Doritos are great, but Cheese Stuffed Doritos are even better!!
Just when you thought cheese couldn’t get any better, today we’re crusting it in Doritos and deep frying it. Because, well, that’s what we do on this blog 😋 Follow me…
What kind of Cheese to use?
I recommend using mozzarella. More specifically, ‘mozzarella cucina’ which is a low-moisture cuboid-shaped mozzarella. Not only is it great for slicing into triangles, but the low moisture also ensures the coating crisps up nicely. Mozzarella in general works great for frying because it goes nice and gooey without melting into oblivion.
Do I have to slice it into triangles?
Nope! Mini mozzarella balls or even squares work just as well. You could even use mozzarella sticks/cheese string!
Process shots: add mozzarella to chopping board (photo 1), slice in half (photo 2), slice those halves in half again (photo 3), slice into triangles (photo 4).
Dorito Crusted Mozzarella
Alright, cheese sliced, let’s get coating. You’re essentially just coating the cheese as though you were coating it in breadcrumbs, but instead of breadcrumbs, you’re using crushed Doritos. As such, you’ll need to dunk the cheese into flour, then into beaten egg, and then finish in the Doritos.
Seasoning the flour
Whilst the Doritos do obviously add flavour to the cheese, the flavour of the Doritos will mellow out as they cook. As such, just to add another layer of seasoning to boost the Dorito flavour, you’ll want to season the flour. Here I use smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder and salt & black pepper.
What kind of Doritos to use?
I highly recommend using Chilli Heatwave Doritos, or another spicy flavour. The above seasoning is most suited to spicy flavours.
How do I crush the Doritos?
You can crush them in a food processor, or a zip lock bag with a rolling pin. Usually I’ll just give them a really good scrunch in the bag. If you do this then make sure you do it over a bowl, just in case the bottom of the packet splits open.
Do I need to double dunk the cheese?
You could give the mozzarella a second coating in the egg and Doritos, which will build up a thicker crunch. This will offer more of a ‘crunch’ and will help prevent the mozzarella from leaking out. However, it’s messier and more time-consuming. As such, I usually just do the one coating, which works just fine!
Process shots: coat mozzarella in seasoned flour (photo 1), coat in beaten egg (photo 2), coat in crushed Doritos (photo 3), rest to allow coating to glue to the cheese (photo 4).
Deep Fried Cheese Stuffed Doritos
Once you’ve given time for the coating to firm up, it’s time to chuck those beauties in some hot oil. Carefully, of course.
Can I bake these?
I have tried baking, but deep frying will give you the best result. Having said that, if you wanted to bake, you’ll need to freeze them for a few hours beforehand; just to prevent the cheese from leaking out before the coating crisps up (more on this in the recipe card below).
Can I air fry these?
Same as above, deep frying is much better, but you can if you freeze them beforehand.
Process shots: fry in batches (photos 1&2), leave to rest on a wire rack and sprinkle with salt (photo 3).
Serving Cheese Stuffed Doritos
These are awesome with a Dip! Sour Cream and Chive, Garlic and Herb, Salsa or Marinara Dip are my faves.
For more fried cheese recipes check out my Deep Fried Cheese Balls and EXTRA Crispy Halloumi Fries!
For another recipe using Chilli Heatwave Doritos check out my Dortito Chicken Tenders!
Alrighty, let’s tuck into the full recipe for these cheese stuffed Doritos shall we?!
How to make Cheese Stuffed Doritos (Full Recipe & Video)
Cheese Stuffed Doritos
Equipment
- 3 Large Shallow Dishes (for dredging)
- Food Processor or Zip Lock Bag and Rolling Pin (optional - for crushing Doritos)
- Cast Iron Skillet or Large Deep Pot (suitable for deep frying)
- Sharp Knife & Chopping Board
- Kitchen Thermometer
- Paper Towels
- Slotted Spoon
- Wire Rack
Ingredients
- 1x 14oz / 400g block of Mozzarella (see notes)
- 1x 6.4oz / 180g bag of Chilli Heatwave Doritos
- 4 cups / 1 litre Vegetable or Sunflower Oil, or as needed to deep fry
- 1/3 cup / 50g Flour
- 2 Eggs, beaten
- 1 tsp EACH: Smoked Paprika, Cayenne Pepper
- 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder
- 1/4 tsp EACH: Salt, Black Pepper plus extra salt to serve (flaky sea salt best to serve if you have it)
Instructions
- Cut Cheese: Slice the cheese into squares around 1/3" thick, then slice diagonally into triangles. You should get 24 triangles from a 14oz/400g block.
- Crush Doritos: Crush the Doritos to a texture similar to Panko breadcrumbs. You can do this in a food processor or just pound them in a zip-lock bag. Failing that just use your hands to scrunch them up in the bag. If you're doing this just make sure you do it over a bowl, as sometimes the bottom of the bag can pop open.
- Prep Coating: Line up 3 bowls - the first with flour, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder and salt & black pepper, the second with 2 beaten eggs and the third with the crushed Doritos.
- Dredge Cheese: One by one coat the triangles in the seasoned flour, then in the egg, then in the crushed Doritos. Really make sure you thoroughly coat the cheese at each stage, especially in the Doritos. Carefully transfer to one side, ensuring you don't knock off too much of the coating, then repeat. Allow to sit for 10-15mins, just to allow the coating to glue together with the cheese.
- Fry Cheese: Heat enough oil to comfortably cover the Doritos to around 180C/350F. In batches, fry the Doritos for 1-2mins or until the cheese starts to leak out (this happens quite quickly, so just be vigilant). Place on a wire rack with paper towels underneath and bring oil back up to temp between batches.
- Serve: Sprinkle with salt as they rest, then serve up and enjoy!
Video
Notes
Your Private Notes:
Nutrition
Looking for more?
You’ll find plenty more delicious comfort food like this in my Debut Cookbook ‘Comfy’
If you loved this Dorito Crusted Recipe then be sure to Pin it for later! Already made it or got a question? Give me a shout in the comments and pick up your free ecookbook along the way!
