Flamin Hot Cheeto Salad (Print Version)

Spicy Flamin Hot Cheetos tossed with crisp cucumber, cilantro, and zesty lime dressing for a bold, crunchy side dish.

# What You'll Need:

→ Salad Base

01 - 2 cups Flamin Hot Cheetos, coarsely crushed
02 - 1 large cucumber, peeled and diced
03 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, roughly chopped

→ Dressing

04 - 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice (about 1 lime)
05 - 1 tablespoon hot sauce (such as Tapatío, Valentina, or Sriracha)
06 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
07 - 1/8 teaspoon black pepper

# How-To Steps:

01 - Place the diced cucumber and chopped cilantro in a large mixing bowl.
02 - In a small bowl, whisk together the lime juice, hot sauce, salt, and black pepper.
03 - Pour the dressing over the cucumber and cilantro, tossing gently to combine.
04 - Just before serving, add the crushed Flamin Hot Cheetos and toss lightly until evenly coated.
05 - Serve immediately for maximum crunch.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The hot and cool contrast keeps every bite interesting and addictive
  • It comes together in literally ten minutes but looks like you put thought into it
02 -
  • The Cheetos will start getting soggy within five minutes of hitting the dressing, so timing is everything
  • Serve this alongside rich main dishes because the brightness cuts through heavy flavors beautifully
03 -
  • Use a gentle hand when tossing with the Cheetos to avoid turning everything into orange dust
  • Adjust the lime based on your cucumber, sometimes they need more acid to pop
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