In this study, we explored the feasibility of vacuum frying to produce crisp silver carp surimi chips. The influence of three process parameters (frying temperature, frying time, and slice thickness) on the quality parameters of vacuum-fried surimi chips (oil uptake, crispness, and optical properties) was investigated. The experimental results showed the optimal conditions were chosen as 2-mm surimi slice being vacuum-fried at 118°C for 2.5 min. Under these conditions, the oil content, breaking force, and color difference to commercial potato chips were 24.33%, 15.21 N, and 14.03, respectively. Additionally, we also measured the water loss during vacuum frying and the oil quality changes during storage of surimi chips. Results demonstrated the rapid loss of water content of surimi chips during vacuum frying and oil deterioration was kept at acceptable low level up to 100 days. Taken together, our study supported the applicability of vacuum frying technology to produce high-quality silver carp surimi chips.
Keywords: chips; oil oxidation; silver carp; surimi; vacuum frying.