A breading mix can be of different types, so there is variety in terms of taste, texture, flavors, level of browning and oil absorption. Once used, it renders the food deliciously crunchy on the outside, and soft within.  For the unversed, breading is a process of covering food with a somewhat thick coating of crumbs, which may be fine or coarse.

How to Choose a Breading Mix

Given the various options, shopping for breading mix can be a bit intimidating. This is because not all breading mixes are born equal. Unless you happen to be an informed customer, chances of ending up with a less than good mix are high. The trick lies in being cautious and checking the product thoroughly. If chosen well, an all-purpose breading mix can truly prove to be a game-changer for your family meals.

To render the task of shopping easier for you, discussed as follows are aspects that you must look out for –

Ingredients

There is a lot that goes into a breading mix, which is why you must read through the list of ingredients. Ideally, pick a mix that contains various herbs and spices. While these elevate the taste by a notch or two, they also save you the trouble of adding seasonings.

Check the 2627 Original All-Purpose breading mix, which combines 13 well-chosen herbs. Their flavor is balanced by the spices, which ensure that the taste remains memorable without being too dominating.

Optimal Texture

One of the inevitable aspects of using a breading mix is the texture that it provides to the food. The mix should not just seal all the juices within the coating, but also create a crispy cover. Texture lent by a healthy breading mix stands out in terms of being even, smooth and compatible with the dish’s inherent character.

Ease of Handling

Often people back away from using a breading mix owing to the process being multi-step. The very thought of marinating the food beforehand, or using egg wash, can act as deterrents. In such a situation, how about choosing a breading mix that eliminates the need to marinade or to egg-dip?

Indeed, there are options which only require you to wet the food, and roll it in the breading mix before cooking. With this single-step process, you can accomplish the goal quicker, and still achieve good results.

Versatility

Look for a breading mix that matches with various food groups without requiring much effort. Choosing a mix that suits fish, meat, mushrooms and so on saves you time and provides good value for money. With a versatile mix, you also have the option of purchasing in bulk and storing it for a long duration.

Multi-purpose

Since it is a breading mix containing herbs and spices, it should work well as a binder or thickener. Go a step further and check if it can be mashed with potatoes and stuffed into vegetables, mushrooms or eggs. This attribute alone can considerably widen the scope of your cooking and grant you the freedom to experiment.

Does Breading Mix Help Your Health?

Breading involves using breadcrumbs, which in turn come from bread, which in turn is a primary source of carbs. So, unless you suffer from a medical condition which prohibits bread, this seemingly boring but versatile food invariably forms a part of your daily diet.

Even more interesting is the fact that almost all forms of bread can be transformed into coatings. Therefore, no matter which type of breading mix you use, it benefits your health by –

Providing Carbohydrates

The human body requires a daily dose of carbohydrates to fulfil its energy requirements. While all types of mixes qualify as sources, your pick can determine the long-term outcome. For example, whole-grain variety can ensure a steady supply of energy throughout the day, while reduced-salt mix can keep your benchmarks regulated.

Helping with Weight Management

If chosen with care, breading mix in optimal portions can ensure that you feel full for a longer duration. Wholegrain varieties take time to break down within the body. As a result, you tend to feel heavy, which in turn ensures weight management.

However, do not treat this as an excuse to skip other food groups. Use the breading mix in moderation so as to enjoy its goodness in combination with other nutrients.

Supplying Fiber and Protein

Breads contain fiber and protein, both of which are essential for good health. There is also a good chance that you might have got bored of having bread every day. Rather than skip this food group, find new ways of including it in your diet, for example a high-quality breading mix. In addition to adding crunch, it supplies fiber to maintain bowel health and also provides the body proteins.

How Does a Breading Mix Aid in Cooking?

If you like experimenting with various foods and food groups, a breading mix can be a huge savior. It enables you to transform regular meals into enjoyable gatherings. At the same time, you get to deviate from the norm and break the monotony of cooking.

By using a high-quality breading mix, you can –

• Save precious time, money and effort, all of which matter a lot in day-to-day life, hectic routines and frantic contemporary lifestyles;
• Ensure consistent outcomes with your cooking, regardless of whether you deep-fry, bake or grill;
• Create yummy family meals, which balance taste with nourishment by being flavorful and enriched with nutrients;
• Expect uniform texture, which adds to the crunchiness of every bite;
• Achieve uniform coating, regardless of the food group being used and the surface being coated;

What you get is a crispy, crunchy outcome, which is well-flavored, healthy and a delight for all age-groups.

Checking and Storing Tips

While choosing a breading mix for your personal use, ensure that the product is a balance between price and quality. A good-quality affordable mix is evenly grounded and totally dry, and appears crispy and loose. It is also free of moisture, and hence not lumpy, as is common among the low-quality brands.

Among the various types, go for a brand that offers a variety of mixes under the same roof. In addition, check for additives, such as MSG, and explore options that use minimal or no such chemical ingredients. While a plain breading mix is versatile, once in a while you can use a spicy version for change of taste. This saves you the hassle of adding seasonings.

Store the breading mix – bulk stock or a retail packet – in a cool corner of your kitchen. It is sensitive to humidity, so do not let it come into contact with moisture. Keep it in a container far away from your stove, and use in small batches. Once you master the art of storing it correctly, consider options like buying retail packets of different types, or a large quantity of the basic all-purpose mix.

Final Thoughts

A readymade breading mix comes with flour and eggs in addition to the usual ingredients. Therefore, using it also does not require multiple bowls or dishes. Just a single tray would suffice for pouring the mix and spreading it out. Next, all you need to do is wet the food, and then roll it into the mix till it is evenly coated. Complete the process by frying, grilling or baking till the food is properly cooked and is ready to be served.

Multi-purpose that breading mix is, there is no dearth of ideas in which it can be put to use. All you need to do is unleash your creativity and explore the different ways it can add mouthwatering crunch to your preparations.