A snack food pellet comprising a continuous starch-based matrix and a plurality of starch-based micropellets dispersed as inclusions in the continuous matrix. Preferably the starch is derived from cereal or vegetables optionally potato. Preferably the micropellets have a maximum dimension of from 0.5 to 10mm. Preferably the matrix and the micropellets have at least one of a different composition, colour, flavor, starch, internal porosity, open volume, density, level of starch gelatinization, moisture content and shape. Preferably the snack food pellet comprises from 50-95 wt% continuous starch based matrix and 5-50 wt% micropellets. Preferably both starch based matrix and micro pellets have a moisture content of between 8-14 wt%. Also disclosed is a method of manufacturing such a snack food pellet, a method of producing an expanded snack food piece from such a snack food pellet, and an expanded snack food piece.
