Tillie Doyle
Air fryers are a convenient and easy way to cook breaded pork tenderloin, yielding juicy and tender meat with a crunchy exterior. The process is simple and quick, making it perfect for a weeknight dinner. With minimal ingredients and cleanup, you can enjoy a delicious and healthy meal without any baking required. The air fryer ensures that the pork is cooked evenly, and by using a meat thermometer, you can achieve the perfect internal temperature for the tenderloin. This method of cooking pork tenderloin has gained popularity, especially for those seeking a healthier alternative to traditional frying methods.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 400°F |
| Time | 15-22 minutes |
| Internal Temperature | 145-160°F |
| Resting Time | 3-5 minutes |
| Breading | Seasoned salt, flour, eggs, panko, breadcrumbs, tapioca flour |
| Oil | Olive oil, oil spray |
| Sides | Buns, mustard, pickles, onions, potato chips, french fries, potato salad, coleslaw, mashed potatoes, sauteed vegetables, rice, salad, wrap |
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What You'll Learn
Seasoning the tenderloin
Firstly, remove the pork tenderloin from its package. Typically, pre-packaged tenderloins come in two sliced pieces, each weighing around one pound. Take out the pork slices and place them on a clean surface.
The next step is to trim any excess fat or silver skin from the tenderloin. This step ensures that the seasoning can penetrate the meat more effectively and creates a more uniform texture for cooking. Use a sharp knife to carefully remove any unwanted parts.
Now, it's time to get creative with your seasonings. There are numerous seasoning combinations that you can experiment with, depending on your taste preferences and the desired flavour profile. A classic option is to simply season the tenderloin with salt and pepper. You can also create a more complex spice rub by mixing several dry ingredients. For example, combine brown sugar, smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, ground mustard, salt, and pepper. A dash of cayenne pepper can be added if you prefer a spicier kick. Alternatively, you can whisk together olive oil, Dijon mustard, honey, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and chilli, creating a savoury and slightly sweet coating for your tenderloin.
Once you've chosen your seasonings, it's time to coat the meat. Drizzle or rub a small amount of oil onto the tenderloin, which will help the seasonings adhere better and promote browning during cooking. You can use a neutral-flavoured oil or extra virgin olive oil for added flavour. After coating the tenderloin with oil, generously apply your chosen spice rub, ensuring that it covers all surfaces of the meat. Massage the spices into the tenderloin with your hands or a spoon until it is thoroughly coated.
If time allows, consider letting the seasoned tenderloin rest in the refrigerator for a few hours or even overnight. This step is optional but can intensify the flavours and help the seasonings penetrate the meat more effectively.
By following these steps, you'll be well on your way to creating a mouthwatering breaded pork tenderloin in your air fryer!
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Breading the tenderloin
Now, it's time to dredge the tenderloin. Dredge each piece of pork in the flour, shaking off any excess, then dip it into the egg mixture, and finally, coat it in the panko. Make sure to press the meat into the panko to help the breading stick. You can also try rolling the tenderloin in the flour and breadcrumbs, ensuring all sides are well covered.
If you want to add extra flavour, you can try a seasoning rub. Mix spices like brown sugar, smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, ground mustard, salt, and pepper. You can also add a dash of cayenne for some heat. Coat the exterior of the tenderloin with the spice mixture. Alternatively, you can use a simple mixture of olive oil, dijon mustard, honey, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and chilli.
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Air-frying the tenderloin
Preparation:
Firstly, remove the pork from its package. Most pre-packaged tenderloins come in two sliced pieces of approximately 1 lb each. Remove the skin and season the meat generously with salt and pepper. You can also add other seasonings like garlic powder, smoked paprika, onion powder, ground mustard, and a dash of cayenne pepper for a spicier kick. Mix your chosen seasonings with mustard, honey, and oil to create a spice paste. Rub this paste generously over the pork to coat it evenly.
Breading:
Set up a breading station with three shallow dishes. In the first dish, combine seasoned flour or tapioca flour with additional seasonings like seasoned salt. The second dish should contain whisked eggs with a splash of water. The third dish should contain breadcrumbs or panko breadcrumbs mixed with seasoned salt. Dredge each piece of pork first in the flour, shaking off any excess, then dip it into the egg wash, and finally, coat it thoroughly with the breadcrumbs. Press the meat into the breadcrumbs to ensure the breading sticks properly.
Air-frying:
Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit for about 5 minutes. Spritz or spray the air fryer basket generously with oil to prevent sticking. Place the breaded tenderloin in the basket, ensuring the pieces are in a single layer and not touching the edges. If your air fryer is not large enough, cook the tenderloin in batches. Air fry at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 minutes, flipping the meat halfway through the cooking process. For a crispier texture, spritz the meat with oil again when flipping. The tenderloin is fully cooked when the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees Fahrenheit, which you can check with a meat thermometer.
Serving:
Once cooked, remove the tenderloin from the air fryer and let it rest for about 5 minutes before slicing. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring moist and tender meat. You can serve the breaded pork tenderloin with a variety of sides, such as mashed potatoes, roasted baby potatoes, sauteed vegetables, or a refreshing salad. For a true Midwestern experience, sandwich the tenderloin between buttered and toasted buns, and top it with mustard, dill pickles, and thinly sliced onions.
Air-frying breaded pork tenderloin is a convenient and tasty way to enjoy this classic dish. By following these steps, you can achieve juicy, tender meat with a delicious crunchy coating that your family and friends will surely enjoy!
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Resting the tenderloin
During the resting period, the pork will continue to cook slightly, and the internal temperature will rise a few degrees. This is called carryover cooking. For this reason, it is important to remove the tenderloin from the air fryer when it reaches an internal temperature of 145°F, as it will continue to cook and reach the target temperature of 160°F while resting.
The resting period also gives you the opportunity to prepare any sides or sauces to accompany your meal. Some side dish suggestions include mashed potatoes, roasted baby potatoes, sauteed vegetables, or a salad. You can also serve the pork in a sandwich, as is traditional in the Midwestern style, with a squirt of mustard, slices of dill pickles, and onions on a toasted bun.
The juices that accumulate on the cutting board or plate during the resting period can be saved and served over the sliced meat to enhance the flavor and moisture of the dish. This step is especially important if your tenderloin turns out a little drier than desired, as the juices will help to moisten the meat.
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Storing and reheating the tenderloin
Storing your breaded pork tenderloin
To store your leftover breaded pork tenderloin, place it in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to five days. If you want to keep it for longer, you can freeze it. Place the cooked and cooled tenderloin in a ziplock bag and store it in the freezer for up to six months.
Reheating your breaded pork tenderloin
The microwave is the fastest way to reheat your pork tenderloin, but using an air fryer will ensure that your pork is crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside.
If you have some stock on hand, drizzle it over the pork slices before reheating to add extra moisture and flavour. Cover the pork tenderloin slices with aluminium foil and place them in the air fryer. Reheat at 380ºF (193ºC) for 5-10 minutes.
Remove the pork medallions from the foil for a crisp exterior, and leave the pork in the air fryer uncovered. Increase the air fryer temperature to 400ºF (204ºC) and air fry the unwrapped pork slices for 2-3 minutes. Keep a close eye on them to prevent burning.
Always use a meat thermometer to check whether the pork is done. Fully cooked pork tenderloin needs an internal temperature of 145ºF-160ºF.
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Frequently asked questions
Season the tenderloin with salt and pepper, and coat it with tapioca flour or breadcrumbs. Place the tenderloin in the air fryer basket and cook at 400°F for 15 minutes, flipping halfway through. The pork is done when the internal temperature reaches 145°F.
It takes approximately 15 minutes to cook juicy and tender breaded pork tenderloin in an air fryer.
Set your air fryer to 400°F and preheat for 5 minutes. Keep the temperature at 400°F for the duration of the cooking process.
After seasoning the tenderloin, coat it with flour and then dip it in a whisked egg mixture. Finally, dredge the pork in panko or breadcrumbs, pressing the meat into the coating to ensure the breading sticks.
Place the cooked and cooled tenderloin in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to five days. To reheat, you can use the microwave for 20-30 seconds or place it in a preheated air fryer.
