Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin
Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin is juicy, tender, and packed with bold, smoky yet sweet flavor. With a simple marinade made of just a few spices and olive oil, followed by a quick drizzle of honey that adds the perfect touch of sweetness.
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This tenderloin is ready in under 30 minutes, and it's the perfect main dish for your meal plan this week. I love how simple it is. However, if you're looking for a complete, one-pot dinner featuring a full pork tenderloin, try this Pork Tenderloin with Vegetables Sheet Pan dinner. Or try a different cooking method and plop the tenderloin in your Crockpot to make this Slow Cooker Pork Tenderloin recipe.
Why You Need This Air Fryer Recipe
This Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin recipe is a weeknight dinner that's always a win in my book with its minimal prep and tons of flavor. I love that it only requires 5 minutes to mix and make the spice rub, and then the Air Fryer does the rest of the work. No need for the oven either.
Plus, the Air Fryer locks in flavor and juices to make sure each slice of this tenderloin is nice and juicy.
Let's Gather The Ingredients
- Herbs and spices: Chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes.
- Sweet factors: Light brown sugar and honey
- Olive oil: Avocado oil to canola oil can also be used.
- Pork tenderloin: Usually comes 2 in a pkg.
How To Make Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin
- Step 1: Add brown sugar, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, paprika, salt, pepper, and red pepper into a small mixing bowl. Use a fork to stir until combined.
- Step 2: Place pork tenderloin into a large freezer bag. Dump the spice mixture in the bag and add olive oil. Rub the spice mixture over the pork until all is coated. Zip the bag closed and place in the fridge to marinate.
- Step 3: While the pork is marinating, preheat the Air Fryer. Carefully transfer the coated pork tenderloin to the Air Fryer basket and cook.
- Step 4: Flip tenderloin halfway through the cook time and use the instant-read thermometer to ensure pork reaches 145°F internally in the largest section before removing from the basket.
Recipe Tips
- As tempting as it may be to save time, don't skip the preheating step. This helps to ensure your pork cooks evenly.
- Always use a meat thermometer to be sure your pork is cooked through. You don't want to overcook it or undercook it. Pork needs to be a minimum of 145 degrees for food safety.
- Always let the pork rest before cutting. This is a lean cut of meat, so it can dry out more easily than some cuts, but letting it rest helps let the juices reabsorb into the meat so you keep it nice and juicy.
- Depending on the size of your tenderloin, you may need more or less cooking time. Smaller tenderloins need less time.
Recipe Faq's
Yes, since pork tenderloin packages typically come with two tenderloins, the logical thought is to use both, but don’t cook both tenderloins at the same time in the Air Fryer. There's just not enough room in the Air Fryer basket to safely cook both of them. You might also like this Bacon Wrapped Pork Tenderloin.
It pairs wonderfully with roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes and green beans, or a crisp salad.
More Pork Recipes
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Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pork tenderloin about 1 ½ pounds *see notes
- 2 tablespoons honey
Instructions
- In a small bowl mix together the brown sugar, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, paprika, salt, pepper and red pepper until combined.
- Place the tenderloin into a large Ziplock freezer bag add the olive oil and spice mixture and give it a rub until coated. Place in the refrigerator to marinate for 1 hour or up to 12 hours.
- Preheat your air fryer for 5 minutes. Place tenderloin into air fryer and fry on 385 degrees for 20-22 minutes. Or until an digital meat thermometer reaches 145 degrees.
- Remove from the air fryer and place on a cutting board to rest for 5 minutes. Slice and drizzle honey over the top.
