This air fryer breaded pork tenderloin is the ultimate dish for air fryer fans! It is moist, tender, and even tastier than when you make it in the deep fryer.
Cajun seasoning adds a bold, spicy flavor to this air fryer breaded pork tenderloin recipe, while seasoned breadcrumbs create a crunchy golden brown crust. This is the perfect recipe for a family meal or soft white bread for a mouth-watering fried pork tenderloin sandwich.
The tenderloin is the most succulent cut of pork, and air fryer breaded tenderloin is even more tender. Air frying is the best way to make the most of this beautiful cut of meat, as it cooks quickly and evenly, preventing the meat’s natural moisture from evaporating and making the outside gorgeously crisp.
You won’t believe how quick and easy it is to make this breaded pork tenderloin recipe; it’s ready in under 15 minutes and only needs five ingredients. An excellent option for when you want to impress with minimal time and effort!
Ingredients for breaded pork tenderloin
**Find the full list of ingredients along with the recipe instructions at the end of this post**
Pork tenderloins (cut into ¼-inch rounds): When shopping for your tenderloin, ensure you choose a cut of meat that is a pinkish color - avoid any that are pale, or have dark spots on the fat, as this indicates that the meat is past it’s best.
Cajun seasoning: Cajun seasoning adds warmth and spice to your breaded pork tenderloin. It usually contains paprika, cayenne, garlic powder, pepper, and oregano. If you don’t have cajun seasoning, you can use a mix of spices above!
Seasoned breadcrumbs: You can either buy ready-made bread crumbs or make your own by grating bread and adding salt and pepper - this is a great way to use stale bread! To make this recipe gluten-free, use gluten-free breadcrumbs.
Eggs: You use eggs to stick the breadcrumbs to the pork. You can substitute the eggs with oil if you want to omit the eggs.
Tools used to make the recipe.
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How to make breaded pork tenderloin in the air fryer?
First: Pat dry pork tenderloins with paper towels and season with cajun, salt, and pepper on both sides.
Next: In a shallow dish, add the breadcrumbs. In another shallow dish, lightly whisk the eggs.
Dip pork tenderloins into the egg, letting excess drip off, then dredge in breadcrumbs pressing to adhere the breadcrumbs.
Finally: Place the breaded pork tenderloins slices in a single in the air fryer basket; spritz with oil and air fry to 400ºF for 6 minutes on each side or until an instant meat thermometer registers 145ºF.
Recipe tips
- Make a whole breaded pork tenderloin in the air fryer by cooking it to 400ºF for 20 minutes, turning halfway through.
Preparing the tenderloin:
- Begin by removing the ‘silver skin, which will be on one side of the tenderloin, as this can go tough when cooked. Do this by taking a boning knife and inserting it between the skin and the meat, then gently cutting it away.
- Next, take your knife (make sure it’s sharp) and cut the tenderloin into ¼-inch rounds. Try your best to get the rounds as even as possible so that they cook at the same speed.
How long to cook breaded pork tenderloin in air fryer?
Cooking breaded pork tenderloin in air fryer usually takes around 6 minutes per side at a temperature of 400°F.
The exact time will depend on how thick you have cut the tenderloin pieces and on the model of air fryer you are using, so it’s a good idea to use a meat thermometer to prevent over or undercooking.
Insert the meat thermometer into the thickest part of the meat to check the temperature. The correct temperature for pork tenderloin is 145°F.
What sides to make with breaded pork tenderloins?
- Air fryer whole sweet potato
- Easy air fryer baby carrots
- Crispy air fryer broccoli bites
- Air Fryer Garlic Green Beans
- You can serve this as breaded pork tenderloin sandwiches for a quick lunch or the protein for a green salad.
How to store and reheat breaded pork tenderloin?
If you have leftovers from this breaded pork tenderloin air fryer recipe, you can store them in the fridge for 3-4 days or in the freezer indefinitely (but for best quality, consume them within 2-3 months).
To store, seal leftovers in an airtight container or freezer bag and move them to the fridge or freezer within 2 hours of cooking.
The best way to reheat breaded pork tenderloin is in the air fryer. Simply preheat the air fryer to 350°F (a lower temperature will prevent the meat from drying out) and cook pork tenderloin for 3-4 minutes. If you are reheating from frozen, allow an additional 8-10 minutes.
Use a meat thermometer to check that the pork has reached a safe internal temperature of 145°F before serving.
FAQ’S
What is the difference between pork loin and pork tenderloin?
Pork loin is a much larger cut of meat than tenderloin, and it may or may not have a bone. However, the tenderloin never has a bone and is considerably more tender than pork loin, making it the perfect choice for air frying!
As pork tenderloin is so tender, it is often more expensive than pork loin, so if you’re feeding a crowd, pork loin can be a good option. These breaded pork tenderloins in air fryer are a great option if you want to make a succulent and tender cut of meat.
How do you keep pork tenderloin from drying out?
The best way to keep pork tenderloin from drying out is by cooking it in the air fryer! Breaded tenderloins in air fryer are deliciously tender because air frying means cooking with hot air, resulting in quick and even cooking and minimal moisture loss.
Can I cook a whole breaded pork tenderloin in the air fryer
Yes, of course, you can season and coat the tenderloin using the instructions as instructed in the recipe for the pieces. The only difference is you'll need to air fry for 20-25 minutes at 400ºF, turning halfway through. Or until an instant meat thermometer reaches 145ºF in the thickest part of the meat.
More Air Fryer Pork Recipes
- Pork Tenderloin in Air Fryer
- Air Fryer Frozen Pork Chops
- Stuffed Pork Chops Air Fryer Recipe
- Bacon Wrapped Pork Chops in the Air Fryer
- Air Fryer BBQ Pork Chops
- Air Fryer Bone-in Pork Chops
- Air Fryer Parmesan Pork Chops
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Air Fryer Breaded Pork Tenderloin
Yield: 4
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 22 minutes
Cajun seasoning adds a bold, spicy flavor to this air fryer breaded pork tenderloin recipe, while seasoned breadcrumbs create a crunchy golden brown crust. This is the perfect recipe for a family meal or soft white bread for a mouth-watering fried pork tenderloin sandwich.
Ingredients
- 1 pound pork tenderloins, sliced into 1/2 inch rounds.
- 1 tablespoons cajun seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cups seasoned breadcrumbs
- 1 eggs
- Oil sprayer bottle with olive oil.
Tools
Instructions
- Pat dry pork tenderloins with paper towels and season with cajun, salt, and pepper on both sides.
- In a shallow dish, add the breadcrumbs. In another shallow dish, lightly whisk the eggs.
- Dip pork tenderloins into the egg, letting excess drip off, then dredge in breadcrumbs pressing to adhere the breadcrumbs.
- Place the breaded pork tenderloins slices in a single in the air fryer basket; spritz with oil and cook to 400ºF for 6 minutes on each side or until an instant meat thermometer registers 145ºF.
Notes
- Make a whole breaded pork tenderloin in the air fryer by cooking it to 400ºF for 20 minutes, turning halfway through.
Preparing the tenderloin:
- Begin by removing the ‘silver skin,’ which will be on one side of the tenderloin, as this can go tough when cooked. Do this by taking a boning knife and inserting it between the skin and the meat, then gently cutting it away.
- Next, take your knife (make sure it’s sharp) and cut the tenderloin into ¼-inch rounds. Try your best to get the rounds as even as possible so that they cook at the same speed.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 458Total Fat: 21gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 15gCholesterol: 156mgSodium: 689mgCarbohydrates: 21gFiber: 2gSugar: 2gProtein: 43g
Please keep in mind that the nutritional information is calculated using a nutrition facts calculator. It is a rough estimate and can vary significantly based on products used. When the recipe list salt to taste the amount of salt is not calculated, only the sodium in the other ingredients is calculated.
