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What is in shake N bake seasoned panko?


Shake n Bake is a popular seasoned coating mix for preparing breaded foods like chicken, pork chops, and fish fillets. It provides a quick and easy way to add flavor and crunch to meats and other foods. The original Shake n Bake product uses a seasoned bread crumb and flour coating. More recently, Kraft Heinz has also introduced Shake n Bake products using panko bread crumbs instead of regular bread crumbs. Panko bread crumbs provide an extra crispy and crunchy texture. But what exactly is in Shake n Bake panko seasoning and coating mixes? Let’s take a detailed look at the ingredients.

Shake n Bake Panko Ingredients

Shake n Bake panko coating mixes contain the following main ingredients:

Panko bread crumbs – Panko refers to flaky, crispy Japanese-style bread crumbs. They provide a light, crunchy and crispy texture.

Flour – Wheat flour helps adhere the coating to the food.

Spices and seasonings – This includes paprika for color and flavor, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, parsley, and other spices to give Shake n Bake its signature taste.

Cornstarch – Adds crispness and also helps the coating stick.

Dextrose – A natural sugar that enhances flavor and browning.

Yeast extract – Provides savory, meaty umami flavor.

Natural flavors – Additional flavors to complement the spices.

Paprika extract – For added coloring.

So in summary, the key components are panko bread crumbs, wheat flour, various spices and seasonings, cornstarch for crispness, and natural flavors. Let’s look in more detail at each of these ingredients.

Panko Bread Crumbs

Panko Japanese-style bread crumbs are what set Shake n Bake panko products apart from the original Shake n Bake. Panko crumbs provide an ultra-crispy and crunchy texture when baked or fried.

The large, flaky panko crumbs have more surface area than regular bread crumbs. This allows them to absorb less oil and cook up lighter and crispier. The coarse, irregular shape of panko also contributes to its signature crunch.

Using panko instead of standard breadcrumbs gives Shake n Bake products like chicken or pork chops an extra crispy coating that stays crunchy longer. The panko coating provides a pleasing crispy texture contrast against the moist, tender interior of cooked meats.

Wheat Flour

Shake n Bake contains wheat flour which serves a few purposes:

– Helps the coating adhere and stick to the food surface.

– Provides structure and a smooth texture to the coating.

– Contributes to browning and creating a crispy exterior when baked.

The combination of panko and flour creates a well-balanced coating that sticks properly and becomes deliciously crispy.

Spices and Seasonings

To give Shake n Bake its savory flavor, a blend of spices and herbs are used including:

Paprika – For vibrant red-orange color and mild sweet peppery taste.

Garlic powder – Provides a robust, savory garlic flavor.

Onion powder – Adds onion and onion powder notes.

Mustard powder – Contributes a tangy, zesty flavor.

Black pepper – Adds a hint of spicy heat.

Parsley – Fresh herbal flavor.

Salt – Crucial for overall seasoning.

This blend of spices flavors the Shake n Bake coating and seasons the exterior of foods coated with it. The spices also lend enticing aroma to foods cooked in Shake n Bake.

Cornstarch

Cornstarch is used to help create a super crispy coating on foods. When starch-based coatings like cornstarch are exposed to heat, the starch molecules absorb moisture then burst open.

This results in a crispy, crunchy exterior texture. Cornstarch also aids with browning and provides binding to help the coating adhere.

Dextrose

Dextrose is a naturally occurring simple sugar found in fruits and honey. It is added to Shake n Bake to:

– Enhance the sweetness and flavor.

– Promote surface browning and crisping.

– Add color to the baked coating.

The small amount of sugar encourages caramelization and Maillard reactions to develop appetizing colors and flavors.

Yeast Extract

Yeast extract is included in Shake n Bake panko to provide a boost of umami or savory flavor. Umami is considered one of the five basic tastes along with sweet, salty, bitter, and sour.

Yeast extract is produced by autolyzing yeast cells, releasing amino acids and glutamates that interact with taste receptors on the tongue to create a rich, meaty, savory taste. This enhances the overall flavor impact of Shake n Bake.

Natural Flavors

Natural flavors are also added to complement the spices and seasoning blends. Natural flavors can come from vegetable, animal, or plant sources. They enhance the proprietary Shake n Bake taste profile that consumers expect.

Paprika Extract

In addition to regular paprika powder, paprika oleoresin extract is used to provide extra vibrant coloring to Shake n Bake. Paprika oleoresins concentrate the vivid red pigments found in paprika. This ensures foods coated in Shake n Bake panko develop an appetizing, reddish-orange color.

Nutrition Facts

Shake n Bake panko breadcrumb coating mixes also provide the following nutrients per serving:

Nutrient Amount
Calories 60
Total Fat 1 g
Sodium 390 mg
Total Carbohydrate 13 g
Dietary Fiber 1 g
Sugar 1 g
Protein 2 g

As you can see, Shake n Bake provides a crunchy, flavorful coating that adds taste and texture with minimal calories, fat, and carbs. The small amount of protein also comes from the wheat flour.

Gluten-Free Shake n Bake

For people avoiding gluten, Kraft Heinz produces a gluten-free Shake n Bake variant that uses the following main ingredients:

– Gluten-free panko-style bread crumbs

– Rice flour

– Potato starch

– Spice blend

So instead of regular panko and wheat flour, gluten-free crumbs and starches derived from rice and potatoes are used. The same herbs and spices provide signature Shake n Bake flavor.

Preparing Foods with Shake n Bake

Shake n Bake panko breading can be used to add crunchy flavor to all kinds of proteins and vegetables. Here are some tips for using it:

– Make sure foods are dry before coating – pat off excess moisture with paper towels. Wet foods won’t allow the coating to stick.

– Place Shake n Bake crumbs in a shallow dish or zipper bag. Add food pieces and shake to coat evenly.

– For a crisper coating, dip foods in egg wash then press into crumbs. The egg helps the coating adhere.

– Bake in the oven at 400°F for around 15-20 minutes, turning halfway through. Frying for a few minutes per side also works well.

– Let cooked foods drain on a wire rack or paper towels to keep the crust crispy.

Shake n Bake panko makes it so easy to add delicious crunch and zesty flavor to chicken breasts, pork chops, fish fillets, shrimp, tofu, cauliflower, green beans, and so many more foods. Get creative with Shake n Bake!

Conclusion

Kraft Shake n Bake panko coating mix contains a host of ingredients that come together to create a crispy, crunchy and delicious crust on foods. Panko bread crumbs provide crunchy texture, while wheat flour aids adhesion. A proprietary blend of spices and herbs like paprika, garlic, and onion give Shake n Bake its signature zesty flavor. Natural flavors, yeast extract, and dextrose boost the taste and browning. With minimal added calories and fat, Shake n Bake panko is an easy way to spice up your favorite proteins, vegetables, and more. The gluten-free version allows those with dietary restrictions to enjoy crunchy Shake n Bake flavor too. Coat, bake, fry, and enjoy – Shake n Bake makes cooking and snacking more fun.