Deep frying chicken nuggets from frozen is absolutely possible, but there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure optimal results. When frying frozen foods, the extreme heat of the oil will cause the exterior to cook very rapidly, potentially resulting in the outside becoming overly brown while the inside remains undercooked. With some adjustments to time, temperature, and technique though, you can deep fry tasty, crispy chicken nuggets straight from the freezer.
Should You Thaw First?
While it’s not strictly necessary to thaw chicken nuggets before deep frying, taking the time to thaw them in the refrigerator overnight does provide some advantages:
- Thawed nuggets will cook more evenly all the way through, reducing the chance of undercooked centers.
- You won’t have to adjust the oil temperature or cooking time as much when frying thawed nuggets.
- Since thawed nuggets absorb less oil initially, they may turn out slightly less greasy in the end.
However, with the right frying method, you can absolutely skip the thawing step and pop frozen nuggets straight into the hot oil. Just be prepared to adjust the cooking time and temperature as needed.
How to Deep Fry Frozen Chicken Nuggets
Follow these tips for crispy, golden chicken nuggets when frying straight from frozen:
1. Use a Thermometer
Investing in a decent deep fry or candy thermometer takes the guesswork out of determining if the oil is hot enough. For frozen nuggets, heat the oil to 350-375°F. If the oil is too cool, the coating may separate or become greasy.
2. Fry in Smaller Batches
Frying too many frozen nuggets at once will cause the oil temperature to drop dramatically, leading to soggy results. Fry no more than 4-6 frozen nuggets at a time, adjusting the batch size as needed to keep the oil temperature consistent.
3. Increase Cooking Time
Frozen nuggets will take longer to cook through than thawed. Expect to fry frozen nuggets for 5-7 minutes, flipping occasionally, until the coating is crispy and golden brown and the center reaches 165°F.
4. Let Rest Before Eating
As soon as golden nuggets come out of the fryer, they may still be partially frozen in the middle, so let them rest for 2-3 minutes before biting in. The residual heat will continue cooking the center without over-browning the exterior.
5. Return Oil to Temperature Between Batches
Allow the oil to come back up to the target frying temperature of 350-375°F before adding another batch of frozen nuggets. This ensures each batch crisps and browns consistently.
6. Don’t Overcrowd the Fryer
In addition to frying in small batches, avoid overfilling the fryer basket more than halfway. Overcrowding causes the temperature to drop too much. Nuggets should have room to float freely in the oil for even cooking.
7. Pat Off Excess Ice Crystals
Before frying, gently pat frozen nuggets with a paper towel to remove any ice crystals. This minimizes splattering when the nuggets first hit the hot oil.
8. Use a Slotted Spoon or Tongs to Flip and Remove
A slotted spoon or tongs allow excess oil to drain off while flipping and removing nuggets. Tongs provide the best grip on slippery frozen nuggets.
9. Drain on a Wire Rack
For extra-crispy results, drain fried frozen nuggets on a wire rack over a baking sheet rather than paper towels. Airflow all around the nuggets helps evaporate excess grease.
10. Monitor Oil Quality and Discard When Needed
The moisture released when frying frozen foods can cause oil to degrade faster. Monitor the quality and discard oil if it becomes overly smoky, foamy, or dark.
Choosing the Right Oil for Frying Frozen Nuggets
The type of oil used for frying impacts the final texture and flavor. Consider these common frying oils when cooking frozen chicken nuggets:
| Oil | Characteristics |
|---|---|
| Peanut |
|
| Vegetable |
|
| Corn |
|
| Canola |
|
For best results, opt for refined peanut, vegetable, canola or corn oil with a high smoke point above 400°F. Avoid unrefined or virgin oils, butter, margarine, olive oil and other low smoke point fats when deep frying frozen foods.
Coating and Breading Tips
A light, crispy breading is key to great deep fried chicken nuggets. Follow these tips when coating frozen nuggets:
Use a Dry Batter
Wet batters don’t adhere as well to frozen foods. Opt for a dry breading made with flour, spices, and crunchy elements like panko, crackers or cornflakes.
Double Bread for Extra Crunch
Breading frozen nuggets twice creates an extra thick and crispy crust. Dredge in flour first, dip in egg wash, then coat with breadcrumbs. Let sit 5 minutes so the coating adheres before repeating the egg and breadcrumb layers again.
Press Coating On
Rather than dipping frozen nuggets in the egg wash and crumbs, press the wet and dry ingredients firmly onto the nuggets with your hands. Packing the coating on helps it cling and stay crispy.
Use Super Chilled Batter
Chilling batter ingredients like buttermilk, eggs, and milk creates a thicker coating. Dip fingers in ice water periodically while breading to keep nuggets as cold as possible.
Fry Immediately After Breading
For best adhesion, fry coated frozen nuggets right away before breading has time to loosen. Waiting too long causes the breading to slide off in the oil.
Serving Tips
Once you’ve fried up a batch of crispy frozen chicken nuggets, try these serving suggestions:
- Toss fried nuggets with your favorite wing or buffalo sauce for extra flavor.
- Serve with classic honey mustard, ranch, or barbecue dipping sauce.
- Pile nuggets on sandwiches, wraps, or salads.
- Mix nuggets into fried rice, pasta, or noodle bowls.
- Skewer bite-sized nuggets for fun appetizers.
- Top nuggets with cheese, bacon, chili or slaw.
Freezing Cooked Nuggets
Have leftover fried frozen nuggets? Simply freeze them to enjoy later. Here’s how:
- Let nuggets cool completely before freezing. Freeze within 2 hours.
- Spread in a single layer on a parchment lined baking sheet.
- Freeze until hard, about 1-2 hours.
- Transfer frozen nuggets to an airtight container or freezer bag.
- Press out all air and seal tightly.
- Freeze for up to 3 months.
- Reheat frozen fried nuggets in a 375°F oven until hot and crispy, about 10 minutes.
Common Questions
Why do my frozen nuggets soak up so much oil?
Frying at too low of a temperature causes excess oil absorption. Heat oil to 350-375°F and fry just a few nuggets at a time to maintain optimal heat. Thicker breadings also absorb more oil. A light, thin coating is best.
How can I tell if frozen nuggets are done inside?
Nuggets are fully cooked when the coating is golden brown and crispy and the thickest part of a nugget reaches 165°F internally. A meat thermometer is the most accurate way to check doneness.
Should I pat nuggets dry before frying?
Gently patting frozen nuggets with a paper towel removes excess ice crystals and moisture for less splattering when added to the oil. Don’t press too firmly or the breading may come off.
Can I fry more nuggets at once if my oil is hotter?
No, frying too many frozen nuggets at once will still drop the oil temperature excessively. For best results, fry in small batches, adjusting the amount to maintain the oil heat at 350-375°F.
What temperature should I reheat fried frozen nuggets?
Reheat leftover fried frozen nuggets in a 375°F oven until hot and crispy on the outside, about 7-10 minutes. Microwave just until hot, 20-30 seconds per batch.
Conclusion
With the right frying methods, breaded frozen chicken nuggets can become crispy and delicious. Allow the oil to fully preheat to 350-375°F, fry in small batches, increase cooking time, and let nuggets rest before serving. A light, crunchy coating, high smoke point oil, and proper drainage after frying are also keys for optimal texture and flavor. Follow these tips for impressively crispy deep fried chicken nuggets straight from the freezer.