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
KBarba says
Any thoughts on how long to do this recipe with a 3 lb pork loin?
RecipeTeacher says
So a pork loin is a different piece of meat than a pork tenderloin. But, have a look at this recipe…
https://recipeteacher.com/best-damn-air-fryer-pork-loin-roast/
Sean says
I did this by the recipe with two smaller tenderloins for the full 22 minutes, rested 5 minutes. Absolutely perfect and you can really taste the rub – incredibly flavourful and juicy.. Don’t look any further – make this one!
Josephine says
So far all your air fryer recipes have been delicious and easy.
I dont have smoked paprika and I very rarely use it. Will it affect the flavor too much if I use regular?
RecipeTeacher says
Hi Josephine,
Smoked paprika does indeed have a deep, earthy, smoky flavor that can really add to a particular recipe. If you have a chance to pick some up, i’d highly recommend it. That said, you can leave it out if you don’t have it and use regular paprika.
Casey says
This was very good, Thank you for sharing ????.
Maryellen says
I tried this last night. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but it was DELICIOUS! Flavorful and very juicy. First time I tried meat in the air fryer and I received all thumbs up from my family. Can’t wait to make this again!
RecipeTeacher says
Very cool! Many more great recipes to come. Thanks, Maryellen!
Connie says
I scanned pages of comments looking for a smaller roast and results. I cut my 2lb roast in half (since it’s just the 2 of us) and freezing the 2nd one. How long to cook for just a tiny 1lb roast? and should I reduce the temp. My AF seems to run pretty hot and things get cooked on the outside pretty fast.
Holly L Murr says
I noticed it says 20 mins for smaller ones. I have a 1.2 pnd one so was also looking . It is there under the air fryer temp section.
Sue says
Made this last night and got a 10 thumbs up from my husband. This will be my only recipe for pork tenderloin from now on. Thanks.
RecipeTeacher says
I love when a recipe gets more than 1 thumbs up… 10 is even better! Lol. Thanks so much, Sue!
Douzhee says
This was my first attempt at cooking meat (pork roast) in the air fryer, I followed the recipe, except doubled the cayenne & pork roast was nice & tender & juicy & flavorful, definitely making this again, leftovers can be made into pork street tacos ????
RecipeTeacher says
I’m so glad you like it! And now you’ve got me hungry for street tacos! 🙂
TinaB says
This is such an easy delicious entre. Tender and juicy with just enough heat to be interesting. This is going into our bi-weekly rotation.
PamR says
Thank you for this quick, easy and flavorful recipe. I followed the recipe almost exactly and it turned out great. Only change is that I cooked 2 skinny tenderloins (together the weight was 2.3 lbs) at one time, reducing the time to 15 mins plus residual heat for 3 mins. The juiciest tenderloin I ever made.
7-qt GoWise Air Fryer.
Jean says
I used this rub & cooking instructions word for word minus 1/2 the cayenne. I used it on a pork loin boneless rib end style cut. It came out perfect!! Moist /fall apart/well seasoned. Thank you for the recipe, I was always at a loss what to do w/this cut unless I through BBQ on it.