Chicharrones de Harina

Chicharrones de Harina are a fun and crunchy Mexican snack that puff up instantly when fried.

Also called duritos or Mexican pinwheel chips. They’re light, airy, and perfect for adding bold flavors like lime and hot sauce.

Often sold by street vendors all throughout Mexico.

The best part is how easy they are to make at home with just a few simple ingredients.

✵ Ingredients

• Chicharrones de Harina – Look for them at Mexican grocery stores, or in the Mexican spice aisle, or buy them online. 
• Oil for Frying – Here, you have vegetable oil, but you can also use corn oil or peanut oil for frying. 
• Hot Sauce (optional) – Valentina hot sauce is a popular brand as is Tapatio and Cholula.
• Lime Juice (optional) but recommended for a tangy taste.

➕ Spices You Can Add

For another layer of flavor, you can also sprinkle with ground chile de arbol, ground cumin, and/or chile powder. Chamoy and Tajin also make good additions.

What are duros or chicharrones?  They are made of wheat flour and a few other ingredients. In essence, they are a type of pasta that when fried become light and airy.

You might see them in the shape of a rectangle, but most commonly, they are found as pinwheels or wagon wheels. 

Don’t confuse them with the other “chicharrones” which are fried pork skins.

👩🏼‍🍳 Instructions

• Heat oil in a deep pan or pot over medium-high heat.
• Once the oil is hot, carefully add a few chicharrones de harina in a single layer, one at a time.
• Watch as they puff up almost instantly—this happens very quickly!
• Turn them as needed so they cook evenly on all sides.

Work in batches. It is best not to overcrowd the pan, or they will not fry properly. The good thing is that they only take a few minutes to puff up in the hot oil. 

Don’t have a deep-fry thermometer? The oil is ready when you add a wooden skewer into the oil and it starts to bubble.

• Remove them with a slotted spoon once fully puffed.
• Place on paper towels to drain any excess oil.

The orange part is hard. Once the orange color is gone, they are ready to be removed. Be very careful. We are working with really hot oil here. 

Why didn’t mine puff up?
The oil may not have been hot enough. Make sure it’s fully heated before adding the chicharrones.

Air Fryer Instructions

Preheat the air fryer to 390°F. Place the duros in the basket of the air fryer and spray with oil. Cook for 2 minutes. Remove and enjoy!

• While still warm, drizzle with lime juice and your favorite hot sauce.
• Add any additional toppings like salt, Tajín, or chili powder, if desired.
• Serve immediately for the best crunch.

Consume right away. They were meant to be eaten that day.

🫙 Storing Instructions

Store any plain (untopped) chicharrones de harina in an airtight container or sealable bag at room temperature for up to 1–2 days. Avoid storing them with lime or sauce already added, as this will make them soggy. For best results, enjoy them fresh right after cooking.

More Mexican Snacks

• Tostilocos
• Mexican Fruit Cups
• Elote en Vaso (Corn in a Cup)
• Pepinos Locos
• Dried Mango Recipe with Chili
• Frijoles Puercos
• Elotes Mexicanos (Street Corn)  

Chicharrones de Harina are a quick, tasty snack or serve as appetizers. They’re crunchy, customizable, and perfect for sharing with family and friends. Once you try making them at home, you’ll see just how easy and delicious they are.

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