Fried pork tenderloin sandwiches are a staple of Midwestern cuisine. The thinly-pounded, breaded and fried cutlets are crunchy on the outside while remaining incredibly moist and tender on the inside While delicious, breaded pork tenderloin can seem intimidating to make from scratch Luckily, frozen pre-breaded pork tenderloins provide a convenient shortcut to enjoying this tasty sandwich in your own home.
Frozen breaded pork tenderloin allows you to skip the lengthy prep work of pounding, breading and frying. With just a few easy steps, you can transform those frozen cutlets into hot, crispy fried pork perfection. Whether using an air fryer, oven or deep fryer, frozen breaded pork tenderloin is a handy ingredient to keep stocked in your freezer.
In this comprehensive guide, we will walk through everything you need to know to fry frozen breaded pork tenderloin From thawing and cooking methods to storage and reheating tips, we’ve got you covered on how to make this delicious Midwestern favorite at home Let’s get frying!
Why Choose Frozen Breaded Pork Tenderloin?
Opting for frozen pre-breaded pork tenderloin offers several advantages:
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Convenience – With frozen breaded pork tenderloin, the lengthy prep of pounding, breading and seasoning the meat is already done for you. Thaw and fry for an easy sandwich in minutes.
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Consistency – Pre-breaded frozen pork ensures each cutlet is uniformly pounded and breaded for even frying.
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Cost-effective – Buying frozen cutlets saves time and money compared to purchasing pork loins and breading from scratch.
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Food safety – Pre-breaded frozen meats reduce the risk of cross-contamination.
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Long shelf life – Frozen breaded pork tenderloin keeps for months in the freezer until ready to use.
With so many benefits, it’s easy to see why frozen breaded pork tenderloin is a smart shortcut for making this tasty sandwich.
How to Thaw Frozen Breaded Pork Tenderloin
Before frying, it’s crucial to safely thaw the frozen breaded pork cutlets. Here are a couple methods:
In the Refrigerator (Recommended)
Thawing in the refrigerator overnight is the safest approach and maintains quality.
- Place frozen cutlets in a container to catch drips.
- Thaw 12-24 hours in the refrigerator depending on size.
- Cook immediately once thawed.
Cold Water Bath
For a quicker thaw, use a cold water bath:
- Seal cutlets in a plastic bag.
- Submerge bag in cold water, changing water every 30 minutes.
- Thaw approximately 30 minutes per pound.
- Cook immediately once thawed.
Avoid thawing at room temperature as bacteria can grow rapidly. Now let’s look at cooking methods!
Cooking Frozen Breaded Pork Tenderloin in the Air Fryer
Air frying is the quickest, easiest route to crispy, juicy pork with 75% less fat and calories than deep frying. Here is a simple air fryer method:
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F
- Spray basket with oil
- Add frozen cutlets and spray tops
- Air fry 5 minutes
- Flip and spray second side
- Cook 4-5 more minutes until 145°F internal temperature
The air fryer yields tender, browned results in just 10-15 minutes without dealing with hot oil!
Baking Frozen Breaded Pork Tenderloin in the Oven
The oven provides another hassle-free option for cooking frozen pork cutlets without deep frying.
- Preheat oven to 375°F
- Place frozen cutlets on oiled baking sheet
- Bake 25-30 minutes until 165°F internal temperature
- Flip halfway through for even browning
While the oven takes longer than the air fryer, it still reliably cooks the frozen pork with crisped breading and juicy interior.
Deep Frying for an Iconic Pork Tenderloin Sandwich
For the ultimate taste and texture of a classic Midwestern fried pork tenderloin sandwich, heat up the oil and deep fry!
- Heat oil to 350°F in a deep fryer or pot
- Slowly lower frozen cutlets into hot oil
- Fry 3-5 minutes until 165°F internal temperature
- Drain on paper towels and serve immediately
The hot oil crisps the breading perfectly on the outside while the inside cooks gently and stays succulent and moist.
Use a thermometer and fry gently to avoid overcooking the delicate pork. Now that you know how to fry frozen breaded pork tenderloin, let’s go over storing and reheating.
Storing and Reheating Leftover Fried Pork Tenderloin
With such tasty sandwiches, you may end up with leftovers. Follow these tips for storage and reheating:
- Refrigerate leftovers in a sealed container up to 5 days.
- To microwave: Slice pork, lay flat, cover with paper towel and microwave in 30 second intervals until warmed through.
- To oven reheat: Place on oiled sheet, bake at 375°F for 10-15 minutes until 165°F.
- For the skillet: Cook slices 2-3 minutes per side in a bit of oil over medium heat.
- Only reheat once for food safety.
Properly stored fried pork tenderloin retains its flavor and texture for quick sandwiches anytime!
Tips for Crispy, Golden Fried Pork Tenderloin
Frying frozen breaded pork tenderloin is simple but follow these tips for the best results:
- Allow refrigerated cutlets to sit out 15 minutes before frying for more even cooking.
- Pat off excess ice crystals before frying for crisper breading.
- Use thermometer to avoid overcooking and drying out pork.
- Let cooked cutlets rest a few minutes before serving.
- Fry in batches to maintain oil temperature.
- Use neutral oil with high smoke point like canola or peanut.
With the proper thawing, cooking, storage and these useful tips, you can enjoy tender, crunchy breaded pork tenderloin sandwiches at home any night of the week. Crisp up a batch in your air fryer or deep fryer and appreciate the convenience of using pre-breaded frozen pork. So next time you get a craving for this Midwestern specialty, just head to the freezer aisle for an easy dinner that rivals any restaurant!