Crispy Fried Cheese Stuffed Doritos Recipe

Crunchy Golden Doritos Stuffed with Gooey Cheese Recipe

Comfort food reaches new heights with this irresistible crispy fried cheese stuffed Doritos that promise to tantalize your taste buds.

The combination of crunchy exterior and gooey cheese center creates a mouthwatering experience that screams indulgence.

Doritos add an unexpected twist to traditional snack recipes, turning an ordinary moment into a flavor explosion.

Every bite delivers a perfect balance of crisp and creamy textures that will leave you craving more.

The recipe transforms simple ingredients into a crowd-pleasing treat that disappears in seconds.

These cheesy delights are perfect for game nights, parties, or when you need a quick snack that packs serious flavor.

Prepare to elevate your appetizer game with this crowd-pleasing, irresistible recipe that guarantees smiles and empty plates.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Calories: 150 kcal

Servings: 25

Ingredient Rundown for Fried Cheese-Stuffed Doritos

For Cheese Filling:
  • Cream Cheese: Provides creamy, velvety base for the filling, choose full-fat variety for richest flavor.
  • Cheddar Cheese: Adds sharp, tangy notes and helps create melty texture, select aged cheddar for deeper taste.
  • Monterey Jack Cheese: Offers smooth, mild melting quality that binds ingredients together.
  • Garlic Powder: Delivers subtle aromatic warmth without overwhelming other flavors.
  • Onion Powder: Introduces gentle, sweet undertone that complements cheese profile.
  • Chili Powder: Brings subtle heat and depth to cheese mixture, enhancing overall taste complexity.
For Coating and Frying:
  • Doritos: Provides crunchy exterior and unique flavor base, select regular nacho cheese flavor for best results.
  • Vegetable Oil: Creates crisp, golden exterior through high-temperature frying, ensure fresh oil for optimal taste.
For Optional Garnishing:
  • Fresh Chives: Offers bright, mild onion-like garnish for visual appeal and subtle flavor enhancement.
  • Green Onions: Adds fresh, sharp accent that cuts through rich cheese filling.

What You’ll Need for This Crunchy Cheese Treat

  • Mixing bowl: Essential for blending cheese ingredients smoothly and creating the filling.
  • Tongs or slotted spoon: Critical for safely lowering stuffed Doritos into hot oil and removing them.
  • Deep fryer or large pot: Necessary for heating oil to the right temperature for frying.
  • Paper towel-lined plate: Used to drain excess oil from fried Doritos.
  • Optional piping bag or plastic sandwich bag: Helpful for precise cheese filling inside Doritos.
  • Thermometer: Recommended for checking oil temperature, but not absolutely essential.
  • Small spoon: For carefully stuffing cheese mixture into Doritos.

Step-by-Step: How to Fry Cheese Stuffed Doritos

  • Create Cheesy Goodness

Whip up a creamy mixture combining soft cream cheese, sharp cheddar, and monterey jack. Sprinkle in some garlic, onion, and chili powders to kick up the flavor. Blend everything until smooth and irresistible.

  • Stuff Those Chips

Gently open each Dorito and tuck a dollop of the cheese blend inside. Be super careful not to crack the chip. Pro tip: use a small spoon or piping bag for neat filling.

  • Fire Up the Oil

Heat vegetable oil in a deep pot until it’s sizzling hot. Check the temperature by dropping a bread crumb – if it turns golden quickly, you’re ready to fry.

  • Crisp and Golden Transformation

Carefully lower the stuffed Doritos into the bubbling oil. Fry until they turn a beautiful golden brown, about 2-3 minutes. Don’t crowd the pan – give each chip some space to get perfectly crispy.

  • Serve and Enjoy

Rescue the crispy treats from the oil and let them rest on paper towels to drain excess oil. Wait a minute or two, then dig in while they’re still warm and crunchy.

Golden Brown Tips for Crispy Outside, Melty Inside

  • Transform your Doritos game with these insider secrets!
  • Soften cream cheese at room temperature for 15 minutes before mixing to create a smoother, easier-to-stuff filling that blends perfectly with other cheeses.
  • Use a digital thermometer to maintain consistent 350F oil temperature, ensuring crispy exterior and melted cheese interior without burning.
  • Freeze cheese mixture in small portions for 10 minutes before stuffing to make filling more manageable and prevent chip breakage during preparation.
  • Replace regular Doritos with gluten-free tortilla chips for those with wheat sensitivities, maintaining the same delicious flavor profile.
  • Adjust chili powder quantity or add cayenne pepper for heat lovers, or reduce spices for a milder version that appeals to different taste preferences.

Serve These Fried Doritos with Sauce or Solo

  • Party Platter Perfection: Arrange the fried cheese-stuffed Doritos on a colorful platter with small dipping sauces like ranch, salsa, or spicy sriracha mayo for an instant crowd-pleaser.
  • Game Day Snack Attack: Serve these crispy treats during sports events, movie nights, or casual gatherings as an irresistible finger food that will have everyone coming back for more.
  • Appetizer Extravaganza: Pair these cheesy bites with cool, fresh sides like a light cucumber salad or crisp coleslaw to balance the rich, deep-fried goodness and add some nutritional variety to your spread.
  • Beverage Companions: Match these spicy, cheesy Doritos with cold beer, craft cocktails, or refreshing sodas to complement their bold flavor profile and enhance the overall eating experience.

How to Store and Reheat for Snack Time Again

  • Store stuffed Doritos in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking and maintain crispiness.
  • Revive cold stuffed Doritos by placing them in a preheated 375°F oven for 5-7 minutes. This method restores their original crunch and melts the cheese perfectly.
  • Prepare cheese filling and stuff Doritos up to 24 hours before frying. Keep prepared chips in a sealed container in the refrigerator to save time during cooking.
  • Freeze uncooked stuffed Doritos on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag. When ready to enjoy, fry directly from frozen, adding 1-2 extra minutes to cooking time.

FAQs

  • What type of cheese works best for stuffing Doritos?

The best cheeses are cream cheese, shredded cheddar, and monterey jack. These create a creamy, melty filling that complements the crispy Dorito shell perfectly. The combination provides rich flavor and smooth texture.

  • Can I use different flavors of Doritos?

Yes, you can experiment with various Dorito flavors like nacho cheese, cool ranch, or spicy nacho. Each flavor will add a unique twist to the stuffed cheese snack and create different taste experiences.

  • Are these best served immediately after frying?

Absolutely! These stuffed Doritos are most delicious when served hot and crispy right after frying. The cheese inside will be melted and gooey, and the Dorito shell will have a perfect crunch. Let them cool for just a minute to avoid burning your mouth.

  • Do I need any special equipment to make this recipe?

You’ll need a deep fryer or a large pot for frying, tongs or a slotted spoon, and a thermometer is helpful but not mandatory. A simple kitchen setup is enough to create these delicious cheesy snacks.

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Crispy Fried Cheese Stuffed Doritos Recipe

Crispy Fried Cheese Stuffed Doritos Recipe


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4.6 from 35 reviews

  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 25 1x

Description

Spicy fried cheese stuffed Doritos elevate comfort snacking to a gourmet level. Mexican-inspired appetizers combine crispy chips with melted cheese, creating an irresistible treat you’ll crave again and again.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 mozzarella cheese sticks (cut in half to make 24 pieces)
  • 2 cups (470 ml) nacho cheese Doritos (crushed finely)
  • 1 cup (120 g) all-purpose flour
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 tbsps (30 ml) milk
  • Oil for frying (vegetable or canola oil recommended)

Instructions

  1. Cheese Preparation: Combine cream cheese, cheddar, monterey jack, garlic powder, onion powder, and chili powder into a smooth, well-integrated mixture using vigorous whisking techniques.
  2. Doritos Stuffing: Carefully split a Dorito chip and inject the prepared cheese blend precisely into its interior using a piping tool or modified plastic bag, ensuring minimal structural disruption and uniform filling.
  3. Oil Heating: Preheat vegetable oil in a deep fryer or heavy-bottomed pot to a consistent 350°F, verifying temperature readiness through a bread crumb test – golden bubbling indicates optimal frying conditions.
  4. Frying Process: Immerse cheese-filled Doritos into hot oil, rotating strategically to achieve uniform golden-brown coloration. Maintain oil temperature by frying in controlled batches, preventing overcrowding and ensuring crisp, even cooking.
  5. Final Presentation: Remove fried Doritos using a slotted spoon, draining excess oil on absorbent paper towels. Allow brief cooling to stabilize internal cheese filling, then serve these crispy, molten appetizers while maintaining peak textural quality.

Notes

  • Prevent Cheese Leakage: Seal Dorito edges carefully using finger pressure or fork crimping to prevent cheese from escaping during frying.
  • Optimize Cheese Temperature: Chill cheese mixture beforehand to ensure it remains compact and doesn’t quickly melt when inserted into chip, maintaining structural stability.
  • Control Oil Dynamics: Maintain consistent 350F oil temperature; use a cooking thermometer for precision and avoid sudden temperature fluctuations that compromise crispy texture.
  • Gluten-Free Adaptation: Replace standard Doritos with gluten-free chip variants and verify all cheese ingredients are certified gluten-free for alternative dietary requirements.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Snacks, Appetizer
  • Method: Frying
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 25
  • Calories: 150
  • Sugar: 1 g
  • Sodium: 250 mg
  • Fat: 10 g
  • Saturated Fat: 3 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 12 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 6 g
  • Cholesterol: 30 mg
John Nicholson

John Nicholson

Lead Writer & Recipe Developer

Expertise

Recipe Testing and Development, Kitchen Hacks and Time-Saving Tips, Flavor Pairing and Ingredient Selection, Engaging Food Writing and Storytelling

Education

Johnson & Wales University

  • Program: Bachelor of Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: A hands-on curriculum emphasizing farm-to-table cooking, local ingredient sourcing, and creative menu development. Students gained real-world restaurant experience, learning both classic techniques and modern approaches to sustainable cooking.

John Nicholson honed his skills at Johnson & Wales University, learning how to use fresh, local ingredients and down-to-earth techniques to make cooking simple and satisfying.

His recipes blend Southern comfort flavors with a modern touch, inviting everyone to cook with ease and confidence.

Living in Charleston, John takes cues from the city’s lively food scene, local markets, and seasonal produce. He’s all about making meals stress-free through easy tips, flavor pairings, and fun experiments in the kitchen

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