This Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin recipe is super moist on the inside with a crispy outside and is ready to enjoy in minutes.
Love pork tenderloin? Try our Instant Pot Pork Tenderloin, Grilled Pork Tenderloin, or Sous Vide Pork Tenderloin.
BEST Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin on the Internet
This truly is the best air fryer pork tenderloin on the internet! We set out to create an air fryer pork tenderloin recipe that is super moist and juicy on the inside and crisped to perfection on the outside.
why you’ll love it
- So flavorful: looking for a flavorful way to cook pork? This is it. The combination of the dry rub that crisps in the air fryer while keeping the meat super moist is oh so flavorful.
- Healthy: is pork tenderloin healthy? The answer is yes! It’s high in protein and lower in fat.
- Inexpensive: lucky for you, pork tenderloin is a pretty inexpensive cut of meat.
- High protein: per serving this recipe has Xg of protein.
What is pork tenderloin?
Pork tenderloin is a cut of pork found tucked underneath the backbone of a pig. It’s lean, long, and very popular in American cuisine.
Pork tenderloin is known for its tenderness because it is so well protected behind the pig’s spine and (if cooked correctly) can be so incredibly tender!
quick tip
When purchasing pork tenderloin, sometimes the tenderloin is sold with two tenderloins, so be cautious of that when looking for a certain weight.
What is the difference between pork tenderloin and a pork loin roast?
Pork Tenderloin is usually about 2-3 inches in diameter and is longer and more slender than a loin roast. A pork loin roast is thicker in diameter and also very lean.
All in all, both pork tenderloin AND pork loin are both an extremely lean cut of pork and taste very similar.
Cuts of Pork
Not sure where all the different cuts of pork come from on the pig? We made it easy. Check out more details on everything pork in our u003ca href=u0022https://fitfoodiefinds.com/best-pork-recipes/u0022u003efavorite pork recipes round up!u003c/au003e
How to Make Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin
Preheat & Prep
Preheat the air fryer to 400ºF. Spray the air fryer basket with non-stick cooking spray.
Make the dry rub
Add the brown sugar, garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, salt, thyme, mustard, and pepper into a bowl and mix until well combined.
Dry Rub the Pork
Pat the pork tenderloin with a paper towel to remove excess moisture and then season the pork with the dry rub.
Air Fry Pork Tenderloin
Drizzle a tablespoon of olive oil onto the air fryer basket.
Place the pork tenderloin in the air fryer basket. Drizzle the pork with the remaining olive oil.
Cook the pork for 10 minutes at 400ºF, flip the pork, and cook for an additional 10-12 minutes.
Try it!
Thermoworks Thermapen
We swear by using a meat thermometer when cooking any cut of meat. The Thermapen ONE is our go-to meat thermometer that works every time.
Check Internal Temperature
Check the internal temperature of the pork and when it reaches an internal temperature of 145ºF remove it from the air fryer.
For a more rare tenderloin: take the pork tenderloin out of the air fryer when it reaches 138-140ºF and it will continue to cook while resting and produce a slightly pink, juicy center.
For a more well done tenderloin: take the pork tenderloin out of the air fryer when it reaches 148-150ºF and it will continue to cook while resting.
Let Rest & Enjoy
Remove the pork from the air fryer and let it rest for about 5 minutes before slicing.
Best
Air Fryer
On the hunt for the best air fryer? Our favorite is the Ninja Kitchen Air Fryer. It’s reliable and moderately priced.
Storage
Let your air fryer pork tenderloin cool completely. Then, transfer it into a large, glass container.
Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-5 days.
To Freeze Leftover Pork Tenderloin
To freeze leftover pork tenderloin, let it cool completely. Then, transfer it into a gallon-size freezer-safe plastic bag. Remove as much air as possible and freeze for up to 3 months.
Reheating Instructions
Microwave: Place a serving of pork tenderloin on a microwave-safe plate. Then, top it with leftover gravy. Microwave on high for 60-90 seconds.
Oven: Preheat oven to 350ºF. Then, spray a baking dish with cooking spray. Add cooked pork tenderloin and then add 1/4 cup of broth or water to the bottom of the baking dish . Bake, uncovered, for around 20 minutes or until the center is warm.
Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin Recipe
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs. pork tenderloin
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon mustard powder
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400ºF. Spray the air fryer basket with non-stick cooking spray.
- Make the dry rub. Add the brown sugar, garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, salt, thyme, mustard, and pepper into a bowl and mix until well combined.
- Pat the pork tenderloin with a paper towel to remove excess moisture and then season the pork with the dry rub.
- Drizzle a tablespoon of olive oil onto the air fryer basket.
- Place the pork tenderloin in the air fryer basket. Drizzle the pork with the remaining olive oil.
- Cook the pork for 10 minutes at 400ºF, flip the pork, and cook for an additional 10-12 minutes.
- Check the internal temperature of the pork and when it reaches an internal temperature of 145ºF remove it from the air fryer. Cook the pork tenderloin longer if a more well done pork tenderloin is desired.
- Remove the pork from the air fryer and let it rest for about 5 minutes before slicing.
Tips & Notes
- Many pork tenderloins come in 2 packs (two, 1.5-lb. tenderloins). If that is the case, you can use one tenderloin for this recipe and freeze the another tenderloin. Or? You can double this recipe and end up with 2 pork tenderloins.
- If you prefer a more rare tenderloin, take the pork tenderloin out of the air fryer when it reaches 138-140ºF and it will continue to cook while resting and produce a slightly pink, juicy center.
- Feel free to use 1-2 tablespoons of your favorite dry rub or of our pork dry rub for a bit of a different flavor.
Watch It
Nutrition facts
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Photography: photos taken in this post are by Erin from The Wooden Skillet.
