Flamin Hot Cheeto Salad (Printable version)

A bold, crunchy salad with spicy Flamin Hot Cheetos, fresh cucumber, cilantro, and zesty lime-hot sauce dressing.

# 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 (approximately 1 lime)
05 - 1 tablespoon hot sauce such as Tapatío, Valentina, or Sriracha
06 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
07 - 1/8 teaspoon black pepper

# Directions:

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 until fully combined.
03 - Pour the dressing over the cucumber and cilantro, tossing gently to combine all ingredients.
04 - Just before serving, add the crushed Flamin Hot Cheetos and toss lightly until evenly coated with dressing.
05 - Transfer to serving plates and serve right away to maintain maximum crunch and texture.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It takes less than ten minutes and uses ingredients you probably have lying around.
  • The contrast between cool cucumber and fiery Cheetos is weirdly addictive.
  • It's a conversation starter at any potluck or party.
  • You can adjust the heat and add-ins to match your mood.
02 -
  • Don't add the Cheetos until the very last second, or they'll turn soggy and lose all their magic.
  • If you want more richness, fold in diced avocado or crumbled queso fresco just before serving.
  • Crushing the Cheetos in the bag with your hands is the easiest way to control the texture.
03 -
  • Taste the dressing before adding it to the salad so you can adjust the heat and acidity to your preference.
  • For a milder version, use regular Cheetos and add a pinch of chili powder for a hint of spice.
  • If you're serving a crowd, set out the dressed veggies and a bowl of crushed Cheetos so guests can assemble their own portions.
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