Where dehydrated potato flakes are used in snacks, bakery and ready meals.
Potato flakes are cooked, mashed potato dried into thin sheets and broken up. Add water and they return to mash within minutes, but most of the volume traded today goes into manufactured foods.
Snacks
Stacked chips and many formed snacks start as a dough of potato flakes, starch and water. Flake quality drives the texture and oil uptake of the finished chip.
Bakery
A small percentage of potato flakes in bread dough holds extra moisture. The result is a softer crumb and a longer shelf life, which is the idea behind potato buns.
Ready meals and food service
Croquettes, patties, gnocchi and shepherd's pie toppings all use flakes for consistency and speed. In soups and sauces they act as a natural thickener.
What to specify
State the application when you enquire. Flake size, bulk density and the additives allowed in your market differ between snack, bakery and retail grades.