This Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin Recipe is coated with a tasty dry rub made from simple pantry spices and air fried to juicy tenderness on the inside with a perfectly browned and seasoned outer coating. The flavor filled rub makes this one of our favorite air fryer recipes.
Pork tenderloin is so versatile. There are many side dishes and salads that taste so well with it. And because it is air fried you are not limited by the seasons as you would be with grilling. I love to serve this beauty with green beans with toasted almonds and air fryer potato wedges.
How to make Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin
Start by combining the dry rub mixture in a small bowl. Pat the pork tenderloin dry with paper towels. Then using your hands spread the olive oil over the pork tenderloin. Then spread the dry rub over it while rubbing it in. Let it sit for about 30 minutes to come to room temperature. Then preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees.
Place the meat in the air fryer basket and air fry for a little over 15 minutes turning halfway through the cooking process. Cook until the meat reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees. Then remove from the air fryer and let rest on a cutting board loosely covered with an aluminum foil tent for about 10 minutes.
Recipe notes and helpful tips
- The dry rub can be mixed up to several months in advance and stored in an airtight container in a cool area of the kitchen.
- If the butcher has not previously removed the silver skin from the tenderloin then carefully remove it by slipping a sharp knife under it and pulling it up as you cut it away. Here is a video showing the detailed process.
- Cook the tenderloin to an internal temperature of 145 degrees. Use a digital read meat thermometer inserted in the center of the thickest part of the tenderloin. These thermometers are fairly inexpensive, easy to use, and in my opinion an important kitchen gadget.
- Please keep in mind that every air fryer cooks a little different so start checking the internal temperature of the meat after 15 minutes.
- Once cooked, loosely tent the meat and let it rest on a platter or cutting board for about 10 minutes. This allows the juices to be reabsorbed into the fibers of the meat.
- Some of my favorite side dished to serve with this are baked sweet potatoes, roasted carrots, and bacon wrapped asparagus.
- Store leftover pork in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- To freeze place the fully cooled pork tenderloin in a heavy duty freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months. For best results do not slice the portion that you wish to freeze.
What temperature do you cook pork in an air fryer?
Always preheat the air fryer for at least 5 minutes. Cook pork in air fryer between 375-400 degrees until it reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees. Check the internal temperature several times as pork can quickly become dry if overcooked. Allow pork to rest loosely covered with an aluminum foil tent for about 10 minutes.
How long does pork take in the air fryer?
This would depend a lot of the cut of meat. Pork chops are usually done in about 11 minutes, pork tenderloin will take about 16 minutes, pork ribs about 20 minutes, and a pork loin can take up to 40 minutes or more depending on temp. The important thing to remember is that pork is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees. Check it several times to ensure that you do not overcook it as it will dry out if overcooked.
Enjoy these other delicious pork recipes!
Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 ½ lb. pork tenderloin
- ½ tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- In a small bowl combine brown sugar, cumin, paprika, chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper. Pat the pork tenderloin dry with paper towels.
- Spread the olive oil over the pork tenderloin and then spread the dry rub over it while rubbing it in. Let it sit for 30 minutes to come to room temperature.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees for at least 5 minutes.
- Place the meat in the air fryer basket and cook for 15-17 minutes turning halfway through the cooking process. Cook until the meat reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees. Remove from the air fryer and cover loosely with an aluminum foil tent. Let rest for about 10 minutes before slicing.
Notes
- The dry rub can be mixed up to several months in advance and stored in an airtight container in a cool area of the kitchen.
- If the butcher has not previously removed the silverskin from the tenderloin then carefully remove it by slipping a knife under it and pulling it up as you cut it away.
- Cook the tenderloin to an internal temperature of 145 degrees. Use a digital read thermometer inserted in the center of the thickest part of the tenderloin. These thermometers are fairly inexpensive, easy to use, and in my opinion an important kitchen gadget.
- Please keep in mind that every air fryer cooks a little different so start checking the internal temperature of the meat after 15 minutes.
- Once cooked, loosely tent the meat and let it rest on a platter or cutting board for about 10 minutes. This allows the juices to be reabsorbed into the fibers of the meat.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- To freeze place the fully cooled pork tenderloin in a heavy duty freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months. For best results do not slice the portion that you wish to freeze.
Nutrition
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Catalina
This pork tenderloin is so crispy and juicy at the same time! Love it so much!
Beth Pierce
Thanks Catalina! So glad that you enjoyed it!
Sandra
This was also a hit with my friends and family! It is so good and amazing! Everyone loved it!
Allyson Zea
I love how moist and juicy this turns out! The flavor is incredible!