While battered and breaded products historically have carried the onus of a bad rap nutritionally, new ingredients and processing strategies are helping to create better choices.
Fats and oils have taken a bad rap over the years. But, a diet without fat would be dull, and many favorite foods and flavors would be lost if fat was completely eliminated.
In addition to their function in high-temperature processing and in providing texture and mouthfeel; shortness in baking; and body in emulsifications and other formulations, oils and fats are powerful carriers of flavor.
North Americans love battered and breaded foods. No matter what trends come and go, many traditional comfort staples are battered and breaded. However, these foods are saddled with negative health connotations. Technology is changing those perceptions.