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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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    Comments

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    1. Lewis says

      March 08, 2023 at 8:15 pm

      Yes I made it. I didn’t have onion powder or cayenne so I substituted with some Bang Bang powder. Awesome! So tender my dad could it. Excellent recipe.

      Reply
    2. Diane says

      February 19, 2023 at 5:32 pm

      Very good! Husband loved it. Might use a little less brown sugar next time, though.

      Reply
    3. Tomas says

      February 18, 2023 at 10:32 pm

      Hey made your recipe it was great, just bought the air fryer so new to it, best tenderloin I have had, in a long while,

      Reply
      • RecipeTeacher says

        February 18, 2023 at 10:42 pm

        Awesome! Thanks, Tomas! And good luck on your new air fryer cooking adventures!

        Reply
    4. Marty says

      February 16, 2023 at 6:39 pm

      Made this tonight — the absolute best pork tenderloin I’ve ever made. My girlfriend even said, “I think this might be the best meat you’ve ever cooked.” And I’ve cooked a lot of meat.

      Reply
    5. Richard Cary says

      February 16, 2023 at 6:10 pm

      Really good!! I didn’t have ground mustard so I used mustard seed and hand ground it. Worked well. Family loved it. Thank you!!????

      Reply
    6. Rebecca says

      February 09, 2023 at 9:47 pm

      This is an amazing recipe! SO juicy! I served it with spaghetti squash. Even my daughter who detests pork came back for seconds! ❤️

      Reply
    7. Shirley Paton says

      February 05, 2023 at 11:33 pm

      Absolutely loved the pork sirloin done in my air fryer

      Reply
    8. Shirley Paton says

      February 05, 2023 at 11:32 pm

      Absolutely loved these pork chops done in my air fryer

      Reply
    9. Sara O says

      February 05, 2023 at 5:54 pm

      Delicious!!! Had to add more time though for 1.55lbs. ended up taking 35 minutes to thoroughly cook

      Reply
    10. Cheryl says

      February 03, 2023 at 6:04 am

      Soooo yummmm!! Thank you for sharing 🙂

      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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