Description
Cheetos Flamin’ Hot Mac & Cheese Muffins are a spicy and cheesy twist on a classic comfort food, perfect for a fun snack or party treat.
Ingredients
Scale
- 200 g elbow macaroni, cooked al dente
- 28 g unsalted butter
- 16 g all-purpose flour
- 480 ml whole milk
- 170 g sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 57 g mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 0.5 g garlic powder
- 0.5 g paprika
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1 egg, beaten
- 60 g breadcrumbs (optional, for structure)
- 56 g Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, finely crushed (for crust)
- 28 g sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (for topping)
- 28 g Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, additional, crushed (for garnish)
Instructions
- In a saucepan over medium heat, melt butter and whisk in flour until the mixture is golden, about 1 minute.
- Gradually add milk while whisking continuously until the sauce thickens and becomes smooth.
- Add cheddar, mozzarella, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper; stir until cheeses are fully melted and sauce is creamy.
- Add cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce and mix thoroughly until the pasta is well coated.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the beaten egg and breadcrumbs to help the mixture hold together.
- Preheat the oven to 190°C.
- Generously grease a 12-cup muffin tin with oil or non-stick spray.
- Press a layer of finely crushed Flamin’ Hot Cheetos into the base and sides of each muffin cup to form a spicy crust.
- Spoon the mac and cheese mixture into each prepared muffin cup, pressing gently to compact.
- Sprinkle the tops with additional shredded cheddar cheese and a little more crushed Cheetos.
- Place the muffin tin in the oven and bake for 18 to 22 minutes, until tops are golden and bubbling.
- Allow muffins to cool in the tin for 5 minutes before carefully releasing them.
- Garnish with extra crushed Cheetos if desired and serve warm.
Notes
- For extra crunch, consider adding more crushed Cheetos on top before baking.
- This recipe can be easily doubled for larger gatherings.
- Serve with a side of ranch dressing for dipping if desired.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 22 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 muffin
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg