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.
More Great Pork Tenderloin Recipes
- Best Damn Grilled Pork Tenderloin
- Smothered Pork Tenderloin
- Air Fryer Balsamic Pork Tenderloin
- Oven Roasted Pork Tenderloin
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
KK says
1st time reviewing anything ever. I thought chicken wings could not be outdone in an air fryer. This recipe is king!
RecipeTeacher says
Thanks so much KK! ????
Ray says
Never provide feedback on recipes, but served this over a bed of apple sauce, best damn pork tenderloin EVER!
diana says
This is most certainly the best recipe for pork tenderloin I have ever made! And not just in the AirFyer I’ve been cooking this piece of meat for 50 years.
RecipeTeacher says
Wow! Thanks so much, Diana!
Karen says
Cooked ithe 20 minutes at 400 but not done. It’s 1.2 pounds.
JimTrefry says
Great recipe! I had a 1.5 pound cut and cooked it exactly as you suggested to the full 22 minutes (after 5 minute pre-heat) and it came out perfectly to ~145° internal temperature. After letting it rest for 5 minutes it was a juicy, medium-well done, delicious piece of meat!!…The Rub was very tasty as well, although we may try it with a little less salt next time, but that’s just a personal preference! Thank you!
RecipeTeacher says
Awesome, Jim! Thank you for the feedback!
Oscar says
When your talking air fryer. I have the Ninja Foodi Grill. What do I set the air fryer too? Would I use the grill option. I highly doubt it’s the Air crisp button. And the other options I have is bake or roast. Which would you recommend?
Barbara says
Sounds good. Will try it tonight and post results tmro.
Julie says
A M A Z I N G !!! This was delicious. A second round is in the air fryer now! Looking forward to trying it with a turkey tenderloin next!
RecipeTeacher says
Thank you, Julie!! 🙂
Mary Cavenaugh says
Can I make this using a pork tenderloin FILET?
RecipeTeacher says
Hi Mary. So my guess is that the package says “Pork Loin Filet”? Or does it specifically have the words “tenderloin filet”?
FLee says
This recipe is a repeat recipe! Delicious!
RecipeTeacher says
Thanks, Flee!
Brittany says
I don’t have smoked paprika just regular paprika… will it still be good or is there something else I can use instead?
RecipeTeacher says
Hi Brittany. Go ahead and just use the regular paprika. The tenderloin will still be tender, juicy and delicious.