Crispy Air Fryer Turkey Tenderloin Recipe

Have you ever looked at a package of turkey tenderloin in the fridge and thought “I bet it would taste great if I figure out how to make it great”? Yeah, me too, which is why I am OBSESSED with this air fryer method. Years ago when trying to prepare turkey tenderloin because it was lean, I found that air frying made all the difference in the world and has saved dinner at my house more times than I can count! You’ll have juicy flavorful turkey tenderloin ready in 30 minutes (seriously!) so much healthier than fried and quicker than roasting in oven. Did you know an air fryer uses up to 85% less oil than traditional frying methods while still providing the crispy exterior? Yes, please and thank you! Here is my fool proof method that will have your family asking for seconds.

What is Turkey Tenderloin?

If you are scratching your head trying to figure out what part of the turkey we are talking about, then let me clarify: Turkey tenderloin is a boneless, skinless piece of meat from the breast that is the most tender section of the breast (hence the name “tenderloin”). Tenderloins are small, thin cuts that cook much more quickly than whole turkey breast, and they are very lean protein with about 24 grams per serving of just 1 gram of fat. Turkey tenderloin has a great shape and size for air frying because they are all uniform in thickness, which makes them cook evenly, plus the lean nature of the meat benefits from the hot air circulation that occurs during an air fryer while keeping moisture inside.When shopping, find turkey tenderloins that are pink with no grey spots. They should be sold in packages of two, and if you can find it, use …

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Turkey:

• 1.5 pounds turkey tenderloin (typically 2 pieces)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

For the Herb Rub:

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 1 teaspoon paprika (sweet or smoked)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional for heat)

Don’t have these exact herbs? No problem! This recipe is super flexible. You can substitute Italian seasoning for the thyme and rosemary, or use fresh herbs if you have them (just double the amount). The cayenne is completely optional – I like a little kick, but you can leave it out if you’re cooking for kiddos or spice-sensitive folks.

The olive oil is crucial here as it helps the seasonings stick to the meat and promotes that gorgeous golden crust we’re looking for. If you’re out of olive oil, avocado oil works great too!

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Total time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4

Kitchen Tools & Equipment

To make this recipe, you’ll need:

• An air fryer (obviously!). I use a 5.8-quart Cosori model, but any air fryer with enough space for your tenderloins will work. If you have a smaller air fryer, you might need to cook the tenderloins one at a time.
• Meat thermometer – absolute MUST for perfectly cooked turkey. I cannot stress this enough! Even a few degrees can make the difference between juicy perfection and dry disappointment.
• Mixing bowl for combining your seasonings
• Measuring spoons
• Tongs for flipping the turkey
• Cutting board and knife
• Pastry brush (optional, for applying oil)

Don’t have an air fryer yet? While I highly recommend getting one (seriously, game-changer!), you could adapt this recipe for a conventional oven. You’d need to increase the cooking time to about 25-30 minutes at 375°F, but you won’t get quite the same crispy exterior.

Quick tip: Give your air fryer basket a light spritz with oil or use parchment paper made for air fryers to prevent sticking!

Preparing Your Turkey Tenderloin

Proper prep is key to getting that perfectly juicy result, so don’t skip these steps!

First things first, remove your turkey tenderloin from the refrigerator about 20-30 minutes before cooking. Letting it come to room temperature helps it cook more evenly.

While it’s warming up, check your tenderloins for any tough white connective tissue (sometimes called “silver skin”). If you spot any, use a sharp knife to carefully trim it away. This stuff doesn’t break down during cooking and can make your finished dish chewy.

Next, pat the tenderloins dry with paper towels. This step is SUPER important! Removing excess moisture helps the seasonings stick better and promotes better browning.

Now for the flavor magic! In a small bowl, combine all your dry herbs and spices (garlic powder, thyme, rosemary, paprika, salt, pepper, onion powder, and cayenne if using). Mix them well to create your rub.

Drizzle the olive oil over both sides of your turkey tenderloins, then use your hands to make sure they’re evenly coated. This oil will help your herb rub stick AND promote that gorgeous golden-brown color we’re after.

Sprinkle your herb mixture generously over all sides of the oiled turkey, using your fingers to press it into the meat. Make sure you get an even coating for consistent flavor.

If you have time, let the seasoned tenderloins sit for 15-30 minutes to let the flavors start penetrating the meat. If you’re in a hurry, you can skip this step, but even 5 minutes makes a difference!

Remember to wash your hands thoroughly after handling raw turkey, and sanitize any surfaces the raw meat touched.

How to Cook Turkey Tenderloin in the Air Fryer

Now for the main event – cooking your perfectly prepped turkey tenderloin to juicy perfection!

1. Preheat your air fryer to 380°F for 3-5 minutes. Starting with a hot air fryer is crucial for getting that immediate sear that locks in juices.
2. Once preheated, lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking oil or line with air fryer parchment paper to prevent sticking.
3. Place your seasoned turkey tenderloins in the air fryer basket, making sure they’re not touching each other. If your air fryer is too small to fit both with space between them, cook them in batches.
4. Cook for 10 minutes at 380°F, then use tongs to flip the tenderloins over.
5. Continue cooking for another 7-10 minutes. The exact time will depend on the thickness of your tenderloins and your specific air fryer model.
6. THIS IS CRITICAL: Check the internal temperature with your meat thermometer! Turkey needs to reach 165°F to be safely cooked. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the tenderloin.
7. If it hasn’t reached 165°F yet, continue cooking in 2-minute increments until it does. Be careful not to overcook!
8. Once done, immediately remove the tenderloins from the air fryer and place them on a plate or cutting board.
9. Let the meat REST for 5-10 minutes before slicing. I know it’s tempting to cut right in, but this resting period allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat instead of spilling out onto your cutting board.

The result? Perfectly cooked turkey tenderloin with a beautifully seasoned crust on the outside and juicy, tender meat on the inside!

Flavor Variations & Seasonings

While the herb rub in this recipe is my go-to favorite, there are SO many ways to shake things up! Here are some amazing flavor profiles to try:

Mediterranean Magic: Replace the herb blend with 1 tablespoon Mediterranean seasoning, add 1 teaspoon dried oregano, ½ teaspoon lemon zest, and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice after cooking. Serve with tzatziki sauce for dipping!

BBQ Bonanza: Skip the herb rub entirely and instead coat the tenderloins with 2 tablespoons of your favorite BBQ rub. During the last 2 minutes of cooking, brush with BBQ sauce for a sticky, delicious glaze.

Thanksgiving Anytime: Use a blend of sage, thyme, and rosemary with a touch of dried cranberries sautéed in butter as a topping after cooking. It’s like Thanksgiving dinner without all the fuss!

Asian-Inspired: Marinate the tenderloins for 30 minutes in a mixture of soy sauce, honey, garlic, and ginger before applying a light coating of oil and air frying. Sprinkle with sesame seeds before serving.

I’ve found that most folks LOVE the addition of a complementary sauce. Some favorites to serve alongside your turkey tenderloin include:

• Cranberry sauce (even the canned stuff works great!)
• Gravy (store-bought or homemade)
• Honey mustard
• Herb butter
• Pesto

Remember that turkey is pretty versatile, so feel free to experiment with your family’s favorite flavors!

Serving Suggestions & Side Dishes

Turn your air fryer turkey tenderloin into a complete meal with these delicious pairings:

For a quick weeknight dinner, I love serving this with:

• Roasted sweet potatoes (bonus: you can make these in the air fryer too, right after the turkey!)
• Simple green salad with vinaigrette
• Steamed or air-fried broccoli
• Instant Pot mashed potatoes

If you’re entertaining or want something a bit fancier:

• Wild rice pilaf with dried cranberries and pecans
• Roasted Brussels sprouts with balsamic glaze
• Butternut squash risotto
• Garlic butter green beans

For a lighter option:

• Quinoa salad with roasted vegetables
• Cauliflower “rice”
• Zucchini noodles with light pesto
• Cucumber and tomato salad

Wine pairing: A light Pinot Noir or unoaked Chardonnay complements turkey tenderloin beautifully!

Leftover turkey tenderloin is AMAZING the next day. Slice it thin for sandwiches, dice it for salads, or chop it up for a quick turkey fried rice. I sometimes make extra just to have leftovers!

For meal prep, slice the cooked and cooled turkey and store it in airtight containers with your choice of sides. It’ll stay good in the fridge for 3-4 days, making it perfect for healthy lunches all week.

Troubleshooting & FAQs

Q: Help! My turkey turned out dry. What went wrong?
A: The most common culprit is overcooking. Turkey tenderloin cooks quickly, and even a few extra minutes can dry it out. Use a meat thermometer and remove the turkey as soon as it hits 165°F. Also, don’t skip the resting time!

Q: Can I use frozen turkey tenderloin?
A: It’s best to fully thaw it first for even cooking. If you must use frozen, add about 50% more cooking time and flip more frequently, but the results won’t be quite as good.

Q: My air fryer is smoking! What’s happening?
A: This can happen if there’s excess oil dripping into the bottom. Use just enough oil to coat the turkey without it dripping off. You can also add a tablespoon of water to the bottom of the air fryer to prevent smoking.

Q: How do I adjust cooking times for different sized tenderloins?
A: A good rule of thumb is about 7-8 minutes per half-pound at 380°F, but always use a meat thermometer to confirm doneness.

Q: Can I make this recipe in a different air fryer model?
A: Absolutely! The cooking principles are the same, but you might need to adjust times slightly. Basket-style and oven-style air fryers might have different cooking times, so keep an eye on your turkey the first time you make this recipe.

Storage and Reheating:
Store cooled leftover turkey in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. For best results when reheating, wrap in foil with a tablespoon of chicken broth or water and heat in a 300°F oven until just warm (about 10 minutes). You can also reheat in the air fryer at 300°F for 3-4 minutes, but it may dry out slightly.

Freezing works too! Slice the cooled turkey, wrap tightly in plastic wrap then foil, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Conclusion

There you have it – the absolute BEST way to cook turkey tenderloin in your air fryer! This method has seriously revolutionized how I cook turkey at home. It’s quick enough for busy weeknights but impressive enough for when friends drop by.

The magic of this recipe is in its simplicity. With just a few pantry staples and that amazing air fryer technology, you get restaurant-quality results in your own kitchen. The herb-crusted exterior with that perfectly juicy interior is simply unbeatable!

Trust me, once you try this method, you’ll never go back to oven-baking turkey again! The texture and flavor are just on another level, and who can argue with a 30-minute cook time?

I’d LOVE to hear how this recipe works for you! Drop a comment below to let me know what side dishes you paired it with or what flavor variations you tried.

Don’t forget to pin this recipe for your next “what’s for dinner?” emergency! Your future hungry self will thank you!

Happy air frying!

Crispy Air Fryer Turkey Tenderloin Recipe

Course: Dinner, MainCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy

Servings

4

servings

Prep time

5

minutes

Cooking time

25

minutes

Calories

190

kcal

Total time

30

minutes

Juicy, flavorful, and perfectly cooked in under 30 minutes, this Air Fryer Turkey Tenderloin is a weeknight winner! With a simple seasoning blend and crispy outer crust, it’s an easy and healthy main dish that pairs beautifully with veggies, mashed potatoes, or salad. Perfect for small holiday meals or everyday dinners.

Ingredients

• 1–1.5 lb turkey tenderloin (boneless, skinless)
  

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• 1 tsp garlic powder

• 1 tsp onion powder

• 1 tsp smoked paprika

• ½ tsp dried thyme

• ½ tsp dried rosemary

• ½ tsp salt

• ½ tsp black pepper

• Optional: ½ tsp chili powder for heat

• Optional: lemon wedges for serving

Directions

• Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 3–5 minutes.
• Pat dry the turkey tenderloin with paper towels.
• In a small bowl, mix the olive oil with all the spices: garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper.
• Rub the spice mixture all over the turkey tenderloin to coat it evenly.
• Place the tenderloin in the air fryer basket. Ensure there’s space around it for air circulation.
• Air fry for 25–28 minutes, flipping halfway through. Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temp reaches 165°F (74°C).
• Remove the turkey and let it rest for 5–10 minutes before slicing.
  
• Serve warm with your favorite sides or slice for sandwiches and salads.

Notes

• For extra juicy turkey, let it marinate in the seasoning mix for 30 minutes before cooking.
  Don’t skip the rest time—it helps lock in all the juices!
  You can use this same seasoning mix on chicken breasts or pork tenderloin too.