Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Pork Tenderloin

Name: Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Pork Tenderloin
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt; 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper; 1 pork tenderloin (about 1 1/2 lbs); 6 center cut strips bacon (or more); 1 teaspoon smoked paprika; 1 teaspoon brown sugar; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 1 teaspoon onion powder; 1 tablespoon canola oil; cooking string

Recipe Video Print

Air Fryer Bacon-Wrapped Pork Tenderloin is made with a lean cut of pork that stays tender and moist, thanks to the juicy bacon wrapped around it. The bacon holds in all the precious juices that you need to keep it from drying out. For extra flavor, everything is covered in a simple, yer flavorvul brown sugar rub with smoked paprika and garlic.

If you are not a fan of bacon, this Juicy AF Pork Tenderloin is for you, and it takes even less meal prep time. Did you forget to take the meat out to thaw? That is okay too. Here is a recipe for cooking Frozen Pork Loin in the Instant Pot. Another way to enjoy this dish is to cut it into slices and make Bacon Wrapped Pork Medallions.

Why you will love this recipe
What you will need
How to prepare
Expert tip
Recipe variations and add-ins:
Serving suggestions:
How to store leftovers:
Frequently asked questions
More Air Fryer recipes:

This pork tenderloin recipe makes it the perfect dish to serve on a busy weeknight; it is so quick and easy that you can have a tasty dinner in less than an hour with just a few minutes of prep work. This dish tastes like I have spent hours in the kitchen, but it’s actually proof that a weeknight dinner doesn’t have to be boring or time-consuming. My family loves it every time I cook it, and I always make extras so that we can have some for lunch the next day.

Homemade air fryer bacon wrapped pork tenderloin over mashed potatoes.

Why you will love this recipe

Keeps it moist: Since pork tenderloin is lean, wrapping bacon around it uses the fat to keep the meat moist and juicy. It also protects the outside of the pork from getting too dry.
Fast cooking: The air fryer cooks it fast, so it is crisp and crackly on the outside with a tender, juicy inside. I can have this meat finished in less than 30 minutes.
No oven: It is nice not having to turn on the oven, so it doesn’t heat the whole house. This is especially nice in the summer, but it’s so good when I need to use the oven to bake other things, like dessert.
Just a few ingredients: All I need for this recipe, besides the tenderloin and bacon, is some spices for the rub.

What you will need

air fryer bacon wrapped pork tenderloin ingredients on a table

Meat: I use 1½ porktenderloinsn, each wrapped with 6 strips of center-cut bacon.
Wet ingredients: I use canola oil for the rub because it has a neutral taste and high smoke point.
Seasonings: Besides salt and pepper, I use smoked paprika, which adds a deep, campfire-style smokiness that enhances the pork’s flavor. Brown sugar creates a caramelized sweetness and sticky coating. Garlic powder provides a savory, umami taste that cuts through the rich flavor of the bacon. Onion powder adds slightly sweet depth without added juice.

How to prepare

Season and wrap: First, I season the tenderloin with salt and pepper, then wrap it in bacon and tie it with kitchen string every 2 inches along the roast.

steps how to make air fryer bacon wrapped pork tenderloin

Make the rub: I mix the rub ingredients and rub them into the tenderloin, making sure they stick everywhere, even under the bacon.

Cut and cook: I cut the tenderloin in half to fit the air fryer basket and cook it at 400 degrees F for 20 minutes, turning it halfway through. It should read 140 degrees F when it is finished. It will continue to heat as it rests.

Rest and serve: I remove the roast to rest on a cutting board for 10 minutes before slicing it.

Expert tip

How to get the inside done without drying the outside

There are some important steps to take to ensure the inside cooks quickly without burning the outside of the pork in this recipe. First, trim off the silver skin so the meat can absorb heat more evenly. Secondly, wrapping it in bacon will keep it coated in fat, protecting it from excessive heat. Then, the oil and seasoning rub is another layer of protection that keeps the tenderloin moist, so be sure to rub it all over the meat, including underneath the bacon.

More tips to consider:

If your air fryer is too small or the pork tenderloin is too large, slice it into several pieces.
For extra seasoning, rub some of the seasoning onto the tenderloin before wrapping it with bacon. Then, apply the rest on top of the bacon.
Let the bacon come to room temperature before wrapping it so it is easier to handle. But don’t let it get warm or it will be sticky. Tuck the ends under to ensure it is tightly secured.
Be sure to preheat the air fryer for 5 minutes. Otherwise, the bacon will steam and become soggy.
Make sure you let the meat rest for at least 10 minutes to allow the juices to be reabsorbed.

Juicy air fryer bacon wrapped pork tenderloin medallions.

Recipe variations and add-ins:

Spicy pork: Some of my family and friends like spicy food. For them, I add some crushed red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper to my rub.
Give it a citrus kick: I sometimes add lime or lemon zest to the rub for a tangy citrus note. Orange is another great choice.
Bacon ranch flavor: Since bacon and ranch pair so well, I often add some of my homemade ranch seasoning to the rub for a delicious twist.
Brown sugar honey pork: To sweeten the pork, add a tablespoon of honey. It blends with the brown sugar to make a rich, caramelized glaze.
Less fat: For those watching their fat and calories, turkey bacon works just fine in this recipe.

Brown sugar glazed air fryer bacon wrapped pork tenderloin.

Serving suggestions:

To match the theme, these air-fryer bacon-wrapped green beans are the perfect side dish for this pork tenderloin. Not only are they delicious, but they are also easy to make with just 2 ingredients in less than 30 minutes! Andit’ss a great way to get your kids to eat their vegetables. These sweet potato fries or air fryer twice-baked potatoes are another side dish the kids will gobble up. They are also easy to make with just a few ingredients and take just 20 minutes to cook.

Cooking all these dinner items in the air fryer leaves the oven free to make some amazing desserts. If you need to feed a crowd, try my apple slab pie with maple glaze. It is like a giant homemade pastry with fresh apples and a buttery crust, and it can feed up to 16 people! And the frosting is amazing! If you would rather not bake anything, try my newest dessert, matcha strawberry tiramisu. With layers of ladyfingers dipped into a sweet matcha mixture and topped with mascarpone cream, strawberry sauce, and fresh strawberries, it is my best tiramisu yet!

How to store leftovers:

Refrigerate: Leftover pork tenderloin stays fresh in an airtight container in the fridge for 4 to 5 days
Freezing: I wrap leftovers in plastic wrap and place them in freezer bags to keep them fresh for up to 3 months.
Defrost: I thaw frozen leftovers in the fridge overnight.
Reheating: I place leftovers in the air fryer at 400°F for 2 to 3 minutes.

Sliced, juicy air fryer bacon wrapped pork tenderloin.

Frequently asked questions

Why is the bacon falling off my air-fryer pork tenderloin?

The fan inside the air fryer tends to blow the ends loose, and the fat makes the bacon shrink, causing it to become loose. The string will hold it on for the most part, but I would also use toothpicks for good measure. Just don’t forget to remove them before serving. Or layer it so that it is braided, spiraled, or held down by the weight of the meat.

Why is my air-fryer bbacon-wrapped porktenderloin so tough?

First, make sure the silver skin is removed from the outer layer of the meat. The butcher usually removes this, but not always. If you see a silvery-white sheen on the outside of the meat, it needs to be removed. Just use a knife to slice and pull it from the meat. Then, let the meat come to room temperature. Also, do not overcook the pork! This is essential. It is done at 145 degrees F, but I remove mine at 140 degrees F because it will continue to cook after removal.

Do I need to preheat the air fryer?

Yes, for this recipe, I would recommend preheating the air fryer, especially because the bacon should be crisped quickly at high heat to prevent it from getting soft and mushy. It also helps sear the meat and give it a nice crust. If the air fryerdoesn’tt have a preheat setting, set the temperature you will be using for 5 minutes before using it.

Can I cook frozen pork loin in the air fryer?

It can be done, but I don’t recommend it for this recipe. Cook the meat until it is about halfway done, then add the bacon and the rub, and finish cooking it. You cannot add rub and bacon to a frozen pork tenderloin. Once the meat is thawed enough, add the bacon and rub, then finish cooking.

More Air Fryer recipes:

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