Starches offer breaded product makers a healthier alternative

The unhealthy perception of breaded and battered food is being challenged by a set of new wheat starches claimed to enable the creation of clean-label products rich in texture.

Targeting the convenience market, German firm Kröner-Stärke is offering the naturally produced starches for use with meat, seafood and vegetables.

Coaster is a ready batter mix for fresh or frozen fish, meat and vegetables. Similarly, Sanostar is a wheat starch tailor-made for ready batters – but in gluten-free and organic form.

Hot swelling starch

Stikker, meanwhile, is a native, hot swelling starch intended for breading systems or as a main ingredient for batters.

The starches not only allow the batter to be declared a clean-label ingredient, they are also designed for good adhesion, crispiness and coating stability, Kröner-Stärke said.

When used in a coating, they produce a protective film around the food, which also inhibits fat uptake when the product is fried – meaning food processors can offer a healthier overall product, it added.

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