Abstract: A method for producing food includes pre-treating an edible item with one or more solutions to preserve or enhance texture, color, or flavor of the item, wherein the item is a fruit or a vegetable; either (a) blanching with far-infrared, pulsed electric field, or microwave treatment and then applying a coating matrix; or (b) applying a coating matrix and then blanching with far-infrared, pulsed electric field, or microwave treatment; bringing a final water content to less than 6% with a finishing dehydration operation; and forming a final product as a shelf-stable, low-fat crunchy vegetable-based or fruit-based ingredient or snack.