Copycat Applebees Flamin’ Hot Cheetos Cheese Bites
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This Copycat Applebees Flamin’ Hot Cheetos Cheese Bites recipe puts a twist on the deep fried finger food. They’re crunchy, spicy hot and soooo cheesy! But no need to find your nearest Applebees – you can make them at home (in your air fryer)!
Fried cheese curds are an Iowa favorite – and usually I have them battered but this recipe makes the breading out of Flaming Hot Cheetos – how fun is that?! They’re super cheesy and crunchy – really yummy!
You can also make Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks or even Cheese Wontons in the air fryer – lots of cheesy treats to be had!
Ingredients for Hot Cheetos Cheese Bites
This is super simple with only four ingredients:
How do you air fry cheese bites?
OK – let me tell you – it took me 3x to get these right! I have mad respect for the people that figured out how to fry cheese – because it MELTS!?! WHO KNEW?! haha!
Here are the steps:
Tips, Tricks & FAQs
Cheese curds are moist pieces of curdled milk. You can usually find them in grocery stores and always at the Amish stores (my favorite!). We always called them squeaky cheese because they’re a little damp and squeak when you chew them.
Nope – you’ll end up with a giant glob of melted cheese!
Turn your oven onto warm, gently remove them from the air fryer and put them on a separate cookie sheet in the oven.
Yes! The oil should be at 375 and they just need to be fried for 1-2 minutes in the fryer.
Copycat Recipe for your Applebee’s Favorites
Other Air Fryer Recipes
You can find all of them in my Air Fryer Recipes section or in my Air Fryer Facebook group!
Copycat Applebees Flamin Hot Cheetos Cheese Bites
Equipment
Ingredients
- 8 oz Flamin Hot Cheetos
- 8 oz cheese curds
- 2 cups flour
- 4 eggs
Instructions
- Pour Hot Cheetos in food processor and chop finely to bread crumb texture
- Whisk eggs in a small bowl4 eggs
- Place flour and Hot Cheetos crumbs in plates – separately8 oz Flamin Hot Cheetos, 2 cups flour
- Position them from left to right — egg — flour — cheetos — plate
- Dip cheese curds 4-5 at a time into egg, flour, egg, flour, egg and – finally – cheetos. It’s easiest to do this with a slotted spoon in the egg (I used a pasta spoon with the fingers and bigger holes) and then spoon around the dry ingredients. This will allow you to pick up the curds and allow the egg to drain.8 oz cheese curds
- Once all the curds are on the plate separated – NOT PILED – place them in the freezer for a minimum of 2 hours
- Remove from freezer and spray with non-stick spray
- Place into air fryer right away – one layer at a time – no touching – do not overcrowd!!!!
- Heat at 350 for 2 minutes
- Turn curds, spray again
- Heat at 350 for 2 minutes
- Remove gently and move to preheated 350 oven until all curds are done
- This makes about 30 cheese curds – you can easily cut in half
- Serve immediately with ranch
Notes
– If you can’t find traditional cheese curds, you can use cubed cheddar cheese
– Using a pasta spoon seemed to be the best way to get the curds in and out of the eggs/flour without getting hands completely caked up
I don’t love flamin hot cheetos but my guy and his friends do and boy did they love these at game day! I am now famous for making these and they will be requested every weekend. LOL!
Yummy! I just made the cheetos and came out delicious!
Life-changing! That’s all I have to say about this recipe! Love that I can make it at home without having to go out to eat.
Oh my goodness! These sound absolutely amazing! Perfect for game day or just snack time.
I’ve never seen anything quite like these. I had to try them. So tasty!