Caramel Cheetos - Plain Chicken (2024)

Candied Caramel Cheetos – crazy good! Only 5 ingredients! You won’t be able to stop eating these! Cheetos tossed in a homemade caramel sauce made with brown sugar, butter, corn syrup, and baking soda. The flavor combination sounds weird, but they are OH SO GOOD! Reminds me of Chicago Mix Popcorn.

Candied Cheetos Recipe

This might be the craziest recipe I have ever tried. I stumbled on this recipe while surfing the internet, and I knew that I had to give it a try. Caramel and Cheetos? It was too crazy not to try. The verdict? It was surprisingly good and very addictive. You can’t taste the cheese once the Cheetos are covered. You just get the crunchiness from it. The best part about these Caramel Cheetos is that you don’t get orange fingers from eating them! The caramel seals in the orange coating and keeps your fingers clean.

How to Make Caramel Cheetos

This treat is super easy to make with only 5 simple ingredients. In a large pot, mix together brown sugar, unsalted butter, and corn syrup. Bring the sugar mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Boil for 5 minutes, stirring often. Remove from heat and add baking soda. Stir until light in color and foamy.

Pour Cheetos into a large bowl. Pour the caramel mixture over the Cheetos and stir, coating each piece. Transfer the Cheetos to a large rimmed baking sheet. Bake for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes.

Remove the pan from the oven. Pour the Cheetos onto a large piece of parchment paper and spread out into a single layer. Cool completely. Break into pieces and store in an airtight container.

Helpful Tips & Frequently Asked Questions

• I prefer regular Cheetos. You can use any flavor that you enjoy.
  • Flaming Hot Cheetos will make a sweet and spicy treat!
  • You can use Cheese Puffs.
• Use a large saucepan when making the brown sugar/corn syrup mixture. The mixture will bubble up when you add the baking soda.
• What does baking soda do?The baking soda makes the sugar mixture light and airy – perfect for caramel corn.
• How Long do Caramel Cheetos Keep?This will keep for several weeks in an air-tight container. I place the cooled caramel Cheetos in gallon ziplock bags. Great for storage and easy snacking.
• Are Caramel Cheetos gluten-free?Yes! This is a delicious gluten-free dessert.
• Store popcorn in an airtight container at room temperature.

How to Serve Caramel Cheetos

This treat has quickly become a family favorite. It is reminiscent of Chicago Mix Popcorn – caramel corn and cheese popcorn. The flavor combination will leave you craving more! This is a great snack for Christmas parties, NYE parties, and game day. They taste delicious and are guaranteed to be a conversation starter!

Looking for more delicious caramel treats? Here are some popular recipes from the website:

Steph