In this study, the influences of microwave frying and various flour types on microstructure of batter coatings
were investigated. Control batter formulation contained only wheat and corn flour. To determine the
effects of different flour types, 30% of the corn and wheat flour mix was replaced with chickpea, rice or
soy flours. Frying was performed in microwave oven at 365W (70%) power level for 1.5 min after bringing
the oil temperature to 180 ± 1 C. Samples were also fried in a conventional fryer at 180 C for 1.5 and
5.0 min for comparison. Microwave fried samples had higher specific bulk volume and porosity values
and also smoother inner surface as compared to conventionally fried samples. Porosity values of different
batter formulations were in the range of 0.425–0.484 in 1.5 min microwave fried chicken samples and
0.348–0.392 in 5.0 min conventionally fried ones. Microwave fried samples had comparable or lower
hardness values than the conventionally fried ones depending on the flour type used in batter formulation.
Microstructure of fried batter was different for different batter formulations. Microwave fried control
and chickpea flour containing batter provided formation of larger gas cells on the outer surface. Soy
flour containing batter resulted in smallest size gas cells for both frying methods.