Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin is juicy and tender with an easy herb and spice seasoning. It requires minimal prep time and it’s ready in just 25 minutes in the air fryer!
If you love easy dinners, you’ll love this pork tenderloin recipe. It’s simple enough for busy weeknights and fancy enough for a special date night. Just whip up a few side dishes, and you’re all set!
The seasoning for this pork is actually inspired by the seasoning I use for these pulled pork breakfast nachos. It’s savoury with a hint of sweet and spicy. The recipe is customizable so you can make it sweeter or spicier to suit your taste.
We love this pork paired with air fryer baby potatoes, corn on the cob and citrus crunch salad. For a light and easy meal, it would also pair nicely with this summer orzo salad.
Why you’ll love this recipe
- It’s quick and easy. As pork tenderloins are best cooked quickly over high heat, they’re ideal for cooking in the air fryer. You simply season the pork and place it in the air fryer and it’s ready in 25 minutes!
- No marinating required. We’re using a dry rub to season the pork, so there’s no liquid marinade or need to let the pork marinate for a few hours. Just coat with the seasoning and it’s ready to air fry!
- You don’t need to turn on the oven. This is great if you just don’t want to heat up your oven to cook a small pork tenderloin, or if it’s a super warm day and you just don’t want the oven warming up your kitchen.
What is the difference between pork tenderloin and pork loin?
Both are lean cuts of pork but they are different sizes, so they shouldn’t be used interchangeably in recipes.
Pork tenderloin is boneless with a long and narrow shape. It comes from the muscle that runs along the top of the pig’s backbone. Pork tenderloins cook fast and are usually quite tender.
Pork loin is a larger cut of pork and can be boneless or bone-in. It comes from the back part of the pig. It’s lean and tender like the tenderloin, but it’s best cooked slowly.
Details on the ingredients
Pork tenderloin – You’ll need two pork tenderloins for this recipe. While tenderloins are a pretty standard size (about 1 pound each), they can be a little smaller or bigger. For even cooking, make sure both of your tenderloins are roughly the same size.
Extra virgin olive oil – You just need a tablespoon to brush over the pork before seasoning it. If you don’t have evoo, you can use another type of oil.
Coconut sugar – Some coconut sugar adds sweetness and helps the dry rub caramelize around the pork as it air fries. You can use brown sugar if you don’t have coconut sugar.
Herbs and spices – Along with the sugar, the dry rub seasoning includes dried oregano and thyme, smoked paprika, garlic powder, ground cumin and salt.
How to cook pork tenderloin in the air fryer
Preheat your air fryer for 5 minutes on 400F.
Trim any fat and remove the silver skin from the pork tenderloins. (The pork in the photo above does not have it removed yet. If you’re not sure how to remove it, this short video on how to remove silver skin from pork is helpful).
Brush the oil onto the pork, making sure to cover all sides.
Add the seasoning ingredients to a small bowl and stir together until combined.
Sprinkle the seasoning on the pork and use your hands to rub it in.
Carefully place the pork tenderloins in the air fryer basket, curving them around the basket, if necessary.
Air fry on 400F for 20-25 minutes, until the internal temperature of each tenderloin reaches 145F (or 160F for well done).
Transfer to a cutting board and let rest for 3-5 minutes. Slice and serve.
Frequently asked questions
Silver skin is the thin membrane of connective tissue on the surface of the pork. Sometimes your butcher may already have it removed, but if it’s still on your pork, I recommend removing it as it can be quite tough when cooked.
The USDA previously recommended that pork be cooked to an internal temperature of 160F, but changed this to 145F as long as there is a 3 minute rest period following the pork reaching 145F. In Canada, the recommended safe temperature is still 160F.
At 145F, the pork may have a slight touch of pink. If you prefer pork well done, then you should cook it to 160F and use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. If you cook it past 160F, the pork will end up dry and tough.
Since pork tenderloin is best cooked over high heat, you should air fry it on 400F. If you use a lower temperature, you will need to air fry it for longer.
At 400F, it will take about 20-25 minutes for the pork tenderloin to cook in the air fryer. The exact amount of time depends on the size of your tenderloins as well as whether you’re cooking them to 145F or 160F.
Additional recipe tips
- I don’t always preheat my air fryer, but I like to for this recipe as it helps create a sear on the bottom of the pork tenderloins when you place them in the air fryer and helps them cook a little faster.
- Tenderloins cook fast and can easily overcook. Keep an eye on them and check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer. If you overcook them, they will be tough and dry.
- I used a Cosori 5.8 quart basket air fryer for this recipe. If your air fryer is smaller, you can half the recipe or just air fry one tenderloin at a time.
- Change up the pork seasoning by adding dried sage or rosemary. For a spicier rub, add some chili powder, Cajun seasoning or cayenne pepper. For a sweeter rub, just use more coconut sugar.
- Turn this pork into a meal by serving it with air fryer potato wedges and some air fryer green beans or carrots.
More air fryer recipes
- Air Fryer Turkey Burgers
- Air Fryer Salmon Patties
- Air Fryer Fish Tacos
- Air Fryer Breaded Shrimp
- Air Fryer Vegetables
- Air Fryer Salmon
- Air Fryer Pork Schnitzel
If you make this air fryer pork tenderloin recipe, I would love to hear what you think in the comments below!
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Print
Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Air Fry
- Cuisine: American
Description
Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin is juicy and tender with an easy herb and spice seasoning. It requires minimal prep time and it’s ready in just 25 minutes in the air fryer!
Ingredients
- 2 pork tenderloinsÂ
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 2 teaspoons coconut sugar
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer for 5 minutes on 400F.
- Arrange the pork on a clean work surface and use a sharpe knife to trim any fat and remove the silver skin (the thin membrane of connective tissue on top of the pork).
- Brush the oil onto the pork, making sure to cover all sides.
- Add the sugar, oregano, thyme, smoked paprika, garlic powder, cumin and salt to a small bowl and stir together to form the seasoning.
- Sprinkle the seasoning on the pork and use your hands to rub it in, making sure to cover all sides and gently press the seasoning into the meat so it sticks.
- Carefully place the pork in the air fryer basket. (Depending on the length of your tenderloins, you may need to curve them around the basket).
- Air fry on 400F for 20-25 minutes, until the internal temperature of each tenderloin reaches 145F (or 160F for well done).
- Transfer to a cutting board and let rest for 3-5 minutes. Slice and serve.
Notes
- I used a Cosori 5.8 quart basket air fryer for this recipe. If your air fryer is smaller, you can half the recipe or just air fry one tenderloin at a time.
- I recommend removing the silver skin as it can be quite tough when cooked. If you’re not sure how to do this, this short video on how to remove silver skin from pork is helpful.
- For even cooking, make sure both of your tenderloins are roughly the same size.
- At 145F, the pork may have a slight touch of pink. If you prefer pork well done, then you should cook it to 160F and use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. If you cook it past 160F, the pork will end up dry and tough.
- Make sure you let the pork rest for 3-5 minutes before slicing it, especially if you cook it to 145F as this rest period is required for safe consumption of pork.
- For the seasoning, you can use brown sugar if you don’t have coconut sugar, and feel free to substitute other dried herbs and spices.
- Be sure to check out the other sections above the recipe card for more detailed advice and suggestions for making this recipe.
Oh another awesome air-fryer idea Leanne! (You should totally write a recipe book while it’s still super trendy!)
This pork tenderloin looks indeed perfect – so tender, juicy, and inviting. Never cooked pork in the air-fryer, but that would be on my radar!
Thanks Ben! I’ve thought about putting together an e-book of air fryer recipes. Maybe someday soon!
Wow great recipe! I never thought about using the air fryer for pork like that…definetly a must try!
Amazing photos too by the way.
Thank you Terry! Let me know if you try pork in the air fryer some time!