Modified wheat flour for use in the preparation of coated fried food includes a heat treated product of unmodified wheat flour and having an RVA peak viscosity of 3500 to 7000 mPa·s and a gelatinization onset temperature lower than that of the unmodified wheat flour by at least 10°C. The unmodified wheat flour preferably has a gelatinization onset temperature of 70° to 86°C. The unmodified wheat flour preferably has an RVA peak viscosity of 3000 to 5000 mPa·s. The modified wheat flour has good water dispersibility and provides coated fried foods having a crispy coating.