Crispy Pork Skin Chips – Tyrolean Snack with Tradition

Crunchy, hearty, and full of flavor – Pork Cracklings are a traditional snack that has been appreciated in Tyrol and South Tyrol for centuries. In the past, it was taken for granted to utilize every part of the animal – and so the pig skin was transformed into a popular snack in many farm kitchens. Today, “Pork Cracklings” are experiencing a true comeback in modern cuisine: as a rustic snack with beer, as a refined side dish for an aperitif, or as a crunchy topping on salads and soups.

Those who love Tyrolean recipes will enjoy these chips – crispy, aromatic, and uniquely authentic.

Ingredients (for about 50 servings)

• 1 kg pig skin

• coarse sea salt

• to taste: caraway, paprika powder, chili, or dried mountain herbs

Preparation

Step 1: Remove all remaining hairs from the pig skin with a burner.
Step 2: Cut the skin into evenly sized rectangles.
Step 3: Simmer in boiling water for 20–30 minutes until the pieces are soft.
Step 4: While still hot, stack them on top of each other, press down well, and let cool.
Step 5: Trim the edges cleanly and freeze the pieces.
Step 6: Thinly slice the frozen pieces and let them dry completely (overnight or in a dehydrator).
Step 7: Fry in hot oil until they puff up and become crispy.
Step 8: Sprinkle with salt and spices and serve with herb mayonnaise and fresh sprouts if desired.

Pro Tips

• Extra crispy: Before frying, dry the pieces briefly in the oven at 60 °C.

• For gourmets: Refine the chips with truffle salt, smoked paprika, or a mountain herb mix.

• Food pairing: Pairs perfectly with a glass of South Tyrolean Vernatsch or a Tyrolean craft beer.

Product Knowledge

• Pig skin: Particularly rich in collagen, which turns into gelatin when cooked. This gives the chips their elastic structure and makes them wonderfully airy when fried.

• Sustainability: This recipe is a prime example of traditional utilization – it shows how in Tyrol, nothing from the animal is wasted.

Nutritional Values (per 20 g serving, approx.)

• Calories: 120 kcal

• Protein: 9 g

• Fat: 9 g

• Carbohydrates: 0 g
  👉 Low Carb, gluten-free & Keto-friendly