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Flamin Hot Cheetos Seasoning Recipe

This homemade Flamin Hot Cheetos Seasoning is an essential addition to any spice rack for those who appreciate a touch of cheesy spiciness in their creations.

Flamin Hot Cheetos Seasoning Recipe

Inspired by my son’s love for my Homemade Takis Seasoning, he threw down the gauntlet and challenged me to create a Flamin’ Hot Cheetos seasoning. Challenge accepted! After carefully examining the Flamin’ Hot ingredients label and testing many versions, I believe I found the perfect homemade blend. Now you can create your own seasoning to elevate your mac and cheese, popcorn or any other dish you desire. Enjoy the fiery goodness!

What Are Flamin Hot Cheetos Made Of?

While the exact ingredient measurements of Flamin Hot Cheetos is a brand secret, the CHEETOS® Crunchy FLAMIN’ HOT ingredients are not. Here are the ingredients you’ll find on the package label:

Cheetos: Enriched Corn Meal (Corn Meal, Ferrous Sulfate, Niacin, Thiamin Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Vegetable Oil (Corn, Canola, and/or Sunflower Oil).

Flamin’ Hot Seasoning: (Maltodextrin [Made from Corn], Salt, Sugar, Monosodium Glutamate, Yeast Extract, Citric Acid, Artificial Color [Red 40 Lake, Yellow 6 Lake, Yellow 6, Yellow 5], Sunflower Oil, Cheddar Cheese [Milk, Cheese Cultures, Salt, Enzymes], Onion Powder, Whey, Whey Protein Concentrate, Garlic Powder, Natural Flavor, Buttermilk, Sodium Diacetate, Disodium Inosinate, Disodium Guanylate), and Salt.

Note: Contains milk ingredients

Wired magazine does a nice job of breaking down and describing these ingredients in case you’d like to learn more.

Homemade Flamin Hot Seasoning Ingredients

  • Cheddar cheese powder: The base for any Cheetos product. I used Hoosier Hill Farm cheese powder.
  • Cayenne pepper: The foundation for the spiciness.
  • Ghost pepper: Ghost pepper adds an extra spicy kick that you won’t get from cayenne pepper and similar to what you’ll taste with Flamin’ Hot Cheetos.
  • Kosher salt & white pepper: The salt enhances the flavor while white pepper adds a milder pepper flavor than black pepper. Black pepper can be used in a pinch.
  • Garlic & onion powder: Two classic ingredients that balance and enhance each other.
  • Buttermilk powder: I used Hoosier Hill Farm and you can also find it in most baking sections at the grocery store or near the powdered milk.
  • MSG (monosodium glutamate): The not so secret taste enhancer in so many snack products.
  • Citric acid: As the name suggests it will add a bit of an acidic, sour taste plus it also acts as a natural preservative.
  • Maltodextrin: Helps dilute and balance the other flavors.
  • Red dye #40 (optional): To achieve a similar vibrant red color, you can use the same red color #40 in the original recipe or a comparable red color powder.

Scroll down to the bottom for the printable Flamin Hot Cheetos recipe card with exact measurements and recipe instructions.

How To Make Flamin Hot Cheetos Seasoning

How To Make Flamin Hot Powder Seasoning

This DIY seasoning is incredibly easy to make!

  1. Combine Ingredients: In a bowl, combine all the ingredients.
  2. Grind: Balance out the flavors and reduce to a powdery consistency with a mortar and pestle or an electric or manual grinder.

Quick Hack For Flamin Hot Cheetos Seasoning

  • Buy a box of CHEETOS Mac ‘n Cheese FLAMIN’ HOT and use the Flamin’ Hot cheese packet. Save the pasta for another use.
  • Use equal parts cheddar cheese powder and cayenne pepper. While not the same thing, it’s similar.
  • Follow the recipe and omit the more difficult to find ingredients such as maltodextrin, citric acid and red dye #40.

Where To Buy Flamin Hot Cheetos Powder

Although Frito-Lay, a subsidiary of PepsiCo, and the producer of Flamin Hot Cheetos snacks, does not sell Flamin Hot Cheetos Powder, there are several online companies that strive to create their own copycat Flamin Hot Cheetos powder including La Heladita Paleteria Y Neveria. This is not an endorsement of either one and plus, this homemade version is close to the real thing!

How To Use Flamin Hot Cheetos Seasoning

Uses For Flamin Hot Cheetos Seasoning

The applications for homemade Flamin’ Hot Cheetos seasoning are diverse, offering a spicy, tangy, and savory kick to a variety of dishes. Consider these creative ways to incorporate this flavorful blend into your culinary ventures:

  1. Seasoning for Chips:
    • Turn ordinary tortilla or potato chips into a fiery and flavorful snack by dusting them with Flamin’ Hot seasoning.
  2. Snack Mix Addition:
    • Dust popcorn, pretzels, crackers, seeds, nuts, biscuits, or cereal with Flamin’ Hot Cheetos seasoning.
  3. Seasoning for Meat and Seafood:
    • Use the seasoning as a mix, rub or coating for chicken, steak, chicken wings or nuggets, hamburger, shrimp, or fish.
  4. Dips, Dressings, Marinades, Soups:
    • Infuse your favorite dips, dressings, soups, sauces, and marinades with a unique twist.
  5. Creamy Sauce
    • Blend with milk for a white creamy sauce for pasta dishes.
  6. Scalloped or Au Gratin Recipes
  7. Sandwich or Wrap Enhancer:
    • Sprinkle Flamin’ Hot seasoning on sandwiches or wraps.
  8. Roasted Vegetable Seasoning:
    • Add a touch of magic by dusting Flamin’ Hot Cheetos seasoning on roasted vegetables like corn, baked potatoes, or cauliflower.
  9. Fruit Enhancer:
    • Create a sweet and spicy contrast by sprinkling the powder on fruits such as mango, pineapple, dragon fruit, avocado, watermelon, fruit cups, apple chips, or your favorite fruit.
  10. Mexican Dishes:
    • Spice up your favorite Mexican dishes by sprinkling Flamin’ Hot powder on tacos, nachos, taquitos, burritos, tostadas, and more.
  11. Drink Liner:
    • Rim your glasses with the seasoning for a unique twist on cocktails like Bloody Marys, margaritas, or frozen cocktails.
  12. More Seasoning Ideas:
How To Use Flamin Hot Cheetos Seasoning

Flamin Hot Cheetos Seasoning Recipe

Yield: 5 ounces
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes

This homemade Flamin Hot Cheetos Seasoning seasoning is an essential addition to any spice rack for those who appreciate a touch of cheesy spiciness in their creations.

Ingredients

  • 2 1/2 tbs cheddar cheese powder
  • 2 1/2 tbs cayenne pepper
  • 1/4 tsp ghost pepper
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/2 tsp white pepper
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp buttermilk powder
  • 3/4 tsp MSG (monosodium glutamate)
  • 1/2 tsp maltodextrin
  • 1/2 tsp citric acid
  • Red dye #40 (optional)

Instructions

  1. In a bowl, combine all the ingredients.
  2. Balance out the flavors and reduce to a powdery consistency with a mortar and pestle or an electric or manual grinder.

Notes

Red dye #40 is to match the color, it is not needed for flavor.

Add more ghost pepper, if you prefer and can handle the heat!

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Monique McArthur
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