Country Fried Pork Nuggets
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Pork nuggets – have you ever tried them? They’re so good, y’all! I mean, just look at them! Don’t you want to cram a bunch of them in your mouth? Pork nuggets are not only delicious, but you can make them quickly (using an inexpensive cut of meat!).
Pork Nuggets
I’m sure you’ve had chicken nuggets before – but have you ever had Pork Nuggets?
I love the taste of pork and the fact it’s a less expensive cut of meat. My kids enjoy it too, especially my Crock Pot Pork Chops with Mushroom Soup.
Whether it’s savory pork chops, pork tacos, or pork nuggets, they are on board!
My Country Fried Pork Nuggets are super easy to make, delicious as can be – and both kids and adults LOVE them!
You can eat them plain – serve them with a dipping sauce such as Ranch (try my Chipotle Ranch with these!), Hot Pepper Mustard, or make gravy from the drippings and dunk them right in.
They are really easy to prepare too.
Ingredients for Pork Nuggets
Here’s your cast of ingredients:
- Pork Loin: Choose a piece of pork loin and cut it into chunks. This will be the base of your nuggets.
- Buttermilk: Soak the pork chunks in buttermilk. This helps tenderize the pork and adds moisture, making the nuggets juicy.
- Hot Sauce (optional): If you like a bit of heat, add your favorite hot sauce to the buttermilk mixture. I like to use Frank’s Red Hot, but feel free to use whatever you like.
- Egg: You’ll need an egg to help the flour mixture stick to the pork chunks. Beat it lightly before using.
- All-Purpose Flour: This is used for coating the pork chunks. It helps create a crispy exterior when fried.
- Smoked Paprika: Adds a smoky flavor to the nuggets. It’s a key spice for adding depth to the coating.
- Garlic Powder: Enhances the flavor of the nuggets. Garlic powder is used for its convenience and consistent taste.
- Cayenne (optional): If you enjoy extra spice, a pinch of cayenne pepper can be added to the flour mixture.
- Salt and Pepper: Essential for seasoning. Adjust according to your taste preference.
- Oil for Frying: Canola oil is recommended due to its neutral flavor and high smoke point, but you can use other oils suitable for frying, such as coconut oil.
How to Make Pork Nuggets
- Prepare the oil for frying: Start by heating up a deep fryer or a heavy-bottomed pot. Fill it with frying oil, like canola, until it’s about halfway up the sides of the pot. Heat the oil to 375 degrees.
- Season the pork: Season the pork nuggets well with salt and pepper.
- Mix wet ingredients: In a bowl, combine the buttermilk, egg, and hot sauce (optional). Whisk them together until smooth.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a large bowl, mix together flour, paprika, garlic powder, cayenne (optional), and a bit more salt and pepper.
- Coat the pork in buttermilk: Dip the seasoned pork entirely in the buttermilk mixture. Make sure it’s well coated.
- Dredge the pork in flour: After letting any excess buttermilk drip off, coat the pork pieces in the flour mixture. For a thicker crust, dip the coated pork back into the buttermilk, then into the flour mixture again. Shake off any excess flour.
- Let the coating set: Place the coated pork nuggets on a plate. Let them sit for about 10 minutes. This helps the coating stick to the pork.
- Fry the pork nuggets: Fry the pork in batches in the hot oil. Cook them until they’re thoroughly cooked and have a golden-brown color, which should take about 4-5 minutes.
- Drain the pork nuggets: Once fried, transfer the pork nuggets to a plate lined with paper towels. This helps remove any excess oil.
How to Make Gravy for Pork Nuggets
- Dispose of the oil in the pan except for a couple tablespoons worth.
- Add a couple tablespoons of all purpose flour to the oil and drippings and whisk to make a rue.
- Continue to cook, while whisking, for about a minute.
- Now, add 2 cups of milk and continue to whisk and cook until thickened. Season with salt and pepper.
You just made country gravy!
Country Fried Pork Nuggets
Ingredients
- 2 Pounds pork loin cut into chunks
- 1 & 1/2 Cups buttermilk
- 1 to 3 Splashes hot sauce optional
- 1 egg
- 2 Cups all purpose flour
- 2 Tbsp smoked paprika
- 2 Tbsp garlic powder
- 1 Tbsp cayenne optional
- salt and pepper to taste
- oil for frying, such as canola oil
Instructions
- Preheat a deep fryer or heavy bottomed pot with enough frying oil (such as canola) to cup halfway up the sides of the pot, to 375 degrees.
- Season the pork to taste with salt and pepper. In a bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, egg, & hot sauce (if using). In a large bowl, combine the flour, paprika, garlic powder, cayenne (if using), & salt and pepper.
- Coat the pork on all sides in the buttermilk. Drain the pork & add the pork chunks to the flour mixture to coat with flour. If you would like a thicker crust on your pork nuggets, dip them back in the buttermilk mixture and back into the flour mixture a second time. Shake off any excess flour & let the nuggets sit on a plate for 10 minutes for the coating to adhere to the pork. Working in batches, deep fry the pork nuggets until cooked through and browned, around 4-5 minutes. Remove the pork & transfer to a paper towel lined plate to drain.
- Dispose of the oil in the pan except for a couple tablespoons worth. Add a couple tablespoons of all purpose flour to the oil & drippings and whisk. Continue to cook, while whisking, for about a minute. Now, add 2 cups of milk & continue to whisk and cook until thickened. Season with salt and pepper.
If you want to make gravy with this:
- Dispose of the oil in the pan except for a couple tablespoons worth. Add a couple tablespoons of all purpose flour to the oil & drippings and whisk. Continue to cook, while whisking, for about a minute. Now, add 2 cups of milk & continue to whisk and cook until thickened. Season with salt and pepper.
