The invention provides coated particles with taste-masked N-acetylcysteine. The particles comprise a core with the active ingredient and a coating comprising a triglyceride and a surfactant. The particles exhibit rapid drug release and a stable release profile. Moreover, the invention provides a hot-melt coating method for manufacturing such particles, and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the particles. The method allows the coating of core particles at moderate temperatures, thereby preventing the degradation of the thermolabile active ingredient.