Air-Fried Pork Rinds: A Healthy, Crunchy Treat

Air fryers have become a popular kitchen appliance, saving time and effort in the cooking process. They can be used to make a variety of dishes, including pork rinds or pork scratchings. Pork rinds are typically made from pork skin or pork belly, which has had most of the fat removed. The pork skin is cut into strips, seasoned, and then placed in the air fryer. The air fryer's ability to cook without oil makes it a healthier alternative to deep frying, and the results are crispy, crunchy, and puffy.

Cooking Pork Rinds in an Air Fryer

Air fryer temperature and time

The cooking temperature and time for pork rinds in an air fryer depend on the brand and model of the appliance. For example, a Philips XXL Air Fryer (2200 watts) cooks pork rinds in 20 minutes, while a 1600-watt air fryer may need 30–40 minutes.

Generally, you should cook pork rinds at a high temperature of around 400°F (200°C or 230°C) for 7–10 minutes. However, it is important to keep an eye on the pork rinds as they cook, as the exact cooking time will vary depending on the air fryer model.

Before cooking, the pork rinds must be cut to size and dried. You can place the rinds uncovered in the refrigerator overnight to dry them out. Dehydrating the rinds will remove oily moisture, ensuring the skin puffs up during cooking.

When cooking, make sure to only load one layer of rinds at a time, as overloading the basket will result in undercooked rinds. Spacing the rinds out also helps to achieve even cooking and the desired crispy texture.

Preparing the pork skin

Once you have your pork skin, you need to clean and prepare it. Use a sharp knife to trim off any excess fat, as this will help with the frying process and create a cleaner flavour. You can leave a thin layer of fat on the skin for taste, if desired. Then, cut the pork skin into bite-sized or similarly-sized pieces. The size and shape of the pieces are up to you, but they should be small enough to fit into your air fryer basket.

The next step is to boil the pork skin. Cover the skin in water and bring it to a boil. You can add salt to the water to help season the pork, if you wish. The boiling time can vary from 30 minutes to 2-3 hours, depending on the thickness of the skin and your desired texture. After boiling, remove any remaining fat or meat from the skin by scraping it off while the skin is still hot.

Finally, dry the pork skin. You can do this by placing the pieces on a baking sheet and drying them in the oven at a low temperature (around 90-140°C) for several hours, or until completely dry. Alternatively, you can use a dehydrator or an air fryer with a dehydration setting. This step is crucial, as it helps to ensure that the pork rinds will be crispy when fried.

Cutting the pork skin

To make pork rinds, you will need to start with at least 1 lb of fresh pork skin. Place the skin on a cutting board, with the fat side facing up. Using a very sharp knife, trim the excess fat, leaving about 1/4 inch attached to the skin. This layer of fat will add flavour and help the skin puff up during cooking. Be careful not to cut through the skin itself.

Next, you can prepare the skin for cooking. Using a sharp knife, score the fat in a diamond pattern. This will allow heat to penetrate the skin evenly and help render the fat. Then, cut the prepared skin into manageable pieces, about 1 to 2 inches square. Smaller pieces tend to crisp more consistently than larger ones, and this size ensures even cooking and creates bite-sized pieces.

You can also cut the pork rind into strips, about half an inch wide, and then turn the strips around and cut them into one-inch pieces. The size doesn't really matter, so if you want larger pieces, cut them longer. You should end up with a pile of evenly sized pieces of pork rind.

Adding oil and salt

When cooking pork rinds in an air fryer, you can add oil and salt to the pork rind before cooking. Firstly, cut the pork rind into strips or chunks, then place them into a bowl. You can then add a small amount of oil to the bowl. The type of oil used should be a neutral-flavoured vegetable oil, such as sunflower or canola oil. Olive oil is not recommended as it has a low smoke point and may burn. Mix the oil into the pork rinds with your hands, ensuring that all pieces are evenly coated.

Next, add salt to the bowl and mix again with your hands so that the salt is evenly distributed. You can also add other seasonings to the bowl at this point, such as thyme, paprika, pepper, or garlic salt. Mix the pork rinds well so that all pieces are coated in the seasonings.

Once the pork rinds are coated in oil, salt, and any other desired seasonings, they are ready to be placed into the air fryer. Depending on the model of air fryer, you may need to preheat it to the desired temperature before adding the pork rinds. Cook the pork rinds for around 10 minutes at 200°C / 400°F, shaking the basket halfway through the cooking time.

After cooking, you can also add additional salt or seasonings to taste. For example, you can sprinkle the cooked pork rinds with salt or your favourite spices while they are still warm. This will give them an extra flavour boost.

Crisping and serving

To make crispy and crunchy pork rinds in an air fryer, you can follow these steps:

Firstly, ensure your pork skin is clean. If not, wash it and dry it with a paper towel. You can also place the pork skin in boiling water for an hour, and then gently remove and lay it out flat to dry for a couple of minutes. Next, use a very sharp knife to cut the pork skin into strips or blocks. The size doesn't matter, but aim for evenly sized pieces. You can also ask your butcher for a machine-cut portion, which will be cleaner and easier to work with.

Once you have your pork skin prepared, place it in a bowl and add a small amount of oil and salt. You can also add other seasonings like paprika or garlic salt. Mix it with your hands to ensure all the pieces are evenly coated.

Now you are ready to cook the pork rinds. Preheat your air fryer to the desired temperature, usually between 200-230°C, and place the pork skin in the basket. You may need to shake the basket halfway through the cooking time, depending on your air fryer model.

The cooking time will vary depending on the thickness of the pork skin and your air fryer model, but it usually takes around 15-20 minutes. You should hear a sound like popcorn popping, which is the fat exploding and forming little bubbles on the skin. Once the time is up, check the pork rinds. If they are not crispy enough, continue cooking in 5-minute intervals until they are dry and crunchy.

Once your pork rinds are cooked to your liking, remove them from the air fryer and place them on paper towels to absorb any excess oil. Enjoy them as a snack, or use them as a topping or substitute for breadcrumbs.

Frequently asked questions