This Air Fried Pork Tenderloin is so simple and easy to prepare. The pork is seasoned with a flavorful rub that infuses the meat with so much flavor. The Tenderloin is cooked in an air fryer in less than 30 minutes. It turns out crispy on the outside and juicy and incredibly tender.
Air fried Pork Tenderloin Recipe
Pork tenderloin is usually sold in two packages; I get mine from Cosco or Shop-rite if that helps. Each tenderloin was a pound. If you do meal planning or you have a big family making two is a good idea. If you decide to cook two, my suggestion is to cook one at a time.
It’s important not to confuse a pork tenderloin with a pork loin. Pork loin is wide in size, and you can easily cut steak-like slices from it. It is perfect for slow-roasting or grilling. While the Pork Tenderloin is long and narrow. It’s excellent for cooking in a quick high heat.
To make this pork tenderloin, I use my air fryer. This is so practical and because the circulating hot air around the food gives the pork tenderloin a crispy exterior and a moist and tender interior.
There are many different types of settings depending on the air fryer. I have a Nuwave Air Fryer. To make this pork tenderloin, I set up the watts to 1500 and 400 degrees. Remember to preheat for 5 minutes before using. Set the cooking time to 20 minutes.
The tenderloin is seasoned with a combination of brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, ground mustard, onion powder, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and avocado oil or olive oil.
The ingredients amounts for this rub are suggestions for two tenderloins ( about 2 pounds in total). If you make just one tenderloin (1 pound), use 1/2 of the rub mixture and save the rest for another day. The combinations of these spices can be saved and last longer if the oil is not added. I like to combine those spices and have them ready in a small airtight container. I recommend adding the oil at the time you are going to use the herbs. Or you can use the recipe card feature to half the recipe. It’s pretty cool, and it will do the job for you. Let me know if you need some assistant using it. I will be glad to help you!
If you like to use rubs, I’m sure you will love my recipe, The Most Flavorful Baked Chicken Leg Quarters. This post is one of my most popular here on the blog and my Youtube channel. Thank you for the support!
Ingredients You’ll need:
- Pork tenderloin
- Avocado oil or olive oil
- Brown sugar
- Smoked paprika
- Garlic powder
- Salt
- Ground mustard
- Onion powder
- Black pepper
- Cayenne pepper
How to make Air fried Pork Tenderloin :
Preparation Process:
The first step is to prepare the rub. In a small mixing bowl, combine one tablespoon brown sugar, one tablespoon smoked paprika, one teaspoon garlic powder, two teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon ground mustard, ½ teaspoon onion powder, ⅓ teaspoon black pepper, and ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper. Combine and set aside.
Next, before rubbing the pork’s spices, it’s essential to remove the “silver skin,” which is just the meat’s thin lining. It is extremely tough, and it has a chewy texture that is not very pleasant. It also prevents the meat from absorbing all the flavors from the rub. Next, Pat dry the tenderloin and spread tenderloin with 1 teaspoon of oil. Then, rub the spices mixture over the meat, both sides. Once your meat is completely coated with the rub, place it into the air fryer basket.
Cooking Process:
For my air fryer settings, I place the watts to 1500 and the temperature to 400°F(204°C). Then, I set the cooking time to 20-22 minutes. It’s important to preheat the air fryer for 5 minutes. Then, place the basket into the air fryer and start cooking.
Place the Pork Tenderloin into the basket and in the air fryer and start cooking.
After 20-22 minutes, the pork is done. The internal temperature should be 145°- 165°F. I suggest letting the tenderloin rest for at least 5 minutes.
In the meanwhile, let’s prepare a delicious sauce for the pork.
In a small container, combine one teaspoon avocado oil or olive oil, the juice of one lime, two garlic cloves, one small red onion (diced), salt, and black pepper (to taste) a pinch of oregano.
Then, place the mixture in a saucepan over medium-high heat. You can mix it all in the saucepan. I just wanted to show you the combination separately with a beautiful image, lol. Bring the sauce to a simmer for about 5-10 minutes. Remove from the stove, and let the mixture cool down. Then, please place it in a blender. The sauce is going to look creamy, and it is very delicious. 
Serve pork slices with some of this delicious sauce (optional) and some air-fried tostones. Yum! The sauce compliments the flavor of the pork so well.
This pork tenderloin came out soo…. good. Its flavorful, tender, and easy to make. And the leftovers are great for making sandwiches. It’s my husband favorite part 🙂
Below you will find a convenient printable recipe card. Please, feel free to leave any comments and suggestions. I am looking forward to hearing from you!
Air fried Pork Tenderloin Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 (1 pound each) pork tenderloin
- 1 teaspoon avocado oil or olive oil
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground mustard
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ⅓ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Preparation Process:
- The first step is to prepare the wet rub. In a small mixing bowl combine 1 tablespoon brown sugar, 1 tablespoon smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 2 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon ground mustard, ½ teaspoon onion powder, ⅓ teaspoon black pepper, and ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper. Then, add 1 teaspoon of oil, combine and set aside.
- Next, before rubbing the pork's spices, it’s essential to remove the “silver skin,” which is just the meat's thin lining. It is extremely tough, and it has a chewy texture that is not very pleasant. It also prevents the meat from absorbing all the flavors from the rub.
- Pat dry the tenderloin and spread the tenderloin with 1 teaspoon of oil. Then, rub the spices mixture over the meat, both sides. Once your meat is completely coated with the rub, place it into the air fryer basket.
- Cooking Process:
- For the settings on my air fryer, I place the watts to 1500 and the temperature to 400°F(204°C). Then, I set the cooking time to 20 minutes. It’s important to preheat the air fryer for 5 minutes. Place the basket into the air fryer and start cooking.
- Place the Pork Tenderloin into the basket and in the air fryer and start cooking.
- After 20-22 minutes the pork is done. I suggest letting the tenderloin rest for at least 5 minutes.
- Let’s prepare a delicious sauce for the pork.
- In a small container combine the avocado oil or olive oil, lime juice, minced garlic, 1 small red onion, salt, black pepper, and oregano.
- Then, place the mixture in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring the sauce to a simmer for about 5 minutes. Let the mixture cool down and place it in a blender. the sauce is going to look creamy and it is very delicious. l.
- Serve the pork slices with some sauce (optional) and some air-fried tostones Yum! The sauce compliments the flavor of the pork so wel.
Notes
- The ingredients amounts suggestions for this rub is for two tenderloins ( about 2 pounds in total).
- If you make just 1 tenderloin (1 pound), use 1/2 of the rub mixture and save the rest for another day. The combinations of these spices can be saved and last longer if the oil is not added. I like to combine those spices and have them ready in a small airtight container.
- I recommend adding the oil at the time you are going to use the spices.
Nutrition
*Nutritional Disclaimer: Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.
Let me know what you think about this recipe, and don’t forget to contact me if you have any questions. It’s always a pleasure to hear from YOU! Also, don’t forget to follow me on my Instagram savinon_asimpletweak.
Until the next one…
More Pork Recipes:
