A new product at Sam’s Club has gone viral recently because members who’ve tried it are saying it’s a dupe of a famous fast-food favorite — but way, way cheaper.
The Country Pride Tempura Nuggets are being compared to McDonald’s Chicken McNuggets, and it’s a development that both kids and adults are excited about. The frozen nuggets started popping up on social media this year, and have inspired many TikTokers and Redditors to try them.
At $12.86 for a five-pound box, it’s certainly cheaper than hitting up the McDonald’s drive-thru every time someone needs a nuggie fix, where a 10-piece will cost you around $5. But will they satisfy the pickiest eaters in the family? Here’s what people are saying, including the best way to cook them for the most McDonald’s-like experience.
‘100% McNuggets Without All the Grease’
Overall, people are pretty impressed with the Sam’s Club frozen tempura chicken nuggets. “I bought some of these last week,” said one Redditor in a thread about the nuggets. “They were a hit in my house! And the price is great too!”
“I’m [on] my 2nd box of these!” said another member in the thread. “These sell out at both Sams Clubs I go to.”
Many people chimed in that they appreciate the fact that the frozen McNuggets copycat are a little better for you than actual fast food, especially since you can air fry them. “Yeah we made some in the bakery the other day,” said one Redditor who seems to be a Sam’s Club employee. “100% McNuggets without all the grease.”
“These are good,” said another fan. “15 in air fryer and boom: McNuggets.”
If there was one prevailing negative opinion about the frozen nuggets, though, it was that they’re bland, at least compared to McDonald’s. “They’re only good with sauce,” explained one Redditor. “Alone they’re super bland. Texturally, a little dryer than nuggs. My 3 year old likes them and I don’t mind stealing a few.”
“I like the breading on them but the meat is super bland in my opinion,” agreed another commenter.
Air Fry vs. Deep Fry
Since so many people have tried the viral McNuggets dupe already, there’s plenty of advice for anyone who wants to try them — or trick their kids into thinking they’re the real deal.
Unfortunately, if you want the best result, you’re going to have to deep fry these nuggets, something that many people don’t want to do because of the hassle, mess, and smell. It’ll give you the best results, according to a number of TikTokers who’ve tried the nuggets cooked in multiple ways.
But if you do air fry them, most people say to cook them longer than the package directions for best results. “At 12 minutes, they are NOT like McDonalds,” explained one Redditor who tried them. “They’re still good, but they wouldn’t fool my kids (which is what I was hoping for!). They edited their post to add that they tried cooking them for 15 minutes, and they were “definitely closer to McD’s. My oldest (10yo) who regularly eats mcd’s nuggets was impressed. So that’s saying something.”
Of course, the other tip is to get your favorite dipping sauces straight from McDonald’s. “The trick is to get extra sauce from Mickey Ds… your kids know the plastic sauce tubs are from there,” said one Reddtior. “You can pass off the nuggets SO MUCH EASIER when you pop them on a paper plate with McDonald’s unopened sauce beside them.”
If you’re anything like us, then you’ve already got a junk drawer in your kitchen full of extra barbecue and sweet and sour sauce cups. Sounds like we finally have a good use for them.
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