Turkey Nuggets
Crispy fried turkey nuggets coated in panko and Old Bay seasoning.
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 2 turkey breast tendercut into 1" cubes
- vegetable oilor see substitution - 2 to 3" deep in pan
- 1 cupflourall purpose
- 3 largeeggsbeaten
- 1 cuppanko
- 1/4 cupOld Bay
- 1 teaspoonsalt
- 1 teaspoonpepper
- 2 teaspoongarlic powder
- 1 tbsbaking powder
Instructions
Instructions
- Pat the 2 turkey breast tenderloins dry with paper towels and cut into 1" cubes. Set the cut turkey aside on a plate.
- Pour vegetable oil into a heavy-duty pan to a depth of 2 to 3" and heat over medium–medium-high heat. Heat the oil to 350°F (use a deep-fry thermometer).
- Arrange a three-pan breading station at the stovetop: - Pan 1: 1 cup all-purpose flour. - Pan 2: 3 large eggs, beaten. - Pan 3: 1 cup panko mixed with 1 tbs baking powder, ¼ cup Old Bay, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon pepper, and 2 teaspoons garlic powder; stir to combine.
- Work in batches of 5–10 pieces so the oil temperature stays steady. Do not overcrowd the pan.
- For each piece: toss the turkey cubes in the flour to coat all sides, shaking off any excess flour.
- Dip the floured turkey into the beaten eggs, allowing excess egg to drip off.
- Press the egg-coated turkey into the panko mixture, turning to coat all surfaces and pressing the crumbs so they adhere.
- Carefully drop the breaded turkey pieces into the hot oil one at a time using tongs or a slotted spoon to avoid splashing.
- Fry the nuggets, adjusting the heat as needed to keep the oil around 350°F (avoid the oil boiling too violently or dropping too low). Cook until the nuggets are golden brown and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center reads 165°F. (Turkey will typically float when done.)
- Remove cooked nuggets with a slotted spoon or spider and transfer to a paper towel–lined plate to drain.
- Repeat steps 5–10 with remaining turkey, then serve the nuggets hot.
Equipment
- heavy-duty pan
- deep-fry thermometer
- three shallow pans or bowls
- Tongs
- Slotted spoon
- spider (optional)
- Paper Towels
Notes
Choose either a premarinated turkey tender or an unflavored one. Just make sure you choose a flavor you like if you are using the marinated ones.
Cut the turkey into small pieces - about sugar cube size if possible. Often you'll find that the turkey wants to fall apart if it has been marinated, if this happens, simply cut it as small as you are able to do.
Always use a high temp oil for frying (vegetable, canola, peanut, etc.). Do NOT use Olive oil for frying these and do not use butter.
You'll want to have a thermometer so that you don't burn your turkey nuggets and so that the oil is hot enough to fry them appropriately.
If you want breading to stick, follow the directions EXPLICITLY in the recipe below. It is SUPER IMPORTANT to dry the turkey meat off completely. You can do this with paper towels or with cloth towels, just so it is very very dry.
You can substitute the spices in the seasoning for whatever flips your trigger, but you might want to start with the mix I suggest to make sure you enjoy the turkey before getting too wild and crazy with your seasoning choices.
Cut the turkey into small pieces - about sugar cube size if possible. Often you'll find that the turkey wants to fall apart if it has been marinated, if this happens, simply cut it as small as you are able to do.
Always use a high temp oil for frying (vegetable, canola, peanut, etc.). Do NOT use Olive oil for frying these and do not use butter.
You'll want to have a thermometer so that you don't burn your turkey nuggets and so that the oil is hot enough to fry them appropriately.
If you want breading to stick, follow the directions EXPLICITLY in the recipe below. It is SUPER IMPORTANT to dry the turkey meat off completely. You can do this with paper towels or with cloth towels, just so it is very very dry.
You can substitute the spices in the seasoning for whatever flips your trigger, but you might want to start with the mix I suggest to make sure you enjoy the turkey before getting too wild and crazy with your seasoning choices.