Name: Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 65 min
Ingredients: 1 to 1 ½ pounds pork tenderloin; 1 teaspoon neutral tasting oil (canola, vegetable, avocado, etc.); 2 teaspoons garlic powder; 2 teaspoons onion powder; 2 teaspoons dried thyme; 2 teaspoons salt (or to taste); 1 ½ teaspoons smoked paprika; ½ teaspoon ground mustard; ½ to 1 teaspoon chili powder (or ground black pepper)

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This Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin is an easy recipe that yields amazing flavor. It’s made with juicy pork infused with flavor from savory spices, then air fried until tender in the middle and crispy on the outside. Just 10 minutes of prep needed!

Easy Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin Recipe

If you’ve ever wondered what the best way is to cook pork tenderloin, then you’re about to have all your questions answered.

Now, if you haven’t guessed it already, it’s the air fryer. Seriously. This is the best air fryer pork tenderloin recipe.

It starts with, of course, pork tenderloin that’s seasoned with a blend of garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, salt, smoked paprika, ground. mustard, and chili powder.

That rests for a quick 30 minutes, then gets tossed into the air fryer. And the results are delicious!

The high temperature and quick-cooking nature of the air fryer keeps the lean cut of meat that is pork tenderloin super tender and juicy and gives it a deliciously crispy crust.

This is sure to be one of your new favorite recipes! Whip this up and pick any side dishes to round out your meal. It’s simple, tasty, and so satisfying!

Tips and Notes

Pork prep: Before oiling and seasoning your pork, be sure to remove excess fat and silver skin and pat it dry gently with paper towels. This ensures that the meat can soak in all the flavors from the spices AND that the outside gets nice and crispy in the air fryer.
Flip the pork halfway through. Flipping the meat makes sure that it’s cooking evenly all the way around.
Don’t over-cook. Since pork tenderloin is a lean meat, it’s essential that it isn’t over-cooked. I recommend checking the temperature early, then adding time as needed. The easiest way to check the internal temperature is to use a meat thermometer. It should be 145ºF.
Let it rest. After the pork is done cooking, give it around 5-10 minutes to rest before slicing into it. This keeps the juices and flavor in the meat! Slice into it too soon and that will seep out.
Adjust to taste. Any of the spices or seasonings are adjustable to taste. Feel free to change the amounts or omit any of them to suite your tastes.
Cooking time may vary. Every air fryer cooks differently, so the cooking time may change depending on your specific air fryer.
For a sweeter flavor, add 1-2 tablespoons of brown sugar to the spice rub.

Pork tenderloin on top of mashed potatoes.

Serving Suggestions

This air fryer pork tenderloin is a versatile entree that pairs well with any of your favorite sides!

Here are a few ideas:

Storage

Refrigerator: Leftover pork tenderloin can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 4-5 days.

Freezer: For longer storage, store the pork in a freezer-safe container and keep it for up to 3 months.

Reheating: To enjoy again, thaw the frozen pork tenderloin in the fridge overnight, then warm at 350ºF back in the air fryer until heated through.

What Cooking Method is Best for Pork Tenderloin?

Air frying! While cooking pork tenderloin isn’t limited to the air fryer, I stand by it being one of the very best ways to cook it.

Pork tenderloin is a lean cut of meat, so the quick-cooking and high heat of the air fryer cooks it well without drying it out. Plus, the hot circulating air gives the outside of the pork a perfect crust!

How Do You Keep Pork from Drying Out in an Air Fryer?

Just don’t over-cook it! Lean meats such as pork tenderloin can quickly go from well done to dried out if you don’t keep an eye on them.

For the best results, check your pork with a meat thermometer early, then add time only until the internal temperature is 145ºF!

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