Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin Medallions with Mushrooms
Tender pork medallions quickly cooked in the air fryer alongside buttery herb mushrooms. A healthy and delicious dinner ready in 22 minutes.
Steps
- 1
Remove pork medallions from the refrigerator 30 minutes before cooking to bring to room temperature. Pat dry with paper towels.
- 2
If using a whole tenderloin instead of pre-cut medallions, slice into medallions about 2-3 cm (1 inch) thick.
- 3
In a bowl, mix medallions with olive oil, minced garlic, dried thyme, dried rosemary, salt, and pepper. Toss well to coat evenly.
- 4
Slice mushrooms. In another bowl, toss with melted butter and a pinch of salt and pepper.
- 5
Preheat air fryer to 200°C (400°F).
- 6
Place pork medallions in the air fryer basket. Scatter mushrooms around them (or on top if basket is small). Cook for 8-10 minutes.
- 7
Halfway through cooking, shake mushrooms and flip medallions for even browning.
- 8
Transfer cooked medallions to a warm plate, cover loosely with foil, and let rest for 5 minutes. This redistributes juices, keeping the meat tender.
- 9
Return mushrooms to the air fryer and cook for another 2 minutes.
Shopping list
450 g pork tenderloin medallions, 200 g mushrooms, 2 garlic cloves, 1 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp liquid butter, 1 tsp dried thyme, 1 tsp dried rosemary, salt, black pepper
Recipe story
The combination of pork and mushrooms has been cherished in European cuisine for centuries. In France, pork and mushroom dishes were popular at the royal court in the 18th century, while in Germany, such dishes were served at autumn festivals. This modern recipe adapts the tradition for the air fryer, preserving classic flavors.
Ingredient Secrets
Black pepper
Known as 'black gold' in antiquity, pepper was so valuable that it served as currency and tribute. In the Middle Ages, Venetian merchants controlled the pepper trade, and individual peppercorns were often counted. Legend has it that when Alaric, king of the Visigoths, demanded tribute from Rome, he included 3,000 pounds of pepper.
Sea salt
Sea salt, extracted from ocean waters by evaporation, was one of the most precious goods of antiquity, used both as food and as currency. In ancient Rome, soldiers were paid with salt, which is the origin of the word 'salary'. Salt roads connected entire civilizations, and in the Middle Ages, salt was so valuable it was called 'white gold'.
Thyme
In ancient Rome, thyme was burned in temples to purify the air and ward off evil spirits, and Roman soldiers added it to their baths to strengthen their courage. In the Middle Ages, noble ladies embroidered thyme on knights' scarves as a symbol of bravery. The ancient Greeks used it in baths and temples, and its name derives from the Greek 'thymos', meaning 'courage'.
Rosemary
In ancient Rome, rosemary was a symbol of remembrance and fidelity, used in bridal crowns and funeral rites. Legend says that the goddess Venus, emerging from the sea waves, created rosemary.
Garlic
Native to Central Asia, garlic was already known in ancient Egypt, where it was given to slaves to boost their strength. In ancient Greece, athletes consumed it before competitions, and in Rome, legionaries considered it essential for courage. During the Middle Ages, it was used to ward off vampires and the plague.
Olive oil
Originating in the Mediterranean basin, olive oil was already produced in ancient Crete 5,000 years ago. In ancient Greece, it was considered a gift from Athena and used in lamps, cosmetics, and religious ceremonies. The Romans spread it throughout the empire, and in the Middle Ages, monasteries preserved the tradition of its production.
Cloves
Cloves, the dried buds of the exotic Syzygium aromaticum tree, were one of the most prized spices of the ancient world, often called 'aromatic gold'. In the Middle Ages, Venetian merchants controlled the clove trade, bringing them from the Maluku Islands, the only place they grew, and selling them at exorbitant prices in Europe.
Mushrooms
Mushrooms have been used for thousands of years in cuisines worldwide, from ancient China to classical Greece. In ancient Egypt, they were considered food for royalty, and the Romans called them 'food of the gods'.
You may also like
Crispy Bacon in Air Fryer in 8 Minutes – Quick Recipe
Pork
Crispy Bacon in Ninja Foodi Air Fryer – Quick 12-Minute Recipe
Pork
Air Fryer Ranch Pork Chops
Pork
Air Fryer Chipolatas – Crispy Sausages in 15 Minutes
Pork
Air Fryer Pork Chops with Ranch Seasoning
Pork