Pork Rind Snacks

What are microwave pork rinds?

97% of pork is grown and cared for on family farms. Folks think modern farms are less humane compared to small farms, niche farms or pasture raised pigs. Actually, the opposite is true and care is taken in their food, water, environment and stress level. Microwave pork rinds are pork skins that have been cooked to remove 70% of the fa in the product. The cooking process results in a shelf stable product that has a shelf life of 12 plus months. The remaining 30% of the fat is sufficient to allow them to be cooked or puffed in a microwave, air fryer or in the oven. The resulting microwave pork rind is a healthier (less saturated fat) alternative to the puffed bagged pork rinds. Our pork rinds have 65% Less Fat, 33% Less Sodium, 32 mg Less Cholesterol and 40 Less Calories per serving than traditional deep fried pork rinds.

Do microwave pork rinds cost more than bagged fried pork rinds?

Not when you compare the common denominator of the actual food product. In bagged fried pork rinds you are just buying more fat. Both microwave pork rinds and bagged fried pork rinds are both made from the same pork product. In order to puff the pork rinds bagged pork rinds are fried in fat. As with any food fried in fat, the pork rind absorbs fat as part of the cooking process. For example if over time you purchased 10 lbs of microwave pork rinds and 10 lbs of fried bagged pork rinds, you would have really only purchased 8.2 lbs of the original product used to make bagged fried pork rinds. The remaining 1.8 lbs is the fat you purchased absorbed in the cooking process. From an economic view if you purchase a sealed bag of fried pork rinds as it come off the manufacturing line, the shelf life is about 3 to 4 months. Once the bag is opened the product deteriorates quickly and within a few days they have lost their crunch factor. Microwave pork rinds have a 12 month shelf life even if the bag is opened and you only cook as much as you plan to eat. So you are always eating fresh cooked pork rinds.

I want to buy a healthy snack for my family, what advice do you offer.

Read the label and do your own research. Look at the ingredients and avoid products that include MSG and other additives. Many diabetic and weight control diets suggest you reduce carbohydrates, plain microwave pork rinds have 0 carbs. The purpose of a snack is to forestall hunger between meals and an important consideration is the fullness factor. The fullness factor of microwave pork rinds is higher than many other snack food products. In addition all pork is free from added hormones and free of antibiotics.

How to Cook Pork Rinds

Microwave:

Our suggested serving size is 1 ounce (about a quarter of a cup of pellets). Spread the pork rind pellets onto an ordinary paper plate. Consider your first batch to be a test batch, because microwave ovens cook at different rates. Start with a time of 90 seconds at full power. If some of the pellets don't puff up all the way, or if a few burn, adjust the time up or down by ten or fifteen seconds. (My 1000 watt microwave works best at 99 seconds). Allow them to cool about 30 seconds, since this is where they get their crunch. If you pop up more than you can eat, keep them in a zip lock bag for later.

How to Air Fry Pork Rinds:

Pour some pork rinds in the basket of your air fryer. Set the time at 5 minutes and the temperature at 400 to 450 °F. Allow them to cool before eating. You can cook more in your air fryer than in your microwave but be careful since they really puff up.

Bake Pork Rinds:

You can bake in your oven or toaster oven. Spread the pork rinds on a baking sheet. Cook for 5 minutes at 400 to 450 °F. Allow them to cool before eating. This is a good way to cook a larger batch for a party.