Easy Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin (+Delicious Dry Rub!)
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Once you make this pork tenderloin air fryer recipe, you’ll never go back to making it in the oven! It’s created with a flavorful, delicious pork rub seasoning that’s sweet, savoury, and herby. This pork tenderloin dish is juicy, fast, and doesn’t require a preheated air fryer, so it’s perfect for a busy weeknight meal!
Table of Contents
Why you’ll love this recipe
- Deliciously Seasoned: This pork tenderloin air fryer dish includes a delicious herby, garlicky, sweet, savoury dry rub that’s finger-licking good! It includes ingredients like garlic powder, onion powder, sage, rosemary, paprika, and brown sugar – a mouthwatering seasoning mix!
- Tender and Juicy: By searing the air fry pork tenderloin first, you’re sealing in the juices. This step is key in creating tender, juicy pork tenderloin.
- Inexpensive: At £0.81 per serving, this recipe is great for those with a tight meal budget. Perfect to batch cook and freeze as a healthy protein.
- Quick cooking: My favorite part about this pork loin in air fryer dish is that it only takes about 30 minutes from start to end. While it’s cooking in the air fryer, you can whip up some rice, potatoes, or other quick sides.
- Healthy: This air fry pork loin is pretty healthy, as the meat is rather lean. Pair it with veg for more nutrients.
Try these other delicious pork recipes this week: Crispy Air Fryer Pork Belly, Crispy Pork Schnitzel, or Simple Pork Curry with Coconut Milk.
What’s the difference? Pork Tenderloin vs. Pork Loin vs. Pork Loin Filet
When making this pork tenderloin air fryer recipe, it can be confusing which cut of pork to purchase. I recommend making this with tenderloin for a healthier dish.
- Tenderloin is typically leaner since it comes from the backbone of the pig and is always boneless. It’s a long, thin cut of meat that typically has a shiny silver membrane covering. Pork loin filet is not a separate cut of meat, but a different name for pork tenderloin.
- Pork loin is from the back of the pig near the area near where the pork chops are taken from. It’s higher in fat than tenderloin, and can be bought with or without bones. This cut is typically wider than tenderloin.
Ingredients
The ingredients that make this Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin recipe fantastic are the following:
Pork Tenderloin:
This is the star of show! Be sure to remove the membrane and any fatty pieces before seasoning, searing, and air frying the pork.
Dry rub:
I love my pork seasoning blend *insert link as it’s smoky, balanced and warming.
Brown Sugar:
Adding some sweetness like brown sugar is necessary to balance the flavours in the spice rub. Honey is another great option in this recipe.
See the recipe card for full information on all ingredients and quantities.
Variations/ Adaptations
Here are a few variations for a pork tenderloin air fryer recipe that you can try this week:
Oven Roast: To make this an oven roast recipe, preheat the oven to 200°C/400°F. Follow steps 1-3 in the recipe below. Instead of placing the tenderloin in the air fryer basket, add it to a baking sheet covered in foil. Bake for about 20 minutes, then add the brown sugar for the last 5-10 minutes. Cook the loin filet until it has an internal temperature of 145°F. Be sure to wrap it in foil and let it sit for a few minutes once it’s out of the oven.
Slow Cooker: Follow steps 1-3, placing the tenderloin in the slow cooker once it’s been seasoned and seared. Be sure to add the brown sugar at this step. Add 1 cup of broth and cook the tenderloin on low for 4 hours. It’s done when it has an internal temp of 145°F. Be sure to let the pork rest for a few minutes before cutting.
Change up the flavor: You can also switch up the seasoning if you like. Try using anything from Asian spices to Mediterranean. Or, make your own seasoning by mixing options like black pepper, kosher salt, lemon juice, and other various herbs and spices.
Marinate it: If you prefer, you can create marinated pork tenderloin for a bolder taste. A homemade marinade or pre-made marinade both work well.
Cheaper cut: If your grocery budget is tight, you can create this recipe with pork shoulder, pork loin, pork butt, or ribs instead. The cook time will vary depending on the cut of meat. Use a meat thermometer to ensure it’s 145°F internally.
Turn it into a sandwich: Once this delicious tenderloin is cooked, it makes the perfect addition to a sandwich. Slice it, then add it to crusty bread with mayo, fresh veggies, and cheese.
Cook it as medallions: For a shorter cook time, you can make tenderloin bites. Cut the pork into 1″ cubes before seasoning, searing, and air frying it. These medallions will take about 6-12 minutes. Be sure to use a meat thermometer to check their doneness.
Add a sauce: For a burst of flavour, try adding a sauce when you cook pork tenderloin. This recipe works well with options like dijon mustard, balsamic glaze, balsamic vinegar, garlic aioli, or BBQ sauce. You can add these sauces to the pork or use them for dipping.
How to cook a Pork Tenderloin in the Air Fryer
- Mix the sage, rosemary, garlic granules, onion granules, smoked paprika, ground mustard, and salt together for the dry rub (Image 1).
- Trim any excess fat from the pork tenderloin and then pat it dry with a paper towel (Image 2).
3. Coat the dried tenderloin with the dry rub seasonings (Image 3).
4. Preheat a cast iron pan over high heat and coat the bottom with the rapeseed oil. Sear one side of the tenderloin for two minutes (Image 4).
5. Transfer the seared pork tenderloin into an air fryer basket that has been lined with foil and cook at 200°C/400°F for 10 minutes (Image 5).
6. After the ten minutes, cover the partially cooked tenderloin with the brown sugar or honey and continue to cook for another 5-8 minutes or until the internal temperature is 63°C/145°F (Image 6).
7. Once the tenderloin is cooked, then wrap it in the foil and let it rest for 5-10 minutes (Images 7 & 8).
Here are some more tasty pork recipes to try: Simple Pork Stroganoff, Creamy Tuscan Inspired Rigatoni with Pork Mince, and Gochujang Pork Slow Cooker Ramen.
Tips for the best result
- Season generously with salt– this will not only season the meat but also will help to tenderize it.
- The air frying times will vary depending on the size/thickness of the pork tenderloin. That’s why it’s necessary to use a meat thermometer to know when the pork tenderloin air fryer recipe is done. Pull the tenderloin out when it reaches 135-140°F and then let it rest so it comes up to “doneness” (145°F).
- Let the pork tenderloin meat rest for at least 10 minutes before slicing so the juices can redistribute throughout the meat. This step is essential for tender, flavourful pork. If you cut it too early, you’ll lose a lot of the juices, leaving behind a dry, tough cut of pork.
Make Ahead Instructions
This pork tenderloin air fryer recipe holds up well in the fridge and freezer, so feel free to make it ahead of time. It can stay good in the fridge 4-5 days and 2-3 months in the freezer.
Follow my recipe below, and allow the air fryer pork loin to cool fully. I recommend keeping it whole and slicing off pieces when needed, as pre-cut slices can dry out more easily. Then, pack it into an airtight container or an airtight bag and store in the fridge or freezer.
Slice and reheat when you’re ready for juicy tenderloin.
Serving Suggestions
This pork tenderloin recipe (air fryer) pairs well with many different sides. Try it with veggies like carrots, sweet potatoes, green beans, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, and potatoes. It’s also delicious with rice, noodles, or garlic bread on the side. I love serving it alongside baked apples or applesauce on top.
You can also elevate it by wrapping it with bacon before pan-searing the pork and air frying it.
Here are a few great recipes you can serve with this pork tenderloin:
Leftover Storage and Reheat Instructions
For the best results, store leftovers from this pork tenderloin air fryer recipe according to these directions.
Refrigerator: Let the leftover pork tenderloin cool fully and pack it into an airtight container before storing it in the fridge. Be sure to eat it within 5 days.
Freezer: Once the pork is fully cooled, store the leftovers in an airtight container in the freezer. Be sure to eat it within 3 months.
Reheat: If you’re reheating tenderloin from frozen, let it thaw in the fridge overnight. I recommend slicing off the portion you want to eat and leaving the rest in the fridge until you’re ready. To reheat the pork, add it to the air fryer basket and cook it for a few minutes at 200°C/400°F or until heated through.
Recipe FAQs
Since air fryers can vary in how quickly they cook meat and pork tenderloins can vary in size, there’s no exact answer to the questions, “How long to cook pork loin in air fryer?” and “How long to cook 2 lb pork loin in air fryer?”. I recommend air frying the tenderloin for about 15-20 minutes for a 1 lb cut of meat (and about double for 2 lbs). However, it’s necessary to double-check doneness with a meat thermometer. It will have an internal temperature of 145°F when it’s done.
Searing the pork first in a cast iron, like in this pork tenderloin air fryer recipe, will help keep the pork moist. It seals all the delicious pork juices inside, leaving you with tender, moist air fried pork.
You can wrap your pork in foil when making air frying cuisine. However, it’s not necessary with this recipe as the meat develops a delicious crispy crust as the pork cooks.
Sometimes pork tenderloin can look pink in the centre when fully cooked. Be sure to check the pork’s internal temperature for doneness. Make sure you wrap the loin in foil after removing it from the air fryer and let it rest, as it will continue cooking for a few minutes.
Yes, you can cook this recipe using frozen pork tenderloin. It will take longer to cook, around 30 minutes or so. I recommend using a fresh or thawed pork tenderloin, as cooking it from frozen can cause it to dry out while air frying.
Create a comforting meal the entire family will love by pairing this tenderloin with pasta sides like: Creamy Chicken and Chorizo Pasta, Cheesy Gnocchi Bake, and Easy Cafeteria Noodles.
If you tried this Pork Tenderloin in Air Fryer Recipe, it would be mean so much to me if you could leave a review & a star rating to let me know how you found it! I love hearing about your experiences – it motivates me to keep creating more and more recipes for you guys 💛 Let’s get cooking! – Mimi x
Easy Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin
Ingredients
- 1 pork tenderloin 1.1lbs/ 500g (£3.23)
Cupboard Essentials
- ½ tsp sage
- ½ tsp rosemary
- 1 tsp garlic granules
- 1 tsp onion granules
- 1.5 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp ground mustard
- 1 tsp brown sugar or honey
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp rapeseed oil
Method
- Trim any excess fat off of the pork, the pat with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture.
- Combine all of the seasoning (except the brown sugar) in a bowl and coat the tenderloin in the seasoning and salt.
- Preheat a cast iron pan over a high heat, then add coat the base with rapeseed oil. Sear one side of the tenderloin for 2 minutes. Meanwhile, add foil to your airfryer basket.
- Transfer to your airfryer basket, then cook for 10 minutes at 200°C/400°F. After this time, add the brown sugar or honey and continue to cook for 5-8 minutes, or until the internal temperature reads 145°F.
- Use the foil to incase the pork fillet, ensuring the juices are kept inside. Leave the pork to rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing into rounds. Enjoy!
Notes
- Cooking time in the air fryer will vary based on the size and thickness of your pork tenderloin, so it’s important to use a meat thermometer to ensure it’s cooked properly. Remove the pork from the air fryer when it reaches an internal temperature of 135–140°F, then let it rest. As it rests, the temperature will rise to the ideal 145°F.
- Allow the pork tenderloin to rest for at least 10 minutes before slicing. This resting time is crucial—it lets the juices redistribute, resulting in tender, juicy meat. Cutting into it too soon will cause the juices to run out, leaving the pork dry and chewy.
- Be generous with the salt when seasoning. Not only does it enhance flavor, but it also helps to tenderize the meat.
Nutrition
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