Chef Piggy Tail Microwave Pork Puffies Pork Rinds, Smokey BBQ, 16 Ounce

holy cow, I LOVE these! First of all, these are just PERFECT for a low-carb diet and we just learned that my husband who isn't a low-carber likes them too. For starters I opted to go with the Sweet Cinnamon Sugar and the Ghost Pepper. Great choices so now I kinda can't wait to try the others!I had a REALLY GOOD puffing experience!!!No real PAPER plates here so I had to go with one of those plastic Soho disposables, well-lined with thick paper towels. Like everyone here says, that worked well for me too. (thanks y'all!)As stated on the back of the package, I measured out (only) 1/8 cup and spread them around. I set the microwave at 2 1/2 minutes on High (1800W microwave w/turntable) and thanks to all the advice here, boy did I ever watch them...like a HAWK! I also pulled the plate out a couple times and shuffled them pretty well with my hand several times during cooking. I'm thinking I used most of those 2 1/2 minutes up, but I didn't leave their side and (unlike popcorn!) I found I could pull the plate out often to juggle and re-organize and it wouldn't hurt a THING!!!The only problem I might mention were two pieces that were originally mis-cut by the manufacturer. When I initially spread out my 1/8 cup, both these pieces were so thick it seemed pretty obvious they wouldn't puff up like the others. (I even tried to cut them in half vertically before microwaving, but they were so hard that even THAT was a no-go!) As suspected they did not expand correctly and I really should have tossed them before "the puff". Let's just say if eaten, I'm pretty sure a trip to the dentist would have ensued. I'm thinking (hoping) this was just "one of those things".Annnnnyway, we TOTALLY scarfed down the entire batch of these things in no time flat and enjoyed every moment! I've eaten pre-packaged Pork Rinds but there really isn't any comparison. Not only do you have a wide choice of flavors but since you make them yourself, Chef Piggy Tail Pork Puffies are warm, and very, very FRESH! It's the two of us pigging out (sorry couldn't resist!) on them here and it looks like the hard part is going to be resisting the urge to make batch (after batch...after batch...after batch...after batch...after batch...)!!!

> Especially if you have a low-power microwave , when you first start, you may have up to 3 or 4 unpopped pieces in every batch. And/or you may have that many or more pieces may be only partially popped. That was my experience. It was discouraging. Yet, using the same microwave, now, EVERY batch is perfect. Like any sort of cooking, there is a trail-and-error learning process.RECOMMENDATIONS> At least at first, actually measure out the amount of pieces you want to pop. I use a 1/4 cup measuring scoop  American Metalcraft (MCW14) 1/4 Cup Stainless Steel Measuring Cup .> At least at first, experiment with cooking times (keeping the amount {e.g., 1/4 cup} of uncooked pieces constant), and write down the results.> If you have a turntable in your microwave, arrange the pieces around the edge of a paper plate (not in the center) so that all receive about the same intensity of microwaves---the result will be fewer (or no) unpopped pieces.> In my medium-power microwave I normally pop 1/4 cup of pieces for 2 1/2 minutes---but the cooking time may be different in your microwave. If I don't want a full 1/4 cup, I pop 1/4 cup anyway, and eat the leafovers sometime later. If I want more than 1/4 cup, I pop 2 or more 1/4 cup batches. Consistency is the key---once you find the formula that works for you, don't change it.> 1/8 cup is the MINIMUM that you can pop without possibly damaging your microwave. Do NOT try to pop a few pieces alone. (My microwave actually went into a "coma", but recovered after a few hours.)> Save the unpopped pieces (if any) and try again the next time you pop a batch---simply being placed in a different orientation in your microwave may make a difference. I actually saved up 1/4 cup of unpopped pieces and tried again and ALL of them popped.> Click on “Stoney” just below the product title to see my other reviews, or leave a comment to ask a question.

I like these a lot, but am giving only 4 stars because the seasoning is a bit heavy for me - I'd like it better if the flavoring was a bit more subtle.In my very very old microwave, some of these puff up great, but quite a few don't puff at all, no matter how long I keep them in the oven. But, I found that these puff up perfectly in my toaster oven - I set it about 275F to 325F, put in a tray of the pork rinds, and they all puff up in about 3 minutes. Overall, it's faster than my old microwave and every single one puffs up - I haven't had a single dud this way. Just keep a close eye on them because at the end of 3 minutes, they can start browning pretty quickly. I like that slightly browned flavor, but keep an eye on them or they go from browned to burnt pretty quickly.

I really wanted to love these! And I really tried to make it work.I tried in the microwave. It's a 1000 watt micro. I tried way past the 3-4 minutes. A few popped but most did not. And the ones that did pop, we nearly broke a tooth on trying to eat them.Then we tried the toaster oven which popped more than the first group, but still not able to eat them.Last, we tried a frying pan. Not at all.Warning to people considering them - they are not returnable.I did see someone posted doing them in an air fryer. I may try it before throwing them out, but my air fryer is also my toaster oven, not sure that would work either.I can't recommend this product.