Patent ID: 8192784

Claim:
A method of making a snack piece, said method comprising: mixing ingredients together to form a slurry with a Bostwick viscosity value between about 2 centimeters in 30 seconds and about 13 centimeters in 30 seconds when measured at about 75° F., said slurry comprising, by weight: about 20% to about 55% fruit base or vegetable base; about 5% to about 23% yogurt powder; about 0.5% to about 5% whey protein powder; and about 5% to about 60% added water; depositing said slurry onto a belt inside a vacuum chamber to form a slurry sheet; drying said slurry sheet on said belt at a temperature between about 75° C. and about 110° C. and a pressure between about 2 Torr and about 60 Torr until said slurry sheet has a total moisture content between about 1% and about 2% by weight to produce a dried slurry sheet; and separating said dried slurry sheet into individual snack pieces.