How many times have you reached the end of a piece of cheese and been left with those Parmesan rinds that you never know how to use? They often end up forgotten in the fridge or, worse, in the trash. Yet there are many simple and tasty ways to really discover how to use Parmesan rinds and turn them into something surprising; you can use them to flavor meat broths or vegetable broths or to enrich the flavor of risotto (removing them at the end of cooking).
Today, however, I show you one of the easiest and quickest recipes with Parmesan rinds, perfect for those who love upcycling cooking and don’t want to waste anything, just like with stale bread. Parmesan rinds in the microwave become a crunchy snack, flavorful and ready in a few minutes, ideal to serve as a nibble or a tasty alternative to classic starters or savory bites.
If you’ve ever wondered what to do with Parmesan rinds, this is definitely one of the most practical solutions: a zero-waste recipe that gives new life to an ingredient too often considered waste. In a few steps you can make a light and tasty snack, perfect also to accompany aperitifs or to enrich an informal table.
Among the best upcycling recipes with Parmesan, this is without a doubt one of the fastest. No ovens or long preparations needed: just a few minutes in the microwave to get puffed and crunchy rinds, ideal also for those looking for quick, economical recipes to prepare with what they already have at home.
This preparation is fully among the simplest recipes with leftover cheese, and is perfect for those who want to bring quick no-oven appetizers to the table without giving up taste and tradition. The rinds, in fact, during cooking turn into small crispy bites that retain the intense flavor of Parmesan.
Zero-waste recipes with cheese are a great way to rediscover a more conscious and sustainable cooking style, made of simple gestures and ingredients that tell the story of our table. With this preparation you can make a tasty snack with Parmesan rinds, perfect to enjoy at any time of the day.
One of those preparations that are gluten-free and lactose-free, showing how upcycling cooking can be not only economical, but also incredibly creative and delicious.
Let’s hurry to the kitchen and make them together, but first I remind you to take a look at my Facebook page and my Instagram profile to stay updated on all new recipes.
Take a look:
- Difficulty: Very easy
- Cost: Very inexpensive
- Rest time: 5 Minutes
- Preparation time: 5 Minutes
- Cooking methods: Microwave
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: All seasons
Ingredients to make Parmesan Rinds in the Microwave
- to taste Parmesan rind
- spices (to taste — I used smoked paprika and chives)
Tools
- Microwave oven
Preparation of crispy Parmesan rinds in the microwave
For those who don’t know, a small kitchen magic happens in the microwave:
the residual moisture in the rinds turns into steam, creating internal bubbles that make them puff up, while the fats in the cheese melt and then dry out, making them light, crunchy and irresistible.
An old and clever way not to waste any part of the cheese, turning a leftover into a tasty, rustic and very aromatic snack.
To prepare Parmesan rinds in the microwave start by collecting Parmesan Reggiano rinds. Use a knife to remove any external residues or parts that are too soft from the “pulp” — these would melt instead of puffing up — then scrape the surface well to clean them.
First cut the rinds into strips and then reduce them to small cubes, trying to obtain pieces as uniform as possible to ensure even cooking.
Arrange the rind cubes on a sheet of microwave-safe baking paper, keeping them well spaced so they don’t stick to each other during cooking, with the rind side facing down.
If you wish, season them with a pinch of paprika, black pepper or aromatic herbs to taste to make them even more flavorful. I love them with smoked paprika and chives.
Transfer everything to the microwave and cook at full power (750 W) for about 2 minutes. During cooking you will see the rinds puff up: that’s the sign they are becoming crunchy.
Once ready, let them cool for a few minutes. As they cool they will become even more crisp.
Serve your crispy Parmesan rinds as a tasty snack or use them to enrich appetizers and aperitifs.
Storage notes and tips
Parmesan rinds made in the microwave are best enjoyed immediately, when they are fragrant and aromatic. However, once completely cooled you can store them at room temperature in an airtight container for a couple of days to keep them crunchy longer.
It is important to wait until they are completely cooled before storing them, to avoid moisture formation that could compromise their texture.
If they lose some of their crunchiness, you can pass them again in the microwave for a few seconds to make them crisp again.
For perfect results we recommend cutting the Parmesan rinds into cubes of similar size to obtain even cooking and especially to use dry rind parts; if they are too soft they are not suitable for this purpose. During microwave cooking, smaller pieces will tend to puff up more quickly than larger ones, while soft pieces will melt and will not puff up.
Also remember to arrange the cubes well spaced on the baking paper, avoiding overlapping: this way they can puff up properly without sticking.
This preparation is one of the simplest upcycling recipes with Parmesan, perfect for those who want to discover how to use Parmesan rinds without waste and make a tasty snack with just a few minutes of cooking.
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FAQ (Questions and Answers)
How can I use Parmesan rinds?Parmesan rinds can be used in many upcycling recipes. Besides enriching soups and broths, they can be cooked in the microwave to obtain a crunchy and tasty snack, perfect to serve as an appetizer or nibble.
What can I do with Parmesan rinds?
If you’re wondering what to do with Parmesan rinds, this zero-waste recipe is a simple and fast solution. Just cut them into cubes and cook them in the microwave to transform them into crunchy bites ready in a few minutes.
Are Parmesan rinds edible?
Yes, Parmesan rinds are edible, provided they are thoroughly cleaned to remove any external residues. They are perfect for recipes with leftover cheese or for making tasty zero-waste snacks.
How to cook Parmesan rinds in the microwave?
To prepare Parmesan rinds in the microwave simply cut them into small cubes, place them on baking paper and cook at maximum power for about 1-2 minutes, until they are puffed and crunchy.
Are microwave Parmesan rinds crunchy?
During microwave cooking the rinds puff up thanks to the moisture inside, becoming light and crunchy once cooled.
How long do cooked Parmesan rinds last?
Cooked Parmesan rinds can be kept for a few hours at room temperature in an airtight container. If they lose crispness, you can reheat them for a few seconds in the microwave.
