the color to overtake the meat.
• I choose not to rub the tenderloin with a vegetable oil because I didn’t want a crust around the meat. But if you want a crust, use a high smoke-point oil like avocado or olive oil.
• Check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure the turkey is cooked to at least 160°F. You will remove it from the oven, tent a piece of aluminum foil over the meat, and let it rest for 5 minutes. The temperature should rise as it sits to 165°F (74°C). This prevents overcooking and keeps the tenderloin juicy.
• Letting the turkey rest before cutting into it allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in a more flavorful and tender bite.
• Flip the tenderloin halfway through the cooking time for even browning and cooking.
• Slice leftover turkey tenderloin and use it for salads, sandwiches, or wraps for easy meals throughout the week.
• Storage: store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

How to make air fryer turkey tenderloins

Pre-step

Get out your air fryer and if you have one with trays, remove them from the oven. Otherwise, if you have the basket type, you will be preheating the oven with the basket in.

Get a small mixing bowl and a small whisk (or fork).

Step one

Gather the ingredients – turkey tenderloin (patted dry with paper towels), garlic powder, onion powder, sage, cumin, tarragon, salt, and black pepper.

Step two

Add the herbs and spices to a small bowl. Take a whisk or fork and mix them together. (A)

Step three

Sprinkle the herb mixture on both sides of the turkey tenderloins. (B) Place the meat on the air fryer tray with the top of the tenderloin facing up.

Step four

Pre-heat the air fryer at 380°F. It usually takes around 5 minutes to preheat. Once it beeps that it is ready, add the tray to the lowest rung of the air fryer.

If you have the basket air fryer, add the tenderloin in the basket with the top facing up.

Step five

Flip the tenderloin at 11 minutes.

Step six

Test the turkey at 20 minutes. If the temperature isn’t at least 160°F, put it in for another minute or two.

Step seven

Once it’s done, put a piece of aluminum foil on the turkey and tent it. Let it rest for 5 minutes.

I cut both tenderloins into slices.

I add some carrots to the serving platter.

Let’s look a little closer.

Now to prepare a plate. I add the carrots and some creamed peas. (Recipe coming soon.)

So delicious. I hope you enjoyed this air fryer turkey tenderloin recipe. It’s great for a small Thanksgiving, but it is also an easy weeknight meal.

Other popular air fryer recipes

• Cornish hens
• Chicken thighs
• Pork chops
• Chicken breasts
• Chicken wings
• Chicken drumsticks

And as always, may all your dishes be delish.

If you’ve tried this recipe, I’d love to know your thoughts in the comments below. I love hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM, and PINTEREST to see more of my delicious food and delightful cocktails!