Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin is my favorite way to quickly cook pork tenderloin. A smoky sweet spice rub is rubbed on the pork to create a layer of flavor. The pork is then cooked in the air fryer to create a juicy, tender pork with a crispy outside layer.
I love making all types of air fryer recipes from Air Fryer Cod, Air Fryer Chicken Wings, to Air Fryer Meatballs, to Air Fryer Tilapia to Air Fryer Twice Baked Potatoes.
Today the Ohio Pork Council and I are teaming up to share this Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin.
It is not only easy but creates a tender and very flavorful piece of pork.
The spice mixture that is rubbed on the pork before cooking mixes sweet and spicy flavors to create so much flavor.
I also love that eating 20 – 30 grams of protein per meal helps fuel your body and may help you feel fuller.
That being said, every 3 ounces of pork is packed full of 22 – 24 grams of protein depending on the cut. Pork tenderloin is one of the leaner cuts of meat.
I love making all types of air fryer recipes from Air Fryer Cod, Air Fryer Chicken Wings, to Air Fryer Meatballs, to Air Fryer Tilapia to Air Fryer Twice Baked Potatoes.
In my house we like all kinds of pork recipes from Air Fryer Pork Taquitos, BBQ Baked Pork Chops, Slow Cooker Pork Shoulder Roast, Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin and Easy Pork Chili.
You can pair this pork with your favorite side dishes.
I love pairing this pork tenderloin with simple green beans, a Lemon Arugula Salad and these Mediterranean Roasted Vegetables.
Recipe Ingredients You’ll Need
- Pork Tenderloin: I used a 1.25 to 1.75 pound pork tenderloin in this pork recipe. If you find that your pork tenderloin is too long to fit in the air fryer you can cut it in half or you can try to curve it to fit it in the basket.
- Olive oil: The olive oil helps the rub to stick to the pork before you air fry it.
- Brown Sugar: The brown sugar adds a nice sweetness to the rub with the warm spices.
- Spices: The spices I used in this rub are oregano, smoked paprika, chili powder and garlic powder.
How Do You Make Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin?
It is so easy to make pork tenderloin in the air fryer!
Step 1: Preheat: Start by preheating the air fryer to 400 degrees F for 5 minutes.
Step 2: Mix Spices: In a small bowl mix all of the dry ingredients together and whisk.
Step 3: Silver Skin: Trim the pork tenderloin of the silver skin.
Step 4: Olive Oil and Rub: Use your hands or a brush to coat the pork with the 1 tablespoon olive oil. Rub the spice mixture over the pork tenderloin on both sides.
Step 5: Cook: Place the pork tenderloin in the air fryer basket and air fry at 400 degrees F for 18-20 minutes or an internal temperature of 145 degrees F. Be sure not to overcook or it will become dry.
Step 6: Serve: Remove the pork from the air fryer and place on a cutting board and let the pork tenderloin rest for 5 minutes. Slice the meat and serve.
What is the Difference Between a Pork Loin and a Pork Tenderloin?
Pork loin and pork tenderloin are two different cuts of pork and come from different parts of the animal.
They also look different- pork tenderloin is thinner and smaller than pork loin. Pork loin is wider and much bigger.
A pork loin can weigh up to 5 pounds while tenderloins are usually around 1 to 2 pounds. Cooking a pork tenderloin in the crockpot or air fryer will require less cook time than pork loin.
Recipe FAQ
Pork should be cooked until 145 degrees F. This ensures that it is not dry and you get a juicy pork tenderloin you need to make sure it has a slight blush of pink. I find in the air fryer that cooking it until about 140 degrees F works well because the temperature rises once it sits for a few minutes.
Yes, removing the silver skin (the tough connective tissue) helps make the pork more tender and prevents chewiness.
Other Pork Recipes
Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin
Ingredients
- 1.25 to 1.75 pound Pork tenderloin
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 3 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 tsp ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F for 5 minutes.
- In a medium bowl mix all of the dry ingredients together and whisk.
- Trim the pork tenderloin of the silver skin.
- Use your hands or a brush to coat the pork with the 1 tablespoon olive oil.
- Rub the spice mixture over the pork tenderloin on both sides.
- Place the pork tenderloin in the air fryer and air fry at 400 degrees F for 18-20 minutes or an internal temperature of 145 degrees F. Be sure not to overcook or it will become dry.
- Remove the pork from the air fryer and let sit for 5 minutes.
- Slice the meat and serve.
Notes
- A pork loin will cook for about 12-14 minutes per pound. So, for example:
- 1.5 lb pork loin = 18-21 minutes
3 lb pork loin = 36-42 minutes
Thanks to Ohio Pork for sponsoring today’s post. As always, opinions are 100% my own.
