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Cheese Stuffed Doritos

Featured in Easy Party Snacks.

Had the munchies last night and these Doritos mozzarella bites were exactly what I needed! Super fun to make too. The cheese gets all melty while the Doritos coating stays perfectly crunchy. Takes about 30 minutes total but feels like restaurant appetizer level good. Made them for game night and everyone went crazy. Quick tip: freeze the cheese first so it doesn't leak while frying. The nacho cheese Doritos work best but cool ranch is awesome too.
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Mina cooking in her kitchen
Updated on Thu, 09 Jan 2025 17:04:22 GMT
A plate of crispy, golden-brown triangular pastries filled with melted cheese, accompanied by a small bowl of dipping sauce. Pin it
A plate of crispy, golden-brown triangular pastries filled with melted cheese, accompanied by a small bowl of dipping sauce. | lastminrecipes.com

These Cheese Stuffed Doritos were born during a late-night craving when I couldn't decide between cheese sticks and my favorite chips. Combining crispy crushed Doritos with gooey melted mozzarella turned out to be pure snacking genius. Now they're my most requested party appetizer the perfect blend of bold crunch and melty cheese in every bite.

Why These Are So Special

These Cheese Stuffed Doritos are everything you love about mozzarella sticks but with an incredible twist. That Doritos coating creates this amazing spicy crunchy shell around perfectly melted cheese. They're surprisingly easy to make and always disappear faster than I can serve them. The best part? You can customize them with different Doritos flavors for endless possibilities.

Everything You'll Need

  • The Star Cheese: Low-moisture mozzarella is key here cut into perfect triangles.
  • Your Doritos Base: I love using Chilli Heatwave but any flavor works beautifully.
  • Seasoned Flour: We're adding extra flavor right from the start.
  • Fresh Eggs: These help create that perfect coating.
  • Good Oil: For that golden crispy finish.
A close-up of golden, triangular fried pastries filled with cheese and cream, served on a wooden surface. Pin it
A close-up of golden, triangular fried pastries filled with cheese and cream, served on a wooden surface. | lastminrecipes.com

Let's Make These Together

Getting Our Cheese Ready
First we'll slice that mozzarella into perfect portions. The size is important here too big and they won't cook evenly too small and you'll miss out on that amazing cheese pull.
Creating Our Coating
Our seasoned flour gets an extra boost of flavor with spices. This is where we start building those incredible layers of taste.
The Coating Process
Each piece of cheese gets its special treatment: flour egg then that magical Doritos coating. I love watching them transform with each layer.
Chilling Time
This quick rest in the fridge is crucial for success. It helps everything stick together perfectly.
The Final Sizzle
When these hit the hot oil it's pure kitchen magic. That coating turns golden and crispy while the cheese inside gets perfectly melty.

Different Ways to Cook

If you're not up for frying these Cheese Stuffed Doritos work beautifully in the oven or air fryer too. Just remember to freeze them first this prevents any cheese escapes during cooking. The results are just as delicious and might be a bit less messy to make.

A close-up of golden-brown, crispy triangular pastries filled with cheese, arranged on a wooden platter. Pin it
A close-up of golden-brown, crispy triangular pastries filled with cheese, arranged on a wooden platter. | lastminrecipes.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I make these ahead of time?

While best served fresh, you can prep these ahead by coating the cheese and freezing them. This actually helps prevent the cheese from leaking too quickly when cooking.

→ Why is my cheese leaking out too quickly?

This usually happens if the oil isn't hot enough or if the coating isn't thick enough. Make sure your oil is at 350°F and consider double coating the cheese for better results.

→ What's the best cheese to use?

Low-moisture mozzarella works best as it melts more slowly. Regular block mozzarella contains too much moisture and will leak out too quickly during frying.

→ Can I use different Doritos flavors?

Yes, but adjust your seasonings to match the flavor. Spicy varieties work best with the recommended seasoning mix. Cheesy or original flavors might need different spices.

→ Why did my coating fall off?

The coating might fall off if the cheese isn't thoroughly coated at each step. Make sure to press the Doritos crumbs firmly onto the cheese and let them rest before frying.

Cheese Stuffed Doritos

Crispy Doritos-crusted mozzarella triangles that are crunchy outside and melty inside. Perfect for parties or game day snacks.

Prep Time
20 Minutes
Cook Time
10 Minutes
Total Time
30 Minutes
By: Mina


Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 24 Servings (24 cheese triangles)

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

01 1 block low-moisture mozzarella (14 ounces), chilled.
02 1 bag Chili Heatwave Doritos (6.4 ounces).
03 4 cups oil for frying.
04 1/3 cup all-purpose flour.
05 2 large eggs.
06 1 teaspoon smoked paprika.
07 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper.
08 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder.
09 1/4 teaspoon salt, plus extra for sprinkling.
10 1/4 teaspoon black pepper.

Instructions

Step 01

Slice the cold mozzarella into triangles about 1/3 inch thick to get 24 pieces.

Step 02

Crush Doritos into fine crumbs using a food processor or zip bag.

Step 03

Combine flour with paprika, cayenne, garlic powder, salt and pepper in a shallow dish.

Step 04

Arrange three bowls: seasoned flour, beaten eggs, and crushed Doritos.

Step 05

Dip each cheese triangle in flour, then egg, then Doritos crumbs. Press coating on well.

Step 06

Let coated pieces sit for 15 minutes to help coating stick better.

Step 07

Warm oil to 350°F in a deep pot or skillet.

Step 08

Cook in batches for 1-2 minutes until coating browns and before cheese leaks.

Step 09

Let drain on wire rack, sprinkle with salt while hot.

Notes

  1. Works best with low-moisture mozzarella to prevent quick melting.
  2. Can be frozen after coating for better frying results.
  3. Great with dips like sour cream, marinara, or salsa.

Tools You'll Need

  • Deep pot or skillet.
  • Food processor.
  • Wire rack.
  • Kitchen thermometer.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Dairy.
  • Wheat.
  • Eggs.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 117
  • Total Fat: 8 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 7 g
  • Protein: 5 g