While the formula for Flamin' Hot Cheetos is still a secret, you can make your own homemade version that's still crunchy, savory, and spicy. Combine cheese mixture and roll into each Cheetos. Then, bake until browned and add to the homemade spicy seasoning mix. If you don't have much time, simply pour the seasoning mixture into a classic Cheetos bag and beat until combined.
Ingredients
Cheetos Dough
- 1 teaspoon (5.5 grams) salt
- 1/8 teaspoon (0.5 grams) garlic powder
- 2 cups (250 grams) all-purpose flour
- 4 teaspoons (14 grams) cornstarch
- 8 tablespoons (120 grams) butter
- 1 cup (220 grams) grated cheddar cheese
- 1/3 cup (40 grams) powdered cheese
- 1 tablespoon (0.5 grams) spicy seasoning
- Water up to 120 ml, optional
For 2 servings
Spicy seasoning
- 2 teaspoons (4.5 grams) paprika
- 1 pinch of cayenne pepper or more to taste
- 1/8 teaspoon (0.5 g) garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon (1 gram) onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon (1 gram) lemon pepper seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon (1 gram) sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon (1.5 grams) or more salt to taste
' To make 1 tablespoon (10 grams) of seasoning
Step
Part 1 of 3: Making Homemade Spicy Cheetos Dough
Step 1. Mix flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, and salt in a bowl
Pour 2 cups (250 grams) of all-purpose flour into a bowl and add 4 teaspoons (14 grams) of cornstarch. Also add 1 teaspoon (5.5 grams) of salt and 1/8 teaspoon (0.5 grams) of garlic powder and stir.
Tip:
If you like the Cheetos lighter and crunchier, replace the cornstarch with cornstarch.
Step 2. Mix 8 tablespoons (120 grams) of butter into the dry ingredients mixture
Cut butter into cubes and place in a bowl with seasoned flour. Use your hands or a stand mixer to stir the ingredients until the butter is combined. Then, set this mixture aside for now.
If you're using a stand mixer, stop occasionally and scrape the sides of the bowl
Step 3. Stir up to 120 ml of water to form a soft dough
Take 120 ml of cold water and pour a few spoonfuls into the flour and butter mixture. Use a spoon to knead the dough and keep adding a spoonful of water until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl.
You may not use all of the prepared water. Try not to add too much water so that the dough is not too sticky when handling
Step 4. Crush 1 cup (220 grams) of grated cheese until it becomes a fine powder
Place the grated cheddar cheese in a food processor and close the lid. Then, crush the cheese until it is as smooth as possible.
Smoothing the cheese will make it easier for it to spread evenly throughout the dough
Step 5. Add the cheese to the mixture until evenly mixed
Use a stand mixer to mix the powdered cheese into the mixture in a bowl. Continue to stir the mixture until the cheese is evenly distributed.
If you don't have a stand mixer, use a spoon or a sturdy spatula to stir the mixture
Step 6. Cover the dough with plastic food wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours
Take a plastic food wrap and use it to wrap the dough tightly. Store the dough in the refrigerator for 2 hours. This helps the gluten in the dough relax so it doesn't shrink as the Cheetos cook.
Part 2 of 3: Scrolling and Cooking Cheetos
Step 1. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius and line the cake pan with parchment paper
Set a rimmed baking sheet on your work surface, and spread parchment paper on top. This parchment paper will prevent the Cheetos from sticking to the pan while baking.
Variation:
If you like the Cheetos crispier, fry the batter in a 5cm (5cm) pot of vegetable oil. Fry for 15 seconds or until brown and buoyant in oil.
Step 2. Roll out the dough to a length of 5 cm
Remove the dough from the refrigerator and scoop out 1 tablespoon (8 grams) of dough. Roll the dough between your palms to make 5 cm long Cheetos. Repeat this process for the entire dough.
If you want to make Cheetos more realistic, bend the dough until it looks curvy instead of completely smooth
Step 3. Arrange the Cheetos on the baking sheet
Lay the Cheetos in a single layer so that each one is at least 1 cm apart. If you can't get all the Cheetos in the pan, use 2 pans and bake alternately.
Step 4. Bake the cheetos for 15-20 minutes
Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake the Cheetos until the edges are lightly browned. To test for doneness of Cheetos, gently remove one from the pan and break it in half. If the Cheetos don't break easily, bake for 2-3 minutes and check again.
Step 5. Transfer the warm Cheetos to a bowl
Once the Cheetos are crisp, put on oven mitts and carefully remove the pan. Transfer all the Cheetos to a large bowl and set aside while you mix in the hot spices.
Part 3 of 3: Mixing Spices
Step 1. Put all the ingredients in a small bowl
Measure out 2 teaspoons (4.5 grams) of paprika and place in a bowl along with a pinch of cayenne pepper, 1/8 teaspoon (0.5 grams) garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon (1 gram) onion powder, 1/ 2 teaspoons (1 gram) of lemon pepper seasoning, 1/4 teaspoon (1 gram) of sugar, and at least 1/4 teaspoon (1.5 grams) of salt.
- For a more smoky flavor, use smoked paprika.
- If you want to save the seasoning for later use, place it in an airtight container and store at room temperature for 6 months. Although the seasoning is still usable after 6 months, the taste will be much tame.
Step 2. Stir and beat the spices
Use a small whisk or spoon to mix all the spices together. Blend all lumps so that the color of the spice mixture is uniform. Keep in mind that this serving yields 1 tablespoon (0.5 grams) of seasoning so you don't need a large bowl.
If you want to make enough seasoning for a small bag of Cheetos, reduce the amount by half, or divide your seasoning in half and set the other half aside for later
Step 3. Coat the cheetos with the spicy seasoning and powdered cheese
Sprinkle 1/3 cup (40 grams) of powdered cheese over the warm cheetos in a bowl. Use tongs or a spoon to stir the Cheetos until they are fully coated with the spices.
If you're having trouble sticking the seasonings on the Cheetos, spritz it with edible oil and try to shake it again
Tip:
You can buy a bag of classic Cheetos and pour the seasoning into it. Close the bag tightly and shake so that each Cheetos is coated in the spicy seasoning.
