Air Fryer Turkey Tenderloin

Slices of cooked turkey breast on a plate with a fresh sage leaf and a gold fork, next to bowls of mashed potatoes, green beans, and gravy.

5 from 1 vote

Air Fryer Turkey Tenderloin

🦃🌿🍂 How to free up your oven AND make perfectly juicy turkey with just 5 minutes of prep, no brining, and it's ready in 20 minutes! If you're hosting Thanksgiving or a holiday meal and you don't need a whole bird, consider this foolproof air fryer turkey recipe! Flavorful, tender meat, and a great choice when you don't need turkey leftovers for days.

Prep Time5

Cook Time20

Resting Time10

Course: Air Fryer, Dinner, Turkey

Cuisine: Dinner

Diet: Gluten Free

Keyword: air fryer turkey recipe, air fryer turkey tenderloin, turkey tenderloin in air fryer

Servings:

Calories: 159cal

Equipment

Ingredients

16 ounce turkey tenderloin thawed if purchased frozen; halved if you need to so it fits in air fryer
1 tablespoon olive oil or as desired to coat
1 teaspoon kosher salt or to taste
1 teaspoon paprika
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper or to taste
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon fresh sage finely minced and to taste (or sub with 1/2 teaspoon dried sage)
1 teaspoon fresh rosemary finely minced and to taste (or sub with 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary)
1 teaspoon fresh thyme finely minced and to taste (or sub with 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme); optional

Instructions

Preheat air fryer to 370F and if yours doesn't have a preheat setting, turn it on to 370F while you prep the turkey and spices.
Pat turkey dry with paper towels.
Evenly brush with oil or use your fingers to rub oil and coat it evenly.
To a small bowl, add the salt, paprika, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, sage, rosemary, optional thyme, and stir with a small spoon to combine to form the spice rub.
Seasoning & Spices Tips - Measurements are approximate and measure with your heart, i.e. if you love garlic or onion, use a bit more. No rosemary or thyme on hand? Simply omit. If you have fresh herbs on hand from other recipes you're making, fresh herbs are great but dried herbs work just fine. As a general rule, use about half the amount of dried as called for with fresh. So 1 teaspoon fresh = approx 1/2 teaspoon dried.
Evenly pat the spice rub all over the tenderloin.
If desired, add a paper liner to the air fryer, place the tenderloin into the air fryer, and air fry for about 18-20 minutes, or until done. You can flip over once when it's a bit more than halfway done if you'd like which exposes both sides to circulating air for a crispier exterior.
Turkey is done when a digital thermometer measures 165F. Do not guess; take the temperature.
Air Frying Tips - Because all air fryers very in their heat output, and in their overall size or capacity; and all cuts of turkey tenderloin will vary slightly in weight and thickness, air fry until they're fully done whatever that means in your air fryer. It could be longer than 18-22 minutes; maybe up to 28-30 minutes, it just really depends on your air fryer. Start checking earlier, rather than later and go by the internal temperature not time on the clock.
When done, remove the tenderloin from the air fryer, place on a cutting board, and allow meat to rest for 5 to 10 minutes before slicing so that the natural juices have time to redistribute and don't run out when you slice the turkey.
Tip - While the turkey is resting, I like to make my chicken broth gravy because you do not need pan drippings. It only takes 10 minutes to make and you can make it while the turkey rests.
Slice against the grain, optionally, garnish with additional fresh herbs, and/or gravy, and serve.

Notes

Spice rub adapted from my own Air Fryer Turkey Breast recipe

Storage: Leftover turkey will keep airtight in the fridge for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Reheat gently in the microwave as desired, or eat cold straight from the fridge.

Leftover turkey to use? I have many leftover turkey recipes.

Nutrition