A water-dispersible coating composition for use on food substrates, which permits incorporation of a substantially increased rice component content compared to prior art coatings, without the occurrence of objectionable white-lump reticulation. The coating contains at least stated minimum levels of small-particle size rice flour and/or rice starch (#100 USS mesh size and/or 200 USS mesh size, respectively or finer) depending upon the total amount of rice used in the mix, and exhibits minimal surface roughness and substantially no reticulation when frozen upon the food substrate, while imparting increased crispness, holding time and lighter color once the frozen coated food substrate is reconstituted via gradient heat, microwave energy, or deep-frying reconstitution methods, without sacrificing appearance, flavor, and tooth compaction characteristics desirable to consumers of the final reconstituted product.

Coating-type compositions and methods using the compositions for making new forms of chip-type and other fried or baked snack and/or convenience food items, including sweet goods, which are externally coated with and/or directly incorporate the compositions into their dough matrix. The compositions significantly increase the crispness and tensile strength of the food item after it is cooked with them in place, and so change both the organoleptic and storage qualities of the foods as to provide a new form of the underlying product. On sweet goods, the coating provides a stabilizing surface barrier for sugar toppings which prevents them from becoming tacky, moist, or wet, while adding crispness at the surface and simultaneously reducing moisture loss from the baked dough, greatly retarding staling. The coatings also provide a new and better way of applying seasonings and colorings to food products.