Pork rinds are really useful when starting keto. So, here’s a list of the best pork rinds for the keto diet for a keto-friendly snack.
Whether you’re looking for a delicious snack or a bread crumb substitute, pork rinds can come in handy when you’re eating a ketogenic diet or low carb diet.
You can use them in place of potato chips, as a crunchy snack, bread crumbs, and even tortilla chips (if you’re making nachos). They might not be a perfect substitute, but they’re pretty handy.
However, there are some brands that aren’t that great and some that are pretty great. It’s hard to mess up plain pork skins, but the flavored ones I’ve had are either good or horrible.
If you’re just using them as chips or breading then stick with the plain pork rinds though. This will allow you to create your own flavors rather than relying on possibly a hit or miss on the flavored pork rinds.
What Are Pork Rinds?
Pork rinds are actually the skin of a pig that is fried in its own far rather than in vegetable oils.
This by-product of butchering a hog has been used as a great snack for centuries.
Generally, pig skin is fried in hot grease, and it puffs up into what we know as a pork rind.
Pork Rinds vs Crackling
Some folks confuse crackling and pork rinds, but there is a difference. And, that difference is whether there is fat on the skin prior to frying.
If there is fat on the skin it will turn into crackling and be a harder more dense end product. No fat allows the skin to puff up into the curly, puffy snack we know and love.
Best Pork Rinds For Keto
Generally speaking, pork rinds have zero carbs in them. There will only ever be carbs if spices are added and the spice mixture has something that has carbs.
Plain pork rinds will have no other ingredients listed on the label. They’re safe from artificial sweeteners, natural flavors, artificial flavors, artificial ingredients or other things you might want to avoid on the ingredient list.
They’re a healthy high protein snack that’s perfect for someone that’s on a keto diet or eating a low-carb diet. With roughly 7 grams of protein per serving and 0 grams of carbs, you can’t go wrong.
Most of these products can be found at your local grocery stores or even gas stations if you’re constantly taking road trips.
1. Utz Pork Rinds
Utz is one of my favorite brands for pork rinds. They come in a couple of flavors and are typically pretty good. Another perk is you can find them in a big barrel (talk about hitting the pork rinds for keto jackpot).
They’re fried in their own fat, but if you’re getting a flavored bag just be aware that some do contain sugar.
Their flavors: Plain, BBQ Seasoning, Hot & Spicy, Buffalo
The amount of sugar is “negligible” according to the ingredient label, but if you’re aiming to eliminate all sugar you might want to opt for the bag of plain pork rinds.
2. Epic Artisanal Pork Rinds
The Epic brand is by and far my favorite brand. Their products are generally really great and decently priced for the products they create.
However, they are priced pretty high compared to Utz pork rinds. This is because they use pastured pork that’s fed a Non-GMO, Organic diet and they’re antibiotic-free as well.
This high standard is generally sought out by people who start keto and are more health-minded than weightloss-minded.
They also make pork cracklings that I’ve heard are pretty great!
Flavors they make: Chili Lime, Pink Himilayan + Sea Salt, Sea Salt + Black Pepper, BBQ Seasoning
Find Epic Artisanal Pork Rinds Here
3. 4505 Meats Store
One thing I like about4505 Meats Store is that they get their skin from humanely raised pigs.
That’s about as close to home raised as you’re going to get.
The bad thing about their products is they’re really expensive and some contain coconut palm sugar. This might not bother you, but other folks say they can taste really sweet compared to most brands.
For instance, their Classic Chili & Salt bag has “1/8th teaspoon sugar per bag”, but in the question section of Amazon, reviewers state that it tastes really sweet.
Other flavors: Sea Salt, En Fuego, Jalapeno Cheddar, BBQ
Depending on which bag you buy, they can either come with sugar or without. If you’re keto or low carb, I would advise you to stick with the plain sea salt bag.
4. Mac’s Pork Skins
This brand is pretty much like Utz, but without the barrel. They’re not my favorite, but other folks tend to like them a lot.
Their Red Hot is popular, but it gives me indigestion pretty bad.
Flavors they make: Original, BBQ, Salt & Pepper, Red Hot
5. Pork King Good Pork
I’ve never actually tried these, but they come highly rated and recommended by friends. I’m pretty much an Utz girl by choice. I’ll get around to trying them one day.
Flavors they make: White Cheddar, Onion & Sour Cream, Nacho Cheddar, Salted Butter, Himalayan Pink Salt & Vinegar, Pepperoni Pizza, Dill Pickle, Smoky Jalapeno & Cheese, Ranch, and Stupid Hot flavors
My Top Pork Rind Choice
My top choice is Utz Pork Rinds. They’re fairly inexpensive and really tasty as far as keto snacks go.
Other brands can be really expensive and that is a turn-off for me since we eat a fair amount of pork rinds.
If you’re big on the pork skin being from a pig that’s been fed Non-GMO and Organic feed then you might want to try another brand like the Epic brand.
Or, you can always try to go to a butcher and see if they could give you some skin off of a processed hog for you to try and make your own pork rinds!