An automated food processing system and method is provided that allows food to be dispensed, fried and packaged in a suitable container, which may be an individual portion-sized container. In one embodiment, the system includes separate automated modules for dispensing, frying and packaging the food. In one embodiment, an automated dispensing device dispenses a predetermined portion of food from a food dispensing magazine located in a freezer. Food is dispensed from the magazine to a secondary container located within the freezer for containing a plurality of pieces dispensed from the food magazine. A device is provided for determining the number of food pieces in the container located in the secondary container and for dumping the secondary container so that food pieces contained in the secondary container are dumped to a location outside of the freezer.