Cheesy Air Fryer Cheeto Sticks: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Air fryers are a great way to make your favourite snacks, and you can use them to make delicious hot Cheeto cheese sticks. This simple recipe is a great snack or appetiser and can be made with a variety of cheeses, including mozzarella, cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Colby. The process is straightforward, but it does require careful attention to detail to ensure you get the perfect cheese sticks.

Choosing the right cheese

The type of cheese you use for your Hot Cheeto Cheese Sticks can make or break the final product. The cheese is the star of the dish, so it's important to choose a variety that will melt well and have good flavour. Here are some tips to help you choose the right cheese:

Mozzarella

Mozzarella is the most commonly used cheese for cheese sticks. It has a mild flavour and melts well, making it a good choice for this recipe. You can use either low-moisture mozzarella or whole milk mozzarella, but avoid part-skim as it may affect the flavour and texture. Low-moisture mozzarella is also known as regular mozzarella, and it has a firmer texture with less moisture content, making it ideal for melting and frying.

String Cheese

String cheese, which is essentially mozzarella formed into sticks, is a convenient option for cheese sticks as it saves you the step of cutting the cheese into sticks. It also melts well and helps keep the cheese from leaking out during the frying process.

Full-Fat vs Low-Fat

When it comes to mozzarella cheese sticks, it's best to opt for full-fat rather than low-fat. Low-fat mozzarella tends to have a rubbery texture, so it may not provide the ideal creamy, gooey centre you're looking for.

Freezing the Cheese

Regardless of the type of cheese you choose, it's important to freeze the cheese sticks before frying them. Freezing helps the coating solidify and get sturdy, preventing the cheese from melting and disintegrating in the hot oil. Aim for at least 30 minutes to an hour of freezing time, or until the cheese sticks are completely frozen.

Quantity

For a standard batch of Hot Cheeto Cheese Sticks, you'll need about six mozzarella sticks, cut in half, to make 12 cheese sticks. However, this can be adjusted based on your desired yield.

Other Considerations

While mozzarella is the most popular choice for cheese sticks, some people have experimented with using other types of cheese. For example, one person suggested using Polly-O block cheese, but they didn't provide feedback on how it turned out. Additionally, someone else inquired about using a block of cheese instead of string cheese, but they didn't specify the type of cheese. Thus, if you're feeling adventurous, you could try using a different type of cheese, but mozzarella is your best bet for optimal results.

Freezing the cheese

The first step in making Hot Cheeto Cheese Sticks in an air fryer is to freeze the cheese. Freezing the cheese is important because it ensures the cheese sticks hold their shape when cooked and don't melt away. Freezing the cheese also helps to ensure the breading crisps up in the air fryer without the cheese melting.

To freeze the cheese, start by unwraping and cutting the mozzarella sticks in half. Place them on a plate or tray and put them in the freezer for at least half an hour, up to a maximum of one hour. You can also freeze them for a longer period, but this initial freezing is to ensure the cheese is dry and will hold its shape when coated.

When freezing cheese, it's important to note that not all cheeses freeze well. Harder cheeses like cheddar, Monterey Jack, and Parmesan are better suited for freezing and will maintain their flavour well. Softer cheeses, such as Camembert and Brie, have a higher water content and are more susceptible to damage from ice crystals forming, so they are not ideal for freezing.

When freezing cheese for this recipe, it's best to use mozzarella, which has a lower moisture content than some other soft cheeses, and it freezes relatively well. It's important to freeze the cheese before coating to ensure the best results.

Once the cheese is frozen, you can proceed to the next steps of coating and cooking the cheese sticks.

Preparing the coating

The coating is the star of the show when it comes to these hot Cheeto cheese sticks. It's what gives them their signature crunch and spicy flavour. Here's how to prepare it:

Firstly, you'll need to crush the Cheetos. You can do this by putting them in a food processor or blender and pulsing until they reach a crumb-like consistency. If you don't have either of those appliances, a simple alternative is to put the Cheetos in a plastic bag and use a rolling pin to crush them. You could also use a wine bottle if you don't have a rolling pin. Just make sure to seal the bag tightly to avoid any mess! The key is to get the Cheetos fairly crushed but not so much that they turn into a fine powder. A little texture is good.

Next, set up your breading station. This is a simple three-step process. First, crack an egg into a shallow bowl and beat it with a fork. You can also add some seasoning to the egg if you like—a little salt and pepper will do the trick, or you could try something like Creole seasoning or Italian herb blend. In another bowl, place the crushed Cheetos. Finally, in a third bowl, add some flour. The flour will help the egg stick to the cheese.

Now you're ready to start coating the cheese sticks!

Dipping the cheese

Now, the fun part: dipping the cheese! For this step, you will need a shallow bowl filled with beaten eggs and another shallow bowl filled with your chosen crunchy coating. You can use regular or Italian breadcrumbs, panko breadcrumbs, or get creative with crushed saltines, pretzels, potato chips, or even Cheetos! If you're feeling adventurous, season your egg mixture with salt, pepper, or your favourite spices.

Take each cheese stick and dip it first into the egg mixture, making sure it is fully coated. Then, roll the stick in your chosen crunchy coating, gently pressing the crumbs so they stick to the cheese. Repeat this process a second time for each cheese stick to create a double layer of coating. This step is crucial to ensuring your cheese sticks hold their shape and don't explode in the air fryer!

Once all your cheese sticks are coated, place them on a baking sheet or tray and pop them into the freezer for at least 30 minutes to an hour. This step will help the cheese firm up, ensuring a more even cook in the air fryer.

The Air Fryer

Now that your cheese sticks are nicely coated and chilled, it's time to grab your air fryer! Lightly spray the air fryer basket with non-stick spray to prevent sticking and place the cheese sticks inside, being careful not to overcrowd them.

Set your air fryer to 390°F to 400°F and cook your cheese sticks for 6 to 8 minutes, keeping a close eye on them. You want the exterior to be golden and crispy, but be careful not to overcook, as the cheese can ooze out.

Once they're done, carefully remove the cheese sticks from the air fryer and allow them to cool slightly so you don't burn your mouth! These are best served fresh, so dig in and enjoy the gooey, cheesy goodness!

Dipping Sauces

No cheese stick is complete without a delicious dipping sauce! Try pairing your hot Cheeto cheese sticks with a classic marinara sauce, a cool ranch dressing, or get creative with options like blue cheese dip, Sriracha mayo, or even a buttermilk dressing dip. The choices are endless, so find your favourite combo and enjoy!

Air-frying the cheese sticks

First, dip each cheese stick into the egg and then into the Cheeto crumbs. Press the crumbs so they stick to the cheese. Then, place each cheese stick into the air fryer basket. Spray the cheese sticks with olive oil spray to help them crisp up. Set the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and fry for 6 minutes.

The cheese sticks will come out crispy on the outside and melted on the inside. Serve immediately so the cheese stays melted. You can dip your Flaming Hot Cheeto Cheese Sticks in ranch for the ultimate snack experience!

Frequently asked questions