After I made this pork tenderloin in my air fryer, I was more excited than i’ve ever been about a recipe i’ve made. The flavors of the seasoning rub are so perfect, the meat is so juicy, and the taste is simply out of this world! Do you sense a little excitement from me about this recipe?
Pork tenderloin is the filet mignon of pork. It’s a very lean, very tender piece of pork. It can be prepared a number of ways and works well with so many different seasoning mixtures. One of my favorite ways to prepare pork recipes is with a seasoning rub combination of brown sugar, smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, ground mustard, salt and pepper. And maybe just a dash of cayenne for a little heat. This seasoning mix, along with the simplicity of an air fryer, will produce a pork tenderloin that you will not believe. The outside of the tenderloin will crisp up and the brown sugar will caramelize to create a flavor explosion. With the high speed circulating heat of the air fryer, and being close to the heating element, it’s the perfect environment so that the pork tenderloin stays nice and juicy on the inside.
Air Fryer with the Best Damn Pork Seasoning Rub
Our recipe for air fryer pork tenderloin couldn’t be more simple. We use a medium sized bowl and mix together the dry ingredients. Before we rub the ingredients on the tenderloin, we’ll want to cut off any of the “silver skin”, which is just a thin membrane that is usually on part of the meat. Just use a sharp knife and peel it away. Then coat the pork tenderloin with some olive oil and rub in all the seasoning mix.
Preheat your Air Fryer
Set your air fryer to 400°F and preheat for 5 minutes. Once the air fryer is preheated, keep the temperature at 400°, select air fry setting, and set the time for 20-22 minutes. Most pork tenderloins are usually between 1 lbs and 1.5lbs. For pork tenderloin on the small size, go with 20 minutes. For larger size meat, go with 22 minutes. The key is to get an internal temperature of 145°F when measured at the center of the meat with an instant-read thermometer.
Let The Cooked Pork Tenderloin Rest
After the cooking is done, carefully remove the pork tenderloin from the air fryer and place on a plate or cutting board and let it rest for 3-5 minutes before slicing.
Recipe
Best Damn Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin
- Total Time: 26 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
Description
Mouthwatering, tender, juicy and delicious pork tenderloin made in an air fryer.
Ingredients
- Pork tenderloin (1.25lbs – 1.75lbs)
- 2 tbs brown sugar
- 1 tbs smoked paprika
- 1.5 tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground mustard
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp ground black pepper
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp cayenne powder (optional)
- ½ tbs olive oil
Instructions
- Mix all dry ingredients in a bowl.
- Trim the pork tenderloin of any excess fat/silver skin. Coat with a ½ tablespoon olive oil. Rub spice mixture on entire pork tenderloin.
- Preheat air fryer to 400° F for 5 minutes. After 5 minutes, carefully place pork tenderloin into air fryer and air fry at 400° F for 20-22 minutes. Internal temp should be 145°F.
- When air fryer cycle is complete, carefully remove pork tenderloin to a cutting board and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing. Save any juices to serve over sliced meat.
- Prep Time: 5 min
- Cook Time: 21 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
Ale Salazar says
Excellent recipe, thank you for sharing!
Bob T. says
As the title implies – it’s the “best damn pork tenderloin” I’ve ever made! Fabulously moist and succulent with exquisite flavor! Thanks for posting!
Linda Bruns says
This recipe delivered the best pork tenderloin I have ever made. It was tasty, moist and looked absolutely awesome. I’m a newcomer to air frying and am delighted to have come across your recipes!
Mary says
the recipe for the pork was great. how did you make the potatoes
RecipeTeacher says
Hi Mary, those potatoes are my Irresistible air fryer garlic and herb potatoes.
Fran says
It was delicious.Can I cook 2 in my 5 qt air fryer for Easter.
RecipeTeacher says
Hi Fran! You certainly can do two tenderloins at once. Just double the ingredients.
Fran says
If I cook 2 at once do I have to adjust the cooking time. Thank you
Louise says
I am new to Air frying. I made this recipe tonight and it was so good
Wonderful flavour and juicy inside. An instant thermometer is the air fryers best friend:)
Emmy Bemmy says
I didn’t do the full spice rub, as I find the sugar burns and I don’t love that. However, cooking the pork tenderloin in the air fryer, per your instructions (although mine is cooked at 390 as that is my air fryer’s max temp) resulted in the perfectly cooked pork tenderloin. I don’t think I have ever cooked a pork tenderloin so well in my life. Tonight I will try it with two, as the tenderloin’s at TJs were really small today!
Jim Porcher says
This was excellent. I think the cayenne was key. Very juicy. I’ll make this again.
Rebecca says
the tenderest juiciest pork loin ever. I made it last week and and currently making it again. The rub is wonderful. I do not have any ground mustard but it is still very very good. Thank you so much for the air frying recipe.
Kim says
This was outstanding! Made exactly as written, and it came out carmelized and tender and BLOODY DELICIOUS. Thanks for a fantastic recipe – you made me look like a rockstar!