Ninja Foodi Pork Tenderloin

A juicy, flavorful pork dinner is just 20 minutes away! A slightly sweet dry rub is all you need to make moist, mouthwatering Ninja Foodi pork tenderloin. Perfect for busy weeknights!

This post is sponsored by the Iowa Pork Association. All opinions and content are my own and have not been altered due to any compensation or product received.

Preparing meaty dinners in an air fryer can be nerve-wracking at first… Will it cook through? Will it crisp up? Well, with the right recipe, you can serve up a steaming plate that’s just as delicious as anything baked, braised, or oil-fried. 

Pork tenderloin is a beautiful, robust cut of meat that’s packed with protein. Its flavor is mild, but its texture (when prepared properly) is tender and moist. It’s a blank canvas for dry rubs or to be marinated!

The seasoning blend that I like to use is very light, like a subtle teriyaki: a delicate sweetness, a bit of saltiness, and plenty of room for the savory pork to shine through. 

And who knew that a third of the pork raised in the United States comes from Iowa?! That means when you buy pork at the grocery store, you may be supporting family farms in Iowa or in the US.

Please note that this guidance is for preparing a thicker pork tenderloin in the Ninja Foodi. If you’re looking to cook up some thinner cuts, I have a Ninja Foodi Pork Chops recipe you will love!

Once you have the hang of it, there’s nothing stopping you from frying all varieties of proteins in your Ninja Foodi!

I used the Ninja Foodi 8QT Pressure Cooker and Air Fryer for this recipe. I find this to be a great size for my family of four!

How to Make Ninja Foodi Pork Tenderloin

A full printable version of this recipe with ingredient measurements is available at the bottom of this post.

STEP ONE: Add the brown sugar, salt, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder to a small bowl. Combine with a whisk and set aside. 

STEP TWO: Lightly pat the meat dry with paper towels before slathering the olive oil over the surface – this will help the meat absorb and cling to the ingredients. Once covered with the oil, rub the seasoning into the meat.

I cut the pork in half to let it sit in the Ninja Foodi easier, but you can keep it in one piece as well.

STEP THREE: Place the tenderloin in the basket and air fry (or Air Crisp) at 400 degrees F for 16 – 20 minutes, making sure it’s cooked to a safe internal temperature of 145 degrees F. Flip halfway through to promote even cooking.

STEP FOUR: Once done cooking, let your Ninja Foodi pork tenderloin rest for 10 to 15 minutes to allow the juices to settle. Then, slice and serve while it’s still hot!

Can You Cook Frozen Pork Loin in an Air Fryer?

It’s certainly possible, but I have not done it myself so I can’t guarantee the same results.

A frozen cut would need significantly more time – closer to 40 minutes. Keep an eye on that internal temperature and don’t forget to flip it somewhere around 15 or 20 minutes. 

How Long to Cook Pork Tenderloin in Ninja Air Fryer at 400?

It shouldn’t take longer than 20 minutes to prepare pork tenderloin in the Ninja Foodi. 

Of course, every cut of meat differs (I use a 1 – 1.5 lb cut), and each fryer model is a bit different as well, so I will again emphasize the importance of checking the internal temperature of the thickest part of the meat to make sure it’s done cooking.

Pork tenderloin should be cooked to 145 degrees using a digital meat thermometer at its thickest point. It should rest for at least 3 minutes after cooking before slicing.

How Do You Choose a Good Cut of Pork Tenderloin? 

Some brands are tried and true. But it can’t hurt to know the signs of a great – or a bad – cut of meat.

A good pork tenderloin will have some marbling, or a decent amount of visible fat that’s evenly dispersed throughout the cut and not clumped into one area. It’ll be pink, or almost red, in color.

Definitely avoid cuts with a fat cap, which is when all of the fat is piled on top of the meat. If it’s greyish or generally pale, it could still be okay to consume but certainly not prime. If at all greenish, it’s bad!

What Should I Serve With Pork Tenderloin?

The absolute best sides for Ninja Foodi pork tenderloin are:

• Roasted vegetables, such as carrots or asparagus, brussels sprouts, or green beans.
• Potatoes of any shape or size: roasted, mashed, or baked! 
• Rice
• Fluffy rolls, sourdough bread, or cornbread.

… and more! It’s a very versatile main course that can be complemented by all kinds of carbs and vegetables.

Tips For Preparing Pork Tenderloin in the Ninja Foodi

• Don’t keep for longer than 4 days and be sure to keep leftovers refrigerated. Cooked pork can also be frozen for up to 3 months. 
• Reheat in the air fryer for 3 to 4 minutes at 350F. 
• Pork tenderloin doesn’t need a ton of seasoning. Even plain salt, pepper, or another spice of your liking is plenty. 
• This Ninja Foodi pork tenderloin recipe is boneless, so more time will be needed to cook rather than a bone-in pork cut that has less meat.
• It’s possible to dry-rub the meat before cooking to save a bit of time up to 4 days in advance. 
• Make sure you grab pork tenderloin and not pork loin — pork tenderloin is a long and thin meat while pork loin is wider and fatter (and they are from two completely different parts of the animal). If you have a pork loin, use this recipe for Air Fryer Pork Loin instead.

More Pork Recipes

• Ninja Foodi Pulled Pork
• Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin
• Air Fryer Pork Roast
• Air Fryer Pork Belly
• Cast Iron Pork Tenderloin
• Air Fryer Fried Pork Chops

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