To make pork souvlaki in an air fryer, cut 1 1/2 lb pork tenderloin into 1-inch cubes, marinate them for at least 15 minutes in olive oil, lemon juice, garlic and dried oregano, and thread them onto 6-inch skewers. Air fry at 400°F for 10 to 12 minutes, turning halfway, until the edges char and the center reaches 145°F. Rest 3 minutes, then serve with quick Greek yogurt tzatziki, warm pita and a squeeze of lemon. It takes about 30 minutes and comes to roughly 330 calories and 40 g protein per serving, without the pita.
Lean Greek Pork Souvlaki With Lemon, Oregano and Homemade Tzatziki
32 min (20 prep + 12 cook) 400°F Serves 4
Ingredients
1 1/2 lb (680 g) pork tenderloin, trimmed and cut into 1-inch cubes
2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
3 tbsp fresh lemon juice (about 1 lemon), plus wedges to serve
3 garlic cloves, finely grated
2 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp smoked or sweet paprika
3/4 tsp fine salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper
1 red bell pepper and 1 green bell pepper, cut into 1-inch squares
1/2 red onion, cut into 1-inch pieces
Tzatziki: 1 cup (225 g) 2% plain Greek yogurt, 1/2 grated cucumber (squeezed dry), 1 small garlic clove, 1 tsp lemon juice, 1 tbsp chopped dill, pinch of salt
To serve (optional): warm whole-wheat pita, sliced tomato and red onion
Equipment: 8 to 10 six-inch wooden or metal skewers (soak wooden ones for 20 minutes)
How Do You Make Pork Souvlaki in an Air Fryer?
Marinate: Whisk the olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, paprika, salt and pepper in a bowl. Add the pork cubes, toss to coat and marinate for at least 15 minutes at room temperature, or up to 8 hours in the fridge.
Make the tzatziki: Squeeze the grated cucumber in a towel to remove the water, then stir it into the Greek yogurt with the garlic, lemon juice, dill and salt. Chill until serving.
Skewer: Thread the pork onto the skewers, leaving a little space between pieces so the hot air reaches every side. Thread the peppers and onion onto separate skewers and brush them with any marinade left in the bowl.
Preheat: Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for about 3 minutes.
Air fry: Lay the pork skewers in one basket and the vegetable skewers in the other, in a single layer. Air fry the pork at 400°F for 10 to 12 minutes and the vegetables at 400°F for 8 to 10 minutes, turning everything halfway, until the pork is charred at the edges and reads 145°F in the center.
Rest and serve: Rest the pork for 3 minutes so it stays juicy. Serve the skewers with the tzatziki, lemon wedges and warm pita, or over a Greek salad for a lower-carb plate.
Dual basket tip: Put the pork skewers in one basket and the pepper and onion skewers in the other, both at 400°F, and use Sync or Smart Finish so the shorter vegetable cook ends at the same time as the pork. Side-by-side models with two 6-Qt baskets, like the Beelicious Pro 12 Qt, fit 6-inch skewers easily, and the windows let you watch the edges char without opening the drawer.
New pick: Beelicious Pro 12 Qt Dual BasketTwo side-by-side 6-Qt baskets with viewing windows and an interior light: pork in one basket, peppers and onion in the other.
How Many Calories Are in Air Fryer Pork Souvlaki? (Estimated)
Per serving (1/4 of the recipe, without pita): about 330 calories, 14 g fat (3.5 g saturated), 10 g carbohydrate, 1.5 g fiber, 5.5 g sugar, 40 g protein and about 700 mg sodium. These are estimates calculated from standard USDA values for raw pork tenderloin, extra-virgin olive oil, 2% Greek yogurt, cucumber, bell peppers and red onion. A whole-wheat pita adds about 170 calories, and a takeout souvlaki pita wrap with fries inside can run well over 700 calories.
What Goes Well With Air Fryer Pork Souvlaki?
Greek salad: tomato, cucumber, red onion, olives and a little feta with lemon and olive oil
Chicken souvlaki: use chicken breast or thigh cubes and air fry at 400°F for 12 to 14 minutes, to 165°F
Souvlaki pitas: slide the pork off the skewers into warm pita with tzatziki, tomato and onion
Lower carb: serve over chopped romaine and cucumber instead of pita
Spicy: add 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes to the marinade and a pinch of cayenne to the tzatziki
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do you cook pork souvlaki in the air fryer?
Air fry 1-inch pork tenderloin cubes at 400°F for 10 to 12 minutes, turning halfway, until the center reaches 145°F on an instant-read thermometer. Rest them for 3 minutes before serving.
Is air fryer souvlaki healthy?
Yes. Pork tenderloin is one of the leanest cuts of pork, the air fryer needs only the olive oil in the marinade, and Greek yogurt tzatziki adds protein instead of heavy sauce. We estimate about 330 calories and 40 g protein per serving without pita. These are estimates.
What is the best cut of pork for souvlaki?
Pork tenderloin cooks fast and stays tender in the air fryer. Boneless pork shoulder is the traditional choice and is juicier, but it has more fat, so trim it well and add 2 to 3 minutes of cooking time.
Do skewers fit in an air fryer basket?
Use 6-inch skewers, or cut longer ones down. They fit in most 4- to 6-quart baskets. You can also skip the skewers and air fry the marinated cubes loose in a single layer for the same time.
Can you make chicken souvlaki the same way?
Yes. Swap in 1 1/2 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs cut into 1-inch cubes and air fry at 400°F for 12 to 14 minutes, until the center reaches 165°F.
How long does souvlaki marinate?
Marinate for at least 15 minutes for flavor on the surface, or up to 8 hours in the fridge. Avoid going much longer, because the lemon juice starts to make lean pork mushy.
