Flamin Hot Cheeto Salad (Printable)

Crunchy Flamin Hot Cheetos with cucumber, cilantro, and a zesty lime-hot sauce dressing.

# Components:

→ Salad Base

01 - 2 cups Flamin Hot Cheetos, coarsely crushed
02 - 1 large cucumber, peeled and diced
03 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, roughly chopped

→ Dressing

04 - 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice (approximately 1 lime)
05 - 1 tablespoon hot sauce (e.g., Tapatío, Valentina, or Sriracha)
06 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
07 - 1/8 teaspoon black pepper

# Method:

01 - Place the diced cucumber and chopped cilantro into a large mixing bowl.
02 - Whisk together the lime juice, hot sauce, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl until fully blended.
03 - Pour the prepared dressing over the cucumber and cilantro mixture, tossing gently to incorporate evenly.
04 - Immediately before serving, add the coarsely crushed Flamin Hot Cheetos and toss lightly to coat uniformly.
05 - Serve promptly to maintain the salad’s signature crunch.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It takes ten minutes and requires zero cooking skill, just a knife and a willingness to embrace chaos.
  • The spicy-cool-zesty combo creates an addictive flavor you can't quite pin down, which somehow makes you reach for more.
  • It works as a guilty-pleasure snack, a side dish that steals the show, or proof that sometimes the best food comes from having nothing else on hand.
02 -
  • Do not add the Cheetos until the last possible second before eating, or you'll end up with a soggy, disappointing mess instead of the addictive crunch you're after.
  • The dressing needs to be strong enough that you taste it clearly—don't be timid with the hot sauce or lime juice, or the whole thing becomes boring.
03 -
  • Buy Cheetos from a bag you won't be tempted to snack from beforehand, because they disappear fast and you'll end up with less salad than planned.
  • If your lime isn't juicy, microwave it for fifteen seconds and roll it on the counter—this tiny trick releases way more juice and honestly changed how I approach citrus.
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