Flake cereal or chip and method for making same

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention provide a flake having a high level of whole grains, such as oat groats, nuts and/or other particulate. An embodiment of the present invention provides a flake having a low degree of degradation giving the flake a granola appearance and texture, a relatively large thickness of the flake, which further contributes to the appearance and the crunchy texture, and/or uses a low degree of cook to the binding constituent that provides the high viscosity for binding and a resultant crunchy texture.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A flake, comprising:
 approximately 15-70% undegraded, whole grain groats, by weight of the flake; and   approximately 10-30% binder, by weight of the flake,   wherein the flake is a compressed and dried flake measuring approximately 0.030 to 0.080 inch thick.   
     
     
         2 . The flake of  claim 1 , wherein the flake is approximately 0.040 to 0.060 inch thick. 
     
     
         3 . The flake of  claim 1 , wherein the whole grain groats comprise approximately 40-60% by weight of the flake. 
     
     
         4 . The flake of  claim 1 , wherein the whole grain groats comprise at least one of oats, wheat, corn, rice, and barley. 
     
     
         5 . The flake of  claim 1 , wherein the whole grain groats comprise hulled oat groats. 
     
     
         6 . The flake of  claim 1 , further comprising approximately 1-10% nuts, by weight of the flake. 
     
     
         7 . The flake of  claim 1 , wherein the binder comprises at least one of rice flour and wheat flour. 
     
     
         8 . The flake of  claim 1 , further comprising approximately 2-6% oil, by weight of the flake. 
     
     
         9 . The flake of  claim 1 , wherein the flake comprises a breakfast cereal. 
     
     
         10 . The flake of  claim 1 , wherein the flake comprises a snack chip. 
     
     
         11 . The flake of  claim 1 , wherein the flake has a bowl life of 10-15 minutes or more. 
     
     
         12 . The flake of  claim 1 , wherein the flake is approximately 0.2 to 2.0 inches in diameter. 
     
     
         13 . The flake of  claim 1 , wherein the flake has a moisture content of approximately 5% or more. 
     
     
         14 . The flake of  claim 1 , wherein the flake has a moisture content of approximately 5% or less. 
     
     
         15 . The flake of  claim 1 , wherein the undegraded, whole grain groats are undegraded, rolled whole grain groats. 
     
     
         16 . A flake, comprising:
 approximately 15-70% undegraded, whole grain groats, by weight of the flake; and   approximately 10-20% binder, by weight of the flake,   wherein the flake is a compressed and dried flake measuring approximately 0.2 to 2.0 inches in diameter and more than 0.030 inch thick.   
     
     
         17 . The flake of  claim 16 , wherein the flake is more than 0.080 inch thick. 
     
     
         18 . The flake of  claim 16 , wherein the whole grain groats comprise approximately 40-60% by weight of the flake. 
     
     
         19 . The flake of  claim 16 , wherein the flake has a moisture content of approximately 5% or more. 
     
     
         20 . The flake of  claim 16 , wherein the flake has a moisture content of approximately 5% or less.