When I discovered this recipe, I was skeptical if it was truly the best air fryer pork tenderloin. And guess what? It delivers on its promise.
The combination of sweetness from the brown sugar, savoriness, and the aromatic blend is truly irresistible. I can really consider it one of the best tasting tenderloin recipe I’ve ever tried.
However, the best part is how easy it is to make.
After preparing your pork tenderloin and seasoning it, most of the time will be spent waiting for it to cook in the air fryer.
The question now is, are you ready to make this exceptional dinner?
Then, let’s get frying!
Table of Contents
Ingredients for Best Damn Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin
✦ You can find the exact measurements of the recipe ingredients and customize the serving size in the recipe card after the detailed step-by-step instructions section.
You’ll be needing a few simple ingredients to make this amazing dish.
- Pork tenderloin
- Olive oil
- Brown sugar
- Garlic powder
- Rosemary
- Dried thyme
- Smoked paprika
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Cayenne pepper
These are pantry staples you may already have.
Recipe Video
How to Cook The Best Damn Pork Tenderloin in the Air Fryer?
Air frying the best damn pork tenderloin is quite easy. Most of the time needed for this recipe is for cooking and resting. Follow these seven simple steps.
Step 1: Prepare the pork tenderloin.
If frozen, thaw your tenderloin overnight. Then, remove the silver skin, slice it crosswise, and pat each slice dry with a paper towel.
💡 Pro Tip: For even cooking, bring the tenderloin to room temperature before roasting them.
Step 2: Make the Dry Rub.
In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar, garlic powder, dried rosemary, dried thyme, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper.
Step 3: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (204°C).
If your air fryer doesn’t have a preheating option, set your desired temperature then let it cook for 5 minutes without food.
🚨 Important: Reduce the cooking temperature to 380°F (193°C) if you’re using a 4-quart air fryer or smaller. They are hotter due to the heating element being closer to the food.
Step 4: Season the pork tenderloin.
Coat the tenderloin with a generous amount of olive oil then and rub the seasonings all over the pork making sure the entire surface is fully covered.
Step 5: Air fry the Best Damn Pork Tenderloins.
Air fry the tenderloins for 20-22 minutes, flipping halfway through. Cook until it forms a nice golden brown crust and internal temperature reaches your preferred doneness.
Here are the recommended internal temperatures:
Medium Rare: 145°F (63°C); Medium: 150°F (66°C); Medium Well: 155°F (68°C); Well Done: 160°F (71°C).
As per USDA, pork chops and tenderloin are safe to eat once they reach 145°F (63°C).
Step 6: Allow them to rest for 5-10 minutes.
Allow your air fryer-roasted pork tenderloins to rest for 5-10 minutes. This step will help redistribute the juices, enhance the flavor, and make it more tender.
💡 Pro Tip: Residual heat will continue to cook the meat during the resting period, raising the temperature by 5°F – 15°F.
Step 7: Serve and enjoy your air fried best damn pork tenderloin!
Now, that’s a proper dinner!
Serve your best damn pork tenderloin with sides that complement its flavors.
Options include roasted or grilled vegetables, mashed potatoes, a fresh salad, or even a fruit compote. Choose sides that enhance the overall dining experience.
If you want to take it up a notch, consider drizzling a flavorful sauce over the sliced pork. You can make a sauce from the drippings, create a wine reduction, prepare a mustard-based sauce, or even use a fruit glaze.
You can also add a touch of garnish to elevate the dish’s appearance. Fresh herbs like parsley, thyme, or rosemary can add color and aroma to the presentation. Alternatively, you can sprinkle toasted nuts, such as almonds or walnuts, for added texture and flavor.
Freezing & Storage
Freezing: If you want to preserve your delicious pork tenderloin for later use or meal prep, it’s best to store it in an airtight container in the freezer as soon as it cools down. This will extend its shelf life for up to three months.
Fridge: Meat that has been cooked can be stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Before reheating and consuming, always check for any signs of spoilage.
Reheating: To reheat leftover best damn air fryer pork tenderloin, simply preheat your air fryer to 360°F (182°C). Then, cook your leftover tenderloins for 5-6 minutes, or add 2-4 minutes if you’re cooking from frozen.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can make the best damn pork tenderloin in an air fryer. In fact, it’s one of the quickest ways to cook it.
The cooking time of pork tenderloin will depend on your preferred level of doneness. Here are the suggested cooking temperatures: Medium Rare: 145°F (63°C); Medium: 150°F (66°C); Medium Well: 155°F (68°C); Well Done: 160°F (71°C).
A single serving of the best damn air fryer pork tenderloin may contain 400-500 kilocalories.
This ingredients checklist is interactive; you can use it as your grocery list.
Ingredients
- 1.25 pounds pork tenderloin
- 1 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Get the tenderloin ready. If they're frozen, thaw them overnight. Remove the silver skin, slice it in the middle, then pat each portion with a paper towel.
- Prepare the dry rub. In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, garlic powder, dried rosemary, dried thyme, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper. Mix well until thoroughly combined.
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (204°C). Please see note if your air fryer is 4 quarts or smaller.
- Rub the spice mixture: Start by coating the tenderloin with a generous amount of olive oil then and rub the spices all over the pork making sure the entire surface is well-seasoned.
- Air fry the tenderloins for 20-22 minutes, flipping halfway through. Cook until it forms a nice golden brown crust and internal temperature reaches at least 145°F (63°C). If you prefer your pork well done, cook it to 155°F or 68°C.
- Allow The Best Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin to rest for 5-10 minutes. This step will help redistribute the juices, enhance the flavor, and make it more tender.
- Serve and enjoy! Cut the pork tenderloin into ½-inch slices and serve it with your favorite side dish.
Notes
- For 4-quart air fryers and smaller, reduce the cooking temperature to 380°F (193°C). They generate more heat because of the heating element’s proximity to the food.
- If your air fryer doesn’t have a preheating option, set your desired temperature then let it cook for 4-5 minutes without food.
- For even cooking, bring the tenderloin to room temperature before air frying.
- Residual heat will continue to cook the meat during the resting period, raising the temperature by 5°F – 15°F. For the best results, transfer your pork onto a plate and cover it with aluminum foil to trap the heat and prevent moisture from escaping.
- Pork Cooking Temperature: Medium Rare: 145°F (63°C); Medium: 150°F (66°C); Medium Well: 155°F (68°C); Well Done: 160°F (71°C).
- I used a 6-quart Instant Vortex Plus to test the best damn pork tenderloin air fryer recipe. Cooking time and temperature may vary depending on your air fryer and the number of servings you are making.
Nutrition
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