The panko coating in this Keto Pork Rind Recipe is low-carb, gluten-free, crunchy, and sweet. It’s also Whole30, paleo, keto-friendly, grain-free, dairy-free, and sugar-free.
If you want to eat keto, you don’t have to give up great breading! If you grind up pork rinds, they make a crumb that works just like panko or breadcrumbs (varies on how long you grind them). This makes a zero-carb, completely gluten-free, Whole30 and Paleo approved breadcrumb option for any recipe!.
For this, you only need ONE ingredient: Pork rinds. You also only need ONE tool: a food processor or blender. Check out Everything You Need to Know about Pork Rind Panko for more ways to use these panko breadcrumbs.
Crispy, golden fried foods are hard to resist! But most traditional breading mixes are loaded with carbs from flour and breadcrumbs. Thankfully, there’s a brilliant low-carb alternative – pork rinds!
Ground pork rinds create light, crunchy coatings for frying chicken, fish, vegetables and more. This article covers everything you need to know about using pork rinds for breading.
Why Use Pork Rinds for Breading
Here are some key benefits of using pork rinds instead of regular flour and breadcrumb coatings:
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Zero net carbs – Pork rinds are entirely keto and paleo friendly A 1-ounce serving has 0g net carbs
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High protein – Contribute around 16g protein per ounce, which is quite substantial.
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Crunchy texture – They mimic the crispiness of breadcrumbs beautifully when ground into crumbs.
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Add flavor – Pork rinds have a pleasant savory, salty taste which seeps into the food
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Low mess – Don’t drop as many loose crumbs as regular breading.
So if you’re on a low-carb or gluten-free diet, pork rinds are your new best friend for fried foods with that satisfying crunch.
How to Make Pork Rind Breading
Making homemade pork rind breading is incredibly easy. Here’s what you’ll need:
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Pork rinds – Buy plain salted ones. Barbecue flavored will affect the taste.
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Food processor – This makes fast work of grinding them into fine crumbs.
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Spices and herbs – Customize the coating with your chosen seasonings.
Follow these simple steps:
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Add pork rinds to a food processor. Pulse into a coarse meal.
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Continue processing until you get fine crumbs, similar to panko or breadcrumbs.
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Transfer the ground pork rinds to a shallow bowl and mix in any spices, herbs or cheeses.
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You can use the coating as is or add beaten eggs for a true batter-like coating.
And that’s it! For a basic all-purpose coating, I like adding garlic powder, paprika and parmesan cheese. Customize it to match whatever you are frying up.
Pro Tip: Put the crumbs in a brown paper bag and roll your food pieces in it for an even coating.
Best Recipes to Use Pork Rind Breading
Now let’s talk about the many delicious ways to use this ingenious low-carb pork rind breading:
1. Fried Chicken
You can make keto-friendly chicken nuggets, strips, wings, tenders and more. The crisp, textured coating pairs wonderfully with juicy chicken.
Instructions: Dip chicken pieces in beaten egg, then dredge in pork rind crumbs. Deep fry or pan fry until golden brown.
2. Fish and Seafood
For keto fish sticks, shrimp and calamari fry etc., a pork rind coating adds scrumptious crunch without the carbs.
Instructions: Coat fish fillets, shrimp or rings of squid in pork rind batter. Fry in oil until cooked through and crispy.
3. Fried Vegetables
Veggies like zucchini, cauliflower, okra, mushrooms and green tomatoes can be turned into crispy fritters with pork rind coating.
Instructions: Dip veggie slices or pieces in egg wash, then seasoned pork rind crumbs. Pan fry in oil until browned and tender.
4. Meat Cutlets
Bread pork chops, steak cutlets, lamb patties etc. with pork rinds for a protein packed keto meal. The coating adds a delightful crunch.
Instructions: Season meat pieces with salt and pepper. Dredge in pork rind batter. Fry in oil or bake until cooked through.
5. Snackable Treats
You can give mozzarella sticks, jalapeno poppers, avocado fries etc. a low carb makeover with a light pork rind breading.
Instructions: Stuff peppers with cheese, coat avocado wedges in crumbs. Deep fry until the coating is crispy and insides are melted/heated through.
Cooking Methods for Pork Rind Coated Foods
Pork rind breaded items can be cooked in whichever method you prefer:
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Deep frying – Gives the crispiest coating but requires a lot of oil.
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Pan/skillet frying – Use just 1-2 inches oil. Ideal for small batches.
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Air frying – The most convenient and healthy oil-free option. Spritz with oil for crispness.
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Baking – Arrange breaded items on a greased baking sheet. Bake at 400°F until crisp.
No matter which cooking method you choose, keep the heat high enough to make that pork rind coating really crispy and golden.
Pro Tip: Let cooked foods drain on a wire rack or paper towels to remove excess grease.
Handy Tips for Success
Follow these tips to get ideal results with your pork rind breading every time:
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Use very fine crumbs so the coating sticks properly.
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Season the crumbs well with spices, herbs and parmesan.
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Beat eggs thoroughly to evenly coat the food before breading.
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Work in small batches so food doesn’t get soggy from wet batter.
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Let breaded items sit 5-10 minutes before frying so coating firms up.
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Fry at 350-375°F oil temperature for optimal crispness.
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Don’t crowd the pan/fryer so food fries evenly on all sides.
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Drain fried items properly on rack or paper towels.
With practice, you will be nail beautiful crisp pork rind batter coats. Have fun with recipes and spice combinations.
Storing Leftover Pork Rind Breading
Have some pork rind coating left over after your cooking projects? Here are some storage tips:
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Store in an airtight container at room temperature up to 5 days.
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For longer shelf life, refrigerate up to 2 weeks.
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You can also freeze unused batter for 1-2 months. Thaw before using.
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If coating loses crispness, sprinkle water and recrisp in oven.
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Freshen up old crumbs by buzzing briefly in food processor.
Be sure to seal the container properly. Humidity makes pork rind crumbs lose their crunch rapidly.
Where to Buy Pork Rinds for Breading
While you can easily make your own pork rind crumbs at home, store-bought batter mixes are a convenient shortcut.
Look for low-carb specialty brands like Pork King Good and CarbQuik that make seasoned pork rind breading mixes. You can also buy plain pork rinds and process them yourself.
Health food stores, Walmart, Kroger, Costco and Amazon are good places to buy pork rinds. Shop online for the best deals on bulk cases.
Get Creative with Pork Rind Breading!
Now that you are armed with all the knowledge about how to use pork rinds for breading, get creative!
Experiment with crunchy coatings on meats, seafood, veggies and more. Season the crumbs to complement different foods.
Frying with pork rinds allows you to enjoy crispy breaded foods while sticking to a low-carb or keto diet. So turn out some amazingly delicious and gluten-free fried treats.
How do you store pork rind panko?
Put this recipe in a glass or plastic jar with a lid that won’t let air in and leave it on the counter to store.
What do pork rinds taste like?
Pork rinds, to me, just taste salty. The plain version doesn’t taste very good, which makes it perfect for using instead of breadcrumbs. It gets nice and crispy in the air fryer, the oven, or a pan on the stove. It can be used to coat almost anything you can think of.
You can purchase flavored pork rinds or an unflavored version. You can add spices to the food processor to create your own blend. A panko with an Italian flavor would make mozzarella sticks taste great, and chicken tenders would taste great with ranch seasoning that doesn’t have salt in it.
Just be careful when adding ingredients to your pork rind panko. Because pork rinds are already very salty, you should use herb mixes that don’t have salt in them.
Chicken Tenders With Pork Rind Breading. (Chicharrones)
FAQ
Can you use pork rinds instead of breadcrumbs?
How to crush pork rinds?
Is pork panko the same as pork rinds?
How unhealthy are fried pork rinds?
How much does pork rind breading cost?
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.
Why is pork not recommended to eat?
This is not true, some cuts like sirloin and pork rump steak, for example, are very healthy, even healthier than beef and chicken. Only the fattest cuts like bacon and crackling should be avoided.
What is pork rind?
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.
How do you make pork rinds taste better?
This way, you will get finely and uniformly crushed breadcrumbs. Alternatively, you can fill the pork rinds in a plastic bag and thoroughly smash them with a rolling pin to achieve that perfect texture. You can increase or decrease the seasoning quantity in the mix to get the desired flavor profile.