Description
Spicy Hot Cheeto Mozzarella Sticks blend crispy, fiery coating with gooey cheese for an irresistible appetizer. Crunch meets melty goodness in this crowd-pleasing snack you cannot resist trying.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 12 mozzarella string cheese sticks, cut in half
- 1 bag (8.5 ounces / 240 grams) flaming hot Cheetos, crushed (3 cups)
Dry Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup (62.5 grams) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Finishing and Serving Ingredients:
- 4 large eggs, room temperature
- Parsley, chopped, for garnish
- Ranch or blue cheese dressing, for dipping
Instructions
- Transform Cheetos into fine, powdery crumbs using a food processor, ensuring a consistent texture for coating.
- Arrange three shallow bowls and line a baking sheet with parchment paper for organized preparation.
- Combine flour, salt, and garlic powder in the first bowl, creating a seasoned dry coating mixture.
- Whisk eggs thoroughly in the second bowl until well blended and smooth.
- Pour processed Cheetos crumbs into the third bowl, ready for the final coating layer.
- Develop a precise coating technique: first, roll each mozzarella stick in the flour mixture, ensuring complete coverage. Immediately dunk into whisked eggs, then generously roll in Cheetos crumbs. Repeat the egg and Cheetos coating for extra crispiness, creating a thick, even layer. Gently place on parchment paper.
- Continue coating remaining mozzarella sticks using the same methodical approach.
- Freeze coated cheese sticks for 30-60 minutes to solidify the coating and prevent cheese from melting during cooking.
- Preheat air fryer to 390°F for 5 minutes, allowing consistent high-temperature cooking.
- Lightly mist prepared mozzarella sticks with cooking spray. Arrange in air fryer basket with spacing between each stick, potentially cooking in multiple batches.
- Air fry for 4-6 minutes until exterior turns golden brown and crispy.
- Allow sticks to cool briefly for 1-2 minutes. Serve immediately alongside ranch or blue cheese dressing for dipping.
Notes
- Crush Cheetos finely for a consistent, crispy coating that adheres perfectly to the mozzarella sticks.
- Double-coat the cheese sticks for extra crunch and to prevent cheese from leaking during cooking.
- Freezing is crucial to help the breading stay intact and prevent cheese from melting too quickly in the air fryer.
- Adjust cooking time based on air fryer size and power to avoid burning the Cheetos coating while ensuring the cheese melts completely.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg