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fried cheese stuffed doritos

fried cheese stuffed doritos

Fried cheese-stuffed Doritos are a fun and indulgent snack that combines the crispy texture of Doritos with melted cheese for a delicious treat. With endless variations and customizations, this recipe offers a perfect way to elevate a classic snack into a more exciting and flavorful dish.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 24

Ingredients
  

Ingredients:

  • 1 block 14oz / 400g of Mozzarella (see notes)
  • 1 bag 6.4oz / 180g of Chilli Heatwave Doritos
  • 4 cups 1 litre Vegetable or Sunflower Oil (or enough to deep fry)

For the coating:

  • 1/3 cup 50g Flour
  • 2 Eggs beaten
  • 1 tsp each of Smoked Paprika and Cayenne Pepper
  • 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder
  • 1/4 tsp each of Salt and Black Pepper
  • Extra flaky sea salt for serving recommended

Instructions
 

  • Cut the Cheese: Slice the mozzarella into squares about 1/3" thick, then cut each square diagonally into triangles. From a 14oz (400g) block, you should get around 24 triangles.
  • Crush the Doritos: Crush the Doritos into a texture resembling Panko breadcrumbs. You can do this by using a food processor, or by placing the chips in a zip-lock bag and pounding them. Alternatively, just scrunch them up by hand in the bag, but be sure to do it over a bowl in case the bag pops open.
  • Prepare the Coating: Set up three bowls: the first with flour, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper; the second with the beaten eggs; and the third with the crushed Doritos.
  • Dredge the Cheese: Take each cheese triangle and coat it first in the seasoned flour, then dip it in the beaten eggs, and finally coat it thoroughly in the crushed Doritos. Be sure to press the Doritos coating on well, especially to ensure it's fully covered. Place the coated cheese triangles aside, making sure not to knock off too much of the coating. Repeat the process with all triangles and let them rest for 10-15 minutes to allow the coating to adhere properly.
  • Fry the Cheese: Heat enough oil to cover the Doritos to around 180°C (350°F). In small batches, fry the coated Doritos for 1-2 minutes or until the cheese starts to ooze out (this happens quickly, so watch closely). Use a slotted spoon to transfer them to a wire rack with paper towels underneath. Bring the oil back up to temperature between batches.
  • Serve: Once fried, sprinkle the Doritos with salt while they rest. Serve them hot and enjoy!

Notes

a) What type of cheese should I use? - Mozzarella works best here, especially the low-moisture variety like mozzarella cucina (cuboid-shaped) available at Sainsbury's and Waitrose. You could also try a block of cheddar, but be aware that cheddar tends to leak more quickly than mozzarella, so I recommend double dunking (see below). Always use low-moisture cheese for the best results.
b) Do they need to be triangular? - Not at all! You can use mini mozzarella balls or even squares – they work just as well.
c) What is Double Dunking? - Double dunking involves dipping the coated cheese back into the egg and then back into the crushed Doritos to create a thicker crust. This method makes the Doritos crunchier and helps prevent the cheese from leaking out, but it’s more time-consuming and messier, which is why I usually stick to single dunking. If you choose to double dunk, you'll need an extra egg and another bag of Doritos.
d) Can I bake or air fry these? - I've tested both methods, and they don’t turn out quite as well because the cheese tends to melt before the coating becomes crispy. If you decide to bake or air fry, it's best to freeze the coated cheese for a few hours beforehand. You might also want to double dunk to ensure a thicker crust. For both methods, set the temperature to 200°C (400°F). In the oven, it took about 5-6 minutes from frozen, while the air fryer took around 3 minutes.
e) Can I use different flavored Doritos? - The seasoning works best with spicy Doritos. You can use other flavors like cheesy or cool original, but the seasoning won’t match quite as well.
f) Serving Suggestions - These are fantastic with a dip! Some of my favorites are Sour Cream and Chive, Garlic and Herb, Salsa, or Marinara.
g) Calories - Each Dorito is estimated to soak up about 1/2 tsp of oil, which is a slight overestimate since not all the flour and egg gets used up.