Flamin’ Hot Cheetos Mozzarella Hearts

Heart-shaped mozzarella slices coated in spicy Cheetos and fried to perfection. Flamin’ Hot Cheetos Mozzarella Hearts are the most delicious heartbreak you’ll ever experience!

Have a Heart (or Two!)

If you love mozzarella sticks with a kick, you’re going to love these Flamin’ Hot Cheetos Mozzarella Hearts! Melting cheese hearts coated in a crispy, spicy Cheetos crust, deep fried and delicious. Dip them in a side of spicy ranch and it’s one hot, hot, hot Valentine’s Day snack.

Be Your Kids’ Valentine Day Hero

It’s so fun to make a big deal out of Valentine’s Day. Our kitchen is just full of festive meals and snacks like heart-shaped tortilla pizzas, a sweet and salty Valentine’s Day snack mix, or simple and sweet heart-shaped chocolate covered strawberries. And when I want to turn up the heat? I make these heart-shaped mozzarella sticks…with a spicy twist.

Think Nashville Hot Mozzarella sticks from Chilis, but all dressed up for Valentine’s Day! These melty, spicy snacks are sure to be a hit with the kids in your life. And anyone who loves a little heat.

Ingredients and Supplies

(see recipe card at the bottom of this post for measurements and details)

Ingredients:

• Log of pre-sliced fresh mozzarella cheese (16 ounces): there should be about 16 slices in the log, about 1/4 inch thick.
• Flamin’ Hot Crunchy Cheetos (finely ground): the star of the show, responsible for the spicy flavor and bright red color. You could use Chester’s Flamin’ Hot Fries or Takis Fuego chips, but just make sure they’re finely ground.
• Large eggs (lightly beaten): helps the ground Cheetos coating stick to the mozzarella hearts.
• Vegetable Oil or Canola Oil: for frying the mozzarella hearts.
• Spicy Ranch or Regular Ranch, for dipping

Supplies:

• 2-inch heart shaped cookie cutter
• Cutting board
• Sheet pan
• Parchment
• Food processor
• Mixing bowls
• Large frying pan

How to Make Flamin’ Hot Cheetos Mozzarella Hearts

• On a cutting board, using a 2-inch heart-shaped cookie cutter, cut each slice of mozzarella cheese into a heart shape.
• Using the tip end of the heart cutter, cut out a deeper cleave in the top of each cheese heart to make the heart shape more defined.
• Lay the mozzarella hearts in a single layer on a parchment-lined sheet pan (that will fit in your refrigerator and freezer) and refrigerate for 15 minutes.

• Meanwhile, put the Cheetos into a food processor and pulse until finely ground.
• Reserve 1 cup of the Cheetos dust for coating the hearts in after they are fried and transfer the rest to a shallow mixing bowl.
• Lightly beat the eggs in a separate shallow mixing bowl.
• Dip each cheese heart in the beaten egg.

• Then toss in the Cheetos dust until fully coated.
• Repeat 1 more time to create a thick coating and then transfer back to the parchment-lined sheet pan.
• Freeze the coated cheese hearts for 30 minutes or cover and refrigerate for up to 2 days.

• Place the remaining 1 cup of Cheetos dust in another shallow mixing bowl.
• Pour enough oil into a large frying pan to come 2 inches up the side. Heat the oil over medium heat until it reaches 350°F.
• Using a slotted spoon and working in batches, lower the hearts into the hot oil and fry until lightly browned all over and the cheese is fully melted, about 2 minutes.
• Lift the hearts from the oil and transfer to a baking rack that is set over a rimmed sheet pan.

• Carefully transfer each fried heart to the bowl with the Cheetos dust and turn to coat it completely.

• Serve the fried hearts with spicy Ranch or regular Ranch for dipping.

Storage and Reheating

Store leftovers in an airtight container, with parchment paper between each layer, in the refrigerator or up to 3 days.

Reheat in an air fryer until crisp (about 3-5 minutes) or in a 350°F oven until heated through (about 8-10 minutes). Microwave leftovers only if you’re in a total time crunch. They’ll still be gooey and cheesy inside, but the coating won’t stay crunchy.

If you make my Flamin’ Hot Cheetos Hearts and post a pic to social, be sure to tag me on Instagram @thebakermama so I can see! If you’re on Facebook, be sure to join my Friends of The BakerMama group to connect and share all the fun and yummy recipes of mine that you make! 😍 I just love seeing how inspired and creative y’all get with the ideas I share. Enjoy!

xoxo,

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