Recipes

Chicken Fried Bear Nuggets

A Crispy Crusted Crunchy Snack

By Timothy Fowler

If you like happy hours, you’ll love the last hour of New Year’s Eve if these are included on the menu. These crunchy bites are perfect for happy hour on their own or would make a great addition to a collection of celebration-worthy appetizers. Tender, bite-sized pieces of bear loin, double dredged in the same seasoning you would fry chicken, then deep fried until golden brown, make for a tender yet crunchy party snack. Bear loin is best because it is the most tender cut of meat, but a lean leg steak cut in the same way would work for this recipe also. 

 

This is also a great intro to bear for hesitant guests, they don’t have to commit to a whole plate, just a single crunchy bite. But be warned, they taste like more. 

  

Equipment 

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  • Small dutch oven or other vessel for deep frying 

  • Whisk 

  • Tongs 

  • Chef’s knife 

  • Cutting board 

  • Selection of bowls 

  • Stove and oven 

  • Spider strainer 

  • Baking pan and rack to fit 

  • Silicone paper 

 

Ingredients for Bear Bites and Breading 

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  • 1-2 lbs bear loin, cut cross grain into bite-sized pieces 

  • 1 Tbsp coarse black pepper 

  • 1 Tbsp salt 

  • 1 Tbsp sweet paprika 

  • 1 Tbsp smoked hot paprika (or cayenne) 

  • 1 tsp dry mustard 

  • 1 tsp garlic powder 

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour 

  • 2 eggs 

  • 6 cups canola oil, or other suitable neutral flavored oil for frying 

 

Spicy Dip 

 

  • 3/4 cup high quality mayonnaise (Kewpie or Hellmans)  

  • 1 tsp lemon zest 

  • 1 Tbsp lemon juice 

  • 1 tsp italian calabrese peppers (or other hot sauce) 

  • 1 tsp finely grated garlic 

  • 1 lemon cut into wedges 

  • Parsley for garnish (optional) 

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Method 

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  1. Preheat the oven to 250?.  

  1. Place a rack over a silicone-covered baking sheet. 

  1. Cut the loin in half lengthwise, then slice cross grain into 1/4” thick bite-sized chunks. 

  1. Measure the dry spices and use the whisk to mix well with the flour. 

  1. Divide this mixture into two bowls. 

  1. Beat the eggs in a third bowl. 

  1. Pour oil into a dutch oven and heat to 375?. 

  1. Toss the bear meat in the first flour bowl, making sure every bit of the meat is covered in flour. 

  1. Shake off the excess flour and toss in the egg mixture until well-covered. 

  1. Drain some of the eggs off the meat and put into the second flour bowl, then toss until dry. 

  1. Spread the dredged meat over a silicone-lined baking sheet and let it rest for ten minutes to absorb any moisture. 

  1. Deep fry a few bites at a time until golden brown and crispy. 

  1. Remove fried bites to the rack over the silicone-lined baking sheet. 

  1. When all the bites are fried, place the pan in the oven for 30 minutes at 250?; this will ensure the safe terminal temperature is reached and the bites are extra crispy and hot while you prepare the dip. 

  1. Mix the dip, slice the lemons, pour the drinks, and get ready to dive into the crispy bear bites. 

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