Photo: @pigpendelicacy on Instagram.
Remember when bacon was big? Every kind of food, from burgers to cupcakes to cocktails, used to come topped or wrapped or infused with the greasy, cured meat product. These days, Flamin’ Hot Cheetos are the add-on du jour. The spicy, crunchy, bizarrely colored cheese snack seems to be popping up on pizza, getting incorporated into tater tots, and can even be made into dessert bars. Whether you like your Cheetos-themed cuisine prepared for you by a chef at a restaurant or you prefer to DIY and indulge in secret, these flamin’ hot creations will satisfy your junk food cravings.
13 Foods Improved With Flamin Hot Cheetos
-
Flamin' Hot Cheetos Mac 'n' Cheese
If elbow noodles coated in melted cheese and topped with fiery snack food bits is your dream meal, allow us to introduce you to The Attic in Long Beach, California. Here, you'll find six varieties of Mac ‘n’ Cheetos on the menu. There's even one for breakfast, though you'll likely need the rest of the day to recoup if you go that route.
Photo: @christineeatsalot on Instagram.
-
Flamin' Hot Cheetos Pizza
Leave it to the humble Ameci Pizza Kitchen to innovate the ever-popular Italian pie. This cheesy comfort food has a thick layer of Flamin' Hot Cheetos, lending a new kind of texture to the tongues of longtime pizza eaters.
Photo: @saabymae on Instagram.
-
Flamin' Hot Cheetos Chicken Tenders
As much as we love breaded, fried and/or crispy chicken, that bird can get boring. Seventh Street Cafe in downtown L.A. knows this, and has kicked chicken tenders up a notch by coating them in crushed Flamin' Hot Cheetos. Now that's what we call finger-lickin' good.
Photo: @tanayas.table on Instagram.
-
Flamin' Hot Cheetos Bagel
So apparently people still eat bagels. If you need a new reason to fill up on that thick, chewy bread orb, California food truck Yeastie Boys Bagels has one with its Flamin' Hot Cheetos-crusted bagel. Follow on social media to track down a fresh one.
Photo: @yeastieboysbagels on Instagram.
-
Flamin' Hot Cheetos Sushi Burrito
Americans have to get their grubby fingers on everything, and sushi is no exception. At least this inventive mash-up appears to enhance the fish-eating experience. It's a sushi burrito from The Low-Key Poke Joint, coated in a fine Flamin' Hot Cheetos crumb.
Photo: @thelowkeypokejoint on Instagram.
-
Flamin' Hot Cheetos Fries
In this bastardized form of poutine, Santa Ana eatery Pig Pen Delicacy has topped fries with mac 'n' cheese and a generous layer of crushed Flamin' Hot Cheetos. You should use a fork though you'll be tempted to dive face-first into this hot mountain of salty bliss.
Photo: @pigpendelicacy on Instagram.
-
Flamin' Cheetos Arugula Grilled Cheese
Who says Flamin' Hot Cheetos can't be high-brow food? Food blogger Mandy Lee of Lady and Pups elevated the white trash reputation of both Hot Flamin' Cheetos and grilled cheese with her Flamin' Cheetos Arugula Grilled Cheese sandwich. If only your local deli could recreate such classy food porn.
Photo: ladyandpups.com.
-
Hot Cheetos Cheesy Tots
YouTube star and food fanatic Marlin Ramsey Chan has an entire playlist of Hot Cheetos recipes on his channel, from the outrageous (a giant Hot Cheetos marshmallow) to the irresistible (Hot Cheetos chicken wings). We'll endorse his cheesy Hot Cheeto tots, however, because they combine the trifecta of snack foods: tots, cheese, and Hot Cheetos. No wonder 1.5 million subscribers have their eyes glued to his vids.
Photo: Marlin on YouTube.
-
Flamin' Hot Cheetos Nachos
Tortilla chips are so tired. Switch up your ballpark favorite by ordering the Flamin' Hot Cheetos version of nachos instead. It's a game-changer.
Photo: @alb_lili on Instagram.
-
Hot Flamin' Cheetos Corn on the Cob
How's your Spanish? In need of a little practice? Here's a new word to add to your vocabulary: "Cheelote." That's Cheetos plus elote, the Spanish word for "corn". To make, simply slather an ear of cooked corn with butter and mayo, then roll in crushed Hot Flamin' Cheetos.
Photo: @iamjuicychild on Instagram.
-
Flamin' Hot Cheetos Walking Taco
California food truck Rez Ice Cream keeps its Flamin' Hot Cheetos entree simple by combining ground beef, jalapeños, and melted cheese directly in the snack's bag. It's a portable, perfectly-proportioned taco for Cheetos lovers.
Photo: @rezicecream on Instagram.
-
Flamin' Hot Cheetos Meatballs
If you've ever attempted homemade meatballs, you know they need a binder, and it's usually in the form of bread crumbs. Luckily for you, Flamin' Hot Cheetos are similar in texture and binding ability. Swap out half your crumbs for crushed Cheetos and prepare yourself for the hottest ball-eating experience you've ever had.
Photo: @devin.nguyen on Instagram.
-
Cheetos Marshmallow Crispy Bars
What if two of your favorite snack foods--one sweet, one savory--mated? That's the question food blog Seeded at the Table seemed to be answering when it posted a recipe for Cheetos Marshmallow Crispy Bars. Whether or not they're edible is anybody's guess, but given how easily they're prepared (all you need are Cheetos, butter, and marshmallows), they're worth trying at least once.
Photo: seededatthetable.com.
