Cracklins, sometimes spelled as "cracklings," are a Southern staple often served alongside barbecue or on their own as a snack. They are a crispy, deep-fried pork rind that is highly addictive. The process of making cracklins is simple, but it does require some time and patience. If you are a fan of pork belly and looking for a new way to enjoy it, then deep-fried cracklins are worth a try. You can make them at home with just a few ingredients and a little bit of effort.
Here are our top 3 tried and tested recipes!
PORK BELLY CRACKLINGS
Provided by Kim Severson
Categories appetizer
Time 1h
Yield 6 to 8 snack servings
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Using a utility knife, razor blade or sharp knife, score skin into 1 1/2-inch squares, then use score marks as guides to cut through meat and fat underneath, resulting in 1 1/2-inch cubes.
- Pour oil into a pot deep enough that top of oil is at least 6 inches from rim; place over medium-high heat. When oil reaches 225 degrees on a deep-fat frying thermometer, add pork cubes and immediately stir gently to prevent clumping. Cook pork until it is lightly golden brown, about 20 minutes. Remove to a plate lined with paper towels and allow to cool for at least 20 minutes. Meanwhile, combine spices in a small bowl.
- Reheat oil to 400 or 425 degrees and add pork again. Cook for another 3 to 5 minutes or until skin "cracks" or bubbles up. Remove cubes to a plate lined with fresh paper towels. After a minute put cracklings in a bowl, toss with spice mix and kosher salt, and serve.
BEST STOP CRACKLIN
Provided by Food Network
Time 2h25m
Yield about 7 pounds
Number Of Ingredients 3
Steps:
- Fill a cast-iron pot halfway with oil and heat over medium heat until the oil reaches 350 degrees F.
- Add the pork belly to the oil and cook, stirring constantly, until golden brown and the skins begin to float, crack and pop, about 1 hour. Drain on a sheet tray lined with paper towel and allow to cool for 30 minutes.
- Again, heat the oil to 350 degrees F and fry a second time, stirring occasionally, until the cracklings are crisp and golden, 10 to 12 minutes. Drain on a sheet tray lined with paper towel. Sprinkle liberally with Cajun seasoning.
- Allow to cool slightly and serve.
CRACKLINS (DEEP-FRIED PORK BELLY)
Pork belly fried until crisp. Season with salt or Cajun seasoning immediately after frying so it will stick.
Provided by Lori L Dixon
Categories Appetizers and Snacks Meat and Poultry Pork
Time 11m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 2
Steps:
- Heat about 4 inches of oil in a deep-fryer or large saucepan to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- Fry pork belly squares in batches until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Drain on paper towels.
- Heat about 4 inches of oil in another large saucepan to 425 degrees F (218 degrees C).
- Fry pork belly squares in batches a second time until skin "pops," 30 seconds to 1 minute. Drain on fresh paper towels.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 488.2 calories, Cholesterol 40.8 mg, Fat 52.1 g, Protein 5.3 g, SaturatedFat 13.8 g, Sodium 18.1 mg
Tips:
- Choose the right pork belly: Look for pork belly with a good amount of fat and meat. The fat will render out during cooking, leaving you with crispy cracklins and tender meat.
- Score the pork belly: Scoring the pork belly helps the fat render out and the seasonings penetrate the meat.
- Season the pork belly: You can use a variety of seasonings for cracklins, such as salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. Be generous with the seasonings, as they will help to flavor the meat and cracklins.
- Cook the pork belly: Cracklins can be cooked in a variety of ways, including frying, baking, and roasting. The most popular method is frying, which results in crispy cracklins and tender meat.
- Drain the pork belly: After cooking, drain the pork belly on paper towels to remove any excess grease.
- Serve the cracklins: Cracklins can be served as an appetizer, snack, or main course. They can be enjoyed on their own or with a variety of dipping sauces, such as barbecue sauce, ranch dressing, or honey mustard.
Conclusion:
Cracklins are a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. Whether you are looking for an appetizer, snack, or main course, cracklins are sure to please. With a little planning and effort, you can easily make delicious cracklins at home. So next time you are looking for a tasty and satisfying treat, give cracklins a try.
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