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Looking for a crunchy, carb-free alternative to breadcrumbs? Try making pork rind crumbs, ideal for keto, paleo, and carnivore recipes.
What are pork rind crumbs?
Pork rind crumbs are a great low-carb, keto-friendly alternative to breadcrumbs for dishes like fried chicken, chicken nuggets, and meatballs. They can also be sprinkled over other foods for a crunchy texture without carbs. Being free of grains and gluten, and being low in carbs, they’re perfect for keto, paleo, or carnivore diets. Plus, they’re super easy to make at home!
Why make them?
Traditional breadcrumbs are made from bread. (Not surprising. 😉 )
Besides being high in carbs, most bread contains plant toxins found in grains (like oxalates, lectins, etc.). Pork rinds are carb-free, making them an excellent choice for low-carb recipes. They are high in protein and fat, making them a high-nutrient alternative to breadcrumbs.
Pork rind crumbs create a crispy coating, making them ideal for frying or air-frying. They also add crunch when sprinkled over other foods.
Ingredients
This simple recipe only uses one simple ingredient: pork rinds. You can use any type of pork rinds, but I find that the puffier ones work best for panko-like crumbs. They make light, crispy crumbs that work well in a variety of recipes.
The more compact pork rinds make a denser coating with a texture more like sand. You can use them, in a pinch, as a coating for fried foods, but they aren’t as crispy when sprinkled over other foods.
For a cleaner version, use plain pork rinds, but feel free to experiment with flavored pork rinds if you like.
How to make them:
The easiest and most efficient way to make pork rind crumbs is in a food processor. Add the pork rinds to your food processor and pulse until they resemble breadcrumbs. It’s super quick and easy!
Blenders aren’t as efficient as food processors because of their shape, making it hard for the pork rinds to get to the blades at the bottom. If you want to use a blender, I suggest only grinding up a few pork rinds at a time.
If you don’t have a food processor, try using a Rolling Pin. Put the pork rinds in a resealable bag and crush them with a rolling pin until finely crushed.
Storage
Store your pork rind crumbs in an airtight container, free of humidity. To help extend the shelf life and keep them crispy, use moisture-absorbing packets in the container. For even longer-term storage, you can use a vacuum sealer.
If stored properly, they should keep well for a couple of weeks.
Expert tips
- Make them finer for binding: If you’re using pork rind crumbs in recipes like meatballs or meatloaf, you might want them to be extra fine so they bind the ingredients better. You can run them through the food processor for a few extra seconds.
- Season to taste: While plain pork rinds work great, you can add your own seasonings to the crumbs to match the flavors of your dish. Garlic powder, paprika, or Italian herbs are popular choices.
- Use flavored pork rinds carefully: Some pre-seasoned pork rinds may contain sugar or other additives, so if you’re strict with your diet, check the ingredients before choosing a flavored variety.
Ways to use them
- Breaded Chicken or Fish: Use pork rind crumbs in place of breadcrumbs to coat chicken pieces, chicken nuggets, or fish fillets before baking or frying.
- Meatloaf and Meatballs: Add pork rind crumbs to ground meat mixtures to help bind the ingredients together while keeping them moist and flavorful. (You can also roll the meatballs with more crumbs before baking or frying them.)
- Topping: Sprinkle pork rind crumbs over casseroles or other dishes before baking to give them a crunchy, satisfying topping.
FAQs
Yes, of course! If you don’t have a food processor, place the pork rinds in a resealable bag and crush them with a rolling pin until fine.
I have weighed my crumbs and found that 1 cup of pork rind crumbs weighs roughly 50 grams. Each of the bags I buy has 75 grams of pork rinds. I generally grind 2 bags at a time (150g) and end up with roughly 3 cups. (The volume will vary depending on the pork rinds used and how finely you grind them.) 
Pork rind crumbs are essentially carb-free! Pork rinds are made from the skin of pigs, and they contain 0 grams of carbohydrates. That said, always check the label if you’re using flavored pork rinds, as some may contain added sugars or seasonings that could introduce a small amount of carbs.
Yes! Make sure to use “clean” pork rinds fried in lard and not seed oils, and choose unflavored pork rinds. Unflavored pork rinds fried in lard are made entirely from animal products (pork), with no plant-based additives.
Yes, pork rind crumbs are naturally gluten-free and can be used in place of breadcrumbs in gluten-free recipes. They work well in gluten-free, paleo, keto, and carnivore diets.
Video
Pork rind crumbs
Ingredients
- 150 grams pork rinds plain or flavored
Instructions
- Place the pork rinds in a food processor or blender.
- Pulse until the pork rinds are ground into a fine, breadcrumb-like texture.
- Store the pork rind crumbs in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks, or in the fridge for extended freshness.
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