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
Kaylee says
Oh my goodness! This recipe is so flavorful, juicy, tender, and crisp in all the right places! We have made it twice in a week because my picky 11 year old son LOVES this recipe, and so do we. Thank you for publishing. We are extremely excited to try your other recipes.
RecipeTeacher says
Awww thank you, Kaylee! Yeah this one is in heavy rotation on our menu too. Thank you so much for the kind words and I hope you guys find some more favorites!
Jeff Patterson says
Tenderloins are so easy to make and so many different ways. My best is on the grill, but today it is raining so I found your recipe and thought I’d try it in my Air Fryer. Turned out wonderful. Whole family loved it.
Thank you.
Jeff P
Erin says
My pork tenderloin was just under a pound so I cooked it for 18 min and it came out perfectly! The seasoning was so flavorful, too. We scarfed it down. Thanks for such a wonderful recipe. I will make this again and again.
RecipeTeacher says
Awesome, Erin! Thank you for the feedback!
Rand says
I made this for lunch today. I changed it up slightly by serving it with a gravy made from the drippings. Oh my gosh, my husband practically inhaled it. Great recipe!
RecipeTeacher says
Thank you, Rand!
Jennifer mahoney says
New family favorite ! My stepson just bought me a ninja foodi so we have been trying out different recipes……today he asked what was for dinner and when I told him pork loin, his reply , much like the rest of the family was “ugh” .. I asked what did he mean by that ? And he said “you can only do so much with the pork loin and it always tastes the same”…….well, let me tell you , you took a dinner that our family always just ate because they had to and turned it into a top 5 fav ! The texture, spicy kick and juicy center was absolutely delicious!! I served it with fingerling potatoes and steamed cauliflower ❤️
RecipeTeacher says
I love it!!! Thanks so much, Jennifer!!
Tanya says
Just had this for dinner tonight!! Very good!! It would be good with a sauce. Anyone try that?
Elesia says
I made this today and it was delicious. I had to tell friends immediately. Perfect recipe seasonings and cook time. I am now subscribing????
RecipeTeacher says
Awesome!! Thank you, Elesia! Lots more good recipes on the way in the coming weeks too!
Amy Kociscin says
This sounds awesome! Will it work with a pork sirloin?
RecipeTeacher says
It really depends on the size of the particular cut. The seasonings will work great, just keep an eye on it and be sure to use an instant read thermometer. You want the center on the meat to be at least 145F before you remove from the air fryer. Then let it rest under some foil on a plate for a few minutes.
Diane says
First time here I have a pork loin how long
RecipeTeacher says
Hi Diane. It’s hard to say for sure without knowing the exact size, but probably 30+ minutes. Keep an eye on it with an instant read thermometer. Remove the pork when the internal temp is about 145 and then let it sit on a plate, covered in foil for a few minutes.
Andrea says
So good!! It was everything the recipe said – juicy on the inside and crispy on the outside. I had a 1.3 lb and had to cook it longer than 22 minutes, probably more like 25-26. I also am doing mostly low carb/keto so I used brown sugar substitute and it had the same taste and affect. I’ll definitely keep this recipe and make again!