Abstract: An apparatus for frying snack foods, the apparatus including a fryer having a tubular frying section with inlet and outlet ends, the outlet end downstream relative to the inlet end. An oil supply system for supplying oil to the inlet end. A food input at the inlet end adapted to introduce pre-fried snack food pieces into a flow of oil at the inlet end. A food output at, or downstream of, the outlet end adapted to separate fried snack food pieces from the flow of oil. An oil flow accelerator accelerating oil flow from the inlet end to the outlet end thereby conveying the snack food pieces, immersed in the oil, from the inlet end to the outlet end during a frying process. Also disclosed is a method of frying snack foods.

Abstract: An apparatus for frying snack foods, the apparatus including a fryer having a tubular frying section with inlet and outlet ends, the outlet end downstream relative to the inlet end. An oil supply system for supplying oil to the inlet end. A food input at the inlet end adapted to introduce pre-fried snack food pieces into a flow of oil at the inlet end. A food output at, or downstream of, the outlet end adapted to separate fried snack food pieces from the flow of oil. An oil flow accelerator accelerating oil flow from the inlet end to the outlet end thereby conveying the snack food pieces, immersed in the oil, from the inlet end to the outlet end during a frying process. Also disclosed is a method of frying snack foods.

Abstract: Making snack foods by cooking a plurality of snack food slices disposed in a first layer having a first thickness to an average moisture content of from 10 to 20 wt. %, based on the total weight of the snack food slices. Then, stacking the cooked snack food slices as a packed bed having a second thickness which is greater than the first thickness. Next, microwave-drying the bed to reduce the moisture content to an average of from 6 to 8 wt. %, while maintaining the temperature of the bed lower than a glass transition temperature of starch in the snack food slices. Finish drying the snack food slices in a hot air dryer to reduce the moisture content of the snack food slices to an average of from 1 to 2 wt. %.

Abstract: A potato chip comprising a cooked potato slice and from 5 to 20 wt % oil based on the weight of the potato chip, wherein the oil comprises a first oil portion within the cooked potato slice and a second oil portion on the surface of the cooked potato slice, the second oil portion comprising no more than 0.2 wt % of the weight of the potato chip.