A package comprising a measured dosage of snack food pellets sealed within a packaging, the pellets comprising a starch-based matrix which is expandable when subjected to heat during a cooking process. There is also disclosed a method of manufacturing a plurality of expanded snack food pieces, the method comprising the steps of: providing a portion of a plurality of snack food pellets comprising a starch-based matrix which is expandable when subjected to heat during a cooking process； providing a cooking apparatus comprising a cooking chamber having an annular sidewall, a base wall and an upper end with a dispensing opening, the cooking chamber defining a cooking cavity, and a plurality of vent openings disposed around a lower portion of the cooking chamber and opening into the cavity, a heater for heating air, and a fan mechanism for directing heated air into the cavity through the vent openings, the vent openings and the cooking chamber being configured to cause a vortex of heated air from the vent openings to be propelled upwardly towards the dispensing opening along an inner surface of the annular sidewall； disposing the portion of snack food pellets into the lower portion of the cooking chamber； and heating air using the heater and directing the heated air into the cavity through the vent openings, the heated air in the cavity cooking and expanding the snack food pellets thereby causing the expanded snack food pellets to enlarge in surface area and reduce in density, and the vortex of heated air from the vent openings propelling the expanded snack food pellets progressively upwardly towards the dispensing opening and causing the expanded snack food pieces to be dispensed out of the dispensing opening. Also, disclosed is a kit of parts for carrying out the method.La présente invention concerne une dose mesurée de granules d'aliment en-cas dans un emballage, les granules comprenant une matrice d'amidon qui est expansible lorsqu'elle est soumise à un chauffage pen
