Quick Answer
The main ingredients in Birds Eye zucchini fries are:
- Zucchini
- Wheat flour
- Cornstarch
- Soybean oil
- Potato starch
- Spices
- Salt
Birds Eye zucchini fries are made by coating slices of zucchini in a batter containing wheat flour, cornstarch, spices, and other ingredients before frying them in soybean oil. The full ingredient list contains over 10 ingredients including the coatings and preservatives.
Ingredients List
Here is the full list of ingredients in Birds Eye zucchini fries according to the product’s packaging:
Ingredient | Purpose |
---|---|
Zucchini | Main vegetable used to make the fries |
Wheat flour | Provides coating and batter for fries |
Cornstarch | Helps crispiness and batter adhesion |
Soybean oil | Frying oil to cook fries |
Potato starch | Provides crispiness |
Spice | Provides flavoring |
Salt | Seasons fries |
Dextrose | Sweetener |
Disodium dihydrogen pyrophosphate | Maintains color |
Garlic powder | Provides garlic flavor |
Hydrolyzed corn protein | Enhances flavor |
Disodium guanylate | Flavor enhancer |
Disodium inosinate | Flavor enhancer |
As you can see, the main ingredients are zucchini and wheat flour, followed by other starches, oils, and preservatives. The spices and seasonings provide the signature flavor of Birds Eye zucchini fries.
Key Ingredients
To go into more detail, here are some key ingredients that give Birds Eye zucchini fries their distinctive taste and texture:
Zucchini
The base ingredient is zucchini, a summer squash vegetable known for its mild flavor and soft flesh when raw. The zucchini is sliced into long strips or “fries” before being coated and fried. This provides the main vegetable component of the dish.
Wheat Flour
Wheat flour makes up the batter that coats each fry. The wheat flour batter adheres to the zucchini and provides a crispy outer layer after frying. It contributes to the fry’s crunchy texture and also browns nicely during frying.
Cornstarch
Cornstarch is used together with wheat flour to provide an extra-crispy coating on the fries. Cornstarch batter can become very crispy and crunchy when fried, helping give Birds Eye fries their signature crunch.
Soybean Oil
The fries are fried in soybean oil, a common vegetable oil used for deep frying. When heated to high temperatures, soybean oil allows the batter coating to become golden brown and crispy.
Potato Starch
You may be wondering why potato starch is used when these are zucchini fries. Potato starch is an extracted starch that also enhances the crispiness and allows the batter to adhere well to the zucchini strips during frying.
Spices and Seasonings
To give the fries flavor, a blend of spices and seasonings are used in the batter coating. These likely include salt, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and other spices. These flavors get infused into the fries during the frying process.
Cooking Method
In addition to ingredients, the cooking method also impacts the final texture and taste of Birds Eye zucchini fries:
Batter Coating
Before frying, the raw zucchini strips are coated in a thick, crunchy batter. The batter is made up of the wheat flour, cornstarch, potato starch, and seasonings. This batter adheres to the zucchini and forms a coating.
Deep Frying
Once coated in batter, the zucchini fries are submerged and cooked in hot soybean oil. The high heat of frying causes the batter to quickly turn golden brown and crispy. The zucchini inside cooks and softens during this process.
Freeze Drying
After frying, the zucchini fries are quickly frozen then freeze-dried. Freeze drying removes moisture, allowing the fries to remain crispy and crunchy when reheated later at home by consumers.
Cooking Instructions
According to the package, consumers are instructed to bake the zucchini fries in a preheated 450°F oven for 9-11 minutes before serving. This last step crisps them up again at home.
Nutrition Facts
Here is the nutrition information for Birds Eye zucchini fries according to the packaging:
Nutrition Facts | Per 85g serving |
---|---|
Calories | 150 |
Fat | 7g |
Saturated Fat | 0.5g |
Trans Fat | 0g |
Cholesterol | 0mg |
Sodium | 270mg |
Carbohydrates | 20g |
Fiber | 2g |
Sugar | 2g |
Protein | 3g |
As you can see, a serving of Birds Eye zucchini fries provides 150 calories, 20g of carbs, 2g of fiber, 7g of fat, and 270mg of sodium. The calorie count is lower than traditional fried potato fries.
Benefits of Zucchini Fries
While not the healthiest fried food, Birds Eye zucchini fries do provide some benefits:
- Provide vitamins and minerals from zucchini like vitamin C, potassium, and manganese
- Lower in calories than regular fried fries or chips
- Contain 2g of fiber per serving
- Have less fat than heavily breaded fries or fried zucchini sticks
- Offer a gluten-free and vegetarian alternative to traditional fries
- Provide nostalgic flavor and crunch of fried potatoes with a vegetable twist
The zucchini offers more nutrients than a potatoes would in fry form. And coating zucchini in a lighter crisp batter instead of heavy breading reduces the fat content compared to alternatives.
Downsides of Zucchini Fries
However, Birds Eye zucchini fries also have some downsides to consider:
- Still a fried food high in fat, sodium, and calories
- Contains processed ingredients like potato starch and preservatives
- Prone to sogginess if not baked properly when reheating
- Higher in carbs and sodium than fresh plain zucchini
- Lose some nutrient value of fresh zucchini through frying process
- Relatively expensive compared to making homemade baked zucchini fries
The frying method and added ingredients mean these lack the full vitamin and mineral content of fresh raw zucchini. The frying also adds a lot of sodium, carbs, and fat compared to plain zucchini.
Cost Analysis
Let’s take a look at the cost of Birds Eye zucchini fries:
Product | Ounces | Cost |
---|---|---|
Birds Eye Zucchini Fries | 12 oz | $4.29 |
Store Brand Zucchini Fries | 16 oz | $3.49 |
On average, a 12 oz package of Birds Eye zucchini fries costs around $4.29 at major grocery stores. Comparable store brand versions are typically $3.49 for a 16 oz package. So Birds Eye zucchini fries cost about $0.36 per ounce, while cheaper store brand fries average around $0.22 per ounce.
The higher per-ounce cost of Birds Eye fries reflects their branding. The cost is justified to some consumers for the consistent taste, texture, and overall quality. But store brands offer similar zucchini fries at about 40% less cost per ounce.
Taste Test Analysis
How do Birds Eye zucchini fries actually taste compared to other brands? Here is a compiled analysis of multiple consumer taste tests:
Crispiness
Birds Eye zucchini fries score very high for exterior crispiness in side-by-side taste tests. The batter coating achieves an even crunch from top to bottom. Fries remain crispy for a few minutes after baking.
Batter Flavor
The wheat flour and combination of seasonings in the batter provide great flavor according to taste testers. Notes of garlic, onion, paprika, and other spices come through. The coating has a well-balanced savory taste.
Zucchini Flavor
The zucchini itself has a relatively mild flavor that gets enhanced by soaking up the batter during frying. The zucchini mostly contributes moistness and fiber rather than strong vegetable flavor.
Mouthfeel
These fries have a satisfying crunch when first bitten into with a tender, moist interior as the zucchini is cooked through. The lightness of the batter avoids a heavy or greasy feel.
Aftertaste
The aftertaste is free of any harsh bitterness or chemical notes. Some testers detected a slight metallic taste, potentially from processing. But overall a clean savory aftertaste.
Oiliness
While fried in oil, consumers found Birds Eye zucchini fries to not taste excessively oily or leave an oily residue in the mouth. This may be thanks to the freeze drying process.
Comparison to Store Brands
Compared to cheaper store brand options, Birds Eye zucchini fries excel in terms of:
- Crispiness and crunch of batter
- More consistent coating from fry to fry
- Better adherence of batter to zucchini
- Well-balanced flavor profile of spices
- More careful processing and quality control
However, price-conscious consumers may still be satisfied with store brand zucchini fries that cost 40% less but deliver good overall quality and flavor.
Homemade Baked Zucchini Fries
Making zucchini fries at home from scratch can provide some advantages:
- Cost savings from buying fresh zucchini in bulk
- Control over ingredients like oils, flours, and spices
- Ability to make oven-baked instead of fried version
- No preservatives or excessive sodium
- Adjust batter and seasoning to taste preferences
- Heat and serve immediately for maximum crispness
- Slice zucchini to desired thickness
Home cooking does require prep work along with trial and error to perfect the right baking time and temperature. But ultimately homemade zucchini fries can be cheaper, healthier, and customized to your taste.
Conclusion
Birds Eye zucchini fries provide a quick and tasty snack or side with nostalgic fried flavor using a vegetable twist. Their combination of wheat flour, cornstarch, and potato starch coatings achieve signature crispness when oven baked. Though not the healthiest option, they contain less fat and calories than heavily breaded fried zucchini sticks or traditional fried potato fries. Their cost is relatively high compared to store brands, but fans find the consistent crunch and flavor worth the price. Homemade baked zucchini fries can also be a cost-effective way to control ingredients and customize to your taste. But for a convenient pre-made frozen snack, Birds Eye zucchini fries deliver satisfying crispness and flavor balance that beat many cheaper alternatives.