Air Fryer BBQ Pork Tenderloin - Easy BBQ Pork Recipe Without A Grill (2024)

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Air Fryer BBQ Pork Tenderloin is a delicious barbecue meal without a grill!

This quick and easy air fryer recipe only takes 20 minutes, making it great for big groups and meal preps.

I also included an easy homemade BBQ sauce recipe!

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Why Air Fryer BBQ Pork Tenderloin?

For foodies, summer signifies one thing: Grilling Season! Coming from the Philippines, BBQ and grilling reminds me of Filipino Pork Barbecue.

But being in North America, it reminds me of Texas BBQ like brisket and ribs.

If you don’t have a grill or are living in a condo (you’re not allowed to have a grill in your unit), then you’re only hope for grilling is if your condo has their own shared barbeque amenities or if your family and friend’s host a summer BBQ.

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I was craving Filipino pork BBQ so this is why I decided to make Air Fryer BBQ Pork Tenderloin!

Now you can make delicious barbecue pork without using a grill.

The result was amazing. The pork tenderloin came out tender and moist!

Best of all, because of the high heat on the air fryer, the barbecue sauce actually caramelizes on the pork giving it the look and taste we want when grilling.

It’s so good that it’s one of my most popular air fryer recipes!

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What Makes This Air Fryer Recipe So Good?

  • Quick. One batch of BBQ Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin only takes a total time of 20 minutes.
  • Simply and Easy. There is not much ingredients and work required to make this dish.
  • No Grill Barbecue Recipe. This air fryer recipe gives you similar results without a grill.
  • Flexible. You can use any sauce you want. Or if you don’t want sauce, you can just use a dry rub.

Also Read: Easy 30-Minute Recipes: Meals and Snacks in 30 Minutes or Less

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What You Need For Air Fryer BBQ Pork Tenderloin

Equipment

I used the Cuisinart Air Fryer Toaster Oven TOA-60 for this recipe.

The size of its air fryer basket was enough to cook the entire batch of pork tenderloin.

This recipe will still work with other air fryer types but you might need to adjust timing for best results.

And depending on capacity, you might need multiple run it in batches.

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Barbecue Pork Tenderloin Ingredients

  • Pork Tenderloin – I used pork tenderloin because it is one of the most tender cuts of pork so it doesn’t become too tough in the air fryer.

    It is one of the leanest part too so it’s healthier than other cuts.

  • BBQ Sauce – you can use favourite brand of Barbecue sauce or homemade sauce.

    I included an easy homemade BBQ sauce recipe below.

  • Oil – just enough to coat the pork so it doesn’t stick to the basket since we are using lean pork.
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Also Read: Prosciutto Arugula Pizza Recipe

How To Make Barbecue Pork Tenderloin in an Air Fryer

Cut the pork tenderloin into cubes then, in a medium bowl, toss them with the oil and BBQ sauce to coat.

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Place the pork on the air fryer basket and set air fryer to 375F for 15 minutes without crowding and overlapping.

Note: This setting was tested on the Cuisinart Air Fryer Toaster Oven. And it came out perfectly caramelized.

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How To Make Easy Barbecue Sauce Recipe

For this BBQ Pork Tenderloin, I actually ended up making my own BBQ sauce instead with things I have in the pantry.

It is so easy to make!

Just mix 15g maple syrup, 110g ketchup and 20g apple cider vinegar in a cup.

This barbecue sauce comes out tasting like Filipino Pork BBQ!

You can also use this BBQ sauce for Air Fryer Barbecue Chicken and Instant Pot Pork Ribs.

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What Dishes To Serve With Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin

  • Instant Pot Edamame Scallion Rice
  • Air Fryer French Fries
  • Jeera Rice
  • Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries
  • Stir-Fry Thai Curry Udon Noodles
  • Coleslaw

BBQ Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin Recipe

Be sure to bookmark/save/pin this post so you can easily make Barbeque Pork Tenderloin in the air fryer!

Air Fryer BBQ Pork Tenderloin - Easy BBQ Pork Recipe Without A Grill (11)

I would love to see how this recipe worked for you! Please share your creations with me on social media and tag me so I can check them out: @TravellingFoodie on Instagram & Facebook and @TravellinFoodie on Twitter.

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Air Fryer BBQ Pork Tenderloin

Yield: 2 people

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Make BBQ Pork Tenderloin without a grill using the air fryer! This Air Fryer BBQ Pork Tenderloin is so easy to make and comes out delicious like it was grilled. Perfect for dinner and meal preps.

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Pat the pork tenderloin dry then dice them.
  2. Toss the pork tenderloin in olive oil and barbecue sauce to coat.
  3. Place pork tenderloin in the air fryer basket with no crowding and overlapping.
  4. Air Fry for 15 minutes at 375F (190C)

Notes

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Nutrition Information:

Yield: 2Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 290Total Fat: 8gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 104mgSodium: 444mgCarbohydrates: 14gFiber: 0gSugar: 12gProtein: 37g

Please note that nutrition information you see is provided and automatically calculated by Nutritionix. This may vary depending on the specific ingredients that you use. To ensure the most accurate information, I suggest entering your specific ingredients into a nutrition calculator.

Did you make this recipe?

Be sure to share and tag me on Instagram @TravellingFoodie and I'll share them on IG Stories!

Hope this Air Fryer BBQ Pork Tenderloin recipe gives you an idea on how to make pork barbecue without the grill!

It’s a delicious main dish to serve family style!

Air Fryer BBQ Pork Tenderloin - Easy BBQ Pork Recipe Without A Grill (16)

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Air Fryer BBQ Pork Tenderloin - Easy BBQ Pork Recipe Without A Grill (2024)

FAQs

Can you put raw pork in an air fryer? ›

It is safe to cook raw meat in the air fryer if it is fully defrosted, seasoned, and monitored. Some fully cooked foods, including chicken tenders or fries, can be placed frozen in the air fryer. However, with raw meat, it's recommended to thoroughly defrost to allow more even cooking and a tasty final product.

How do you keep pork from drying out in an air fryer? ›

Using oil

Using oil in an air fryer is perfectly fine and helps the meat to remain moist and come out looking golden brown. However, a little oil in an air fryer does go a long way. With most cuts of pork, simply rubbing some oil into the meat will be all you need. You can use either regular olive oil or a spray oil.

What is the best method of cooking pork tenderloin? ›

Sear pork, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides, 6–8 minutes. Transfer skillet to oven (if you don't have an oven-safe skillet, transfer pork to a baking dish) and roast, flipping pork halfway through, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part registers 140°, 14–18 minutes.

How do I use my air fryer instead of a grill? ›

You sure bet! Like most air fryer recipes, the key is to preheat your fryer before you throw in the food for maximum crisping effect, says Huff. To replicate the high heat of a grill, she recommends heating it up to 400°F so it's piping hot from the get-go for maximum charring potential.

Do I need grill rack for air fryer? ›

The air fryer rack means I can take advantage of the air fryer basket's limited surface area and fit more in without risking having my food become soggy or cooking unevenly as a result of overloading the basket. An air fryer rack is without a doubt the best air fryer accessory I own, and I will always sing its praises.

Can I wrap pork in foil in air fryer? ›

Is It Safe to Use Aluminum Foil in the Air Fryer? It is absolutely safe to use aluminum foil in your air fryer. In fact, it can make cooking with the air fryer easier.

Can you put aluminum foil in an air fryer? ›

Foil is safe to use in an air fryer so long as you follow three basic rules: never let foil touch the heating element; make sure the foil is weighted so it doesn't blow around the basket; and avoid contact with acidic ingredients, which can cause the foil to leach onto your food.

Do you have to flip meat in air fryer? ›

Do You Need to Flip Steak in an Air Fryer? Because of the air fryer's trademark ability to circulate intensely hot air evenly around food as it cooks, you don't need to flip steak in the air fryer. If you prefer to flip your steaks, that works too! Flip the steak halfway through the required cook time.

How do you keep pork moist and tender? ›

Brining pork chops is one of the best ways way to guarantee a juicy cooked pork chop. Even a quick 30-minute brine (or up to four hours) makes a big difference. It's not strictly necessary — you can still use this method to make great pork chops even without brining — but if you have some extra time, I recommend it.

How to stop food from drying out in an air fryer? ›

Use Tinfoil As A Tool. Another tip that can help keep meats from losing moisture is to protect them with a physical barrier from the dry heat of the air fryer. Using tinfoil helps keep moisture locked in and around the meat, preventing over-evaporation.

Do you put paper in an air fryer? ›

Parchment paper can handle the heat inside your air fryer - up to 428°F (220°C). To get the best results, add the parchment paper to the air fryer basket at the same time as you add your ingredients. This prevents the paper from lifting up and coming into contact with the heating element while cooking.

Is it better to cook a pork tenderloin at 350 or 400? ›

2021• Tips & Tricks. First, you will want to preheat your oven to 400° F. You will end up lowering the heat later on but it is important to start at a high temp to trap the moisture inside the pork loin.

Which cooking method is best for tenderloin? ›

One of the easiest methods of cooking Beef Tenderloin is in the oven. With minimal prep and our easy-to-follow guidelines, you'll present a juicy and tasty roast to guests in no time. For best results, make sure the Tenderloin roast is completely thawed.

What is the secret to tender pork loin? ›

Once the pork loin roast reaches 145°F on an instant-read thermometer, remove it from the oven, and let it rest on a cutting board for 20 minutes. This gives the meat time to reabsorb all its juices. You can also brine the pork before you cook it, which ensures the meat stays tender, juicy, and well-seasoned.

What is the grill plate for in an air fryer? ›

There are two or more Tower compact fryer models - in one there is just a 'drawer' with solid sides which also serves as the 'basket' with a small grill plate to aid circulation and keep the food from sitting in any fat.

Can I put a barbecue stick in an air fryer? ›

your skewers can actually fit in the air fryer. Bake a 180 degrees Celsius for 16 minutes, turning halfway. Let these rest on a plate, and while they do that, you can lather on your favourite barbecue sauce. All that's left to do is just dive in.

How to grill meat in an airfryer? ›

To achieve the best grilling results in an air fryer, preheat the appliance, arrange the food in a single layer, and flip or turn the food halfway through the cooking process. You can also use a meat thermometer to ensure that meats are cooked to the desired doneness.

Can you use grill spray in air fryer? ›

Cooking spray is almost magical. Spritz it on your cookie sheet or your grilled cheese skillet and the finished food just slides off without sticking. But the air fryer is a whole different story. Just like sprays can damage non-stick cookware, experts warn that they can also harm the popular appliance.

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