Let me show you how to make an air fryer pork tenderloin that comes out juicy and tender every time… with a simple seasoning mix and a quick barbecue sauce and mustard glaze. Let’s be honest… weeknight dinner feels so much easier when the air fryer is doing the work.
Watch the Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin recipe video below and tell me what you think… I am obsessed with how juicy it turns out!! If you liked it, please hit like and subscribe to my YouTube channel here for more easy air fryer dinner recipes.
Why you’ll love this air fryer pork tenderloin
This one is fast, hands off, and super flavorful… but it still feels like a real dinner. How can you not?!
You get that browned, caramelized look on top, plus juicy slices inside. And yes, it works great in a Ninja air fryer pork tenderloin setup too, or any basket-style air fryer you have.
Top Tip: If your pork tenderloin is thicker on one end, just point that thicker end toward the hotter side of your air fryer (usually the back). It helps it cook more evenly without you doing anything extra.
Texture + flavor of this
The outside gets lightly sticky from the barbecue glaze, with little browned spots around the edges that taste extra delicious. The inside stays tender and moist when you slice it.
Did You Know: Fresh pork cuts like tenderloin are considered safe at 145°F (63°C) with a 3-minute rest, which is why a quick thermometer check is so helpful.
Air fryer pork tenderloin ingredients
Pork + seasoning
- 1 pound pork tenderloin (454 g)
- 1 teaspoon salt (6 g)
- 1 half teaspoon black pepper (1 g)
- 1 teaspoon onion powder (2 g)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder (3 g)
- 1 teaspoon paprika powder (2 g)
Barbecue glaze
- 2 tablespoons barbecue sauce (about 34 g)
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard (about 15 g)
Note: Barbecue sauce brands vary a lot in sweetness and thickness. If yours is super thick, just stir it really well with the Dijon mustard so it spreads easily.
Equipment
This pork tenderloin is made in my Ninja air fryer, like the one below. I like it because it cooks really consistently, and it’s quick to get going.
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- Air fryer
- Small bowl for seasoning
- Small bowl for sauce
- Spoon and brush (or clean hands work too)
- Tongs
- Instant read thermometer (optional, but I love it for confidence)
Let’s cook this pork tenderloin in an air fryer
Step 1: Mix together 1 teaspoon salt, 1 half teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, and 1 teaspoon paprika powder. Stir until it looks evenly mixed.
Step 2: In a separate bowl, mix together 2 tablespoons of barbecue sauce and 1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard. Stir until smooth.
Step 3: Sprinkle the seasoning mixture evenly over the pork tenderloin. Use about half now and save about half for the other side. Rub it in so you do not see bare patches.
Step 4: Flip the pork tenderloin over and use the remaining seasoning mixture on the other side. Press and roll it lightly so it sticks, and make sure the sides and ends get a little seasoning too.
Step 5: Cut the pork tenderloin in half so it fits easily in your air fryer basket. Brush or rub about half of the barbecue sauce and Dijon mustard mixture on really well, so the top is coated in barbecue sauce. Save the other half of the mixture for later.
Step 6: Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Place the pork pieces in the air fryer basket with a little space between them. I like to preheat the air fryer for a few minutes first, so it is already hot.
Step 7: Air fry at 350°F (180°C) for 20 minutes. At the 10-minute mark, flip the pork and brush it with the remaining barbecue sauce and Dijon mustard mixture, then put it back in to finish cooking.
Step 8: Start checking at 18 minutes if your pieces are on the smaller side. You are looking for 145°F (63°C) in the thickest part, then let it rest for 3 minutes before slicing.
Top Tip: If the glaze looks like it is browning too fast at any point, just lower the temperature a tiny bit next time or move the pieces farther apart. Air fryers can run hot, even at the same setting.
How long to cook a pork tenderloin in an air fryer
For this recipe, you are using 350°F (180°C) for 20-22 minutes, flipping at 10 minutes. That is a common range for air fryer pork tenderloin, but thickness matters, so a thermometer is the easiest way to avoid dry pork.
If you are wondering about air fryer pork tenderloin temperature, the goal is not just “time,” it is hitting 145°F (63°C) in the center, then resting.
Related Recipe: If you liked this air fryer pork tenderloin recipe, then check out this crispy pork belly recipe here too.
Juicy Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin Recipe
2
servings10
minutes20
minutes527
kcal30
minutesThis air fryer pork tenderloin is my go-to dinner when I want something super delicious without a lot of work. It comes out juicy and tender, with a sweet, smoky barbecue coating that smells amazing the second you open the air fryer.
Keep the screen of your device on
Ingredients
1 pound (454 g) pork tenderloin
1 teaspoon (6 g) salt
1/2 teaspoon (1 g) black pepper
1 teaspoon (2 g) onion powder
1 teaspoon (3 g) garlic powder
1 teaspoon (2 g) paprika powder
2 tablespoons (30 ml) barbecue sauce
1 tablespoon (15 ml) Dijon mustard
Directions
- Mix salt, black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and paprika powder to create a seasoning mixture.
- In a separate bowl, mix 2 tablespoons of barbecue sauce with 1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard until smooth.
- Season the pork tenderloin evenly with the seasoning mixture, saving half for the other side.
- Flip the pork tenderloin, season the other side with the remaining mixture, pressing so it sticks on all surfaces.
- Cut the pork tenderloin in half to fit in the air fryer. Coat the top of the meat with half the BBQ and mustard mixture.
- Place pork in air fryer basket with space between, preheat air fryer to 350°F (180°C) for even cooking.
- Air fry the pork tenderloin at 350°F (180°C) for 20 minutes, flipping and adding more sauce halfway through.
- Once cooked, pork should be caramelized on top and juicy inside, ready for slicing and serving.
Equipment
Ninja Air FryerCheck it out on Amazon here
Recipe Video
Notes
- Ingredient swaps that still work: If you do not have Dijon mustard, swap in stone ground mustard 1 for 1, or use yellow mustard in a pinch. Stone-ground keeps that tangy bite closest to Dijon.
- Keep barbecue sauce from burning: Barbecue sauce has sugar, so it can burn if it sits in high heat too long. If your sauce starts looking too dark, brush it on closer to the end of cooking next time, or lower the heat a bit and cook a few minutes longer.
- Troubleshooting dry pork: Pork tenderloin dries out fast when it overcooks, so use a thermometer and pull it at 145°F (63°C), then let it rest 3 minutes before slicing. If it looks done on the outside but feels tough, it usually just went a little too long.
- Use a thermometer for doneness: Check the thickest part and pull the pork at 145°F, then let it rest for at least 3 minutes before slicing. That rest helps the juices settle, so the slices stay moist.
- Best way to store leftovers: Cool the pork, then store it in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Slice it first if you want faster reheating later.
- Adjust time for bigger pieces: Pork tenderloins vary, so do not rely on the clock alone. If your tenderloin is closer to 1.5 pounds, it may need a couple of extra minutes, and if it is smaller, start checking early.
- Reheat without drying it out: Reheat sliced pork in the air fryer at 350°F (180°C) for a few minutes, and start checking around 3 minutes so it does not overcook. If you are reheating a bigger piece, wrapping it in foil can help it stay moist.
Nutrition Facts
- Total number of serves: 2
- Calories: 527kcal
- Fat: 17g
- Carbohydrates: 51g
- Protein: 48g
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Storage + reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
To reheat, pop slices in the air fryer at 325°F (163°C) for a few minutes until warmed through. Keep an eye on it, you just want it hot, not dried out. A tiny brush of any leftover glaze on top helps too.
Serving ideas
I love this with roasted veggies, a simple salad, creamy mashed potatoes, rice, or even tucked into a sandwich the next day. Super delicious, and honestly so satisfying.
More easy air fryer dinner recipes
If you liked this air fryer pork tenderloin recipe, you will probably love more easy air fryer dinner recipes too… the kind that are quick, cozy, and totally doable on a busy night.
- Juicy Air Fryer Chicken Breast
- This air fryer chicken breast turns out incredibly juicy and tender every time, with simple seasoning and no fuss. It’s perfect for a fast weeknight dinner or easy meal prep.
- Best Air Fryer Chicken Wings With an Extra Crispy Coating
These air fryer chicken wings are ultra-crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, without deep frying. Great for game day, parties, or when you’re craving something crunchy. - How to Cook Ribs in the Air Fryer
Yes, you can make tender, flavorful ribs in the air fryer! This recipe shows how to get juicy ribs with a caramelized finish in much less time than the oven.
And please leave a comment if you made this air fryer pork tenderloin, or if you have questions about it. I try to reply to as many as I can.