Bite-Sized Pork Tenderloin Mini Cutlets
Kid-Friendly! Crispy Outside, Tender Inside Mini Pork Cutlets Made with Pork Tenderloin
My 7-year-old daughter loves tonkatsu, so I make it often. Homemade tonkatsu tastes so much better than frozen ones, so I rarely buy them. My daughter also prefers mom-made tonkatsu over frozen options. Today, as usual, I made mini cutlets using tender pork tenderloin. Pork tenderloin has a naturally round shape, which makes it perfect for creating these adorable bite-sized cutlets. The taste of freshly fried tonkatsu is incredibly savory and delicious! Seeing my daughter happily munching on them always brightens my day.
Ingredients- 300g pork tenderloin
- 2 Tbsp tempura flour
- 2 eggs
- 2 cups breadcrumbs
- 1 Tbsp salt
- 1 Tbsp pepper
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, slice the pork tenderloin into approximately 0.5cm thick pieces. Here’s a tip to make the meat even more tender: use a fork! Gently pierce the meat all over with a fork to help tenderize it. While pork tenderloin is already the most tender cut, this extra step ensures a wonderfully soft texture.
Step 2
Next, prepare your dredging ingredients: tempura flour, beaten eggs, and breadcrumbs. Have them ready in separate bowls.
Step 3
Now, let’s coat the pork slices seasoned with salt and pepper. Dredge them in the tempura flour, then dip them in the beaten egg, and finally coat them thoroughly with breadcrumbs, in that order. Since the cutlets are small, you can easily use chopsticks to coat them, which keeps your hands clean – a handy trick!
Step 4
Heat a generous amount of cooking oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, carefully place the coated mini cutlets into the pan. Start with high heat to sear the outside, then reduce the heat to medium to ensure they cook through evenly.
Step 5
Fry the mini cutlets, turning them occasionally, until they are golden brown and wonderfully crispy on both sides. Ensure they are cooked through.
Step 6
Your cute, round mini cutlets made with pork tenderloin are ready! They are delicious dipped in tonkatsu sauce. Personally, I enjoy them with whole grain mustard more than tonkatsu sauce, so I’ve plated them together. Pork tenderloin is the leanest and most tender cut of pork, rich in iron, making it a great choice, especially for children. I often cook with pork tenderloin for my daughter, who sometimes gets nosebleeds. These crispy yet tender mini cutlets made from mild pork tenderloin are truly delicious. Give this recipe a try!
