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    You are here: Home » Air Fryer Recipes » Best Damn Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin

    Best Damn Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin

    Last Modified: February 20, 2025

    Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe· 4.9 from 377 reviews
    Recipe for air fryer pork tenderloin

    After I made this pork tenderloin in my air fryer, I was more excited than i’ve ever been about a recipe i’ve made. The flavors of the seasoning rub are so perfect, the meat is so juicy, and the taste is simply out of this world! Do you sense a little excitement from me about this recipe?

    The Best Damn Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin Recipe

    Pork tenderloin is the filet mignon of pork. It’s a very lean, very tender piece of pork. It can be prepared a number of ways and works well with so many different seasoning mixtures. One of my favorite ways to prepare pork recipes is with a seasoning rub combination of brown sugar, smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, ground mustard, salt and pepper. And maybe just a dash of cayenne for a little heat. This seasoning mix, along with the simplicity of an air fryer, will produce a pork tenderloin that you will not believe. The outside of the tenderloin will crisp up and the brown sugar will caramelize to create a flavor explosion. With the high speed circulating heat of the air fryer, and being close to the heating element, it’s the perfect environment so that the pork tenderloin stays nice and juicy on the inside.

    air fryer pork tenderloin recipe

    Air Fryer with the Best Damn Pork Seasoning Rub

    Our recipe for air fryer pork tenderloin couldn’t be more simple. We use a medium sized bowl and mix together the dry ingredients. Before we rub the ingredients on the tenderloin, we’ll want to cut off any of the “silver skin”, which is just a thin membrane that is usually on part of the meat. Just use a sharp knife and peel it away. Then coat the pork tenderloin with some olive oil and rub in all the seasoning mix.

    seasonings and spices for best damn air fryer pork tenderloin recipe

    recipe for air fryer pork tenderloin

    Preheat your Air Fryer

    Set your air fryer to 400°F and preheat for 5 minutes. Once the air fryer is preheated, keep the temperature at 400°, select air fry setting, and set the time for 20-22 minutes. Most pork tenderloins are usually between 1 lbs and 1.5lbs. For pork tenderloin on the small size, go with 20 minutes. For larger size meat, go with 22 minutes. The key is to get an internal temperature of 145°F when measured at the center of the meat with an instant-read thermometer.

    Let The Cooked Pork Tenderloin Rest

    After the cooking is done, carefully remove the pork tenderloin from the air fryer and place on a plate or cutting board and let it rest for 3-5 minutes before slicing.

    air fryer pork tenderloin

    recipe for air fryer pork tenderloin

    Print

    Recipe

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    Best Damn Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin


    5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

    4.9 from 377 reviews

    • Author: RecipeTeacher
    • Total Time: 26 minutes
    • Yield: 4 servings
    Print Recipe
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    Description

    Mouthwatering, tender, juicy and delicious pork tenderloin made in an air fryer.


    Ingredients

    • Pork tenderloin (1.25lbs – 1.75lbs)
    • 2 tbs brown sugar
    • 1 tbs smoked paprika
    • 1.5 tsp salt
    • 1 tsp ground mustard
    • ½ tsp onion powder
    • ½ tsp ground black pepper
    • ¼ tsp garlic powder
    • ¼ tsp cayenne powder (optional)
    • ½ tbs olive oil

    Instructions

    1. Mix all dry ingredients in a bowl.
    2. Trim the pork tenderloin of any excess fat/silver skin. Coat with a ½ tablespoon olive oil. Rub spice mixture on entire pork tenderloin.
    3. Preheat air fryer to 400° F for 5 minutes. After 5 minutes, carefully place pork tenderloin into air fryer and air fry at 400° F for 20-22 minutes. Internal temp should be 145°F.
    4. When air fryer cycle is complete, carefully remove pork tenderloin to a cutting board and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing. Save any juices to serve over sliced meat.
    • Prep Time: 5 min
    • Cook Time: 21 minutes
    • Category: Dinner
    • Method: Air Fryer
    • Cuisine: American

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    Recipe for the best damn air fryer pork tenderloin
    A plate of juicy pork tenderloin served with fresh broccoli and roasted baby potatoes.
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    1. Donna says

      November 11, 2022 at 11:17 am

      Absolutely delicious – will never do any other way than this in the future. Perfect balance of flavours, spices and texture. Moist and juicy, cooked in the air fryer to perfection ????

      Reply
    2. DebJ says

      November 11, 2022 at 9:20 am

      Easy and soooo delicious.

      Reply
    3. Joe Impala says

      November 03, 2022 at 9:39 am

      It was amazing !

      Reply
    4. Lynn says

      November 02, 2022 at 10:52 am

      I agree this is the best damned pork tenderloin!! My first attempt in the air fryer and it came out perfect and utterly delicious.

      I used a Hormel pre-marinated pork tenderloin, the garlic & black pepper flavor. Then I added the dry-rub included in this recipe and it was amazing!

      Thank you, I’ll be using this again!
      Lynn

      Reply
    5. Mary says

      October 28, 2022 at 9:06 pm

      Made this tonight. Great taste

      Reply
    6. Joan says

      October 27, 2022 at 7:12 pm

      This was really really good. I rarely make a pork tenderloin and I thought I would try this recipe in the air fryer. Yummy. I will certainly make this recipe again.

      Reply
    7. Amy says

      October 24, 2022 at 4:55 pm

      You are correct that this is the Best Damn Pork Roast! Thank you for the recipe. It is amazing!

      Reply
    8. Shell says

      October 23, 2022 at 9:47 pm

      I was new to using an air fryer. This is one of the first recipes I tried. It is, hands down, the best recipe that I have made. It is easy and delicious!

      Reply
    9. Nadia says

      October 19, 2022 at 4:28 pm

      Have made this multiple times. Consistently perfect! Quick and easy recipe.

      Reply
    10. Rev. Sami says

      October 17, 2022 at 11:51 am

      Best indeed. This IS the best pork Tenderloin period. Not just air fryer. This beats all other ways I have ever cooked pork tenderloin and I have been cooking for over 50 years. A big thank you!

      Reply
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    Jason of Recipeteacher.com

    Hi, I’m Jason and i’m here to help you make easy, delicious homemade recipes. My approach is to provide the easy-to-understand instructions, use simple ingredients, and have you make the best meals possible.

    More about me →

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