If there is anything that can light up my mood, it’s hot Cheeto chicken wings. Every bite of these tangy and crusty little wings will put you on a roller coaster ride of flavor.
Fried hot Cheetos are served at many places, but these homemade wings take you to the next level of taste and aroma. This hot cheetos chicken wings recipe is perfect for any occasion or for a routine meal. The distinct Cheeto flavor has become the standard for a modern variety of chicken wings.
I was just about sick of traditional chicken wings when I came across flaming hot Cheetos wings. This was only after a long search for an entirely new texture and form of wing. And all my efforts paid off when I took that first bite. The spice was amazing, and the crunch was more than I ever expected out of a chicken wing.
Comparing these fried hot Cheetos wings to traditional hot wings is no match at all. The crust itself is so different and unique that you won’t ever get over the crisp crunch.
Generally, any flavor of Cheetos can be used to coat the wings, but that fiery taste can only be enjoyed with flaming hot Cheetos. People sometimes have a hard time with the idea of coating the wings with Cheetos, and the combination spices blended along with it makes it even more confusing. That’s why it’s important for me to share this recipe with you today.
The recipe I originally experienced was far tangier, but I believe in trying your own version. So, I came up with my own proportions and gave it a shot. To my surprise, it turned out pretty great. Without using any hot sauce or extra condiments, these hot fried wings turned out to be quite delicious.
And when served with a rich dip or sauce, these wings are even more delicious. The best way to serve the chicken wings varies depending on your group. These wings complement nicely cooked pork chops. Steaks and kebabs can also be served alongside the wings.
Each meal calls for a variety of spice blends.
The thing that I adore the most about these chicken wings is the convenience of preparing them. They are a perfect meal prep option as they can be stored and frozen easily. Once the wings are marinated and crusted, I store them in a Ziplock bag and then keep them in the freezer.
Whenever I get a hankering for Cheeto crusted chicken, I simply deep fry them on a set temperature. Baking is also a great option, but I prefer frying to keep the texture of the frozen wings. Just keep in mind to immediately serve them after cooking. When served too late, the outer crust gets soggy and soft. You want to avoid that, trust me!
It is always safer to serve immediately after taking the coated wings from the freezer.
A Snack to Remember!
There is no better snack for a party of movie night than a bucket full of chicken wings. And by ditching the same old chicken wings, you can enjoy a fresh twist to your night with these hot Cheetos wings. Their crisp is so fascinating that everyone will thank you for serving them.
When I first introduced hot Cheetos wings to my family and friends, their reaction to the first bite was a hoot. They all instantly fell for it. Most of them did not even recognize the distinct hot Cheeto taste until I told them I used a packet of their favorite Cheetos! It’s always satisfying to suprise my folks with a bout of new and exciting recipes.
Extra Flaming Hot Cheetos
Many times people ask: why use extra flaming hot Cheetos to season these wings? It’s a legit question when there are so many other options to coat your wings with and as well as seasonings to infuse flavor. But the taste of flaming hot Cheetos perfectly complements any seasoning used with chicken wings. I use either chipotle or buffalo ranch to season the wings and they both rock.
Only hot Cheetos can suit so many dressings so well. Moreover, every Cheetos packet snack has a distinct crispy and crunchy texture that no breadcrumb can provide. So, with both the taste and texture included in a single packet of Cheetos, you can make the absolute best of your wings.
Meal Prepping tips
I always take pride in being a good homemaker, and meal prepping helps me a lot in my quest. It allows me to manage my work and diet even more effectively. With Cheetos chicken wings, meal prepping becomes easier than ever. I prepare all the wings using the given recipe, coat them well in Cheetos flakes then arrange them in a Ziplock bag or a freezing tray.
After covering, I immediately freeze the wings. Half an hour before serving, I remove the wings from the freezer. I either bake them or deep fry depending on the day. It’s so much more convenient and easy this way.
How to Make Hot Cheeto Wings
Making Cheetos wings are pretty simple. From a single hot flaming Cheetos package, you can make dozens of wings. These hot Cheeto chicken ingredients are all probably readily available in your kitchen cabinets. Just mix them together with the chicken wings and cook away. Keep in mind that baking makes them crispier than frying.
Another good technique to cook them is to use an Air Fryer. Place the wings in the basket of the air fryer and spray them with some cooking oil before cooking on high heat for few minutes, until golden brown.
Ingredients
- 2 Extra Flaming Hot Cheetos
- 1 Ranch (Buffalo or chipotle)
- Chicken wings
- Season Blend
- Black pepper
- Garlic powder
- Cayenne pepper
- Seasoning Salt
Directions
Before you start coating and cooking the wings, first prepare them by washing them thoroughly. It is good to break each wing into half for easier serving and handling of the wings. However, you can also use full wings. After washing and cleaning them, let them completely drain in a colander. Further pat them with a paper towel to absorb any the excess moisture.
Start by boiling the chicken in a cooking pot. Boil simply in water, or add some salt if desired. Drain the excess juices and put the wings aside. After cooling down the chicken, place in a large bowl and let all the cooking liquid drain from it.
I recommend to pat it dry before you start seasoning. Now start sprinkling the seasoning over each wing. Make sure to cover all the wings while sprinkling. Use your hand to rub the chicken with seasoning.
Open a pack of hot Cheetos and release all the air from the pack, and then fold the top down. Smash the Cheetos inside using a rolling pin or a big spoon. All the Cheetos should look like powdery crumbs. Do not smash too much, keep the texture similar to bread crumbs.
Add ranch to one bowl and the smashed Cheetos to another. Meanwhile set the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a cookie tray or a baking sheet with cooking oil. Cheetos wings release their own oil, so use less oil than usual to grease the baking tray.
Now dip each wing in ranch and then coat them with hot Cheetos crumbs. Arrange them on the greased baking sheet after coating finely. Place the baking tray in the middle portion of the oven. Allow the wings to bake for about 35 minutes.
Serve the hot wings with your favorite sauce and fries.
These wings are great to serve as an appetizer or a side dish. They go well alongside burgers and pizza. Personally, I store them in the freezer for whenever I need them. Whenever I feel like switching it up, I simply deep fry them in hot oil.
Another technique that I sometimes use is adding lemon juice to the seasoning while rubbing it over the wings. I love the taste of this. And this way, the seasoning gets absorbed deep into the wings. Remember to marinate well for better taste, 30 minutes at least or up to 3 hours at most.
How About Some Air Fried Cheetos Wings?
I always look for ways to make the recipe healthier and quicker to make. Baking is the best option to cook super crispy Hot Cheetos wings, yet there is another technique to get the same texture and that is with the help of an Air Fryer. The best feature of an air fryer is that it reduces the chance of overheating. Every wing will be cooked evenly without the eed for constant supervision.
I tried my air fryer to cook these wings, and in just one attempt the wings came out perfectly cooked. If you haven’t yet used an air fryer, I would not recommend you to try it for these wings. Just keep to the oven recipe. However, if you are an avid air fryer user, I would certainly suggest to at least give it a shot, you won’t be disappointed.
This is what I do when I make hot Cheetos wings in the air fryer. Until the dipping and coating of the wings in crushed Cheetos crumbs, the whole procedure remains the same as described above. Once all the wings are prepared and ready to cook, put them aside for a while.
Plug in the air fryer and set the temperature close to 350 degrees F and the timing as per the quantity of the wings. It usually takes 20 to 30 minutes to cook them completely. Pull the air fryer basket and arrange the coated wings in the basket. It important to spray some cooking oil on top of these wings and then close the basket again.
Inside the air fryer, the wings are cooked from every side due to hot air passing through at a regular rate, so the wings turn out even crispier.
Deep Fried Cheetos Chicken Wings
Deep frying is not usually recommended because it renders the wings too oily. But if there is no oven or air fryer at home, deep frying is the only option you’re left with. Wings absorb extra oil only when they are not cooked at the right temperature. It’s not the method itself that spoils the texture but the wrong use of the method.
For deep frying, remember this next tip carefully!
To fry coated wings first cook them at high temperature in preheated cooking oil. This initial cooking should last only for 3 to 5 minutes. It will cook the wings from the outside and make the coating crispy. After that reduce the heat and temperature of the oil to medium level and then allow the wings to cook for few more minutes until they are al dente.
After frying, transfer the wings to a plate lined with paper towel or put them in a basket or colander to release all the excess oil. Do not leave the wings in the oil, immediately transfer them to a plate or platter or the wings will get too soggy and oily. Always serve them fresh, or the outer coating will lose it precious crisp.
Conclusion
Not only do Cheetos lovers go crazy for the epic crunch of hot Cheetos chicken wings, but everyone and everyone gets excited as heck about this recipe. The amazing blend of seasonings and the classic Cheetos texture and taste makes these wings so special and heartwarming.
The spice mixture I used here is indeed a basic one. Many people add more or less of the spices as per their taste preferences. Let what you are serving the wings with help decide that for you. With a hot and spicy entrée, keep the wings less tangy. When serving with burgers or sandwiches, try to make them spicier for a balance of flavor.
