This air fryer pork tenderloin recipe makes a tenderloin with a crispy and caramelized outside, while it's juicy and tender inside. You only need a few basic ingredients, and the air fryer makes this delicious meal perfectly.
Making a pork tenderloin in the air fryer can't be any easier! The brown sugar makes if have a slightly crispy sweetness, that is beautifully mixed with the savory seasonings. The air fryer helps the tenderloin stay juicy and helps the seasonings enhance the flavor of each bite!
Jump to:
WHY I LOVE THIS RECIPE
I love making this juicy pork tenderloin in the air fryer because it is so easy! All you have to do it rub the seasonings on it, and let the air fryer take care of the rest! It's done in less than thirty minutes, making it perfect for a fancy dinner, or even busy weeknights when time is limited.
It's also easy to change flavors by switching up the seasonings each time you make a pork tenderloin. You will have an exciting and delicious meal every time you make it!
I love making this tenderloin with McCormick seasonings, and the flavor combination of the recipe is one of my favorites. Although this blend is one of my favorites, you can season pork with a different spice rub, BBQ Sauce, or other seasonings, there is no limit to flavor options!
When you need a quick dinner on the table, this pork tenderloin is a great main course choice! If you need other quick air fryer meal ideas, try this air fryer bacon wrapped chicken, air fryer pork belly bites, air fryer country style ribs, or this amazing air fryer whole chicken. All of these meals are great air fryer options!
INGREDIENTS
- pork tenderloin- about 1-1 ½ pounds
- olive oil- you may not use the entire tablespoon
- brown sugar
- kosher salt
- paprika
- garlic powder
- onion powder
- ground black pepper
- chili powder- or cayenne pepper, depending on how spicy you like it.
DIRECTIONS
STEP 1
First, pat the tenderloin dry with a paper towel and place on a cutting board or large plate.
STEP 2
Using a sharp knife, trim and remove any larger pieces of fat. Then, brush the tenderloin with olive oil, coating both sides of the tenderloin.
STEP 3
In a small bowl, add the brown sugar, salt, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and chili powder. Stir everything together to combine.
STEP 4
Season both sides of the tenderloin, gently pressing the seasoning mixture into the meat, until completely coated.
STEP 5
Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F
STEP 6
Place in the air fryer basket. Air fry pork tenderloin at 400 degrees F for 18-22 minutes, turning the tenderloin halfway through cook time.
STEP 7
Tenderloin will be done when an instant read thermometer is inserted into the thickest portion of the tenderloin, and internal temperature is 145 degrees F. Once done, let the tenderloin rest for 5-10 minutes, allowing juices to settle. Save the juices from the air fryer to pour over the tenderloin, prior to serving.
EXPERT TIPS
When you make this recipe, you may need to adjust the time if you have a thicker tenderloin. A meat thermometer is the best way to confirm doneness.
If you have time, you can marinate the tenderloin to add more flavors. You can usually buy marinades, or create your own. Let the tenderloin sit in the marinade, keep it covered and in the fridge, until ready to cook.
HOW TO CUT PORK TENDERLOIN
Now that you've made a perfect tenderloin, you will want to cut it for serving. You will need a clean, sharp knife and a cutting board. If your cutting board slides as you try to slice, place a slightly damp kitchen towel underneath it to help stabilize it. You don't want it to move while cutting!
Let the tenderloin rest in it's own juices for 5-10 minutes, then transfer the tenderloin to your cutting board.
Cut against the grain of the meat, by holding the knife at a slight angle. Make even slices, cut to your desired thickness.
Drizzle juices from the bottom of the basket just before serving.
VARIATIONS
Because pork is so easy to switch up, you can create a different meal, depending on how you season it or what sauces you have to marinade or glaze the tenderloin. For an Asian flavor, use soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and brown sugar. You can also make it have an Italian flavor using olive oil and Italian seasonings.
If you want to keep flavors simple, but still amazing, marinade in BBQ sauce and then brush it again just a few minutes before it's done cooking. Dijon mustard makes a great flavor addition too!
If you cut your tenderloin leftovers into thin slices, then you can top it with mushrooms and onions for an amazing meat sandwich.
Cut the tenderloin, or leftovers, into small bite pieces and toss with potatoes for quick meal prep for the week.
If you want a spicier flavor, add Cajun seasoning or cayenne pepper to the spice mixture before air frying. There really aren't any wrong choices if using your favorite seasonings!
This air fryer pork tenderloin is a great every day meal or holiday dinner! If you need more holiday meal ideas, check our our favorite Air Fryer Easter Recipes, Air Fryer Thanksgiving Recipes and these Air Fryer Christmas Recipes.
Here are a few of our FAVORITE recommendations.
Cosori Dual Blaze Air Fryer - Digital Meat Thermometer - Air Fryer All Day
STORING AND REHEATING
If you have leftover pork tenderloin, let it cool before storage. Once cooled, transfer it to a sealed Ziploc bag or airtight container. Keep in the refrigerator and consume within 3 to 4 days.
To reheat, preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F and then air fry for 3-5 minutes, until it's warmed through. If you are reheating slices, start with 2-3 minutes, and then add a minute at a time until heated.
FAQS
Pork tenderloin is a long thin strip of meat that is Boneless. Pork loin is wider and can have bone-in sometimes. Loin can take longer to cook and does better in slow cooking methods.
It's best if you thaw it first, but if you don't have time, you can cook straight from the freezer. You will need to add about 3-5 minutes to your cooking total time.
The biggest reason for pork being dry is if it's overcooked. Use a meat thermometer and be sure to cook until the internal temperature is 145 degrees F. You can technically even stop around 140 degrees F because as it sits in the closed air fryer for an additional 5-10 minutes, it will keep heating. Just make sure it's at 145 degrees F in the thickest part of the meat.
I flipped mine to make sure it had even cooking on both sides. Some of the newer air fryer models have heating elements on the top and the bottom, so you may not need to flip it if your air fryer has this feature.
MORE PORK AIR FRYER RECIPES
I love making this air fryer pork tenderloin for a delicious, but easy dinner! You will love this recipe!
Check out our book, available in stores and online!
Looking for more ideas and others to connect with? Join our Facebook community with over 2 million members and counting!
Jump down to the COMMENT section and tell us what you think about this dish! We would love to help and also appreciate your candid feedback on all of our recipes.
Click Here to Get the Top Ten Air Fryer Questions Answered
📖 Recipe
Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin
Equipment
- Air Fryer
- Optional: Digital Meat Thermometer
Ingredients
- 1 pork tenderloin about 1-1.5 pounds
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon chili powder or cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Pat the tenderloin dry with a paper towel and place on a cutting board or large plate.
- Using a sharp knife, trim and remove any larger pieces of fat. Brush the tenderloin with olive oil, coating both sides of the tenderloin.
- In a small bowl, add the brown sugar, salt, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and chili powder. Stir everything together to combine.
- Season both sides of the tenderloin, gently pressing the seasoning mixture into the meat, until completely coated.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F
- Place in the air fryer basket. Air fry pork tenderloin p at 400 degrees F for 18-22 minutes, turning the tenderloin halfway through cook time.
- Tenderloin will be done when an instant read thermometer is inserted into the thickest portion of the tenderloin, and internal temperature is 145 degrees F. Once done, let the tenderloin rest for 5-10 minutes, allowing juices to settle. Save the juices from the air fryer to pour over the tenderloin, prior to serving.
Notes
Nutrition
*Nutritional information is a calculated guesstimate. Please note that this can change with different brands and modifications you may make to the recipe. For the most accurate information, use a nutritional calculator with the exact brands and measurements you're using with each recipe.
©AirFryingFoodie 2024
Peggy Gilley
I am going to try this
Denise Bartoszewski
Tried this recipe in my new air fryer I got for Christmas it came out delicious thanks for the recipe
Rebecca
Thank you!
Suzanne Dunlap
Can you use a tenderloin that is preseasoned?
Rebecca
Absolutely! The air frying time will be the same.
Debbie Stirling
I made this for dinner tonight along with the Green Bean "Fries" recipe on this website. The tenderloin turned out delicious! (The green beans were amazing as well!) It was very tender and the outside was crispy. I am diabetic so I try to watch the carb count in the foods I cook. I substituted 2 tsp of Splenda brown sugar for the regular brown sugar called for in this recipe. I have to say that this is probably the best pork tenderloin I have ever made. I look forward to trying many more of your recipes!
Donna Crane
Thanks for mentioning the Splenda‐Brown sugar mix. I was wondering if that would work since it's what I generally use. Perfect.
Suzie
Do you wrap in foil before cooking?
Rebecca
I did not wrap in foil first. Hope that helps.