Apparatus and Method for Improving the Dimensional Quality of Extruded Food Products Having Complex Shapes

An asymmetrical three-dimensional extruded food product made from the following method:

• a) supplying a first die comprising a plurality of first die orifices wherein said first die orifices are configured to obtain said desired target shape;
• b) supplying a second die having one and only one second die orifice wherein said second die orifice is configured to obtain said desired target shape, wherein said second die is connected to said first die;
• c) extruding a dough through said first die having a first pressure drop into a bore disposed between the first die and second die thereby:
• forming a pre-expanded dough rope at each said first die orifice from said dough;
• flashing vapor from each said pre-expanded dough rope;
• restraining expansion in a radial direction with said bore disposed between the first die and second die;
• and
• d) extruding said pre-expanded dough ropes through said second die having a second pressure drop thereby forming an extruded food product having said desired target shape.

A symmetrical food product made from the following method:

• a) supplying a first die comprising a plurality of first die orifices wherein said first die orifices are configured to obtain said desired target shape;
• b) supplying a second die having one and only one second die orifice wherein said second die orifice is configured to obtain said desired target shape, wherein said second die is connected to said first die;
• c) extruding a dough through said first die having a first pressure drop into a bore disposed between the first die and second die thereby:
• forming a pre-expanded dough rope at each said first die orifice from said dough;
• flashing vapor from each said pre-expanded dough rope;
• restraining expansion in a radial direction with said bore disposed between the first die and second die;
• and
• d) extruding said pre-expanded dough ropes through said second die having a second pressure drop thereby forming an extruded food product having said desired target shape.