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.
PrintRecipe
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
David Saunders
Looks that good I’m using the recipe tonight
Wendy
Same here! Just preheating the air fryer now. I have a 2.75lb one, so I’m cutting it in half and putting one in each drawer of my fryer. 🤞😋🤞
Wendy
After 22 minutes, it was only at 99°. So as I do in the oven, I lowered it to 375° and gave it about 15 more. In the future I’d do about 13 more, but it turned out well!
Susanne Mitchell
First recipe. Pork tenderloin.followed instructions. No need for changes
It was excellent!! Tasty, juicy and perfect. I will make again.
Judy
Does the pork roast need to be completely thawed before cooking?
RecipeTeacher
Yes indeed.
Brad
I followed the recipe exactly with my ninja are fryer and my 2lb loin was burnt on the outside and still cold in the middle.
RecipeTeacher
Are you sure it was a pork tenderloin and not a pork loin? It can greatly affect the outcome with this particular recipe.
Lorraine MacD
I made this and it was delicious. A little too spicy for me but my husband liked. I didn’t weigh the meat so I had a large pork tenderloin and it cooked well in 20 minutes. Would definitely cook again with a little less spice for me. Thanks for sharing.
Diane
Quick, easy and easy to adjust seasoning to taste or availability. And yes it comes out moist and tender with a great char/crust.
Dianne
Very good spice mix. Not too sweet. Just a little bite from the cayenne and black pepper. Would make it again.
Amy
Wow, this was amazing! I’ve just really started using my air fryer and this was the first time doing a pork tenderloin. It was much smaller than what the recipe called for so I adjusted the rub ingredients and cooking time to reflect. Such a great recipe and it will be my go to in the future. I served it with rice pilaf and corn on the cob.
Rick Garner
Your rub was excellent. The air frying directions were spot on. And the name is entirely appropriate!
My wife and I loved the tenderloin and decided that my old tenderloin recipe is passe. It was more complicated, took longer, and didn’t produce as tasty results. This recipe will go into weekly rotation and we expect to use it for a long time. Our normal side will probably continue to be a sweet potato, microwaved until softness then coated in olive oil and rubbed with sea salt before being air fried at 380 for 15 minutes. Then split open and buttered and brown sugar added. Its a very satisfying meal!
RecipeTeacher
Yay I love that you liked it so much! And now, reading your review, I REALLY want pork tenderloin with a sweet potato. 🙂
Christie Hole
Fantastic!