Smoked Cheez-Its

Smoked Cheez-Its are the perfect game-time snack. They’re addictingly good. They’ll disappear unexpectedly quickly, so make sure you make extra. And make all sorts of different flavors. Since I had all sorts of different flavors of Kosmos Q seasonings on hand I was able to make all sorts of variations, from the mild and sweet to the hot and spicy.

Smoked Cheez-Its

Trust me told, the method for making smoked Cheez-Its can be used for pretty much any snack cracker. You’ll want to use a fairly mild-flavored cracker, or use one that compliments the seasoning you want to use. You don’t want the cracker flavor to fight the seasoning.

Don’t crowd the crackers in the pan. Make sure they get spread out to get some of the smoke flavor, too.

Also try some smoked Cheetos.

Smoked Cheez-Its
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5 from 1 vote

Smoked Cheez-Its

Don't crowd the crackers in the pan. Make sure they get spread out to get some of the smoke flavor, too.
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Keyword crackers, smoked
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 30 minutes
15 minutes
Servings 12
Calories 157kcal

Equipment

  • large disposable pan

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Fire up your smoker for 225 F. Use a lighter wood. You want a bit of smoke but don't overdo it.
  • Place the crackers in a large bowl.
  • In a separate small bowl, whisk together the oil, Worcestershire sauce and seasoning. Drizzle over the crackers and gently stir to coat the crackers. Take your time, you want them all covered well.
  • Transfer the coated crackers to a large disposable pan, spread out evenly, and place onto the smoker.
  • Smoke the crackers for 90 minutes, stirring every 30 minutes. The crackers will turn a golden brown. They'll be a little soft, but don't worry, they'll get crunchier when they cool.
  • Remove from the smoker and let cool before serving. Optionally, spread out onto a wire rack to cool quicker.

Nutrition

Calories: 157kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Sodium: 402mg | Potassium: 83mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 27IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 54mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Smoked Cheetos

Well, yep, smoked Cheetos are different. And boy, you gotta be careful smoking them too. 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.

Smoked Cheetos

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.

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
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

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.
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Keyword Cheetos, smoked
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Servings 16
Calories 77kcal

Ingredients

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

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.

Nutrition

Calories: 77kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Sodium: 68mg | Potassium: 233mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 3mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.