Abstract: An enhanced hydration extrusion cooking system, method and extruded product are provided which utilize a conventional extrusion cooking system with a material feed bin feeding material to a conditioning cylinder, from which it is fed to a cooking or forming extruder. An enhanced hydration subsystem is provided for providing a high-starch slurry to the conditioning cylinder, which can be gelatinized immediately prior to or promptly upon entry to the conditioning cylinder. The enhanced hydration subsystem includes a make-up tank receiving high-starch powder and water, which are mixed therein to form a slurry. The slurry is transferred to a pumping tank, from which metered amounts of the slurry are pumped to the conditioning cylinder. The slurry provides a source of pre-gelatinized starch which facilitates the extrusion cooking process and provides a number of desirable characteristics in the extruded product.