Tons of recipes, especially any that require frying, need some form of breading. Opting for coconut flour or almond meal is the easiest solution.
These options are great, but sometimes you need something a little different. There is another alternative that is just as good and creates a wonderfully crispy texture.
Enter pork rinds, those nifty, crunchy bits of pork skin you pass every time you visit the grocery store.
Pork rind is the culinary term for the skin of a pig, which is normally fried or roasted in pork fat as a snack. The frying renders much of the fat that is attached to the uncooked rind, causing the size of the cooked product to be reduced considerably.
You can find them made fresh, often at fairs or by the roadside, or even in microwavable bags to “pop” the pork rinds yourself.
To do this, you will need a food processor. If you don’t have one, they are easily found on Amazon at your local Walmart. Pork rind breading is not only more delicious than some of the alternatives, but it is also very cheap to make. At least in our area, a bag of pork rinds goes for around $1.50, and most of the time you can buy one get one free.
If you ever get the chance to buy a bag of fresh rinds from a roadside vendor or at a fair or large event, make sure you do! They are amazing!
How to Make Pork Rind Breadcrumbs
Materials
- 1 bag regular pork rinds
Tools
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 300°F
- Spread a bag of pork rinds evenly over a baking sheet
- Bake in the oven for 10 minutes to help reduce the small amount of residual water content in the rinds
- Remove and add to your food processor
- Pulse to break the rinds down into smaller pieces, then run processor continuously to powder them
- Once the pork rinds have turned into powder, add a pinch of salt and pulse a few times to incorporate
- Remove from the food processor and use as breading immediately
Notes
- Generally, one bag of pork rinds will reduce to 1 cup (or a little more) of breadcrumbs
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Lidagal
Thursday 11th of November 2021
I hope you lovers of fried pork rinds don't take offense, but I process Mac's in a food processor and sprinkle them on my picky eater red heeler, he loves them, and they are much more economical than buying canned dog food. Just thought this might be something that some dog lovers never thought of. I would think the biggest fan of this would be the adorable and fearless Mexican Chihuahua! Just Kidding!!
Frank
Monday 4th of January 2021
What is the cheapest blender that will get the job done?
Lidagal
Thursday 11th of November 2021
@Frank, A blender is a pain, a 10 cup or larger Food Processor is much better. The bigger bowl size is the reason, they just funnel down in a Blender and are harder to get out of the Jar. From experience. Lidagal
Logan Childress
Tuesday 5th of January 2021
Frank,
Something like this would get the job done. https://amzn.to/3s0iYZt
Donna
Tuesday 25th of August 2020
Can you freeze eggplant ,Coated with pork rind?
Logan Childress
Wednesday 2nd of September 2020
Donna,
I probably would advise against it. The consistency and moisture content when it thaws will probably not be appetizing.
Michael Gibson
Thursday 16th of April 2020
Why is it not a good idea to food process a bunch of pork rinds and store them in a container in a pantry?
Sharon
Friday 9th of September 2022
@BeverlyAnn, thanks for telling us about your experience with storing pork rinds. It was very helpful
BeverlyAnn
Tuesday 29th of December 2020
@Michael Gibson, I food process (many times) a bunch of pork rinds and store them in an airtight ziplock bag. I take a gallon freezerbag and suck the air out of the bag so no air gets to the pork rinds. I use them as a "fry" batter semi often but have noticed they last for months in the pantry with no noticeable degradation.
Logan Childress
Thursday 16th of April 2020
Michael,
You probably could. I just always try and air on the side of caution. I would guess after a while they would go bad due to the fat content in them. They'd probably become rancid after a while.
Shannon
Thursday 20th of February 2020
Can you freeze the ground pork rinds?
Carol
Sunday 1st of November 2020
@Shannon, After I crush them in the food processor, I freeze them then just remove as much as needed. I use for breading meats and also for the Pork Rind Keto Bread which is great for sandwiches and even pizza crust.
Logan Childress
Thursday 20th of February 2020
Shannon,
I have never tried it, but just in some thinking, I don't think they would freeze well. The more than likely would absorb moisture both in the freezer and as they thaw, making them soggy and not good.