Cracklin Bread is a simple dish to make and full of flavor, making it perfect for any occasion. Whether you're having a family dinner or looking for an easy side dish, it’s sure to please every food-lover.

Give our keto-friendly approach to this comforting classic recipe a try today!

What is Cracklin Bread?

Cracklin Bread is a delicious, savory recipe from the American South. It has been around since the early 1900s and is still popular today. The bread gets its name from the crunchy topping of fried pork rinds, pork skin or pork cracklings that are mixed in with cornmeal (used mainly for corn bread), butter, and other ingredients to create a hearty, tasty loaf. You can also find recipes with pork belly online if that's what you prefer.

Cracklin Bread can be eaten as a side dish, snack, or even dessert. Although it is a very traditional dish, it can be made with various ingredients to suit individual tastes.

For example, our version of this great recipe eschews corn meal for protein-rich almond flour. Corn flour is used for the traditional cornbread or cracklin cornbread.

Will the Cracklins Be Tough or Too Hard?

The key to good Cracklin Bread is finding the right balance between crunchy and chewy. If the cracklins are too tough, they will detract from the experience of enjoying the soft, warm bread. Plus, it can be difficult to bite into them without breaking your teeth!

The ideal texture of the cracklins should be relatively crunchy, but with some give when you bite into them. This will provide a texture contrast with the doughy bread that makes Cracklin Bread so enjoyable. Additionally, the desired crunchiness can be achieved by frying them briefly in hot oil until they are golden brown and crispy.

Tips for Making Cracklin Bread

Before you get started whipping up your very own Cracklin Bread, here are some tips for making the dish:

• Choose fresh pork cracklins or pork rinds with a good flavor and texture. Look for ones that are crisp and crunchy, not greasy or soggy.
• Before slicing, let the bread cool for at least 10 minutes.
• Enjoy the Cracklin Bread with butter, pepper jelly, or gravy.
• Store any leftovers in an airtight container. They will last in the refrigerator for up to five days. Reheat in a hot oven before serving again.

These tips will help you make Cracklin Bread that is crispy, crunchy, and delicious. Serve it with your favorite toppings for a classic Southern dish that will become a family favorite. Enjoy!

Keto Cracklin Bread Recipe

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup of your favorite Pork Rinds or Cracklins, crushed
• 3 cups almond flour (self rising is also ok)
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 8 eggs
• 8 tbsp unsalted melted butter
• 1 tbsp butter to grease the hot skillet
• 1 cup sharp cheddar, shredded
• 4 strips bacon, fully cooked and chopped
• 2 jalapeños, deseeded and finely chopped
• 1 cup yellow or red bell pepper, finely chopped
• 1 green onion, chopped for garnish

UTENSILS

• A small, medium and/or large bowl
• Cast iron skillet (a pan works, too)
• Spatula
• Whisk

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. While the toppings warm, slice and chop the vegetables.
3. In a large mixing bowl, combine dry ingredients: pork rinds, almond flour, and baking soda or powder.
4. In a small or medium bowl, pour and combine the wet ingredients: add melted butter first, then add eggs, and stir.
5. Place butter and egg mixture to the dry ingredients and mix well to combine into a batter.
6. Place an 8-inch cast iron skillet on the stove on medium high heat. Add 1 tablespoon of butter to the skillet. Bacon grease or bacon fat is also an option here.
7. Fold in the cheese, bacon, jalapeño, and bell peppers to the batter. Once the skillet is hot, pour the batter, distribute it evenly and smooth out the top with a spatula. Place pork rinds and sliced jalapeños on top of the batter.
8. Bake for 20-25 minutes in the preheated oven or until the top is golden brown.
9. Let the baked bread cool for 10 minutes (or allow it thaw for about an hour to serve warm, your choice).
10. Top with chopped green onion and bacon. Enjoy!

PREP TIME

20 minutes

SERVINGS

8 servings