Almond Crusted Pork Tenders

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Almond Crusted Pork Tenders with a delicious baked crunchy almond coating make the perfect healthy alternative to your favorite fried fingers, plus they are Paleo, Whole30, and low carb friendly. Have pork chops in the fridge? Try these Crispy Almond Pork Chops. And for those who don’t eat pork, try these Almond Crusted Chicken Tenders.

I don’t know if I have ever met a chicken finger I didn’t like. Maybe it’s the crunchy coating, maybe its the fact that I love to dip just about anything, but they are just one of those foods that will always be up there on my favorites. However, I don’t love the fat, calories, and unhealthy ingredients. Luckily chicken tenders are easy to make at home in a much healthier way and since we eat way too much chicken around here, today I decide to make a version using the other white meat  – pork tenderloin. I promise that it is just as delicious and a great alternative if your family is anything like mine and survives on way too much chicken breast.

To add even more flavor to these tenders, I decided to coat them in a combination of almond flour and chopped almonds. Not only does it add crunch, I love the nutty flavor you get from using almond meal instead of regular flour. Now you could definitely use regular flour instead, but I highly recommend the almond flour. It adds protein, healthy fats, and it really does add something special to these tenders.

Now the last thing to talk about is dipping sauce options. With these Almond Crusted Pork Tenders there are so many delicious options:

• Marinara sauce: I am not sure why, but I love pairing these tenders with a simple basil packed marinara sauce or tomato sauce. You can buy your favorite store-bought brand or make your home quick marinara at home.
• Honey mustard: Depending on your dietary restrictions, homemade honey mustard is a great option. Combine about 1/4 cup of honey with 2 tbsp of Dijon mustard and 1 tbsp soy sauce. For a creamy version add 1-2 tablespoons of Greek yogurt as well.
• Buffalo sauce: I am a sucker for buffalo sauce so, of course, it’s a tasty option for these tenders. There is always Frank’s or here is a Paleo friendly version.
• Ranch: Pretty much everyone I know loves ranch dressing. Usually, I make this homemade version or for a Paleo version, try this one.

Are these almond crusted pork tenders Whole30 friendly? What about low carb and keto?

When it comes to Whole30, chicken or pork tenders fall into a gray area since they are trigger foods for some people. If you don’t fall in that camp, then these absolutely work for Whole30.  They are also a great option for a low carb “chicken finger” for anyone on a low carb or keto diet since they have just 5 grams of carbs and a whopping 38 grams of protein.

Can I make these with chicken?

If you aren’t a huge fan of pork or find yourself staring at a fridge full of chicken breast, this recipe is still for you. This works great using sliced chicken breast. Just slice the chicken into tenders or rounds and follow the directions as written. They will come out amazing and are a healthier way to serve chicken fingers. These are especially great for kids since they pack in extra protein and healthy fats with the almonds.

Looking for more chicken tender recipes?

• Baked Ranch Buffalo Chicken Tenders
• Sweet Chili Coconut Chicken Fingers
• Mustard Pretzel Chicken Fingers
• Naked Buffalo Chicken Tenders

Here are some products and tools I used when making this recipe:

• Wire rack: Using a wire rack to cook these Coconut Chicken Fingers is the best way to make sure they get nice and crispy. I have been using this one for years and it works great. You can also use a baking rack if that is all you have on hand. I like to cover the baking sheet underneath in foil to make clean up easier.
• Almond flour: Almond flour can be expensive in the grocery store so I usually order mine online to cut back on the cost. This one is less than $9 a pound and has a great flavor.

This recipe was original posted in July 2017 but has een updated with new photos, sauce ideas, and info.

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