Description

Hot Cheeto Mozzarella Sticks are a fiery twist on the classic cheesy snack. Creamy mozzarella sticks are coated in a crunchy, spicy Hot Cheetos crust, then fried to crispy perfection. Perfect for parties, game day, or whenever you crave a bold, irresistible appetizer.

Ingredients

Units Scale

For the Mozzarella Sticks:

12 mozzarella string cheese sticks

For the Coating:

2 cups Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, finely crushed
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 large eggs
2 tablespoons milk

For Frying:

Vegetable oil, for frying

For Serving (Optional):

Ranch dressing or marinara sauce

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Instructions

Prep the Mozzarella:** Unwrap the mozzarella sticks and place them on a parchment-lined tray. Freeze for at least 30-45 minutes so they hold shape during frying.
Crush the Hot Cheetos:** Place the Flamin’ Hot Cheetos in a food processor or ziplock bag. Pulse or crush until finely ground and transfer to a shallow bowl.
Set Up Breading Station:** Arrange three shallow bowls: one with flour, one with eggs whisked with milk, and one with the crushed Hot Cheetos.
Bread the Mozzarella Sticks: Dip each frozen cheese stick first in flour, then in the egg mixture, and finally roll in crushed Hot Cheetos, pressing gently to make the coating stick. For extra crunch, repeat egg and Cheetos coating (double-dip).
Freeze Again: Return coated sticks to the tray and freeze for 20-30 minutes. This prevents cheese from leaking while frying.
Fry the Sticks: In a heavy-bottomed pot, heat 2-3 inches of vegetable oil to 350ºF (175ºC). Working in batches, fry mozzarella sticks for 1-2 minutes until crispy and golden. Don’t overcrowd the pan.
Drain & Serve: Remove mozzarella sticks with a slotted spoon, draining them on a paper towel-lined plate. Serve hot with ranch or marinara sauce for dipping.

Notes

Double freezing helps mozzarella stay inside the coating during frying.
Work quickly while breading to keep the cheese from softening.
Try other spicy chips for a different flavor twist.
These can be baked at 400ºF (200ºC) for 8-10 minutes for a lighter version, though frying yields the crispiest results.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 2 sticks
Calories: 250
Sugar: 2g
Sodium: 610mg
Fat: 16g
Saturated Fat: 7g
Unsaturated Fat: 7g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 18g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 10g
Cholesterol: 45mg