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These pork nuggets are tender and juicy surrounded in a crunchy, flavor-packed coating. They can be baked, fried or cooked in the air-fryer…delicious served as-is or with your favorite dipping sauce!
This post is sponsored by Iowa Pork Producers Association,
but all opinions and text are my own!
Can I tell you a little secret?! I think pork nuggets are better than chicken nuggets….like WAY better! Give these a try and you’ll likely wonder why you hadn’t tried pork nuggets sooner!!! Let me tell you why…
A pork tenderloin is super lean (22 grams of protein in 3 ounces) and cooks up so tender and moist. And though I don’t recommend overcooking them….they’re much more forgiving when it comes to staying juicy and tender than chicken.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Pork Tenderloin – These are typically sold in vacuum sealed packages of two.
- Eggs
- Milk – You can use milk, cream or a milk substitute, if desired.
- Panko Bread Crumbs – You can find these near the breading at the grocery store, typically sold in a box or round canister. I use the “plain” version.
- Parmesan Cheese – You’ll need grated parmesan cheese (the stuff you get in the shaker cans!).
- Seasonings – Salt, black pepper, garlic and paprika.
How to Make Pork Nuggets
If you notice that the tenderloin has a layer of connective tissue (a tough white thin film called silver skin), you’ll want to remove it. Then, you’ll start cutting the pork tenderloin into “nuggets.” I typically cut them into 1 to 1 1/2 inch cubes. Refrigerate until ready to use.
Now you’ll whisk together eggs and milk in one small dish and the dry ingredients in another dish.
Now you should have the pork, the egg wash and the dry breading mixture ready to go. Grab a plate to put the breaded pork nuggets on so you’re well prepared!
Using one cube of meat at a time, dunk the pork into the egg wash, let the excess drip off then transfer to the bowl of breading.
Use your “dry” hand to roll it around in the breading, making sure all sides are well-coated. Place the nugget on the clean plate. Repeat until all of the pork nuggets are breaded.
When it comes to cooking the nuggets, there are three options! Either way, you’ll want to use an instant read thermometer to make sure the nuggets are cooked perfectly! Do what works best for you!
How to Cook Pork Nuggets
Deep Fry
If you have a FryDaddy or other similar appliance, use the instructions for that. If using the stovetop, pour frying oil into a saucepan until it’s about 1 1/2 inches deep. Heat the oil to 350℉ and fry a few nuggets at a time. Cook just until the internal temperature of the pork reaches 145℉. Remove from the oil and place on a paper towel-lined dish to drain. This will be the most crisp option!
Air Fry
Preheat the air fryer to 375℉ (I use the Power XL). Place several nuggets into the basket, making sure to give some space between them. Air fry for 5-7 minutes or until the largest nugget in the batch reaches 145℉. Remove from the basket and repeat until all the nuggets are cooked. This option gives the nuggets a really nice, crisp exterior but is a much healthier option! *Please keep in mind air fryers vary greatly and could take more/less time.
Bake
Preheat your oven to 400℉. Place the nuggets onto a parchment-lined or silicone mat-lined baking sheet, spreading them out as much as possible. Spray the nuggets with cooking spray. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 145℉. This is another healthy option and a great way to cook all of the nuggets in one batch!
Are Pork Nuggets a Thing?
Are they a “thing?” YES!!! They’re not super common, but we should totally change that!
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! To make gluten free, you’ll need to use a gluten free brand of panko bread crumbs. Kikkoman makes a good option!
You can also make these dairy free by using a milk alternative and omiting the parmesan cheese.
I’m a barbecue sauce girl, but my kids prefer these dipped in ketchup. My hubby dips them in a mix of buffalo sauce and ranch dressing! You can also use honey mustard, bang bang sauce, creamy sriracha sauce, etc….the options are endless!!
Yes! I’ve tried these with pork loin also and they turn out great! Pork loin isn’t naturally as tender as a tenderloin (as the name suggests), but if you cook them just to 145F, they’ll be juicy and tender!!
Other Easy Pork Recipes You’ll Love
Pork Chops with Cream of Mushroom Soup
Pork Nuggets
Ingredients
- 1 pork tenderloin 1 – 1 1/2 pounds
- 2 eggs
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1 1/4 cups panko bread crumbs
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Cut the pork tenderloin into bite-sized pieces. I recommend shooting for 1-inch cubes. Pat them dry with a paper towel.1 pork tenderloin
- Whisk together the eggs and milk in a small shallow dish; set aside.2 eggs, 2 tablespoons milk
- In another bowl, combine the bread crumbs, parmesan cheese and seasonings.1 1/4 cups panko bread crumbs, 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Grab a piece of pork, dunk into the egg mixture and then coat in the crumb mixture.
- Repeat with remaining pork.
- Now it's time to cook the pork nuggets! You can choose to fry, air fry or bake them.
- Fry: Pour vegetable oil or canola oil into a saucepan until it's about 1 1/2 inches deep. Heat the oil to 350℉ and fry a few nuggets at a time until the internal temperature of the pork reaches 145℉. Remove from the oil and place on a paper towel-lined dish.
- Air Fry: Preheat the air fryer to 375℉. Place several nuggets into the basket, making sure to give some space between them. Air fry for 5-7 minutes or until the largest nugget in the batch reaches 145℉. Remove from the basket and repeat until all the nuggets are cooked.
- Bake: Preheat oven to 400℉. Place the nuggets onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, spreading them out as much as possible. Spray the nuggets with cooking spray. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 145℉.
- Serve the warm pork nuggets in your favorite dipping sauce.
Super easy and delicious! I used the oven to bake them and they came out super crispy.
So happy to hear, Katy!! 🙂 ~Kelsey