An adjustable breading machine for applying a coating material onto a food product, the machine includes a frame and a breading chamber enclosure through which the food product travels along the food path to receive a coating material. The adjustable breading machine may also include a hopper fixedly connected to the frame to deliver a coating material into the breading chamber enclosure. At least partially within the breading chamber enclosure is a main conveyor and an outfeed conveyor. In a first mode of operation, the outfeed conveyor lies in the food path and receives food product from the main conveyor. The adjustable breading machine includes a drum assembly operatively disposed above the outfeed conveyor having a rotatable drum for transporting food product and coating material to the outfeed conveyor. The adjustable breading machine also includes a drum adjustment assembly for moving the drum assembly between modes of operation.

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an apparatus and method for automated food preparation systems. An example apparatus includes a body defining a first end configured to receive a food item, a second end opposite the first end, and a flow channel defined by an inner surface of the body extending between the first end and the second end. In an instance in which the food item is directed into the body via the first end, the flow channel is configured to distribute a coating material about the food item before the food item exits the body via the second end.

A profood item for preparing a puffed food product and method for producing the profood item. Profood item shell comprises a first foodstuff, the shell characterized by a hardness and rigidity able to withstand breakage when subject to temperature/pressure below breakage threshold conditions. Profood item interior contained within shell comprises a second foodstuff comprising at least one starch and a liquid adapted to form a vapor when subjected to heating, where an increased pressure of the vapor when heated causes a rupturing of the shell when breakage threshold conditions reached, inducing a sudden release of vapor at high pressure resulting in puffing of starch to produce puffed food product. The profood item micropellet may be prepared using an extrusion process and coated with a coating process to form a shell.

A battering process for providing a battered food product including the steps of coating a food product with a predust and a dry batter prior to misting the food product with a combination of water, oil, and an emulsifier to form an edible coating on the food product. Setting the edible coating on the food product in a steam oven before thermally processing the food product, misting the edible coating on the food product with water, and freezing and packing the food product to be reheated.

A battering process for providing a battered food product including the steps of coating a food product with a predust and a dry batter prior to misting the food product with a combination of water, oil, and an emulsifier to form an edible coating on the food product. Setting the edible coating on the food product in a steam oven before thermally processing the food product, misting the edible coating on the food product with water, and freezing and packing the food product to be reheated.

A protective coating for edible moisture-sensitive granular particulates can comprise at least two different coating layers, at least one being formed from a wax coating layer and at least one being formed from a shellac coating layer. The protective coating can exhibit excellent barrier properties even if the protective coating is made very thin or if the edible particulates being protected are irregular in shape.

A protective coating for edible moisture-sensitive granular particulates can comprise at least two different coating layers, at least one being formed from a wax coating layer and at least one being formed from a shellac coating layer. The protective coating can exhibit excellent barrier properties even if the protective coating is made very thin or if the edible particulates being protected are irregular in shape.

A reduced-scale drum motor roller drive is combined with a rotating enlarged-scale hard drum on the rotation axis of the hard drum. A source of electric power rotates the drum motor roller which thereby rotates the hard drum for tumbling and/or coating service in an automated and/or mechanized food process lines.

A reduced-scale drum motor roller drive is combined with a rotating enlarged-scale hard drum on the rotation axis of the hard drum. A source of electric power rotates the drum motor roller which thereby rotates the hard drum for tumbling and/or coating service in an automated and/or mechanized food process lines.

An adjustable breading machine for applying a coating material onto a food product, the machine includes a frame and a breading chamber enclosure through which the food product travels along the food path to receive a coating material. The adjustable breading machine may also include a hopper fixedly connected to the frame to deliver a coating material into the breading chamber enclosure. At least partially within the breading chamber enclosure is a main conveyor and an outfeed conveyor. In a first mode of operation, the outfeed conveyor lies in the food path and receives food product from the main conveyor. The adjustable breading machine includes a drum assembly operatively disposed above the outfeed conveyor having a rotatable drum for transporting food product and coating material to the outfeed conveyor. The adjustable breading machine also includes a drum adjustment assembly for moving the drum assembly between modes of operation.