Did you know that over 284.37 million Americans consumed potato chips in 2020? (1)
That’s why we know that you’ll most likely answer potato chips if we ask about your favorite snacks!
Well, we can’t blame you! After all, the saltiness and crispiness of chips are truly addictive!
But wait, let us tell you something.
Did you know that potato chips are one of the highest carbs snacks out there?
What does this mean for you as a keto dieter?
Do you have to say bye-bye to this tasty treat?
Unfortunately, yes. The good news is, there are one high protein and low carb snack alternative that you can try—pork rinds!
How can pork rinds be healthier than potato chips?
How can it help your keto diet?
Most of all, which is the best pork rinds for keto?
You need to read this article to find out!
2021’s Review of the Best Pork Rinds for Keto
Best Pork Rinds for Keto Summary:
| Product Name
& Price |
Net Carbs, Fat & Protein per serving | Flavors |
|---|---|---|
| Field Trip Pork Rinds | Carb: 1 g
Fat: 7 g Protein: 5 g |
Parmesan Peppercorn, Sweet Chipotle, and Island BBQ |
| UTZ Pork Rinds Barrel | Carbs: 0 g
Fat: 6 g Protein: 8 g |
Original, Buffalo, Barbecue, Hot and Spicy |
| Pork King Pork Rinds | Carbs: 0 g
Fat: 5 g Protein: 8 g |
Onion and Sour Cream, Pink Salt and Vinegar, Nacho Cheese, and White Cheddar |
| Carbs: 0 g
Fat: 3 g Protein: 10 g |
Blackberry Habanero, Cilantro Lime, and Sea Salt | |
| Carbs: 0 g
Fat: 5 g Protein: 9 g |
Smokehouse Barbecue, Jalapeno cheddar, En Fuego, Sea Salt, and Classic Chili and salt | |
| Carbs: 1 g
Fat: 4.5 g Protein: 8 g |
Korean Kimchi, Sea Salt and Cracked Black Pepper, Spicy Dill, Pineapple Ancho Chile, Thai Style Curry, Pasilla Chili Cheese |
Since fried pork skin is considered to be a keto-friendly snack, it has become quite popular recently. Because of this, you’ll come across different pork rind brands in the market. Here are some of the best ones out there:
1. Field Trip Pork Rinds
Are you looking for a crispy and crunchy keto alternative for your favorite potato chips?
The Field Trip Crispy Cuts Pork Rinds may just be what you’re looking for!
Dubbed as crispy cuts, you can surely expect nothing but a crunchy and crispy texture – which is precisely how a pork rind should be!
Aside from its addictive texture, another amazing thing you’ll love about this product is it comes in three unique flavors—parmesan peppercorn, sweet island bbq, and sweet chipotle.
This may not be your usual flavors, but this will surely be a breath of fresh air to the common pork rind flavors that we’re used to.
Despite being a delicious good potato chip alternative, you’ll be surprised to know that this pork skin product contains nothing but high quality and natural ingredients. Not only that, it’s completely gluten-free, so it’s a perfect option for people with gluten allergies.
Pros:
- No artificial flavors
- Lower sodium and sugar content than other pork rind brands in the market
- The packaging is perfect on the go
- Made in the US
- Free of nitrates, nitrites, and other preservatives.
Cons:
- The packaging is not resealable
- Flavors will take some getting used to
- Has milk, so it isn’t recommended for people with lactose intolerance
How to use:
One serving of this pork rind will give you only 1 gram of carbohydrates and only 80 calories. With this, you’re assured that you can stay in ketosis even if you snack on this every day!
2. UTZ Pork Rinds Barrel
For those who love the classic taste of fried pork rinds keto, the UTZ Pork Rinds has the best classic pork rind taste that you can ever try.
That’s not all! This is also one of the most affordable pork rinds you can find on the market today! The UTZ pork rinds come in a barrel that contains up to 36 servings, so you’re sure that it lasts long.
The good news is the taste, quality, and texture of the pork rinds were maintained even if it’s affordable. The plastic barrel is fully sealed so that the pork rinds can maintain their freshness for a long time.
Pros:
- Affordable price
- Four flavors available
- Tightly sealed jar
- 0g net carbs
- It contains just the right amount of salt
Cons:
- The packaging is not portable
- Too greasy
How to use:
These pork rinds keto are made using only two simple ingredients—fried pig skins and salt. These are then fried to perfection, leaving them light, crunchy, and airy.
Its texture is an excellent option as toppings, crouton, breading alternatives, and potato chips substitute.
The fact that a reliable company manufactures this product. That has been in the business industry since 1921 is truly the cherry on top!
3. Pork King Good Pork Rinds
This Pork King Pork Rinds product is another proof that there’s a lot of things that you can do with fried pig crave-worthy company is here to take the flavors of pork rinds to a whole new level!
This comes in six unique flavors—salted butter, pizza, pink salt and vinegar, white cheddar, onion and cream, and nacho cheddar. These game-changing flavors will change the way you see pork rinds.
Pros:
- Available in 6-pack bundle
- Zero sugar and carbs
- Unique flavors
- On-the-go packaging
- Light and airy texture
Cons:
- Has milk ingredients
- It contains few artificial ingredients
How to use:
The Pork King Pork Rinds are one of the zero carbs pork rinds you can find in the market. The great news is it has a high-fat content, too—8 grams per serving!
4. Southern Recipe Oven Baked Pork Rinds
Southern Recipe is one of the leading manufacturers of pork rinds. They offer a wide range of pork rinds in different flavors and cooking styles, and you’ll find two types of pork rinds in this list. Let’s start with their oven-baked version of pork rinds.
We love this one because it’s oven-baked and not deep-fried, so it’s less greasy and has less saturated fats than other options. This only has 3 grams of fat!
Pros:
- Coated with 100% pure sunflower oil, so it has less saturated fat
- Available in delicious Southern-inspired flavors
- Baked instead of fried
- Gluten-free recipe
- Made in small batches
- Highest protein content
Cons:
- Subtle flavors
- A bit pricey
How to use:
To achieve that classic pork rind taste and deliver that crunch we all love. They coated the pork skins with sunflower oil, a healthier alternative for the usual animal fat used.
5. 4505 Meats Fried Pork Rinds
One of the main reasons we decided to include this in the list is the type of pork they used. They used the skin from the pigs’ back and the belly for better flavor with less guilt.
Not only that, the pork rinds keto are made with all-natural pigs that are humanely raised with no antibiotics and hormones used. The pigs are raised and farmed by ranchers who are dedicated to practicing good farming and sustainability.
Pros:
- It comes in a 5-serving pack that’s perfect for sharing
- Cooked in small batches to maintain good quality
- Seasoned with high-quality spices and ingredients
- USDA purple stamp certified
- Naturally gluten-free
Cons:
- Fried in pork fat
- Oily
How to use:
4505 Meats Fried Pork Rinds are known for having a light, airy, and crave-worthy melt in your mouth texture.
With its texture, it’s the perfect choice for snacking or as a breadcrumb or topping alternative.
6. Southern Recipe Sunflower Fried Pork Rinds
This is another product from Southern Recipe.
It features more delicious and unique flavors from the South that you can’t find in other pork rind brands.
It comes in 6 unique flavors, which are all perfect for adventurous people.
Pros:
- Contains no allergens
- Fried using sunflower oil
- Six delicious flavors
- Less fat
- Balanced taste
Cons:
- One gram net carbs
- Expensive
How to use:
Since it’s deep-fried, you can enjoy the crunchy taste fried pork skins are known for. The good news is that it’s fried in sunflower oil, which is considered healthier than animal fat!
That’s because it is lower in saturated oils, so most of the fats you’ll get are healthy fats.
Top 7 Factors to Consider When Choosing Pork Rinds for Keto
This crunchy snack is widely accepted and loved by many people, so you can indeed have plenty of options to choose from. Unfortunately, the vast array of pork rinds will make it difficult for you to choose the best crunchy snack for your needs.
To do that, here are some of the factors to consider to find the best pork rinds:
Protein and Fat Levels
While all fried pork skins are high in fats and protein, you should keep in mind that the macros of different pork rinds brands vary. Because of this, you must check out the protein and fat content of the product are balanced and well within your required intake.
Ingredients
Some people may view pork rinds as junk food because deep-fried pork rinds are generally made of natural ingredients—pork skins. However, some brands use artificial flavorings, colors, or preservatives. Avoid these at all costs.
Salt Additives and Minerals
To minimize the potential health hazard of pork rinds brought about by its high sodium content. You should shy away from pork rinds that contain excess minerals and salt additives. Choose ones that are flavored with rock salt.
Style
There are different styles of pork rinds. If you want keto snacks, you have two options—thick and crunchy and crispy and airy. The third option is pork rind breadcrumbs, which is an excellent choice if you plan to use it as toppings or breadcrumb and flour alternatives.
Farming Practices
If you’re health-conscious, you would surely want to consume pork rinds made from a pig’s skin. That is farmed using the least amount of hormones and antibiotics possible.
Flavors
Aside from texture, you need to pay attention to the taste as well. Fortunately, you can now find pork rinds that come in different flavors like jalapeno cheddar, kimchi, barbecue, and many more.
Cooking Process
If you want a healthier version of a pork rind, you need to check out the type of oil used during the cooking process. As much as possible, go for pork rinds fried using vegetable oil instead of their fat.
Packaging
If you plan on eating the pork rinds at home, you can go for ones packaged in a big tub as it’s more affordable. For on-the-go snacking, choose pork rinds packed in a resealable pouch.
FAQ!
Here are some of the other facts that you should know about this keto-friendly snack:
What are the benefits of Eating pork rinds On keto?
Aside from having zero carbs, pork skins are recommended for people on low carb diet because it offers the following benefits:
Good source of protein
Protein plays a significant role in helping people on a low carb diet maintain the right muscle mass. So it can help prevent muscle wastage even if you lose fats.
Additionally, getting enough amount of protein will help you feel full faster and longer. (2) As a result, you’ll consume less food. The feeling of fullness can also curb unwanted cravings, so you won’t be tempted to consume foods restricted on the ketogenic diet. With this, it will be easier for you to stick to your keto diet.
Packed with fats
Keto diet is a high-fat diet. Your diet should be made up of 70 to 80% fats when you’re in keto. (3) These are high in fats as 100 g pork rinds contain about 31g of fats.
Most of these fats are oleic acid, which is the same fats found in olive oil.
Are pork rinds healthy?
The fact that pork rinds are fried and have high sodium content is why most people shy away from it.
Just like anything else, too much consumption of rinds pork can be unhealthy for you. The key is to consume these keto snacks in moderation.
Additionally, you should understand the nutrition labeling regulations. That allows manufacturers to label their products as zero carbs when their net carbs are less than 0.5 grams of carbs per serving.
With this in mind, you should check the product’s ingredients list. If maltodextrin is on the list (often the case with flavored pork rinds), it’s safe to assume that the pork rinds contain 0.5 grams of carbs per serving or less.
If you consume too much of it, this seemingly small amount will accumulate. Before you know it, it will cause you to go beyond your carbohydrate restriction.
How much pork rinds can I eat on keto?
To avoid all these unwanted effects, it’s a must that you monitor your consumption. However, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer on how much pork rinds you should eat. This will all depend on your target macros and the nutrition facts stated in the product’s label.
What to eat with pork rinds on keto?
The best way to consume pork rinds is to use it as a breadcrumb alternative for onion rings and meatballs, crunchy topping on your meal, and flour substitute for bread.
Final Words
While the texture and taste are essential for choosing the best pork rinds, you should understand other more important things that you should consider.
Since these can significantly affect your keto diet and health, it’s a must that you consider the quality of pork used. You should make sure that it’s free of hormones, antibiotics, or other chemicals that may be harmful to you.
With that said, our vote for the best pork rinds is no other than the 4505 Meats Pork Rinds, as the pork they use is farmed sustainably and healthily.
Besides looking for low carb and keto-friendly snacks, you should also look for the best keto supplements. You can find what these are in our buying guide.
