Caramel Cheetos are a sweet and salty snackable treat! A lot like caramel corn, but with a subtle cheesiness from the Cheetos that is reminiscent of Chicago-style popcorn!
If you love sweet and salty snacks make sure to check out my Salted Caramel Corn. Its the best recipe!!
Caramel Cheetos (Yes, Really): The Sweet and Salty Snack You Never Knew You Needed
So let’s get weird for a second. You know that moment when you’re eating something salty and your brain just knows it’s missing a little sweetness? Enter: Caramel Cheetos.
No, I haven’t lost my mind. And no, this isn’t some cruel snack joke. Caramel-coated Cheetos are the ultimate snack mashup that brings together that nostalgic cheesy crunch with a buttery, sweet caramel glaze that hits every craving note in your body like a symphony of flavor.
What Are Caramel Cheetos?
Think Chicago-style popcorn, you know that delicious blend of cheddar popcorn and caramel corn you get at Garrett’s, meets Cheetos,. These aren’t your classic cheese dusted snacks — instead, we’re talking about a caramel shell coating each puff to golden, glossy perfection. It’s a little sweet, a little salty, and 100% will have you craving more.
And the best part? You only need a few ingredients to make them at home (more on that in a second).
Why You’ll Love This Snack
Besides the fact that they are the most unexpectedly delicious thing to ever happen to your snack drawer, here’s why you need to make Caramel Cheetos ASAP:
Sweet + salty combo that hits all the right notes.
Crunchy texture that keeps you reaching for “just one more.”
Perfect for parties, game days, or Netflix nights.
It’s the weird snack flex your friends won’t see coming.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Make sure to scroll to the recipe card at the bottom for the full ingredient list and recipe, but let’s break it down real quick:
The prep for this is mega quick, but it will take about 65 – 75 minutes in the oven. Don’t try and speed up the baking time by baking at a higher temp or not letting it go the full time. You want the Cheetos to be crunchy, not chewy!
Make sure to stir every 15 minutes! This will ensure that the Cheetos don’t get too clumped together and bake evenly!
Don’t skimp on the flaked sea salt! I like to use Maldon salt and get it in big boxes on Amazon. You would think the Cheetos would be salty enough, but I think you definitely need to add more to balance the sweetness from the caramel sauce!
Really try and break apart the clumps! I do this while I stir it every 15 minutes and especially when I take it out of the oven at the end! Once it’s cooled you can still break them apart but it’s harder to do and the Cheetos end up breaking!
Final Thoughts
You might get some funny looks when you tell people you made Caramel Cheetos, but trust me — one bite and they’ll get it. It’s the kind of snack that makes you feel like a mad snack scientist (in the best way).
So go ahead, lean into the weird. And when your friends ask what on earth they just devoured by the handful, you can proudly say: Caramel. Cheetos.
Empty the bag of Cheetos into a large bowl. Set aside.
In a medium saucepan combine the butter, corn syrup, and sugar over medium heat, stirring frequently. Bring the mixture to a boil, and boil for 1 minute without stirring.
Immediately pour the sauce on top of the Cheetos and stir to coat completely. Spread the Cheetos on the prepared sheet pan in a single layer.
Bake for 65 – 75 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes.
Remove the pan from the oven and sprinkle generously with flaked sea salt. Allow the Cheetos to cool and then break apart large clumps.
Notes
Store airtight at room temperature for up to 5 days.
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