Indiana

Breaded Tenderloin Pizza

The beloved Hoosier pork tenderloin sandwich transformed into pizza! Crispy breaded pork, tangy pickles, sweet onion, and yellow mustard on a cheese-covered crust. A true taste of Indiana at every county fair and small-town diner.

Total 1hr 🍴 Serves 4-6 Hoosier Classic 🍕 Hand-Tossed

Equipment Needed

🍕 Pizza Stone
🥣 Pizza Peel
🍽 Deep Fryer/Skillet
🔥 Meat Mallet
🥚 Rolling Pin

Instructions

1

Make the dough: Dissolve yeast and sugar in warm water. Let stand 5-10 minutes until foamy. Combine flour and salt, add yeast mixture and olive oil. Knead 8-10 minutes until smooth. Cover and let rise 1 hour.

2

Prepare the pork: Slice pork tenderloin into 1/2-inch medallions. Place between plastic wrap and pound with a meat mallet until very thin (about 1/4-inch). The key to Indiana tenderloin is the extreme thinness.

Tip: Traditional Indiana tenderloins are pounded so thin they hang over the bun. For pizza, we'll cut them into pieces after frying.
3

Set up breading station: Place flour in one dish, beaten eggs in another, and breadcrumbs mixed with garlic powder and salt in a third. Dredge each cutlet in flour, dip in egg, then coat in breadcrumbs.

4

Fry the tenderloins: Heat oil to 350°F in a deep skillet or fryer. Fry breaded pork 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Drain on paper towels. Cut into bite-sized pieces.

5

Preheat oven: Place pizza stone on the lowest rack and preheat to 500°F (260°C) for at least 30 minutes.

6

Shape the pizza: Punch down dough and stretch or roll into a 14-inch round. Transfer to a cornmeal-dusted pizza peel.

7

Assemble: Spread a thin layer of yellow mustard over the dough. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Arrange breaded tenderloin pieces over the cheese.

8

Bake: Slide pizza onto the hot stone and bake 10-12 minutes until crust is golden and cheese is melted. The tenderloin will crisp up nicely in the oven.

9

Finish and serve: Remove from oven and immediately top with pickle slices and thinly sliced onion. Drizzle with additional mustard. Let rest 2 minutes, then slice and serve.

💡 Pro Tips & Variations

  • Indiana heritage: The breaded pork tenderloin sandwich has been a Hoosier staple since the early 1900s and is the unofficial state sandwich.
  • Pound it thin: The thinner the tenderloin, the crispier it gets. Don't skip the pounding step.
  • Use bread and butter pickles: Some Hoosiers prefer sweet bread and butter pickles instead of dill.
  • Add mayo: A swipe of mayonnaise mixed with the mustard is another classic tenderloin sandwich addition.
  • Double bread: For extra crunch, dip in egg and breadcrumbs twice before frying.
  • Air fryer option: Air fry breaded cutlets at 400°F for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through.