Abstract
The product could not be effectively expanded and the puffing temperature was too high, which usually occurred during the explosion puffing drying process of fruits and vegetables. CO2 high-pressure and low-temperature explosion puffing drying technology was investigated as potential means for the production of apple snack food. The samples were pre-dried with hot air to a moisture content of 15% to 20% (w.b.). The process factors including puffing pressure difference (0.86–1.54 MPa), puffing temperature (53–87 °C), and vacuum drying time (28–62 min) were investigated using response surface methodology with central composite design. The optimum CO2 high-pressure and low-temperature explosion puffing drying conditions were puffing pressure difference, puffing temperature, and vacuum drying time of 1.25 MPa, 74 °C, and 33 min, respectively. At this optimal condition, expansion ratio, rehydration ratio, and crispness were found to be 1.7, 2.23 g/g, and 29.3, respectively. Apple crisps obtained under optimal processing conditions have a highly porous structure from SEM micrographs.