Almond Crusted Pork Tenders – Slender Kitchen

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.

I don’t know if I have ever met a chicken finger I didn’t like. Maybe its 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 defintiely 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 musatrd is a great option. Combine about 1/4 cup of honey with 2 tbsp or 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 verison, try this one.

Looking for more chicken tender recipes?

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.