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
April B. says
A simple, but sooo delicious recipe!! The tenderloin came out flavorful and juicy!! What I’ve learned to do is because my air fryer tends to cook fast at 400 degrees– is to reduce the temperature to 370 or 380 so the rub doesn’t burn.. I also make sure to check every 5 minutes or so… Thanks so much for this!!
Marni says
Freaking delicious
Rachael Kardell says
Why does the rub keep burning on me and how is it that this happens to seemingly no one else. I’ve made this twice now and once with chops and it burns, help!
RecipeTeacher says
Hi Rachael. So the brown sugar is indeed supposed to provide a good char. But, all air fryers can have some temperature variation. Try lowering the temp by 20 degrees. Could make a world of difference.
JoEllen says
Just wondering if I can cook a 4lb pork loin roast in the air fryer and if so, how long would I cook it?
RecipeTeacher says
Hi JoEllen, please see out recipe for air fryer pork loin roast.
Dianne L Warren says
Hello there. I just received a ninja foodi tendercrisp/pressure cooker air fryer. I and dying to try it out and your recipes looks great. My question to you is can I air fry the pork tenderloin at the same time as some cut up potatoes, or would I have to do them separately? Would I have to adjust the time as well since there’s more food in the basket? do I use the air fry basket even? Sorry, I’m just nervous and new at this air frying thing,
RecipeTeacher says
Hi Dinanne! Welcome to the site and to the world of air frying! So the short answer is yes, you can indeed throw in some cut up potatoes. However, since it’s you first time using it you might want to just do the pork tenderloin as the recipes reads, just so you can get your feet wet with the device and learn it’s intricacies. And, when air frying, the basket always is part of the equation. It allows the air to circulate properly. I hope this helps. Let me know how it goes! ~Jason
Dianne Warren says
Well, I made the tenderloin and it was FANTASTIC! That rub is to die for. I have since made breaded mushrooms and chicken wings with my air fryer. I’m getting comfortable with it now. I am going to try everything now!! Next is homemade french from potatoes, not the bag. I really love fresh cooked french fries. Any tips??
Nonnie says
When I make fries, I cut up the potatoes, and I dry them as much as I can with paper towels. Then I let them sit for a while so more moisture can evaporate. I put them in the air fryer at 400 for about 12 minutes or so (depends on how thick you cut the potatoes), I like to use as little oil as possible, so I spray some olive oil on a paper towel, and I rub the bottom of the basket with the oil. Make sure there is room around the potatoes to allow the air to circulate, and shake the basket halfway through. I always use yellow or gold potatoes, but you can use russets. You can peel them or not. I find that, when the potatoes are drier, they come out crispier.
Penny says
This really is a damn good pork tenderloin recipe! Geez! It’s so good that I made it twice in one week!!! Thanks for putting this recipe out there. It’s a winner!!!!!!!!!
Sheila says
We just had the leftovers of this for lunch so I wanted to take a pause and do a quick review. BTW the leftovers were just as good as the firstovers. I just bought the Cuisinart Digital AirFryer Toaster Oven and have been testing it’s limits!!! I bought a 2.21 pound pkg of pork tenderloins (there was 2 in it) and cooked them together @ 400 degrees for 18 minutes total. I did end up flipping them at the 5 minute mark because they puffed up and were touching one of the top heating elements. Absolutely D-E-L-I-C-I-O-U-S! Bonus that this recipe came together quickly, was easy and I had everything on hand. We eat keto so I did sub in the Swerve Brown Sugar paired it with green beans and bam a no fuss dinner on the table in what maybe 30ish minutes. Why eat out when you can make something this delicious at home! Thank you for the great recipe!!!
RecipeTeacher says
And I thank YOU, Sheila!
Karen says
Thanks for sharing about using the Swerve because we do Keto as well and I wondered how it would do in this recipe. Now, I will feel confident in making this for supper this week!
Moira Mitchell says
This truly is the Best Damn Pork Tenderloin! The flavor is amazing! I was worried about the cayenne pepper in it (we are wimps when it comes to spice), but it was perfect. I made it last night for my picky/foodie inlaws and every single slice was gobbled up. Even my picky teen, who swears she hates pork tenderloin, cleaned her plate.
Mimmy says
Oh, we loved this recipe!!! It was easy and quick, also tender, juicy and darn delicious. I didn’t have mustard. It came out really good. This is a keeper. I pinned it. Thank you!! 5 stars*****
Judy says
I found your recipe about a year and a half ago while looking for Airfryer recipes. My husband is diabetic so I substituted an alternative brown sugar, this pork loin is our absolute favorite ever! I cook a 2lb for 18 minutes rest it for 5min and it is perfect every time. I buy my loins on sale put the seasoning on prior to freezing and when we want one, just thaw in fridge overnight, pop in airfryer and it is perfection! Thank you!
Peter says
Hi Judy,
The Air Fryer should have a defrost setting for thawing. Or you can cook from frozen and just adjust the time a bit more.
A simple example is putting frozen Spring Rolls straight from the freezer for 15minutes @ 200c instead of 180c for 15minutes. I am still amazed at the AF doing such a year on.
Yeah putting them in the fridge to thaw is good but occasionally it is handy to come home and get a previously prepared Tender Loin out of the freezer and cook it immediately.
? Bon Appetit
Sue Spratt says
Yes. I used Stevia brown sugar blend. Was superb
Karen Rodriguez says
If I could give more stars I would do it. Best recipe for a tenderloin ever. It was so juicy and so tasty that we couldn’t stop eating. Super easy to make and with stuff you usually have in your pantry! Thank you!
Melissa Oneil says
Hi I have the kalorik air fryer and I was wondering if I put it in the basket or on the roasting tray? Thanks in advance
RecipeTeacher says
Hi Melissa. You may be able to use the roasting tray, but the basket is the tested method. Go with the basket.