How to Make Deer Tenderloin in an Air Fryer

This air fryer deer tenderloin recipe is absolutely amazing.  I was so surprised at how well the venison turned out in my Power Air Fryer XL 5.3 Quart. It’s hard to believe that something that tastes this good was cooked without oil, but it’s true.

The tenderloin taste like it was deep-fried. I used a whole tenderloin filet but feel free to cut into chunks and make some deer tenderloin nuggets. I haven’t tried air frying small pieces of deer tenderloin steak, but I’m sure it’d probably taste the same.

How to make air fryer deer tenderloin or steaks

The key to getting the tenderloin perfect is to pound it really thin.  Not paper thin, but enough to where it’ll cook in minutes without drying out the breading or meat.  I used panko breadcrumbs for the batter but you can also use crushed saltines.

What to serve with fried deer tenderloins

It really depends on how much cooking you want to do.   If it’s a hurry-up dinner on a Friday night, I might eat the tenderloin on a hamburger bun with homemade steak fries or potato wedges.

If it’s a full blown Sunday meal, then we’re making homemade gravy to make a hot deer tenderloin sandwich with homemade smashed fingerlings and corn on the cob.  You can’t go wrong either way.

Air Fryer Deer Tenderloin

owetogrub This air fryer deer tenderloin recipe is absolutely amazing.  I was so surprised at how… Recipes deer tenderloin American Print This

Serves: 4 Prep Time: 20 Minutes Cooking Time: 20 Minutes 20 Minutes

Nutrition facts: 200 calories 20 grams fat

Rating: 3.1/5

( 37 voted )

Ingredients

1 lb deer tenderloin or 4 deer tenderloin filets
1/2 cup flour
2 cups panko breadcrumbs
1 egg
1/3 cup water or milk
oil for frying
salt and pepper

Instructions

1.  Start by cutting the deer tenderloin into 4 pieces if it's a whole venison roast.  Season both sides of the tenderloin with salt and pepper and pound out to 1/4 to 1/2 inch.
2. In a shallow bowl mix the egg and water until smooth
3. Start by dredging the deer tenderloins in the flour and then coat both sides in the egg wash and then into the panko.  Do this for each piece of meat
4. Preheat the air fryer for two minutes and place one tenderloin in the basket.  Spray the top of the tenderloin with Pam cooking spray and cook on 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes.  Times will vary with each air fryer.  I used the Power Air Fryer XL 5.3 quart and there was plenty of room to cook a tenderloin.
5. Flip after cooking four minutes and spray the other side.  Cook another 4 minutes or until done.

Notes

You may need to only cook for 4 minutes on each side if you got the tenderloin pounded really flat. If the breading looks dry use more cooking spray.