Do you need to remove the silver skin from pork tenderloin?

Silver skin is the thin membrane of connective tissue on the surface of the pork. Sometimes your butcher may already have it removed, but if it's still on your pork, I recommend removing it as it can be quite tough when cooked.

Is 145F degrees a safe temperature for cooked pork?

The USDA previously recommended that pork be cooked to an internal temperature of 160F, but changed this to 145F as long as there is a 3 minute rest period following the pork reaching 145F. In Canada, the recommended safe temperature is still 160F. At 145F, the pork may have a slight touch of pink. If you prefer pork well done, then you should cook it to 160F and use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. If you cook it past 160F, the pork will end up dry and tough.

What temperature should you set on your air fryer to cook pork tenderloin?

Since pork tenderloin is best cooked over high heat, you should air fry it on 400F. If you use a lower temperature, you will need to air fry it for longer.

How long does it take to cook pork tenderloin in the air fryer?

At 400F, it will take about 20-25 minutes for the pork tenderloin to cook in the air fryer. The exact amount of time depends on the size of your tenderloins as well as whether you're cooking them to 145F or 160F.

Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin

Name: Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 pork tenderloins; 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil; 2 teaspoons coconut sugar; 2 teaspoons dried oregano; 1 teaspoon dried thyme; 1 teaspoon smoked paprika; 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder; 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin; 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

Description

Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin is juicy and tender with an easy herb and spice seasoning. It requires minimal prep time and it’s ready in just 25 minutes in the air fryer!

Ingredients

2 pork tenderloins
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
2 teaspoons coconut sugar
2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

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Instructions

Preheat your air fryer for 5 minutes on 400F.
Arrange the pork on a clean work surface and use a sharpe knife to trim any fat and remove the silver skin (the thin membrane of connective tissue on top of the pork).
Brush the oil onto the pork, making sure to cover all sides.
Add the sugar, oregano, thyme, smoked paprika, garlic powder, cumin and salt to a small bowl and stir together to form the seasoning.
Sprinkle the seasoning on the pork and use your hands to rub it in, making sure to cover all sides and gently press the seasoning into the meat so it sticks.
Carefully place the pork in the air fryer basket. (Depending on the length of your tenderloins, you may need to curve them around the basket).
Air fry on 400F for 20-25 minutes, until the internal temperature of each tenderloin reaches 145F (or 160F for well done).
Transfer to a cutting board and let rest for 3-5 minutes. Slice and serve.

Notes

I used a Cosori 5.8 quart basket air fryer for this recipe. If your air fryer is smaller, you can half the recipe or just air fry one tenderloin at a time.
I recommend removing the silver skin as it can be quite tough when cooked. If you’re not sure how to do this, this short video on how to remove silver skin from pork is helpful.
For even cooking, make sure both of your tenderloins are roughly the same size.
At 145F, the pork may have a slight touch of pink. If you prefer pork well done, then you should cook it to 160F and use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. If you cook it past 160F, the pork will end up dry and tough.
Make sure you let the pork rest for 3-5 minutes before slicing it, especially if you cook it to 145F as this rest period is required for safe consumption of pork.
For the seasoning, you can use brown sugar if you don’t have coconut sugar, and feel free to substitute other dried herbs and spices.
Be sure to check out the other sections above the recipe card for more detailed advice and suggestions for making this recipe.