How to Make Hot Cheetos: 14 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow

Step 1

Whisk the flour, cornmeal, garlic powder, and salt in a bowl. Put 2 cups (240 g) of all-purpose flour into a mixing bowl and add 4 teaspoons (14 g) of cornmeal. Whisk in 1 teaspoon (5.5 g) of salt and 1/8 teaspoon (0.5 g) of garlic powder.[1] X Research source WH.performance.mark('step1_rendered');

Step 2

Blend 8 tablespoons (115 g) of butter into the dry mixture. Cut the butter into cubes and add them to the bowl with the seasoned flour. Use your hands or a stand mixer to mix the ingredients until the butter is incorporated. Then, set the mixture aside.[2] X Research source if (WH.video)WH.video.add(document.getElementById('mvid-669125cbb9'));If you're using a stand mixer, stop and scrape down the sides of the bowl occasionally.

Step 3

Stir in up to 1⁄2 cup (120 ml) of water to form a soft dough. Get out 1⁄2 cup (120 ml) of cold water and pour a few spoonfuls of it into the flour and butter mixture. Use a spoon to stir the dough and keep adding spoonfuls of water until the dough pulls away from the side of the bowl.if (WH.video)WH.video.add(document.getElementById('mvid-b46622a532'));You may not need all of the water. Avoid adding too much water or the dough will be too sticky to handle.

Step 4

Process 1 cup (226 g) of shredded cheese until it's finely crumbled. Place the shredded cheddar cheese into a food processor and put the lid on. Then, pulse the cheese until it's as fine as possible.[3] X Research source if (WH.video)WH.video.add(document.getElementById('mvid-1d6fe9e945'));Pulverizing the cheese makes it easier to distribute it within the dough.

Step 5

Mix the cheese into the dough until it's incorporated. Use a stand mixer to put the pulverized cheese into the bowl with the dough. Then, combine the mixture until the cheese is evenly distributed.[4] X Research source If you don't have a stand mixer, use a stiff spoon or spatula to combine the mixture.

Step 6

Cover the dough with plastic wrap and chill it for 2 hours. Tear off a piece of plastic wrap and tightly wrap the dough with it. Put the dough in the fridge to rest for 2 hours. This helps the gluten in the dough relax so it doesn't shrink as the cheetos cook.[5] X Research source if (WH.video)WH.video.add(document.getElementById('mvid-85d71ae5c8'));

Step 7

Preheat the oven to 350 °F (177 °C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set a rimmed baking sheet on your work surface and lay a piece of parchment on it. The parchment prevents the cheetos from sticking to the sheet as they bake.[6] X Research source

Step 8

Roll the dough into 2 in (5.1 cm) long pieces. Remove the dough from the fridge and pinch off 1 tablespoon (8 g) of dough. Roll the dough piece between your palms to make a 2 in (5.1 cm) long cheeto. Repeat this for the rest of the dough.[7] X Research source if (WH.video)WH.video.add(document.getElementById('mvid-9616ff0deb'));If you want to make more realistic-looking cheetos, bend the cheeto pieces so they look wiggly instead of perfectly smooth.

Step 9

Arrange the cheetos on the baking sheet. Place them in a single layer so there's at least 1⁄2 inch (1.3 cm) of space between each one. If you can't fit all of the cheetos on your baking sheet, use 2 sheets and bake them in batches.[8] X Research source

Step 10

Bake the cheetos for 15 to 20 minutes. Put the sheet in the preheated oven and cook the cheetos until they're browned on the ends. To test if the cheetos are done, carefully remove 1 from the sheet and break it in half. If the cheeto doesn't snap in half easily, bake it for another 2 or 3 minutes and check them again.[9] X Research source if (WH.video)WH.video.add(document.getElementById('mvid-383a940140'));

Step 11

Transfer the warm cheetos to a bowl. Once the cheetos are crispy, wear oven mitts to take the sheet out. Carefully move all of the cheetos to a large mixing bowl and set it aside while you mix the flamin' hot seasoning.[10] X Research source if (WH.video)WH.video.add(document.getElementById('mvid-2ff6aa636e'));

Step 12

Put all of the ingredients into a small bowl. Measure 2 teaspoons (4.5 g) of paprika and put it in a bowl along with at least 1 dash of cayenne, 1/8 teaspoon (0.5 g) of garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon (1 g) of onion powder, 1/2 teaspoon (1 g) of lemon pepper seasoning, 1/4 teaspoon (1 g) of sugar, and at least 1/4 teaspoon (1.5 g) of salt.[11] X Research source if (WH.video)WH.video.add(document.getElementById('mvid-7857c4724c')); For a slightly smoky flavor, used smoked paprika.If you'd like to store the seasoning to use another time, put it in an airtight container and store it at room temperature for up to 6 months. Although you can use the seasoning after 6 months, the spices will begin to lose their bold flavor.

Step 13

Stir or whisk the seasonings. Use a small whisk or spoon to combine all of the spices. Break up any lumps of spices so the seasoning mixture is uniform in color. Keep in mind that this makes about 1 tablespoon (0.5 g) of seasoning, so you don't need a large bowl.[12] X Research source if (WH.video)WH.video.add(document.getElementById('mvid-a2dd0ff2a4'));If you want to make just enough seasoning for a small bag of cheetos, halve the amounts or set aside half of the seasoning for later.

Step 14

Coat cheetos with the flamin' hot seasoning and the powdered cheese. Sprinkle 1/3 cup (40 g) of powdered cheese and the seasoning mixture over the warm cheetos in the bowl. Use tongs or a spoon to stir the cheetos so they're completely coated with the seasoning.[13] X Research source if (WH.video)WH.video.add(document.getElementById('mvid-36bf0bdf47'));If you have trouble getting the seasoning to stick to the cheetos, spray them with cooking spray and try stirring them again.