Emilie Meyer
Cooking frozen tenderloin in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get a juicy, tender, and delicious meal. With a few simple steps, you can have a perfectly cooked tenderloin that is crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. The key to success is achieving an internal temperature of 145°F, which ensures the meat is cooked safely while remaining moist and flavorful. This can be done by preheating your air fryer to around 330°F-400°F and cooking the tenderloin for 20-38 minutes, depending on the size of the meat and the power of your air fryer.
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What You'll Learn
Preheat the air fryer
Preheating your air fryer is an important step in cooking frozen tenderloin. It ensures your meat cooks evenly and efficiently. Depending on the type of air fryer you have, the preheating temperature may vary. For example, some recipes suggest preheating your air fryer to 380°F, while others recommend 400°F.
When preheating your air fryer, it is important to ensure that the cooking basket is in place. This helps to circulate the hot air evenly and efficiently. It is also important to note that the preheat time may vary depending on the model of your air fryer. Most recipes suggest preheating for about 5 minutes, but you may need to adjust this time depending on your air fryer's performance.
Additionally, it is worth mentioning that some air fryers have a preheat setting, which can be selected before setting the desired cooking temperature. This setting is designed to bring the air fryer up to the desired temperature before cooking. If your air fryer does not have a preheat setting, you can simply set the temperature to your desired cooking temperature and let it heat up for a few minutes before adding your frozen tenderloin.
Once your air fryer has preheated, you can proceed with the rest of the cooking instructions.
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Season the tenderloin
Seasoning your tenderloin is a crucial step in the cooking process, as it adds flavour and creates a delicious outer crust. Here is a step-by-step guide to seasoning your frozen tenderloin before air frying:
Firstly, trim any silver skin or excess fat from the tenderloin. This ensures that the seasoning can penetrate the meat effectively. Use a sharp knife to carefully remove any unwanted parts.
Next, pat the tenderloin dry with paper towels. Removing any excess moisture will help the oil and seasoning adhere to the meat. Make sure to cover all surfaces of the meat for an even cook.
Now, it's time to add oil. Rub a thin layer of olive oil or avocado oil onto the tenderloin. The oil will help the seasoning stick to the meat and promote even browning during cooking.
Prepare your seasoning mix in a small bowl. You can use a variety of dried herbs and spices, such as brown sugar, smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, ground mustard, salt, and pepper. Mix these ingredients together, adding more or less of each to suit your taste preferences. You can also add a dash of cayenne pepper for a spicier kick.
Once your seasoning mix is ready, generously coat the tenderloin. Use your hands to rub the seasoning onto all surfaces of the meat. Make sure the tenderloin is entirely covered, using your hands to gently pack on the seasoning if needed.
Finally, you can choose to cook the tenderloin immediately, or you can prepare it in advance and store it in the freezer for future cooking. If you want to cook it straight away, simply follow the air fryer instructions for cooking frozen tenderloin. However, if you want to prepare it in advance, place the seasoned tenderloin in a freezer bag or container and store it in the freezer. When you're ready to cook, take it out of the freezer and follow the air fryer instructions for frozen tenderloin.
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Cook at 330°F for 35-38 minutes
Cooking frozen tenderloin in an air fryer is a convenient and tasty way to prepare this dish. It is important to note that cooking times may vary depending on the weight and thickness of your tenderloin, so adjust accordingly. Here is a step-by-step guide to cooking frozen tenderloin in an air fryer at 330°F for 35-38 minutes:
Step 1: Preparation
Before cooking, ensure your pork tenderloin is frozen and measure its size to make sure it fits in your air fryer. You can also trim away any excess fat from the outside of the meat. If you wish to season the meat, it is recommended to thaw it completely before doing so. You can also prep ahead by rubbing oil and seasoning the pork tenderloin and storing it in the refrigerator for 24-48 hours.
Step 2: Cooking
Place the frozen pork tenderloin in a cold air fryer and set the temperature to 330°F. Cook for 35-38 minutes, flipping the meat halfway through to ensure even cooking. The pork tenderloin is fully cooked when its internal temperature reaches 145°F at its thickest point. Use a meat thermometer to monitor this, as it is important to ensure the meat is cooked thoroughly.
Step 3: Serving
Once the tenderloin has reached the desired internal temperature, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for at least 5 minutes before slicing. This will help retain the juices and keep the meat tender. Serve the pork tenderloin with your choice of sides and enjoy!
Tips:
- You can coat the exterior of the pork tenderloin with a mixture of olive oil, Dijon mustard, honey, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and chili for added flavor.
- If you have any leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- For reheating, preheat your air fryer to 350°F and cook the pork slices for 3-4 minutes until heated thoroughly.
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Rest the meat for 5 minutes
Once your tenderloin has finished cooking, carefully remove it from the air fryer and place it on a plate or cutting board. It is now time to let the meat rest for 5 minutes. This is a crucial step that many people overlook, but it is essential for ensuring your tenderloin is juicy and flavourful.
As the meat cooks, the muscle fibres start to firm up and water is pushed out towards the surface, where some of it evaporates. By letting the meat rest, you give the muscle fibres time to relax and allow the juices to redistribute throughout the cut. Without this resting period, the juices will immediately leak out when you cut into the meat, leaving it dry and less tasty.
Additionally, the internal temperature of the meat will continue to rise by about 10 degrees during this time, a process called carry-over cooking. This means that you should remove the tenderloin from the air fryer when it is about five to 10 degrees shy of your intended internal temperature. For example, if you want your tenderloin to be medium-rare, you should remove it from the heat when it reaches an internal temperature of 145-150°F, and let it rise to the final temperature of 150-155°F during the resting period.
If you are worried about the meat cooling off during this time, you can tent it with aluminium foil to keep it warm.
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Serve with juices
When cooking frozen tenderloin in an air fryer, it is important to let the meat rest before slicing into it. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, making it more tender and flavorful. The optimal resting time is between 3 to 10 minutes. During this time, the internal temperature of the meat will continue to rise and finish cooking, so it is important not to skip this step.
After the resting period, transfer the tenderloin to a cutting board and slice it. You will notice that the meat has released some juices onto the cutting board. Be sure to save these juices! They are full of flavor and can be served over the sliced meat to enhance its taste and keep it moist.
The juices can be drizzled over the tenderloin slices or used as a dipping sauce. Some people like to add a bit of sauce to the juices to enhance the flavor even more. For example, a splash of barbecue or teriyaki sauce can be mixed with the meat juices to create a delicious glaze for the tenderloin.
Additionally, the juices can be used to moisten any leftovers. Drizzle the juices over the leftover tenderloin slices and store them in an airtight container. This will help keep the meat moist and flavorful when reheating.
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Frequently asked questions
It takes 35-38 minutes to cook frozen tenderloin in an air fryer. Set the temperature to 330°F and cook until the internal temperature reaches 145°F.
Set your air fryer to 330°F. However, some recipes suggest preheating the air fryer to 380°F or 400°F.
You can rub the tenderloin with oil and season it before placing it in the air fryer. Some recipes also suggest trimming any silver skin or excess fat from the tenderloin and patting it dry with paper towels before adding the oil and seasonings.
