Generally speaking, you’ll find that the frying temperature of pork rind recipes will vary somewhere between 325 to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Subsequently, you’ll want to pick cooking oils with a smoke point higher than that range of temperatures, preferably ones with a more neutral taste that doesn’t impart any distinctive flavor notes when frying the pork rinds. Some of the best candidates include safflower oil, refined peanut oil, and refined sunflower oil, which all have high smoke points ranging from 450 degrees Fahrenheit and above, as well as mild flavors that won’t overpower the pork rinds. Other good options are canola oil and vegetable oil, which have a range of smoke points around 400 degrees Fahrenheit and up; slightly lower than safflower oil but still well above the usual frying temperature for pork rinds.
However, an important thing to keep in mind when considering any frying oil is the potential health issues arising from allergies or other medical conditions. While studies have shown that refined peanut oils are safe for anyone with a peanut allergy, many individuals can have allergic reactions to safflower oil. Allergic reactions to refined sunflower oil are rare, but not unheard of. On top of it all, some oils like canola oil are known to cause IBS flare-ups due to their chemical composition. All in all, it’s important to keep health considerations in mind when choosing a frying oil for any kind of fried food.
Read More: What’s The Best Oil To Use To Fry Up Homemade Pork Rinds?