Cracklin’ Cornbread Recipe: Tips for Making Cracklin’ Cornbread

Cracklin’ cornbread is a Southern variation on cornbread, a moist, tender quick bread containing cornmeal. Southern cornbreads traditionally feature little to no sugar and a higher cornmeal-to-flour ratio, while Northern-style cornbreads are sweeter and more cake-like.

As the name suggests, recipes for cracklin’ cornbread include pieces of crispy pork rind, or pork cracklings, hidden within the moist crumb.

Here’s what to know about making this beloved Southern recipe at home.

1. 1. Seek out pork cracklings. Depending on where you live, pork cracklings may look different from what you expect or be harder to track down. These days, most grocery stores and Latin markets carry fried pork rinds, also known as chicharrones. You may find them in the snack aisle or near the meat section. If you can’t find pork cracklings at a grocery store, try your local BBQ restaurant.
2. 2. Substitute the cracklings with chopped bacon. Bacon bits may not deliver the same level of crunch as fried pork skins, but they will infuse the cornbread with the same rich, salty flavor. Blot cooked bacon slices on a paper towel before chopping them into bite-sized pieces and adding them to the batter to prevent a greasy result.
   
3. 3. Incorporate add-ins for more texture. The Southern-style cornbread works well with add-ins if you want to add even more texture to the dish. Try adding a teaspoon or two of diced pickled jalapeño or a handful of fresh corn kernels to the crunchy pork rind for added texture.