How To Make Crackling

Making crackling is a simple process, but there are a few key steps to ensure that you get the perfect crispy, crunchy results.

Ingredients: Pork rind with a layer of fat, scored (about 500g); Olive oil, for brushing; Sea salt

Equipment: Baking rack, Shallow baking tray

1. Preheat your oven to 240°C (460°F).
2. Place the pork rind, scored side up, on a baking rack set over a shallow baking tray. This will allow the fat to render away and the skin to crisp up.
3. Brush the skin generously with olive oil.
4. Sprinkle the skin generously with sea salt.
5. Roast for 30 minutes, or until the skin is golden brown and bubbling.
6. Reduce the oven temperature to 180°C (350°F) and roast for an additional 20-30 minutes, or until the skin is completely crisp and crackling.
7. Remove the crackling from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before breaking it into pieces.

How to make pork crackling from skin

Making pork crackling from pork skin is a straightforward process that yields a crispy, delectable treat. Here’s a step-by-step guide to achieving perfect pork crackling:

1. Choose the Right Pork Skin: Start with a piece of pork belly skin with a generous layer of fat. The fat will render out during cooking and help create the desired crispy texture.
2. Score the Skin: Using a sharp knife, make shallow cuts through the skin, about ¼-inch deep and spaced ¼-inch apart. This scoring allows the fat to escape and the skin to puff up during roasting.
3. Dry the Skin: Pat the pork skin dry with paper towels to remove any excess moisture. This step ensures that the skin crisps up evenly and doesn’t steam during roasting.
4. Season the Skin: Generously sprinkle the pork skin with sea salt, ensuring that the salt gets into the scored lines. Salt not only enhances the flavor but also draws out moisture, contributing to the crackling’s crispiness.
5. Roast the Skin: Preheat the oven to 240°C (450°F). Place the pork skin, scored side up, on a wire rack set over a baking sheet. This allows the fat to drip away, promoting even cooking and crisping.
6. Roast for 30 minutes: Place the baking sheet with the pork skin in the preheated oven and roast for 30 minutes. This initial high heat helps render out the initial fat and start the crisping process.
7. Reduce Heat and Continue Roasting: After the initial 30 minutes, reduce the oven temperature to 180°C (350°F). Continue roasting for another 20-30 minutes, or until the skin is golden brown, bubbly, and completely crisp.
8. Rest and Break into Pieces: Once the crackling is cooked to perfection, remove it from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes. This allows the fat to redistribute and the crackling to maintain its crispness. Break the crackling into pieces and enjoy!

How to make pork crackling in a frying pan

Making pork crackling in a frying pan is a quick and easy way to achieve that satisfying crunch without the need for an oven. Here’s a simple guide to frying pork crackling:

1. Heat the oil in the frying pan over medium-high heat. You should have enough oil to cover the pork rind halfway up.

2. Carefully place the pork rind, scored side down, into the hot oil. As the rind is added, it may splatter, so be cautious and wear a splatter guard if available.

3. Cover the frying pan with a lid and reduce the heat to low. This helps to steam the skin and release moisture from the underside, promoting even cooking and preventing burning.

4. Cook for about 10 minutes, or until the skin is mostly cooked through and the fat has rendered out.

5. Remove the lid and turn the heat back up to medium-high.

6. Flip the pork rind, scored side up, and cook for an additional 5-7 minutes, or until the skin is golden brown, bubbling, and completely crisp.

7. Remove the pork crackling from the oil using tongs and transfer it to a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil.

8. Generously sprinkle the crackling with sea salt.

9. Break the crackling into pieces and enjoy!

How to make pork crackling in air fryer

Making pork crackling in an air fryer is a convenient and mess-free method that yields crispy, delicious results. Here’s a step-by-step guide to achieving perfect pork crackling using an air fryer:

1. Preheat the air fryer to 200°C (400°F).
2. Pat the pork skin dry with paper towels to remove any excess moisture. This ensures that the skin crisps up evenly and doesn’t steam during air frying.
3. Generously sprinkle the pork skin with sea salt, ensuring that the salt gets into the scored lines. Salt not only enhances the flavor but also draws out moisture, contributing to the crackling’s crispiness.
4. Place the pork skin, scored side up, in the air fryer basket. Ensure the pieces are not overlapping to allow for even air circulation.
5. Air fry for 15-20 minutes, or until the skin is golden brown, bubbly, and completely crisp. Check the crackling halfway through and flip the pieces if necessary to ensure even cooking.
6. Remove the pork crackling from the air fryer and let it rest for 5 minutes. This allows the fat to redistribute and the crackling to maintain its crispness. Break the crackling into pieces and enjoy!