Homemade Crunchy Pork Scratchings With Lard

Savor the irresistible charm of a crispy classic pub snack favorite with our Homemade Crunchy Pork Scratchings With Lard. Learn the difference between pork scratchings, pork rind, and pork crackling, and discover the secret behind their baked and cooked twice goodness crunch for even crunchier porky snack food.

As a kid, I have grown up with the best breakfast of lard spread on a farmer’s bread and slices of onions. And you’d be surprised, but pork scratchings were always our snacks, like pork puffs, the most popular of all of the pork recipes. At that time, nobody even had the slightest idea of a ketogenic diet and how great and famous it would become worldwide.

My mum used to bake pagace for snacks, similar to cheesy keto bread bites.

Keto Bread Recipes

At that time, we used ordinary bread because nobody knew you could make bread other than using regular flour. 

But now, no more. Our bread recipe variation is proof you can still enjoy it fully. 

The second best-ever recipe was to use scratchings in our famous pages, similar to the savory biscuit. And I have already made it to go with biscuits and gravy breakfast.

Pork lard spread and scratchings were and still are one of the must-have ingredients in Slovak cuisine. 

Difference Between Pork Scratchings and Pork Crackling

Pork scratchings and pork crackling, often called cracklings or chicharron, may seem similar, but what’s the difference lies in their preparation. Pork crackling is often cooked along with the meat, while pork scratchings are cooked on its own. Also, pork scratchings are made from the part of the pig skin of a pig’s hind leg or pig’s shank. This distinction creates varying textures and pork flavors, making them distinct yet equally enjoyable snacks.

Pork scratchings are also known as one of the popular British snacks served in pubs together with beer. 

Where To Buy Pork Fat?

If it is available in your region, buy pork fat in butcher shops or supermarkets. Always ask what type of pork fat it is, as you might not know or see a big difference. 

If this is not sold in the supermarkets, you can also try Asian shops. Pork fat is very popular to use in Asian cuisine, and therefore, almost every supermarket will have a supply. 

What Is Lard?

Lard is pure fat from pork that does not contain trans fat and therefore is one of the best dietary choices. 

Lard has for centuries been an essential ingredient in many cultures. 

Pure lard was used instead of butter during the world war because of its availability and price. 

Advantages of Lard

Compared to butter, lard has much less saturated fat and cholesterol and more unsaturated fat. 

It is a low-temperature fat, so it is not advisable to overheat it above 360 degrees Fahrenheit or 190 degrees Celsius.

Lard doesn’t oxidize when heated, which is another great benefit.

Homemade Lard and its Scratchings are, of course, the best choice as you can control from where you have purchased the lard, what type of lard you have used, and the way you made it to retain the most of the healthiness; this keto snack can offer. 

Pork Fat Made Into Lard as Well as Scratchings

And therefore, we are going to be making today the best-ever caramelized crispy pork lard scratchings with an unforgettable smoky flavor.

And as a by-product, you get the whitest pork lard spread for your morning breakfast. 

All done without any hassle, you will make this time after time. 

How To Make Pork Rind Lard?

Making perfect lard can be done in 2 ways.

• On a Stove Top, you fry and regularly mix the fat on high heat while removing already melted fat.
• In the oven, where you slowly roast scratchings into crisp little cracklins. It is much easier since there is no worry of lard burning on the bottom of the pot.

In our recipe, we are going to render the fat in the oven – the second choice.

All you have to do is melt, strain and enjoy. A popular snack made with a click of a finger.

How easy is that?

Is Pork Fat the Same as Pork Lard?

The definition of Pork Fat is pure raw fat you get directly from cutting the meat. 

On the other side, pork lard is the fat derived from rendering the pork fat.

How To Make Homemade Crunchy Pork Snack?

Those homemade crispy pork lard scratchings are a perfect snack that can be used in baking, cooking, or on its own. This lightly caramelized lard with a smoky flavor is a secret ingredient to our low-carb, gluten-free and grain-free lifestyle. 

All of the calculated nutrition is mentioned in the recipe card towards the end of this article.

Kitchen Equipment You Will Need:

• Glass Casserole dish
• Weck Jar or a Mason Jar
• Small Strainer

Ingredients Needed:

• Raw Pork Fat
• Salt

*Exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below.

STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO MAKE THE BEST PORK SCRATCHINGS

First step: Prepare Ingredients

Prepare your pork fat for this recipe. Ensure it is bought from an excellent source to get the cleanest and best pig fat you can get.

If you still have some pork skin of a pig attached, try to cut that out as much as possible. 

Second Step: Clean and Cut

First, make sure that all the pork fat is clean.

Wash the fat properly and dry it with a paper napkin. 

Using a sharp knife, cut the pork fat into strips and then approximately 2 cm or half an inch size squares. 

The size is essential as the fat will shrink while rendering, and you will end up with tiny crumbs.

Third Step: Casserole and Water

Once all the fat is cut into squares, place it inside a glass casserole and pour some water. 

The water is vital in the beginning. As the rendering process starts, your squares can get burned quickly.

You only need a small amount of water for the beginning. Do not worry. Afterward, this water will evaporate during the process. Place the casserole into the oven and let the rendering process start.

Fourth Step: Halfway–Strain

Approximately halfway, after about 20 minutes to an hour, you will see enough lard already melted. This is the best time to take the casserole out and strain all the fat into a glass jar through a strainer. 

You can make this process a few times if you wish. I have only done that once, and that was more than enough.

The more lard you take out, the harder and crunchier those porky cousins will get. 

Fifth Step: Pure Lard Spread

As you see in the picture, you will end up with a pure lard by-product. 

This lard is bright yellow while melted, but once it cools down, the color will turn into a beautiful pure white. 

Please do not throw it; this is another best ingredient to use either as a spread or during your cooking or baking savory dishes.

Sixth Step: Strain More Fat

Once all the scratchings are done, take the casserole out of the oven, strain the remaining melted lard and place the scratchings on a paper towel. This will ensure that any additional oil is taken away, and you will end up with a beautiful, crispy, flavorful snack.

Seventh step: Season

As scratchings do not have any flavor, you could spread them onto a tray and sprinkle them with salt or additional spices if you wish. 

You can enjoy it immediately or save it in a mason jar for the future.

TIPS AND TRICKS:

• Size – do not cut the fat into tiny pieces. Otherwise, you will get little bits. The fat shrinks while rendering, so approximately 2 centimeters or half an inch is the best. 
• Baking time – The baking time depends on the sizes you have cut the fat into, the size of the casserole, and the amount of fat used. 
• Seasoning – Salt is added towards the end. Add a teaspoon of smoked paprika, chili or other herbs. Grind the fennel seeds freshly in pestle and mortar for that additional flavor. 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

What Can I Use Pork Scratching For?

The caramelized smoky flavor of scratching is a special ingredient in some baked savory dishes, biscuits and pastries.

• Grind them into small crumbs and use them instead of bacon bits
• Pure pork lard is ideally spread on the bread with slices of onion – my kid’s memories of how we enjoyed it
• You can mix a bit of fat spread with tiny bits of scratching in it for an even better breakfast choice
• Use pure lard instead of oil in cooking or baking
• Add scratching to your savory biscuits for an additional flavor

How Do I Store Pork Scratchings To Keep the Crunch?

Storing your pork scratchings correctly is essential to maintain the delightful crunch of your pork scratchings. Once fully cooked and cooled, pop them in an airtight container or sealable bag. A small silica gel packet can help absorb moisture and preserve its crispness. Keep them in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, and enjoy their texture whenever you crave a flavorful snack.

To add to the healthiness, look at our ginger turmeric energy shot which is great to make from time to time to boost our Immune System.

More Healthy Snacks

Expand your healthy snack repertoire with a variety of delectable options. Indulge in the satisfying crunch of cheese chips, savor the wholesome goodness of broccoli chips, relish the nutty flavors of sesame crackers, and elevate your salads with homemade croutons. 

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