Freeze-dried, dairy or dairy-substitute compositions and methods of making and using

A shelf stable, freeze-dried, aerated yogurt snack product, comprising:

• one or more dairy or dairy substitute ingredients present in an amount in a range from about 70% to about 85% by weight of the product prior to being freeze-dried;
• at least one yogurt culture present in an amount of about 0.01% by weight of the product prior to being freeze-dried;
• lactylated mono- and diglycerides (LACTEM) present in an amount in a range from about 0.1% to about 0.4% by weight of the product prior to being freeze-dried;
• at least one starch selected from the group consisting of corn starch, rice starch, tapioca starch, and combinations thereof, wherein the starch is present in an amount of about 1% by weight of the product prior to being freeze-dried;
• at least one gelatin selected from the group consisting of porcine, fish, bovine, and combinations thereof, wherein the gelatin is present in an amount of about 2% by weight of the product prior to being freeze-dried;
• at least one sugar present in an amount in a range from about 8.5% to about 9% by weight of the product prior to being freeze-dried;
• at least one gas that provides an overrun in a range from about 35% to about 45% prior to freeze-drying;
• at least one additional ingredient selected from the group consisting of at least one prebiotic, at least one probiotic, and combinations thereof;
• wherein the product has no preservatives, artificial flavors, or artificial sweeteners;
• wherein the product is sized and shaped for consumption by a toddler so that the product can be readily retained between a toddler's fingers due to the size and shape thereof, whereby the product comprises a conical rain drop like shape having a base diameter in a range from about 12 mm to about 25 mm, a height in a range from about 4 mm to about 15 mm, a piece weight in a range from about 0.05 g to about 0.45 g, and a density of about 0.1 g/cc;
• and
• wherein the product is designed to reduce the risk of choking hazards for consumers with restricted or under-developed oral motor skills or digestive functions and is designed to allow a toddler to practice oral and fine motor skills without the need to chew, whereby the product has a hardness value in a range from about 1.5 to about 5.5 pounds of force, a dissolvability in a range from about 0.1 to about 8 pounds force peak load, a viscosity in a range from about 60,000 to about 500,000 cp, and a viscosity when wet in a range from about 30,000 to about 60,000 cp.