Dried foods infused with inulin are provided, especially whole vegetable
pieces. Such products are characterized as food pieces having a water
activity ranging from about 0.15 to 0.5. The foods can comprise about 1%
to 30% inulin. The inulin has a D.P ranging from about 2-9. The products
are shelf stable and provide high levels of fiber. Methods of preparing
dried inulin infused vegetable products are described comprising the
steps of providing a quantity of un-comminuted food pieces having a
moisture content ranging from about 40% to about 95%; infusing the food
pieces with an inulin wherein the inulin has a degree of polymerization
ranging from about 2-9 to form an at least partially inulin infused food
piece; and drying the inulin infused food piece to a finish water
activity ranging from about 0.4 to 0.55.