11 Best Pork Rinds Of 2024
Pork rinds are making a major comeback as a delicious and crunchy snack option. They have all the flavor and crunchiness of a potato chip, but where they really shine is in their texture.
Pork rinds are made from pigskin that puffs up when it’s baked or fried, giving them their airy texture.
In addition to making a tasty snack, pork rinds are also a versatile kitchen ingredient.
A super-easy way to get started with pork rinds is to grind them up and use them in place of breadcrumbs in recipes, which is great for people with gluten allergies.
You can also load them up like your favorite chip or use them as the crunchy crouton element in your summer salads.
Try cutting them up and serving them over sauteed greens this summer, pop them inside a grilled cheese for a surprise crunch, or use them as a vehicle for a tasty dip.
So, what are the best pork rinds? The best pork rinds are made with pasture-raised pork that contains as few added colors, preservatives, and flavors as possible. You also want them to come in a plastic container to keep them from getting crushed.
Read on to discover how to choose the best pork rinds and the 11 best brands to choose from!
How To Choose The Best Pork Rinds
There are a few key things to look for when choosing your favorite pork rinds. Below are some traits to keep in mind while shopping!
Pasture-Raised Pork
Animals that are raised in their natural environments are better for the planet and can often have a slightly different flavor and nutrient profile.
Purchasing pork rinds made from pasture-raised animals is a simple way to support the health of the planet, one delicious bite at a time.
If environmental issues are important to you, then looking for pasture-raised animals can be a high priority on how you choose your best pork rinds.
On this list I have included both conventionally-raised and pasture-raised pigs so that you can choose the one that best suits your needs.
Stored In A Plastic Container
Because of their puffed-up and airy nature, pork rinds are incredibly delicate. One of the ways to protect the integrity of your pork rind so that you’re not left with a bag of crumbs is to look for brands that come in solid plastic containers.
These containers are much less likely to get crushed and you can see inside to make sure that your pork rinds are still intact when you buy them.
They also reseal very easily, which means that you will be able to keep your pork rinds fresh if you don’t finish the whole container in one sitting.
If you can’t find a brand that you like that comes in a plastic container, then a foil lined bag that is generally used for chips will be an ok alternative. Just make sure you purchase a chip clip to keep them as fresh as possible after opening.
Few Added Preservatives
Some of the best pork rinds are going to be super basic and contain fried pork skins and sea salt for flavor. There are lots of brands that offer other flavors, which can be a great way to change things up.
What you want to avoid are too many added preservatives.
These preservatives are added to help the pork rinds stay fresher, for longer. However, they can sometimes change the flavor so you’re not getting that pure pork taste that is such an enjoyable part of eating pork rinds.
No Added Colors Or MSG
There’s no real need to dye a pork rind, so adding food dye to the product is not at all necessary. When we enjoy our snack foods, we want to look for brands that are as flavorful and natural as possible to preserve that porky goodness.
MSG is another ingredient you may want to avoid, since some people may experience allergic reactions such as hives, tingling, or itchiness.
Again, most pork products don’t need the added flavor, so it’s a pretty easy one to skip without decreasing your enjoyment.
Product Reviews
Alright, this is the moment we’ve all been waiting for!
Below are our 11 best picks for pork rinds right now. If you’re looking for some of these tasty snacks, read on to find the perfect one for you!
Rank | Product | Best Feature |
---|---|---|
1. | Epic Artisanal Oven Baked Pork Rinds | Best overall pork rinds |
2. | Ole' Uncle Porkers Pork Rinds | Keto-friendly |
3. | 4505 Meats Chicharrones Fried Pork Rinds | Made from humanely-raised, all-natural pork |
4. | PORQ Artisan Fried Pork Rinds | No preservatives |
5. | Utz Pork Rinds Original | Made from natural ingredients |
6. | Sonoma Creamery Cracked Black Pepper Pork Rinds | Black pepper flavor |
7. | Field Trip Parmesan Peppercorn Pork Rinds | Parmesan flavor |
8. | Southern Recipe Salt And Pepper Pork Rinds | Both baked and fried options |
9. | Baken-Ets Pork Skins | Small bags perfect for convenience |
10. | Pork King Pork Rinds | Salted butter flavor |
11. | Slim Jim Hog Wild BBQ | Affordable option |
1. Epic Artisanal Oven Baked Pork Rinds
These pork rinds take our top spot because they are made with pasture-raised pork and use all-natural ingredients.
The Himalayan sea salt flavor only contains pork rinds and salt.
This means you are going to be able to enjoy the pure pork flavor in every bite.
While they don’t come in a plastic container, the flavor, texture, and ingredient list puts them firmly at the top of the list.
Since they are sold in foil-lined bags, make sure you have a chip clip on hand to keep them fresh (if you can resist eating the whole bag).
As a bonus, they also sell baked and fried varieties, so you can choose your preference.
If you are looking for some other flavors to try, they sell a variety pack that contains Himalayan sea salt, maple bacon, BBQ, chili lime, and salt and pepper. You can check the current price of the variety pack on Amazon.
If you want the individual flavors you can check out the prices below.
Maple Bacon: Check Current Price on Amazon
Chili Lime: Check Current Price on Amazon
BBQ: Check Current Price on Amazon
Sea Salt and Pepper: Check Current Price on Amazon
2. Ole’ Uncle Porkers Pork Rinds
These Ole’ Uncle Porkers pork rinds could tie for the top spot since they are made from locally-sourced pork.
Plus, they contain only 3 ingredients: pork skin, Himayalan pink salt, and coconut oil.
Unlike other brands of pork rinds, they are fried in coconut oil which could be a benefit or something to avoid, depending on how you feel about coconut oil.
I find it gives them a lighter pork flavor than other brands, which could be nice if that’s what you’re looking for.
They also come in a sealable plastic container, which means they will still fresh after you open them and they will be less likely to get crushed during shipping or storage.
If you’re looking for some more creative flavors they have several great ones to choose from.
Dill Pickle: Check Current Price on Amazon
Mango Habanero: Check Current Price on Amazon
Jalapeno Chili: Check Current Price on Amazon
Spicy Sriracha: Check Current Price on Amazon
Loaded Baked Potato: Check Current Price on Amazon
Buffalo: Check Current Price on Amazon
Spicy Barbecue: Check Current Price on Amazon
Salt and Pepper: Check Current Price on Amazon
Churro (these ones are a great sweet and salty option): Check Current Price on Amazon
3. 4505 Meats Chicharrones Fried Pork Rinds
These pork rinds from 4505 Meats are going to be back with that strong pork flavor since they are fried in rendered pork fat.
You’ll definitely get a one-two punch of pork skin and fat!
They are flavored with sea salt and have no other ingredients.
They don’t come in the plastic storage container, so this is another brand that needs a chip clip to preserve freshness.
They don’t contain any added colors or preservatives and are made from humanely-raised, all-natural pork with no added hormones or antibiotics.
If you want to try something a little more flavorful, they have some great options.
Classic Chili: Check Current Price on Amazon
Jalapeno Cheddar: Check Current Price on Amazon
BBQ Seasoned: Check Current Price on Amazon
En Fuego: Check Current Price on Amazon
4. PORQ Artisan Fried Pork Rinds
PÖRQ Artison Pork Rinds are made without preservatives and packed with flavor.
They come in a variety pack with BBQ & Zesty Chipotle, Smokey Black Pepper & Sea Salt, and Herb & Vinegar.
They don’t come in a plastic container, so make sure you have a way to keep them fresh if you don’t finish the bag. You could always store them in your own container once opened.
They don’t say anywhere whether they are made with pasture-raised pork, so it is safe to assume they use conventional meat in their products.
If you want to try them as breadcrumbs, they sell a great Panka breadcrumb pork rind product.
5. Utz Pork Rinds Original
Another great brand that only uses natural ingredients and no preservatives, Utz takes a respectable place on our list.
These pork rinds come in a plastic tub for ultimate freshness and protection.
They aren’t made from pasture-raised pork, which is something you may want to consider before purchasing. Aside from that, they are a great option.
If you want to be a little more adventurous you can try one of these great flavors:
Barbecue: Check Current Price On Amazon
Hot And Spicy: Check Current Price On Amazon
Buffalo: Check Current Price On Amazon
6. Sonoma Creamery Cracked Black Pepper Pork Rinds
The Sonoma Creamery Pork Rinds combine two of the world’s most delicious foods: cheese and pork skin.
They use cheese from their creameries to create a delicious combination that will leave you craving more. These pork rinds aren’t made with pasture-raised pork.
This brand doesn’t come in a plastic tub, so make sure you have a storage option available for any leftovers.
The pork rinds don’t have any added preservatives, colors, or unnatural flavors so you can enjoy the pure cheesy pork goodness in every bite.
Try these other great flavors:
Cheddar Cheese: Check Current Price on Amazon
Chipotle: Check Current Price on Amazon
Variety Pack: Check Current Price on Amazon
7. Field Trip Parmesan Peppercorn Pork Rinds
Field Trip Pork Rinds settle somewhere in the middle of our list because they aren’t made with pasture-raised pork and they don’t come in a plastic container.
However, they are still made with natural, flavorful ingredients.
These pork rinds don’t have any preservatives or MSG, but are still packed with flavor and texture.
Try these other delicious flavors:
Island BBQ: Check Current Price on Amazon
Sweet Chipotle: Check Current Price on Amazon
8. Southern Recipe Salt And Pepper Pork Rinds
This brand is another delicious choice because they offer both baked and fried pork rind options, so you can pick your favorite.
They don’t have too many added ingredients, though some people who react to MSG may react to the yeast extract or natural flavors included in the product.
They don’t come in the plastic tub, so make sure you have a chip clip to keep them fresh if you don’t eat the whole bag in one go.
They don’t say whether they are from pasture-raised pork, so if that is important to you then this is likely not the brand for you to choose.
If you’re looking for a more of a cracklin’ style, they have a Honey Chipotle flavor that has a bit more fat than a regular cracklin.
Here are some more delicious flavors to try:
Koren Kimchi: Check Current Price on Amazon
Spicy Dill Pickle: Check Current Price on Amazon
Pineapple Ancho Chile:Check Current Price on Amazon
Pasilia Chili Cheese: Check Current Price on Amazon
9. Baken-Ets Pork Skins
Baken-Ets Original flavored pork skins make our list because they contain only fried pork skins and salt.
They come in smaller bags, which makes them perfect to bring with you when you’re on the go or to add to school lunch boxes.
Some of the flavored styles do contain preservatives and dyes, so if that is something you want to avoid this may not be the best option for you.
They also aren’t made from pasture-pork, so again just something to consider before you make your decision.
Here are some other flavors to try:
Hot And Spicy: Check Current Price On Amazon
Bacon Flavor: Check Current Price On Amazon
Honey Mustard: Check Current Price On Amazon
10. Pork King Good Pork Rinds
Pork King Good Pork Rinds is a woman-owned company that cooks their product in pork fat.
They don’t contain tons of added flavors or preservatives and they come in a variety of delicious flavors.
If pasture-raised pork is important to you, then this may not be your brand.
Again, they come in a bag as opposed to a plastic container, so you will want to find a way to keep them fresh if you don’t finish your bag in one sitting.
Try these other flavors:
Dill Pickle: Check Current Price on Amazon
Pizza: Check Current Price on Amazon
White Cheddar: Check Current Price on Amazon
Nacho Cheddar: Check Current Price on Amazon
Onion & Sour Cream: Check Current Price on Amazon
Pink Salt And Vinegar: Check Current Price on Amazon
Stupid Hot: Check Current Price on Amazon
11. Slim Jim Hog Wild BBQ
These pork rinds take bottom place on our list because they contain MSG, preservatives, added colors, and flavors.
They also don’t come in a plastic container for protection. They still make the list because they provide an affordable option for those looking to try something new.
They also have a Squealin’ Hot flavor for those who are looking to add a little more spice to their lives.
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