A sliced air fryer pork tenderloin with herbs on a wooden cutting board.

Ninja Foodi Air Fryer Oven Pork Tenderloin in 30 Minutes

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Learn how to make juicy, flavorful Ninja Foodi air fryer oven pork tenderloin that’s ready in just 30 minutes and serves 6 people for dinner. If you love easy air fryer pork recipes, this one will quickly become a favorite.

Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin presented as a whole roast on a cooling rack and sliced on a platter with roasted potatoes and green beans.
  • Learn how long to cook pork tenderloin in your Ninja Foodi so it stays juicy and is ready in just 30 minutes.
  • Discover what you need to know about air frying pork tenderloin, including which prep steps matter most for a golden, crisp exterior.
  • Get practical Ninja air fryer tips for seasoning and handling pork tenderloin, plus common mistakes to avoid.
  • Gather the simple ingredient list you need to make a dinner that serves 6.

Air fryer pork tenderloin recipe

An air fryer pork tenderloin, sliced and seasoned with herbs on a wooden cutting board.
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4 from 1 vote

Ninja Foodi Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin (Sweet and Spicy)

Sweet, tangy, spicy pork tenderloin flavorful and crispy on the outside and moist and tender on the inside.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: air fryer pork tenderloin, crock pot pork tenderloin, sweet and spicy pork
Servings: 6
Calories: 424kcal
Author: Christina

Ingredients

  • 1 pork tenderloin, 1-2 pounds
  • 2 Tablespoons Raw sugar (or substitute brown sugar if you don't have it)
  • 1 teaspoon italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1-2 teaspoons salt (according to taste)
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne powder
  • 2 Tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 Tablespoons brown or spicy mustard

Instructions

  • Mix all ingredients together except for tenderloin.
  • Rub all over the outside of tenderloin and place in a pan that it fits in without bending. A loaf pan or casserole dish would work great.
  • Cook at 400 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until the center is 145 to 150 degrees.

Nutrition

Calories: 424kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 63g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 197mg | Sodium: 603mg | Potassium: 1209mg | Fiber: 0.4g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 50IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 28mg | Iron: 3mg

This recipe with raw sugar and brown mustard is going to knock your socks right off. It’s garlicky and sweet and a little spicy. And the air fryer makes the perfect crispy exterior with the perfect juicy interior.

Ninja Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin

Pork tenderloin is the filet mignon of pork. It’s a lean, very tender piece of pork. It’s very versatile and succulent. It works with so many different flavors.

I make this gorgeous teriyaki pork tenderloin in my crock pot and this hearty, comforting pork tenderloin casserole in my instant pot.

Any way you cook a tenderloin, as long as you don’t overcook it, is a winner! This Leftover Pork Tenderloin Soup Recipe is another favorite at our house. So hearty and so flavorful!

As with any meat, once it’s cooked, let the meat rest or cool down for a few minutes before you cut it so the juices can redistribute and it will stay juicy after cutting.

A seasoned air fryer pork tenderloin resting on a wire rack inside a baking sheet.

Pork tenderloin is different than pork loin. They are both delicious, but the tenderloin is an extra kind of special. Make sure you get it if you can. Season it any way you like, but this Italian seasoning mix that we make and use is super wonderful, so make it if you can.

In a 400-degree air fryer, it only takes about 20 minutes to cook. For the best flavor and texture, pork tenderloin should be cooked to between 145 and 150 degrees, followed by a 5-minute rest.

My Ninja Foodi Air Fryer is the best piece of kitchen equipment I’ve ever gotten. It’s a game changer and it will be for you too. I love it and use it all the time! I love simple dinner ideas!

Sliced air fryer pork tenderloin served with roasted potatoes and green beans, garnished with fresh thyme.

Frozen pork tenderloin in air fryer

Can you cook a frozen pork tenderloin in the air fryer? Yes, actually, you can. Just set the air fryer to 350 degrees and cook until the internal temperature is 145-150 like above. It will take longer, 30-40 minutes to cook to the middle when you start with frozen meat.

It may even take a little longer, just rely on your thermometer to tell you when it’s done. Start with the above cooking time and then check it every 5 minutes after. Because like I mentioned before, overcooked pork is dry and tough.

I like to cook it for about 10 minutes and then add the seasonings so they adhere to the meat better. You can put them on from the start as well if that works better for your situation.

pork tenderloin slices on a cutting board with fresh thyme

More pork recipes:

Reheating leftover meat can be tricky if you don’t use the right methods. Here are some great ways to reheat leftover pork without drying it out.

Tips, Variations, and Substitutions

These tips will help your Ninja Foodi air fryer oven pork tenderloin cook evenly while staying juicy and flavorful.

  • Make sure you have pork tenderloin, not pork loin. Pork tenderloin is a long, narrow cut that usually weighs between 1 and 2 pounds. Pork loin is wider and takes considerably longer to cook.
  • Remove the silver skin. If the tenderloin has a tough, shiny membrane along one side, slide a sharp knife underneath it and carefully trim it away. Silver skin does not become tender during cooking.
  • Pat the pork dry. Drying the surface with paper towels helps the mustard mixture stick and encourages the exterior to caramelize.
  • Use the oven-style air-fryer tray. Place the tenderloin on the small sheet tray or mesh crisper rack designed for your Ninja Foodi oven. Position a drip tray underneath it to catch any juices.
  • Do not bend or crowd the tenderloin. The pork should fit on the tray without folding over itself. If it is too long, cut it into two pieces and leave space between them for air circulation.
  • Preheat the air fryer. Starting with a hot air fryer helps the pork begin browning immediately and produces a better exterior.
  • Cook according to temperature. The exact cooking time depends on the tenderloin’s weight, thickness, and starting temperature. Begin checking it early and remove it when the thickest part reaches 145°F.
  • Let the pork rest. Rest the tenderloin for at least 5 minutes before slicing. Cutting it immediately allows more of the juices to run onto the cutting board instead of remaining inside the meat.
  • Substitute brown sugar for raw sugar. Either type works well. Brown sugar produces a slightly deeper molasses flavor, while raw sugar adds a lighter caramel sweetness.
  • Reduce the sweetness. If you prefer a more savory tenderloin, decrease the sugar to 1 tablespoon. Do not eliminate it completely if you want the exterior to caramelize.
  • Change the mustard. Spicy brown mustard gives the pork a bold, tangy flavor. Dijon mustard makes it smoother and slightly sharper, while regular yellow mustard creates a milder, family-friendly version.
  • Make it without spicy peppers. Omit the cayenne for a sweet and savory pork tenderloin without heat. The mustard, garlic, and Italian seasoning will still provide plenty of flavor.
  • Adjust the heat. For a mildly spicy version, use only a pinch of cayenne. For more heat, increase it carefully, remembering that a small amount can make a noticeable difference.
  • Try different herbs. Substitute dried thyme, rosemary, sage, or a poultry seasoning blend for the Italian seasoning. Fresh herbs can also be added after cooking for a brighter flavor.
  • Add more garlic. Increase the garlic powder or add a small amount of roasted garlic to the mustard mixture. Avoid using large pieces of raw garlic on the outside because they may burn at 400°F.
  • Use honey instead of sugar. Honey can replace the raw sugar, but it may brown more quickly. Begin checking the outside of the tenderloin early and loosely cover it with foil if it becomes too dark before the center is done.
  • Prepare it ahead. Coat the tenderloin with the mustard mixture, cover it, and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours. This allows the seasonings to flavor the meat and makes dinner preparation even faster.
  • Cook two tenderloins carefully. Many packages contain two smaller tenderloins. You can cook both at once if they fit on the tray without touching. Check each one separately because they may not finish at exactly the same time.
  • Rotate the tray if necessary. Some oven-style air fryers brown food more quickly near the back or heating element. Rotate the tray halfway through cooking for more even results.
  • For extra browning, use the upper rack position. If the pork is cooked but needs more color, move it closer to the heating element and broil it briefly. Watch it constantly because the sugar and mustard coating can burn quickly.

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2 Comments

  1. Maybe I missed something in the directions for air frying a pork tenderloin….regarding the part about using a loaf pan or a casserole dish has me confused. I never knew those could be used in an air fryer. Most air fryers aren’t big enough. Just curious how that works. Thanks!

    1. Hi Lisa!
      This recipe is instructions for using an air fryer oven. I’m not sure about inserts or pans for a regular air fryer since mine that I create the recipes with is the air fryer oven by Ninja Foodi. I hope that helps clear it up. Thanks for reading!