Description
Crispy and flavorful Hot Cheeto Mozzarella Sticks coated with crushed flaming hot Cheetos for a spicy twist on a classic appetizer. These cheesy sticks are breaded, frozen, and air-fried to perfection, offering a crunchy exterior and gooey melted cheese inside, perfect for party snacks or game day treats.
Ingredients
For the Coating
- 1 bag (8.5 ounces / 6 cups) flaming hot Cheetos, crushed (3 cups)
- ½ cup (62.5 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
For the Mozzarella Sticks
- 12 mozzarella string cheese sticks, cut in half
- 4 large eggs, room temperature
For Serving
- Parsley, chopped, for garnish
- Ranch or blue cheese dressing, for dipping
Instructions
- Crush Cheetos: Place the flaming hot Cheetos into the bowl of a food processor and pulse until they become fine crumbs, about 3 cups. Set aside.
- Prepare Bowls: Arrange three shallow bowls for your breading station. In the first bowl, combine the flour, kosher salt, and garlic powder. In the second bowl, whisk the eggs thoroughly. In the third bowl, place the crushed Cheetos crumbs.
- Coat Cheese Sticks: Working with one mozzarella stick half at a time, first dip it into the flour mixture, ensuring every side is covered. Then, dip it into the beaten eggs, coating fully. Next, roll it in the crushed Cheetos crumbs. For an extra crispy coating, dip it back into the eggs and then again into the Cheetos crumbs, making sure the stick is fully coated. Place the coated cheese sticks on parchment paper.
- Freeze Coated Cheese Sticks: Transfer the coated mozzarella sticks to the freezer and chill for at least 30 minutes, up to 1 hour, to set the coating and prevent sogginess during cooking.
- Preheat Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 390°F (approximately 200°C) for 5 minutes so it’s ready for cooking.
- Prepare for Air Frying: Lightly spray the frozen coated mozzarella sticks with cooking spray to help achieve a golden, crispy exterior. Carefully arrange them in a single layer inside the air fryer basket, leaving enough space for air circulation. Cook them in batches if needed based on your air fryer size.
- Air Fry: Cook the sticks for 4 to 6 minutes or until they are golden brown and crispy on the outside, and the cheese is melted inside.
- Serve: Carefully remove the hot mozzarella sticks from the air fryer and let them cool for 1-2 minutes. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve hot with ranch or blue cheese dressing for dipping.
Notes
- Freezing the coated sticks before air frying is crucial to prevent the cheese from melting too quickly and to keep the coating intact.
- If you don’t have a food processor, place the Cheetos in a sealed plastic bag and crush them using a rolling pin or heavy pan.
- You can adjust the heat level by using different types of flavored or plain chips instead of hot Cheetos.
- Cooking times may vary depending on the air fryer model, so keep an eye on the sticks to prevent burning.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
