Try our pork rinds recipe for a great appetizer! Pork rinds are popular treats that are also known as chicharrones. You can create this Mexican style chip at home with this recipe! Enjoy these rinds with dips, cheese sauce, and guacamole!
How Bad Are Pork Rinds For You?
Pork rinds have a very high fat and cholesterol content. Also, pork rinds have a lot of saturated fat. Saturated fat, or stearic acid, raises your bad cholesterol, called low-density lipoprotein (LDL). On the flip side, pork rinds contain some monounsaturated fat which is good for your heart. They also have a good source of protein. Still, the amount in pork rinds is pretty low compared to other nutritionally equivalent snacks.
How To Make Pork Rinds
Learn how to make pork rinds with this homemade recipe! Luckily, you will not need a lot of ingredients to make pork rinds. First, the pork rinds are ground down and turned into what’s called “flour,” or “cornmeal,” and then heated to about 200 degrees Fahrenheit. They are mixed with seasonings, then deep-fried. Rinds aren’t particularly healthy, but they are convenient.
If you need some snack and crunch time in your life, pork rinds are a great choice. The size, shape, and crispy outer skin make pork rinds perfect for snacking on.
Health Benefits of Pork Rinds
Though pork rinds contain proteins, it’s still high in calories. One pork rind contains approximately 9 grams of protein, 3 grams of fiber, and very few calories. So, you can eat about a whole pork rind without feeling guilty. With that said, it’s best to limit your consumption to no more than one or two per day. Some people get really ill eating pork rinds, or others may have allergic reactions.
Are Pork Rinds Healthier Than Chips?
The health value of pork rinds has been in the news recently. A recent article in Washington Post says pork rinds can increase the amount of fat you consume. According to one study, they also have a high glycemic index, which can quickly raise blood sugar levels.
Chips on the other hand, have more types of flavors and can easily become unhealthier. For example there are tortilla chips, potato chips, baked chips, and flavored chips. Of course, there are more companies focusing on healthier alternatives this year, which is good sign of reversal.
However, a different study says they are not nearly as bad as they’ve been made out to be. Some experts say pork rinds can be part of a healthy diet, especially if you eat in moderation.
Are Pork Rinds Good For Weight Loss?
Though there’s no evidence that pork rinds have a beneficial effect on the weight you gain or lose, there is one theory that may show a connection. In a 2007 report published in the British Journal of Nutrition, two nutrition experts said that consuming excess salt may make you crave saltier foods like pork rinds. The duo also noted that certain amino acids in pork rinds might help boost metabolism.
Pork Rinds Recipe
Ingredients
- 3-4 lbs pork back fat and skin
- cooking oil or peanut oil
- sea salt optional spices (paprika, garlic powder and onion powder)
- pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 250F. Put a wire rack over a baking sheet or line the baking sheet with parchment paper to drain the excess fat while baking.
- With a sharp knife, cut the pork skin and fat into long strips, about 2 to 3 inches wide. Trim some of the fat. A thin layer of fat is okay, and adds to the flavor.
- Cut each strip into 2 inch squares or bite size. Arrange the pork rinds on the wire rack or parchment paper skin side up and fat side down.
- Bake for about 3 hours or until the skin is dried out.
- To cook the pork rinds in the pork fat, place the fat into a large saucepan over medium low heat. Cook it until it liquifies (around 2 hours).
- To cook in oil, heat it to a depth of ⅓ in the pan. Oil should be hot but not bubbling.
- When the baking time is up, add pork rinds and cook them until they bubble and puff up, about 3 to 5 minutes.
- Remove and drain on a paper towel-lined plate. Sprinkle immediately your choice of seasoning.
Nutrition
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