Chicharrones de Harina
Try chicharrones de harina, also known as chicharrones chips, for a simple yet irresistibly crunchy snack. Wheat pinwheels transform into puffy, crispy treats with just a quick fry and a sprinkle of your favorite toppings. This budget-friendly snack is both fun and easy to make!
If youโre looking for a simple snack that requires few ingredients, chicharrones de harina should be your go-to. Like my popular air fryer sweet potato fries, they’re so quick and easy to whip up and irresistibly tasty.
Why I love this recipe
Preparing this chicharrones de harina recipe couldn’t be simpler! Just heat a pot of oil, fry them, and serve them with seasonings. There is nothing I love more than watching each batch puff up into light, crispy pinwheels as they cook.
Everyone loves this snack, from kids to adults and everywhere in between. Just don’t forget to serve them with a drizzle of hot sauce, lime juice, and chile powder for the most flavor-packed eating experience.
Ingredient notes
It doesn’t take much to make these crispy and delicious bites. Find a full breakdown of the ingredients and suitable substitutes below.
Chicharrones
If you live in Mexico, chicharrones de harina are available in most grocery stores. If you are outside of Mexico, you can order packages of wheat pinwheels online. They come in both white and orange varieties, but both types are vegan-friendly.
Tajin
Chile-lime seasoning is a must for chicharrones de harina. You can buy the Tajin brand or make a homemade version with 1 tablespoon cayenne, 1 tablespoon chili powder, 2 tablespoons dried lime zest, 2 tablespoons salt, and 1 tablespoon sugar.
Sauce
You can purchase chamoy or make your own from scratch. I also like to add Valentina hot sauce for a kick, but you can use whatever kind you have at home or omit it.
For a complete ingredient list and step-by-step guide, scroll down to our recipe.
How to make
Learn the best way to make Chicharrones de Harina with my straightforward, easy-to-follow instructions. Look for the tips in green throughout this section for consistent and successful results!
Preparation
Add enough oil to a heavy-bottomed pot until it’s about ยฝ-inch deep. You want to make sure you have enough oil that it will still cook the pinwheels as they puff.
Cooking
Step 1
Heat the oil in the pot over medium until the temperature reaches 350-375 degrees Fahrenheit.
The right oil temperature is essential for achieving the perfect crunch without burning the chicharrones. Use a deep-fry thermometer if possible.
Step 2
When the oil is ready, test a pinwheel to see if it starts to puff up within a few seconds. If it does, cook the chicharrones de harina in batches for 45-60 seconds.
Cooking the pinwheels in batches prevents the pot from overcrowding and ensures each pinwheel is evenly cooked.
Step 3
Drain the excess oil off of the chicharrones de harina. I usually transfer them to a strainer sitting over a bowl, but you can also use a paper towel-lined plate or bowl.
Step 4
Serve the cooked chicharrones chips with a sprinkle of chile-lime seasoning, lime juice, hot sauce, or chamoy. Happy eating!
Expert tip
Maintaining the oil at the right temperature ensures that the pinwheels puff up quickly without absorbing too much oil or burning. Make sure you let the oil heat up between batches until it reaches the correct temperature before adding more pinwheels.
Always use fresh oil and avoid reusing it too many times, as old oil can impart off-flavors. Also, gently stir the chicharrones de harina while they’re frying so they evenly cook and puff.
Cooking tips
Use a large pot: Chicharrones de harina will triple in size as they fry, so I recommend using a large pot to prevent spillage and oil splatters.
Use a thermometer: Maintain a more consistent frying temperature throughout by using a deep-fry thermometer.
Have your utensils ready: Prepare your drying rack, slotted spoon, and oil thermometer before you start frying the chips because they cook fast.
Use the right chips: Make sure you purchase chicharrones de harina since there are other types of chicharrones made from pork.
Frequently asked questions
Since chicharrones de harina are made from wheat flour, they are not gluten-free.
If your chicharrones are not puffing up, the oil might not be hot enough. Increase the heat slightly and ensure the oil temperature is consistent.
Fry them in small batches and stir the chips frequently to make sure they donโt stick together.
Storing
Once prepared, chicharrones de harina are best enjoyed fresh. However, you can store them with these simple tips.
Uncooked
Just like you would with dry pasta, store the uncooked pinwheels in a cool, dry, and dark place like a pantry. I usually keep mine inย glass containersย with an airtight lid.
Cooked
Cooked chicharrones de harina will last for a couple of days. If theyโre exposed to air for a long period, they will start to go stale (much like corn or potato chips), so keep them in an airtight container. It’s also best to store them without toppings.
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Recipe
Easy Chicharrones de Harina
Equipment
- Heavy-bottomed stockpot
- Slotted spoon
Ingredients
- ~1-2 cups chicharrones de harina (wheat pinwheels)
- ~1 cup Neutral vegetable oil (canola, sunflower, peanut, soy, etc.)
For serving
- Limes
- Chile-lime seasoning
- Chamoy
- Valentina
Instructions
- Heat ~ยฝ-inch neutral vegetable oil in a large pot over medium until the oil temperature reaches 350-375ยฐF.
- When the oil is ready, test a pinwheel to see if it starts to puff up within a few seconds. If it does, cook the chicharrones de harina in batches for 45-60 seconds, stirring frequently.
- Transfer them to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil. Continue this process with as many as youโd like to eat.
- Serve your pinwheels with a sprinkle of chile-lime seasoning, lime juice, hot sauce, or chamoy. Happy eating!
Notes
Nutrition
Note: I’ve updated this post to include new information and helpful tips about the recipe.
Justine Drosdovech is a food writer, photographer, and one of the founders of Broke Bank Vegan. She is a self-taught plant-based chef but uses her healthcare background to craft dishes that are both delicious and nourishing.
The chicharrones in you picture look pale; almost white. Most chicharrones come with some type of artificial color to give them that yellow/golden look. I’m looking for chicharrones without all the nasty disgusting extra stuff. Where did you purchase your chicharrones?
Hi John,
We bought ours from a local market where we live in Mexico, but you maybe check a Mexican food market if you live near one or try ordering from an online store like Amazon. Hope that helps!
I have had no luck in finding them. Amazon and Mexican food markets all carry chicharrones de harina with artificial color. I’ve even searched online shops from Mexico and I found nothing. I’d really appreciate some more help in finding the ones you guys used. Thanks!
Hi John,
So weird! This is the place we buy ours: https://www.dacfrutasyverduras.com/en/product-page/pasta-de-chicharron-papa-1kg. If you are ever in Mexico, you can get them here. Or, maybe reach out to see where they source them from!