Preparation of Individually Coated Edible Core Products

Abstract

A method and apparatus for producing individually coated, baked, edible core products is disclosed. Individual edible cores are coated with a farinaceous dough and baked. The coated cores are agitated as their coatings expand to prevent them from clumping or agglomerating during baking. The baked, coated cores are individual core pieces with an expanded, crispy coating.

1 . An apparatus for making individual, baked, coated, edible core materials, said apparatus comprising:
 a hot air oven comprising a belt designed to carry food products through said oven;   at least one member disposed above said belt;   a plurality of fingers extending from said member towards said belt such that movement of said member will agitate food products adjacent to said belt;   an actuator that oscillates said member laterally above said belt.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said at least one member comprises a first member and a second member, and wherein said fingers extending from said first member are offset from said fingers extending from said second member. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said hot air oven comprises a dual zone oven, and wherein said at least one member is disposed above said belt in a first zone of said dual zone oven. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a wall on each side of said belt. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the at least one member is approximately parallel to the width of the belt. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  comprising a second member disposed above the belt. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6  wherein said second member comprises a second plurality of fingers offset from said plurality of fingers of said at least one member. 
     
     
         8 . A coated core material comprising:
 at least one edible core material;
 a dough coating comprising wheat flour, corn flour, modified waxy corn starch, pregelatinized corn starch, maltodextrin, sugar, salt; and 
 an overall moisture content between about 2% and about 3% by weight. 
   
     
     
         9 . The coated core material of  claim 8  wherein said modified waxy corn starch comprises about 100% amylopectin. 
     
     
         10 . The coated core material of  claim 8  wherein said pregelatinized corn starch comprises about 75% amylopectin and about 25% amylose. 
     
     
         11 . The coated core material of  claim 8  wherein said edible core material comprises nuts. 
     
     
         12 . The coated core material of  claim 8  wherein said edible core material comprises at least one of pre-fried peanuts, dry roasted peanuts, and dry roasted cashews. 
     
     
         13 . The coated core material of  claim 8  further comprising a bulk density between about 310 grams per liter and about 350 grams per liter. 
     
     
         14 . The coated core material of  claim 8  further comprising a plurality of coated core materials wherein less than 5% by total weight of the coated core materials are adhered to one another.