Pork loin is already an easy protein to make for dinner, and now it's even easier! My Air Fryer Pork Loin is tender, juicy, seasoned just right, and ready in just 20 minutes.
AIR FRYER PORK LOIN RECIPE
Pork loin in the air fryer is going to become a regular meal in your dinner rotation, I just know it!
You're going to keep making this air fryer pork over and over again, because air frying is the best and fastest way to cook a pork tenderloin that is tender, flavorful, and not at all dried out.
I've shown you how I make a pork loin roast in the air fryer, and if you've made that recipe, I know you love it. This recipe will show you how to cook the thinner pork tenderloin instead.
Because this cut of pork is so thin, it will cook in half the time as a large pork roast will, and will be ready for dinner in just 20 minutes!
For more delicious pork dinners, try Air Fryer Pork Chops (no breading), Air Fryer Pork Belly, or Air Fryer Pork Chops.
INGREDIENTS FOR AIR FRYER PORK LOIN
Pork Tenderloin - Look for a pork tenderloin that is about 1.5 pounds. You can cook a larger or smaller tenderloin in the air fryer as well, but you'll need to adjust the cooking time a bit.
Olive Oil - Rub oil on the pork loin. This helps it to get browned and keeps the spices stuck to the meat.
Brown Sugar - Adding sugar to the outside of the pork gives great flavor and helps to create a browned crust.
Spices - A simple yet delicious spice rub makes this pork loin tasty and versatile. We're using kosher salt, black pepper, paprika, and garlic powder.
If you have any questions about this air fryer pork loin recipe, please leave a comment below and I will get back to you ASAP
HOW TO MAKE PORK LOIN IN AIR FRYER
- Pat the pork tenderloin dry with a paper towel. Pour the olive oil over the roast and rub it in until completely covered.
- To make the spice rub, add the brown sugar, salt, garlic powder, and black pepper to a small bowl. Stir until combined.
- Cover the pork loin with the spices. Be sure to get all the sides!
- Place the pork in the air fryer basket.
- Cook in the air fryer as directed in the recipe below.
- Let the roast rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
These numbered steps match the numbered photos above and are for illustration purposes. For the complete list of ingredients and instructions for making pork loin in air fryer, please see the recipe below.
TIPS FOR MAKING THE BEST AIR FRYER PORK LOIN
- Make sure the meat is fully cooked. Pork tenderloin is done when the pork reaches an internal temperature of 145°F.
- Trim if you need to. If your post tenderloin is too long for your air fryer basket, you can cut it in half so you have two pieces side by side.
- Keep an eye on your food in the air fryer. If your pork tenderloin is smaller or larger than 1.5 lbs you may need less or more time than the recipe states.
- The spice mixture is a suggestion, but you can use any spice blend that you prefer to change the flavor of the pork tenderloin.
WHAT TO SERVE WITH AIR FRYER PORK LOIN
This simply seasoned pork tenderloin roast pairs well with any of your favorite sides. I suggest a potato and a vegetable. Try tasty Ranch Mashed Potatoes and Air Fryer Frozen Broccoli.
I always like to serve applesauce with pork chops and pork roast too, because that's why my mom always did!
Pork tenderloin cooked in the air fryer like this is also delicious when sliced very thin and used for sandwiches like pork bahn mi.
WHY DO I HAVE TO LET THE PORK REST?
Any time you cook meat in the air fryer (or in the oven, or on the grill), it's important to let it rest after it's done cooking.
Resting means that you let the pork loin sit on a plate for a few minutes BEFORE cutting into it.
This resting time allows the juices from the meat, which have pooled to the surface during cooking, to redistribute into the whole roast.
This way, the roast will stay moist and tender, even after slicing.
HOW DO I KNOW WHEN PORK TENDERLOIN IS DONE?
Pork tenderloin is safely cooked when the center of the roast reads at least 145°F using an instant-read thermometer. I highly recommend using a thermometer to test your meat when cooking.
Your finished air fryer pork tenderloin will be golden brown on the outside and tender and juicy inside.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A PORK LOIN ROAST AND A PORK TENDERLOIN?
These are two different cuts of meat. A pork loin roast comes from the pig's back. It is a wider and thicker cut that generally has a fat cap, or layer of fat on top of it. A pork tenderloin (sometimes called a pork loin) is a thin, narrow cut of meat that is cut from the loin of the animal. It is a very tender, lean cut of meat.
This can be confusing if you're not sure what you're looking for. Know that pork tenderloin is typically 1-2 pounds and usually comes vacuum sealed in the meat department of the grocery store.
The packages are around 12 inches long on average, and often from large national brands like Smithfield and Hormel.
HOW TO STORE LEFTOVER PORK TENDERLOIN
I like cooking pork loin in the air fryer because there typically aren't any leftovers! One pork tenderloin is the perfect amount to feed 3-4 people.
If you do have leftovers, keep them in an airtight container in the fridge. You can enjoy slices on sandwiches the next day!
MORE MEAT AND ROASTS TO MAKE IN THE AIR FRYER
There's no need to turn on the oven to cook a roast for dinner! It will be ready in the air fryer in half the time. Try any of these meaty main dishes next:
- Air Fryer Roast Beef
- Air Fryer Pork Chops in the Ninja Foodi
- Air Fry Beef Short Ribs
- Air Fryer Cornish Hen
- Air Fryer Meatloaf
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Air Fryer Pork Loin
Equipment
- Small bowl
- Paper towels
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds pork tenderloin
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Pat the pork tenderloin dry with a paper towel. Pour the olive oil over the roast and rub all over until completely covered.
- Add the brown sugar, salt, garlic powder, and black pepper to a small bowl. Stir until combined.
- Cover the pork loin with the spices.
- Place the pork in the air fryer basket.
- Cook in the air fryer at 380°F/190°C for 10 minutes. Flip the roast over and cook for an additional 8-10 minutes, or until the pork reaches an internal temperature of 145°F/63°C.
- Let the roast rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
Video
Notes
- Pork tenderloin is done when the pork reaches an internal temperature of 145F.
- If your post tenderloin is too long for your air fryer basket, you can cut it in half so you have two pieces side by side.
- If your pork tenderloin is smaller or larger than 1.5 lbs you may need less or more time than the recipe states.
- The spice mixture is a suggestion, but you can use any spice blend that you prefer to change the flavor of the pork tenderloin.
- Pro Tip: This recipe can be made in the air fryer unit with a basket or the air fryer oven. If you are using the air fryer oven, use the middle rack and select the "Air Fry" function.
- Pro Tip: Check your food as it cooks. Each air fryer runs a bit differently. Sometimes airfying is a trial and error process. Check your food as it cooks to learn your air fryer better! When cooking a new recipe or food items be sure to check your food often to help avoid over/under cooking.
Nutrition
Air Fryers can vary greatly. Please take the time to learn your specific air fryer. You may need to adjust times and temperatures based upon your air fryer. All though this website attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, the information should only be considered an estimate. Varying factors such as different product types, different brands, etc. can change nutritional information. It is your responsibility as a consumer to read all labels to make sure the ingredients fit your dietary needs as well as calculate your own nutritional information as a double check.
Jane Parkes
Can I give 10 stars? Because that is what this recipe deserves!
Absolutely delicious and so easy! I love the addition of the brown sugar - it gives a lovely bit of sweetness without overpowering any of the other spices.
A definite 10/10 from us!
Jane & John xox