Cooking pork tenderloin in the air fryer is the best and quickest way to achieve juicy, flavorful meat in just 25 minutes. Follow my step-by-step recipe with helpful tips on perfecting the seasoning, glaze, and detailed air fryer instructions for the best pork tenderloin.
Pork tenderloin is the leanest and also the most tender cuts of pork. To make the most of this lean cut of meat, it's important to season it properly and avoid overcooking.
Air frying is my favorite way to cook it. The air fryer cooks it quickly, creating a golden crust while sealing in the juices, so there's no need to sear the meat. I also love cooking pork chops in the air fryer for similar reasons.
Pork tenderloin is an easy enough option for a weeknight family dinner, but it also looks great on a holiday table. We enjoy it with mashed potatoes or roasted crispy red potatoes, roasted green beans and carrots, steamed veggies, or a fresh salad.
Why you will love this air fryer pork tenderloin recipe
- Quick: it takes less time to cook compared to the oven, and you do not need to sear the meat.
- Perfect crust: the rapid air circulation creates a crispy, golden-brown exterior while keeping the inside juicy and tender.
- Minimal prep time: this recipe does not require any marinating or searing, which means less clean-up and time saved.
- Very flavorful: with our seasoning and glaze, every bite will be packed with delicious flavor.
Ingredients
You can find the ingredients quantities in the recipe card at the end of this post.
- Pork tenderloin: it is a long, lean, and tender cut of pork.
Note: Do not confuse it with pork loin, which is a wide, rectangular cut from the back of the pig, typically weighing 2-5 pounds and commonly used for pork roast.
- Olive oil: it helps seasonings to stick better to the meat and makes the crust crispier. You can swap it for vegetable oil.
- Seasonings: I used sweet paprika, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, rubbed sage, and cumin powder.
- Dijon mustard: you can use smooth or whole-grain mustard. It is needed for the glaze.
- Maple syrup: adds sweetness to the glaze. Swap it for honey or brown sugar.
How to cook pork tenderloin in air fryer
- Prepare the pork. Place the meat on a large enough cutting board. Pat dry the pork with paper towels. Using a sharp knife, trim any silver skin, or excess fat.
- Prepare the dry rub. In a small bowl mix sweet paprika, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, rubbed sage, and cumin powder.
- Season. First, rub the pork with olive oil followed by the prepared spice rub.
- Air Fry. Air fry for 18 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit, flipping it halfway through.
- Prepare the glaze. In a second small bowl, stir Dijon mustard and maple syrup.
- Glaze and finish cooking. Remove the air fryer basket from the air fryer and brush the pork with the glaze on both sides. Cook it for an additional 6-8 minutes at 375 degrees Fahrenheit or until the crust is golden brown and the internal temperature reaches at least 145 degrees Fahrenheit.
Recipe tips
Follow these tips for the most tender, flavorful, and juicy pork tenderloin cooked in air fryer.
- Always trim any silver skin (thin, shiny membrane of connective tissue), as it is very tough even when cooked and also prevents the pork from proper seasoning.
- It may seem basic, but seasoning the pork well is very important.
- Brush the glaze onto the pork tenderloin during the last 6-8 minutes of cooking to prevent it from burning.
- Cooking time will depend on the thickness of the tenderloin and your air fryer modes.
- Do not overcook the pork. Always use an instant-read thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches 145°F.
- Let cooked pork tenderloin rest for 5 minutes before cutting, so the juices redistribute.
How to store and reheat
- To store: transfer leftover pork tenderloin to the airtight container and store them in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- To reheat: I like to reheat it in the air fryer at 350°F for about 3-5 minutes. You can also reheat it in the microwave.
Frequently asked questions
I love air frying pork tenderloin at 400°F, as it creates a golden-brown crust while keeping the inside juicy and tender. After applying the glaze, I finish cooking it at 375°F to prevent the glaze from burning.
To ensure the pork is fully cooked, I recommend using a meat thermometer. According to the USDA, the internal temperature in the thickest part of the pork should reach at least 145°F. Using the meat thermometer also helps prevent the pork from being overcooked.
More air fryer main dished to try
📖 Recipe
Pork Tenderloin In Air Fryer
Equipment
- 1 Air fryer
- 1 instant-read thermometer
- 2 small bowls
Ingredients
- 1-1.5 pounds pork tenderloin
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon rubbed sage
- ¼ teaspoon cumin powder
- 4 tablespoons Dijon mustard smooth or grainy
- 2 tablespoons real maple syrup or honey
Instructions
- Prepare the pork. Remove the pork tenderloin from its packaging and pat it dry well with paper towels. Use sharp knife to carefully trim away any fat or silver skin.
- Mix the seasoning. In a small bowl combine 1 teaspoon sweet paprika , ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon garlic powder , ½ teaspoon onion powder, ¼ teaspoon rubbed sage, and ¼ teaspoon cumin powder.
- Season the pork. Rub the pork tenderloin with olive oil. Then, generously rub the seasoning mix all over pork, pressing gently so it sticks better. (Optional: place seasoned meat in a Ziploc and marinade it for up to 24 hours).
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F. Place the seasoned pork tenderloin in a preheated air fryer basket. Cook at 400°F ("air fry" function) for 16 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Make the glaze. In a small bowl, stir 4 tablespoons Dijon mustard and 2 tablespoons real maple syrup .
- Glaze and finish cooking. Remove the pork from air fryer and brush it generously with the maple and mustard glaze. Return it to air fryer and cook at 375°F for additional 6-10 minutes, or until the internal temperature in the thickest part of the tenderloin reaches 145°F.
- Let it rest and serve. Let the pork lion rest for 5 minutes before cutting and serving.
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