This simple air fryer pork tenderloin is extremely juicy and the pantry-friendly spices construct superb taste!
That is the one air fryer recipe I’ve ever posted…and it might be the final. However it’s so good that it, alone, is value protecting an air fryer round for!

Spice Rub for Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin
There are a number of causes this air fryer pork tenderloin is SO GOOD. First, pork tenderloin (yum). Second, hands-off air fryer cooking for juicy pork. And third, the spice rub that provides superb taste to the pork.
The spice rub is six quite simple elements:
- brown sugar (don’t skip it! It helps crust the pork because it cooks)
- smoked paprika (considered one of my fave elements ever)
- onion powder
- garlic powder
- salt + pepper
The pork tenderloin is coated with olive oil after which rubbed with the spice combine. It could look like plenty of dry spices, however hold patting and sprinkling and use all of it up. Taste, taste, taste!




Suggestions for Cooking Pork within the Air Fryer
- Preheat the air fryer for no less than 5 minutes. This helps the pork cook dinner sooner, extra evenly, and develop that attractive, yummy crusty exterior.
- Line the air fryer basket. That is technically optionally available, however belief me, it’s a smart alternative to contemplate, in any other case the air fryer is a beast to wash after. I don’t have fancy pre-made air fryer liners, however a bit of parchment paper tucked within the backside works simply as effectively.
- Test the temp. Relying on the dimensions and model of air fryer, the pork might cook dinner sooner or slower (some manufacturers/sizes might cook dinner hotter than others). Choose the pork tenderloin’s doneness based mostly on temperature reasonably than actual time; begin checking the temp round 18 minutes. An instant-read thermometer {aff. hyperlink} ought to register 145 levels F on the thickest half.




One other Important Tip + Eradicating Silver Pores and skin
As soon as the pork is completed cooking, take away it to a chopping board and let it relaxation for five to 10 minutes.
I don’t care if you happen to take shortcuts with another facet of this recipe, however don’t, I REPEAT, DO NOT, skip this step. Letting the pork relaxation permits the juices to redistribute guaranteeing higher, juicier pork.
Concerning the silver pores and skin: if the pork tenderloin you might be utilizing hasn’t been trimmed, you possibly can take away the silver pores and skin earlier than cooking. Silver pores and skin is a band of connective tissue on one lengthy facet of pork tenderloin, and it’s simply reduce away with a pointy knife. For those who want a visible, google “how one can take away silver pores and skin” and you’ll get plenty of useful data. To be completely sincere, I typically bear in mind to do that and typically I don’t. I’m not encouraging you to overlook, after all, however after I haven’t eliminated the silver pores and skin, I don’t discover an enormous distinction within the cooked pork (the areas of silver pores and skin/fats are simply trimmed off after cooking).


Love Hate Relationship With Air Fryer
I’ve waxed poetic on Instagram about my love/hate relationship with my air fryer. We don’t use it fairly often, and I gripe about how cumbersome it’s and what a ache it’s to wash, BUT like I discussed at the start of the publish, this air fryer pork tenderloin is 100% the rationale we nonetheless have one.
That is simply my 16-year previous’s favourite meal (the weeknight rooster tacos in my cookbook are a fast second); we’ve been making it for a protracted whereas, and I figured that regardless that air fryer recipes aren’t my specialty, it was excessive time to share it!
It truly is so fast and straightforward. The pork is very flavorful and so extremely juicy!
P.S. For those who don’t have an air fryer, the pork may be roasted on a lined and frivolously greased baking pan in a 400 diploma F oven (in case you have a convection oven, roast at 375 levels F). It could not develop the identical scrumptious crust because the air fryer, however the oven technique undoubtedly works in a pinch.






Simple Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 ¼ teaspoons coarse kosher salt
- ¾ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¾ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon coarsely floor black pepper
- 1 to 2 tablespoons olive oil (see notice)
- 1 medium (about 1.5 kilos) pork tenderloin (see notice)
-
Combine the brown sugar and spices collectively in a small bowl.
-
Drizzle the pork with olive oil to coat evenly.
-
Sprinkle the spice combination evenly over the pork rubbing it into all sides of the pork. It’d look like plenty of dry combine to make use of – however attempt to use all of it for max taste.
-
Preheat air fryer to 400 levels F for no less than 5 minutes. (See notice for oven cooking technique.)
-
Place pork into the air fryer (use parchment to line the air fryer for simpler cleanup, if desired) and cook dinner for 18 to 22 minutes till an instant-read thermometer registers 145 levels F on the thickest half.
-
Take away pork from the air fryer to a chopping board. Tent frivolously with foil and let relaxation for five to 10 minutes earlier than slicing. Pour any additional juice from the air fryer or chopping board over the pork earlier than serving.
Olive Oil/Mustard: rather than the olive oil (or along with), a little bit of yellow mustard will also be rubbed frivolously over the pork earlier than including the seasoning combination.
Oven Cooking Methodology: For those who don’t have an air fryer, the pork may be roasted on a lined and frivolously greased baking pan in a 400 diploma F oven (in case you have a convection oven, roast at 375 levels F). It could not develop the identical scrumptious crust because the air fryer, however the oven technique undoubtedly works in a pinch.
Serving: 1 serving (about 1/3 pound), Energy: 202kcal, Carbohydrates: 3g, Protein: 28g, Fats: 8g, Saturated Fats: 2g, Ldl cholesterol: 88mg, Sodium: 654mg, Fiber: 0.4g, Sugar: 2g
Recipe Supply: from Mel’s Kitchen Cafe
Disclaimer: I’m a participant within the Amazon Providers LLC Associates Program, an affiliate promoting program designed to offer a way for me to earn charges by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated websites. As an Amazon Affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases.