Description
Crispy, spicy Hot Cheeto Mozzarella Sticks are a fun and flavorful twist on classic mozzarella sticks. Coated in crushed Flamin’ Hot Cheetos and air-fried to golden perfection, these cheesy snacks are perfect for game day, parties, or a spicy appetizer at home.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese and Coating
- 1 bag (8.5 oz) Flamin’ Hot Cheetos (crushed, approx. 3 cups)
- 12 mozzarella string cheese sticks (cut in half)
- ½ cup (62.5 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 4 large eggs (room temperature, whisked)
Garnish and Serving
- Parsley (chopped, for garnish)
- Ranch or blue cheese dressing (for dipping)
Instructions
- Crush the Flamin’ Hot Cheetos: Place the Flamin’ Hot Cheetos into a food processor and pulse them until they become fine crumbs, approximately 3 cups worth. This will be used for the crunchy coating.
- Prepare the coating stations: Arrange three shallow bowls: one with the flour combined with kosher salt and garlic powder, one with the whisked eggs, and the third with the crushed Cheeto crumbs. This setup will ensure an even and flavorful coating.
- Coat the mozzarella sticks: Dip each mozzarella stick half first into the flour mixture, then into the egg wash, and finally into the crushed Cheetos crumbs. Repeat the egg wash and Cheetos crumbs step to create a thicker, crunchier crust that holds during cooking.
- Freeze before cooking: Place the coated mozzarella sticks on parchment paper and freeze them for at least 30 minutes. This step is essential to prevent the cheese from melting too quickly and oozing out during cooking.
- Air fry the sticks: Preheat your air fryer to 390°F (199°C). Lightly spray the frozen sticks with cooking spray to help achieve a crispy finish. Air fry for 4-6 minutes, or until the sticks are golden brown and crispy. Serve immediately, garnished with chopped parsley and accompanied by ranch or blue cheese dressing for dipping.
Notes
- Freezing the coated mozzarella sticks for at least 30 minutes prevents excessive cheese melt and helps maintain crispiness.
- Using light or part-skim mozzarella sticks lowers the calorie content while keeping delicious flavor.
- Double-coating the sticks with egg and Cheetos crumbs creates a thicker, crunchier crust that holds up well in the air fryer.
Keywords: Hot Cheeto Mozzarella Sticks, spicy mozzarella sticks, air fryer appetizers, Flamin’ Hot snacks, crispy cheese sticks, game day snacks, party appetizers