Pork snacks are deep-fried, savory pork skins that are popular snack food among followers of keto and low carb diets. They have zero carbohydrates and are high in fat and protein, making them a healthy alternative to potato chips or other processed snack foods. However, because pork rinds are high in sodium (which can increase blood pressure), saturated fat and cholesterol and can raise levels of LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, they should be eaten in moderation.

There are three main types of fried pork skin: pork rinds, cracklings and fatbacks. The difference between the three is how much fat is used to prepare them. Pork rinds are made from the skin of a pig without any fat added, while cracklings and fatbacks are prepared with meat attached to the skin.

Pork Snacks: Delicious and Satisfying Crunch for Any Occasion

To prepare pork rinds, remove the skin from the pig belly using kitchen shears or a sharp knife and then cut into bite-sized pieces. Next, preheat the oven to 400°F. Place the pieces of pork skin on a parchment-lined rimmed baking sheet, with the skin-side up and the fat-side down. Spray the pork skin with olive oil and sprinkle with kosher salt. Bake the pork rinds for 30 minutes, flipping them halfway through the cooking time.

If desired, add a few tablespoons of paprika, ground black pepper or other preferred seasonings to the pork skin before roasting. When finished, allow the pork rinds to cool and enjoy as a snack.