Smoked Cheetos

Well, yep, smoked Cheetos are different. They’re crazy good, bite after bite. After bite. But, boy, just a word of caution! You gotta be careful smoking them. It doesn’t take much smoke to get these little crunchy morsels mighty smoky. I admit, my first time making them I got distracted and smoked them longer than I should have. I was able to rescue them (the longer they rest after smoking, the more mellow the smoke flavor gets) but I suggest you start with less smoke time, try them, and go from there. They come out totally new, something people won’t expect! Nice and crunchy and smoky cheesy!

To smoke Cheetos you use a cold smoking technique. You do not want high heat. You can get by with temperatures up to 180 F, but I suggest cold smoking, which is generally below 90 F. You’re after smoke here and not heat. And you’re not after much smoke, either. The Cheetos have lots of little nooks and crannies where the smoke can go. So it doesn’t take much to get them just smoky enough!

Use A Smoker Tube For The Best Results

I use a pellet smoker tube when cold smoking. It gives me perfect control over the temperature and produces consistent smoke. I buy wood pellets and stuff the tube completely, then light one end. The tube stays lit for a few hours, perfect for smoking Cheetos. I highly recommend it. It’s also great for adding smoke flavor to dishes being cooked on a gas grill.

Now matter what you use to smoke these, be it a tube or a wood chunk in a smoker, remember you can always stop at any time. Just pull the pan off and call it ‘done’. I prefer hints of smoke in this treat, not in-my-face smokiness.

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Since you have your cold smoke set-up going, throw on some potato chips or Chex mix too! Cheez-Its are delicious smoked also!

Smoked Cheetos

To smoke Cheetos you use a cold smoking technique. You do not want high heat. You can get by with temperatures up to 180 F, but I suggest cold smoking, which is generally below 90 F.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Course Appetizer

Cuisine American

Servings 16

Calories 77 kcal

Equipment

• Disposable Pan

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

For cold smoking (using charcoal)

• 4 charcoal briquettes lit
• 1 small chunk apple wood

For cold smoking (using a smoke tube)

• wood pellets

For the smoked Cheetos

• 1 bag Cheetos

Instructions

 

For cold smoking (using charcoal)

• Place the 4 lit briquettes in the bottom of your smoker.
• Add the wood chunk.
• Once the wood is smoking, you can add the Cheetos.

For cold smoking (using a smoke tube)

• Fill the tube with the wood pellets. Place into the bottom of your smoker and light one end. Once the pellets produce smoke, you can add the Cheetos.

For the smoked Cheetos

• Place the Cheetos in an aluminum pan over your cold smoke setup that is already producing smoke (from above).
• Smoke 20-30 minutes, gently tossing once or twice, until the desired smoke taste is achieved.
• It's best to let the smoked snacks sit out for a while before serving. The smoke flavor can be a little strong at first. A little rest time will mellow it.

Notes

Best made with the original cheesy Cheetos. You can also use cheese balls.

Nutrition

Calories: 77kcalCarbohydrates: 7gProtein: 1gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 1gSodium: 68mgPotassium: 233mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 3mgIron: 1mg

Keyword Cheetos, smoked

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