Methods for reducing the level of asparagine in an asparagine-containing dough food component comprise providing an asparagine-reducing enzyme in combination with at least one asparagine-containing dough food component in a medium, wherein the water activity of the medium is greater than about 0.85, preferably greater than about 0.90are provided. Methods for reducing the level of acrylamide in a dough-based food product employ a dough food component in which the level of asparagine has been reduced to provide dough-based food products with reduced acrylamide levels.