Low-fat batter-like compositions and methods of preparing and using same

1. A method for preparing a low-fat composition, comprising steps of:

(a) providing a liquid slurry at a temperature of about 33° F. to about 50° F., the liquid slurry comprising a suspension of about 1% to about 3% setting agent in about 97% to about 99% liquid; wherein the setting agent comprises xanthan gum and locust bean gum, and wherein the setting agent is selected so that the liquid slurry has a viscosity in the range of from about 3000 cps to about 8000 cps;

(b) providing a creamed composition comprising sweetener and up to about 3 weight percent of a fat source;

(c) combining the liquid slurry with the creamed composition to form a mixture;

(d) combining the mixture with flour or flour replacement ingredient; a fiber having a water holding capacity of about 500 (grams H 2 O/100 grams fiber) or greater; and chemical leavening to form a generally non-flowable low-fat batter-like composition; wherein the liquid slurry is present in an amount of about 10% to about 30% by weight wherein the low-fat batter-like composition has a total moisture content of about 40 to about 50 weight percent; and wherein the non-flowable batter-like composition is capable of maintaining a discrete shape and/or structure at a temperature in the range from above the freezing point of the batter-like composition to below baking temperature; and

(e) extruding and cutting the low-fat batter-like composition into discrete, generally non-flowable product units.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the fiber has a water holding capacity of about 500 to about 1000 (grams H 2 O/100 grams fiber).

3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the fiber has a water holding capacity of about 900 to about 1000 (grams H 2 O/100 grams fiber).

4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the fiber is selected from citrus fiber, corn fiber, potato fiber, sugar beet fiber, oat fiber, apple fiber, and mixtures thereof.

5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the fiber comprises citrus fiber.

6. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the fiber is present in an amount ranging from about 1 to about 5 weight percent.

7. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising depositing the discrete, non-flowable product units onto a sheet that lacks side containment, wherein the discrete, non-flowable product units maintain their discrete shape and/or structure while located on the sheet at a temperature in the range from above the freezing point of the batter-like composition to below baking temperature.

8. The method according to claim 1 , wherein step (e) comprises extruding and cutting the batter-like composition into discrete, generally non-flowable product units without the support of packaging or containment.

9. The method according to claim 1 further comprising freezing the discrete, generally non-flowable product units.