Delicious Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Turkey Tenderloin: Your Ultimate Guide to a Flavorful Meal

Transform your dinner routine with this incredible bacon wrapped turkey tenderloin recipe! We all agree that everything is better with bacon, and this dish proves it. Featuring perfectly seasoned turkey, delightfully crispy bacon, and a tantalizing BBQ sauce glaze, this entree is sophisticated enough for your Thanksgiving feast yet surprisingly simple for a busy weeknight meal. Prepare for a culinary experience that will impress everyone at your table!

Why You’ll Love This Bacon Wrapped Turkey Recipe

Bacon-wrapped turkey tenderloin offers an irresistible combination of savory flavors and a wonderfully juicy texture, all in a dish that’s both elegant and incredibly easy to prepare. This recipe harnesses the power of the air fryer to achieve culinary perfection: the turkey remains tender and moist on the inside, while the bacon crisps up beautifully on the outside, delivering that satisfying crunch with every single bite.

The addition of bacon isn’t just for texture; it infuses the lean turkey with a smoky, salty depth that elevates the entire dish. It transforms an ordinary meal into something truly special, making it feel like a holiday celebration without the extensive effort of roasting a whole turkey. Whether you’re planning an intimate Thanksgiving gathering, a special occasion dinner, or just want to treat your family to something extraordinary on a weeknight, this air fryer turkey tenderloin is the perfect solution.

Beyond the fantastic flavor and texture, the air fryer significantly streamlines the cooking process. It drastically cuts down on cooking time compared to traditional oven methods and makes cleanup a breeze. This means less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying your delicious meal. It’s the ultimate comfort food that delivers huge flavor in a convenient, easy-to-prepare package, quickly becoming a staple in any busy household looking for quick and delicious meals.

Essential Ingredients for Bacon Wrapped Turkey Tenderloin

Crafting this flavorful dish requires just a few key ingredients, making it easy to shop for and prepare. Here’s what you’ll need to make your perfect bacon wrapped turkey tenderloin:

• 1 ½ pounds turkey tenderloins: You can choose plain, raw tenderloins and season them yourself, or opt for pre-marinated ones for added convenience and flavor.
• 1 tsp kosher salt per pound: Essential for enhancing the natural flavors of the turkey. If using pre-marinated turkey, check its sodium content first.
• ½ tsp black pepper per pound: Freshly ground black pepper adds a wonderful aromatic kick. Adjust to your preference, or skip if using a pre-marinated tenderloin.
• 10-12 slices bacon: This quantity typically covers two standard-sized tenderloins, approximately 5-6 slices per tenderloin depending on their length and thickness.
• ¼ cup BBQ sauce of choice: The sauce adds a delightful sweet and tangy glaze. I personally love a chipotle cherry BBQ sauce for its unique smoky-sweet profile, but any favorite will work beautifully.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Air Frying Turkey Tenderloin

Follow these simple steps to create a perfectly cooked, juicy bacon wrapped turkey tenderloin with crispy bacon and a delicious glaze:

1. Prepare the Turkey: Begin by thoroughly patting your turkey tenderloins dry with paper towels. This crucial step helps the seasonings adhere better and promotes a crispier exterior. Once dry, generously season all sides of the turkey as desired with kosher salt and black pepper, or any other spices you prefer. If you’re using pre-marinated tenderloins, you can skip this seasoning step.
2. Wrap with Bacon: Take a slice of bacon and start wrapping it around the narrow end of the turkey tenderloin. Work your way down the length of the tenderloin, ensuring each strip of bacon slightly overlaps the previous one to create a continuous layer. Typically, 5-6 pieces of regular-cut bacon are needed per tenderloin, depending on its size. If you find the bacon won’t stay in place, use a few toothpicks to secure it, making sure to soak the toothpicks in water for 10-15 minutes beforehand to prevent them from burning during cooking.

3. Load the Air Fryer: Carefully place the bacon-wrapped turkey tenderloins into your air fryer’s basket or on its rack. It’s essential to leave a bit of air space between each tenderloin to allow for proper air circulation. This ensures the bacon cooks evenly and crisps up all around, rather than steaming. Overcrowding can lead to soggy bacon and unevenly cooked turkey.

4. First Cook Cycle: Set your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) and cook for 20 minutes. After this initial cooking time, carefully flip each tenderloin to ensure even browning and crisping of the bacon. Continue cooking for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until an instant-read meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the turkey registers around 160°F (71°C). Remember, the turkey is not fully cooked at this stage, so don’t be alarmed by a slightly lower temperature.
5. Glaze and Finish Cooking: Now it’s time for the delicious BBQ glaze! Generously brush the bacon with your chosen BBQ sauce. Return the tenderloins to the air fryer and cook for an additional 5 minutes. This final step allows the BBQ sauce to caramelize, creating a sticky, flavorful crust, and brings the turkey to its safe internal temperature. The turkey is fully cooked when the thickest part reaches 165°F (74°C) and the juices run clear. If you desire even crispier bacon, you can extend the cooking time by a few more minutes, keeping a close eye on it to prevent burning.

6. Rest and Serve: Once cooked, remove the tenderloins from the air fryer and let them rest on a cutting board for 5-10 minutes. Resting allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring a more tender and moist turkey. After resting, slice and serve with your favorite complementary side dishes. Enjoy this incredibly flavorful meal!

Perfect Pairing Suggestions for Your Turkey Tenderloin

Complete your meal with these fantastic pairing ideas that complement the rich flavors of the bacon wrapped turkey tenderloin:

Delectable Side Dishes

• Roasted Sweet Potatoes: Their natural sweetness beautifully complements the smoky and salty notes of the bacon. For an extra indulgent twist, try my Air Fryer Candied Yams. The caramelized sweetness pairs wonderfully with the savory turkey.
• Garlic Mashed Cauliflower or Potatoes: Creamy and mild, these classics provide a comforting balance to the richness of the main dish. The subtle garlic flavor adds an aromatic depth without overpowering the turkey.
• Brussels Sprouts or Green Beans with Almonds: Earthy and slightly bitter, these vegetables add a welcome freshness and textural contrast to the plate. My popular Longhorn Steakhouse Brussels Sprouts recipe offers a delicious sweet and smoky flavor profile that would be an excellent choice.
• Cranberry Sauce or Chutney: Especially during the holidays, the tartness of cranberry sauce or a fruit chutney cuts through the richness of the turkey and bacon beautifully, offering a bright, zesty counterpoint. Don’t miss my easy homemade Microwave Cranberry Sauce for a quick and fresh option.

Sophisticated Drink Pairings

• Chardonnay or Viognier: These creamy, buttery white wines echo the savory richness of the bacon and add a luxurious feel to the meal. Look for unoaked or lightly oaked varieties to avoid overwhelming the turkey.
• Pinot Noir: A lighter-bodied red wine, Pinot Noir is elegant enough not to overpower the delicate turkey, yet its fruity and earthy notes provide a structured complement to the savory bacon.
• Hard Cider or Bourbon Cocktail: For a warm and rustic pairing, a crisp hard cider offers a pleasant tang, while a well-crafted bourbon cocktail (like an Old Fashioned) introduces warm, caramelized notes that perfectly match the smoky flavors of the dish. Try my festive Pumpkin Spice Old Fashioned for a seasonal touch.

Delightful Desserts to Finish

• Pumpkin Pie or Pecan Pie Bark: Embrace cozy fall sweetness with these classic desserts. The warm spices of pumpkin pie or the nutty crunch of pecan pie bark provide a comforting and traditional ending to your meal.
• Apple Crisp or Brown Sugar Bread Pudding: Both offer warm, spiced flavors that conclude the meal on a wonderfully comforting note. My Air Fryer Apple Crisp is a particularly perfect complement, offering a lighter, fruity finish.

Expert Tips for the Best Bacon Wrapped Turkey Tenderloin

Achieve consistently perfect results with these essential tips for making your air fryer bacon wrapped turkey tenderloin:

• Secure with Toothpicks: If you find the bacon isn’t staying snugly wrapped around the turkey tenderloin, don’t hesitate to secure it with wooden toothpicks. A crucial step here is to soak the toothpicks in water for 10-15 minutes before using them. This prevents them from burning and splintering during the cooking process. Just be sure to count them as you put them in and remove all of them before serving!
• Invest in a Meat Thermometer: The single most reliable way to ensure your turkey is perfectly cooked and safe to eat is by using an instant-read or meat thermometer. Visual cues like “juices running clear” are helpful, but a thermometer eliminates guesswork and guarantees a juicy, not overcooked, result every time. Aim for 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part.
• Understand Cooking Time Variability: Keep in mind that cooking times can vary significantly. Factors such as the exact size and thickness of your turkey tenderloins, whether they started at room temperature or chilled, and the specific model and wattage of your air fryer all play a role. For reference, I often use a Ninja Dual Zone air fryer for my recipes. Always use the suggested times as a guideline and adjust as needed, relying on your meat thermometer for accuracy to suit your particular setup.
• Avoid Overcrowding: For the crispiest bacon and most evenly cooked turkey, it’s vital to avoid overcrowding your air fryer basket. Cook in batches if necessary, ensuring there’s enough space around each tenderloin for hot air to circulate freely. Overcrowding leads to steaming instead of crisping.
• Preheat Your Air Fryer: Just like a conventional oven, preheating your air fryer is beneficial. A preheated air fryer ensures that the food starts cooking immediately at the desired temperature, contributing to a better sear on the bacon and a more consistent cook on the turkey.

Storage and Reheating for Later Enjoyment

Planning ahead or managing leftovers for your bacon wrapped turkey tenderloin? Here’s how to store and reheat it to maintain its deliciousness.

Optimal Storage Tips

• Refrigerate: Any leftover bacon wrapped turkey tenderloin should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh and delicious for up to 3–4 days.
• Freeze: For longer storage, wrap individual portions tightly in aluminum foil or plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. It can be frozen for up to 2 months. For convenience and best reheating results, consider slicing the tenderloin into medallions before freezing; this allows you to easily thaw and reheat only the portions you need.
• Avoid Sogginess: To prevent the bacon from becoming soggy during storage, always allow the cooked turkey tenderloin to cool completely to room temperature before sealing it in any container. Sealing warm food traps steam, which can make the bacon lose its crisp texture.

Best Reheating Methods

• Air Fryer (Recommended Method): The air fryer is truly the best way to reheat bacon wrapped turkey tenderloin as it helps restore the bacon’s crispiness. Reheat at 350°F (175°C) for 4–6 minutes, depending on the size of your portion, or until thoroughly warm and the bacon has crisped up again.
• Oven: If an air fryer isn’t available, place the tenderloin slices on a baking sheet and cover loosely with aluminum foil to prevent drying out. Heat in an oven preheated to 325°F (160°C) for 10–15 minutes, or until heated through. The bacon might not be as crispy as with an air fryer, but it will still be delicious.
• Microwave: While convenient for quick, single portions, microwaving will inevitably soften the bacon. Heat in short bursts of 30 seconds at a time until the turkey is warmed through. This method is best when you prioritize speed over crispy bacon.

Elegant Serving Tips

• Slice into Medallions: For an elegant presentation that showcases both the juicy interior of the turkey and the perfectly crisp bacon wrapping, slice the tenderloin into thick medallions (about ½ to ¾ inch thick).
• Add a Drizzle: Elevate the flavor even further with a final drizzle! Consider a simple maple glaze for added sweetness, a savory herbed butter, or a vibrant cranberry reduction, especially if serving for a holiday.
• Garnish for Flair: A thoughtful garnish can make all the difference. Sprigs of fresh rosemary or thyme add a beautiful green contrast and a festive touch, perfect for holiday presentations or simply to brighten your everyday dinner plate.

Final Thoughts on This Flavorful Turkey Dish

This irresistible air fryer bacon wrapped turkey tenderloin truly offers the best of both worlds: it’s incredibly simple to prepare, yet presents beautifully enough to take center stage on a holiday platter for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any special occasion. Its versatility also makes it an ideal choice for smaller, more intimate gatherings or simply as a surprisingly easy and delicious weeknight dinner option.

The air fryer works its magic, delivering remarkably juicy turkey breast tenderloin that’s encased in perfectly crispy, savory bacon. This creates a harmonious balance of flavors and textures, with the richness of the bacon complementing the lean protein of the turkey. When you add in your favorite carefully chosen seasonings and a delightful BBQ sauce, you’re guaranteed a flavor-packed explosion in every bite!

For even more delicious and inspiring recipe options, be sure to see all of my dedicated Air Fryer Turkey Recipes for a wide range of creative ways to enjoy turkey. Or, if you’re looking for additional ideas to complete your holiday spread, whether it’s Thanksgiving, Friendsgiving, or just a seasonal meal, check out all of my comprehensive Air Fryer Thanksgiving Recipes too! Happy cooking!