Pork tenderloin cooked in the air fryer is one of the easiest weeknight meals! All you need are some basic pantry spices, olive oil, and about 20 minutes of time. The meat comes out incredibly juicy and tender, and the spice rub is out of this world.
About This Recipe
Juicy, flavorful, and quick. Those are the words I would use to describe this air fryer pork tenderloin recipe. I never thought air frying pork tenderloin could result in meat being this juicy, but it really was. The meat was literally oozing with juices even after a 10-minute rest. When we cut into the meat, it felt almost like filet mignon!
The spice rub is a combination of brown sugar and pantry spices. We need some olive oil to help it stick to the meat. Once rubbed on, there is no need to marinate it at all; you can cook it right away. However, if you have time, marinating is something I always recommend. Just 30 minutes can make a huge difference.
I've made baked pork tenderloins quite a bit, but I think the air fryer is going to be my new method. The tenderloins finish cooking much faster, and they develop a beautiful crust on the outside, which doesn't happen when cooking in the oven. The extra air flow really does a good job!
One important tip I have is to use a meat thermometer to check for doneness rather than relying on the time itself. Pork tenderloins can overcook quickly because they are lean. Once they reach 145°F in the thickest part, they are done.
Key Ingredients
Pork Tenderloins: Pork tenderloins are a very lean and tender cut of meat. Make sure you don't buy pork loins, which are larger and not as tender. This recipe uses two tenderloins (because I've found most grocery stores sell them in packs of two), but if you only have one, you can easily scale down the recipe.
Olive oil: Helps the spices stick to the pork and create that beautiful crust. I typically use olive oil, but you can use any neutral oil, like vegetable or canola.
Brown sugar: I love the sweetness that brown sugar adds to the rub! You can use white sugar as well.
Spices: I used a combination of paprika, oregano, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Feel free to use your favorite spice rub.
Instructions
STEP 1: Pat the pork tenderloins dry with paper towels and add them to a large bowl. Don't skip this step! Patting dry makes it so the oil and spices stick to the pork better.
STEP 2: In a small bowl, combine the olive oil and spices. Pour over the tenderloins and rub all over.
STEP 3: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F. When it's done preheating, place the tenderloins inside the basket.
STEP 4: Air-fry for 12-18 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the inside reaches 145°F. The exact time will depend on your specific air fryer and how thick your tenderloins are. Let the pork rest for about 5 minutes before slicing- this will allow the juices to redistribute and keep them juicy.
Note: It's okay if the meat is slightly pink. As long as the temperature reaches at least 145°F, it is safe to eat.
Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin
Ingredients
- 2 pork tenderloins (about 1 pound each)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Pat the pork tenderloins dry with paper towels and add to a large bowl.
- In a small bowl, combine the olive oil and spices. Pour over the tenderloins and rub all over.
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F.
- Place the tenderloins inside the air fryer basket. Air-fry for 12-18 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the inside reaches 145°F. The exact time will depend on your specific air fryer and how thick your tenderloins are.
- Let the tenderloins rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
Leave a Reply