Putting cheese on hot Cheetos is a popular snack or meal accompaniment that adds creaminess, saltiness, and extra flavor to the spicy cheesy crunchy corn puffs. There are many kinds of cheese that can work well with hot Cheetos depending on your preferences.
Queso Cheese
Queso cheese or queso dip is a popular choice for topping hot Cheetos. The smooth, creamy melted cheese sauce coats each bite of Cheetos with a hit of dairy richness. Queso cheese sauce is often seasoned with spices like cumin and chili powder which complement the heat of the hot Cheetos. You can buy ready-made queso cheese dip at many grocery stores or make your own homemade queso with just a few ingredients like shredded cheese, milk or cream, roasted peppers, and spices. Drizzle queso over your Cheetos or use it for dipping. The thick, gloopy melted cheese hugs each puff for delicious cheesy bites.
Cheddar Cheese
Classic cheddar cheese is another excellent option for Cheetos. Sharp cheddar or mild cheddar can both work well. Cheddar melts smoothly while still retaining some texture. It has a nutty, tangy flavor that balances the heat of hot Cheetos. Shredded cheddar is a convenient choice that you can sprinkle over the puffs before popping them in the oven or toaster oven to melt the cheese. You can also make a quick cheese sauce on the stovetop with cheddar and milk. Cut cheddar into cubes to skewer with Cheetos for easy cheese-coated snacks. Aged white cheddar or orange cheddar slices also pair nicely when enjoying Cheetos with a sandwich or burger.
Processed Cheese Slices
For melting cheese in a hurry, processed cheese slices are handy. Cheese slices from American, cheddar, Swiss, and other varieties quickly melt into gooey goodness when placed on top of hot Cheetos right out of the bag. The creamy, salty melted processed cheese combines with the crunch and spice of the Cheetos in a tasty way. Cheese slices require no prep and pack a ton of rich, cheese flavor onto each bite. Keep a pack of your favorite cheese slices on hand for a quick and delicious anytime snack with your spicy Cheetos.
Cream Cheese
For a cool, creamy counterpoint to hot Cheetos, use blocks of cream cheese. Cream cheese can be sliced, cubed, or spread onto the Cheetos. The rich creaminess helps offset the heat. Plain cream cheese works well, or you can also use flavored varieties like chive and onion or jalapeño cream cheese for more flavor. Cream cheese pairs great with hot Cheetos for breakfast, lunch, or snacking. It’s a great option if you want the cheese experience but prefer a cooler temperature rather than hot melted cheese.
Nacho Cheese
What better cheese to put on hot Cheetos than nacho cheese? The bright orange, gooey nacho cheese sauce served at concession stands, gas stations, and movie theaters is a popular choice. Store-bought nacho cheese sauce or homemade nacho cheese made from ingredients like milk, cheddar, pepper jack, chili powder, and paprika allows you to dip or drizzle spicy, tangy cheese on each bite. The smooth, salty, cheesy nacho sauce delivers creamy richness and clings nicely to the puffs. Nacho cheese is a convenient option for movie nights or parties when you’re serving up Cheetos.
Pepper Jack Cheese
For extra heat and zing, use pepper jack cheese on your hot Cheetos. The spicy pepper-flecked cheese has a kick that enhances the hot Cheeto flavor. Shredded pepper jack or slices of the cheese work well for melting over the puffs in the oven or toaster oven. You can also combine pepper jack with cream or milk to make a spicy queso-style dipping sauce. The jalapeño and habanero peppers mixed into the cheese boost the overall spiciness for fiery snacking. Pepper jack cheese packs some serious punch when paired with already spicy snacks.
Mozzarella Cheese
Stringy, delicious melted mozzarella cheese is a tasty choice for hot Cheetos. Shredded low-moisture mozzarella that melts smoothly without getting rubbery or adding excess moisture works best. The flavorful cheese coats each crunchy puff with richness when melted. For extra flavor, use smoked mozzarella or fresh mozzarella. Pizza lovers will enjoy the classic mozzarella cheese taste paired with hot Cheetos. Grated mozzarella or mozzarella cheese slices both melt nicely over hot Cheetos when baking or toasting them with the cheese topping.
Monterey Jack Cheese
Monterey Jack is a perfect melty cheese choice for hot Cheetos. The semi-soft cheese has a subtle tang and melts easily without separating. Sprinkle shredded Monterey Jack over hot Cheetos and melt under the broiler or in the oven for simple cheesy snacks and appetizers. Monterey Jack also combines well with other cheeses like cheddar or pepper jack to make a custom cheese sauce for dipping spicy Cheetos. The mild flavor balances yet complements the hot Cheetos in an appetizing way.
Quesadilla Cheese
Pre-shredded Mexican cheese blends for quesadillas are a convenient option for Cheetos. These mixes contain melty cheeses like Oaxaca, Asadero, and Queso Quesadilla that easily coat the puffs when melted. The seasoned cheese blends contain spices like chili pepper, cumin, onion, garlic, and epazote herb which add extra vibrancy and tex-mex flair. The finely shredded cheese melts smoothly over the Cheetos. Quesadilla cheese mixes require no prep and you can find them at many grocery stores for an easy spicy snack in minutes.
Feta Cheese
For a less melty option, crumbled feta cheese adds creamy, briny flavor to hot Cheetos. The salty, tangy feta cheese pairs wonderfully with the spices in the puffs. Use a milder cow or goat milk feta for the best flavor contrast – not a super aged, sharp sheep milk feta. The little salty flavor bombs of feta cheese go nicely with the crunch of the puffs. Simply top your Cheetos with feta crumbles to enjoy this unlikely but delicious pairing.
Blue Cheese
Bold, pungent blue cheese is a daring choice for hot Cheetos but works surprisingly well. The spicy, peppery intensity of blue cheese handles the heat while adding creamy, funky richness. Crumble milder blue cheese over the puffs or make a dip with blue cheese crumbles, yogurt, lemon juice, and milk. The potent cheese packs savory umami flavor that enhances the cheesy hot Cheeto taste. A little blue cheese goes a long way on spicy snacks.
Parmesan Cheese
Grated parmesan cheese is a simple way to add savory flavor to hot Cheetos. Freshly shredded parmesan adds little bursts of nutty, salty flavor and a slight crunch. The dry, hard cheese doesn’t melt but rather coats the puffs for an extra hit of cheese. Use high-quality Parmesan Reggiano or Parmesan Romano for the best flavor. Parmesan cheese works nicely on its own or combined with other shredded melting cheeses. Add it to all your Cheetos for a flavor boost.
Conclusion
When topping hot Cheetos with cheese, opt for melty cheeses like queso, cheddar, nacho cheese, mozzarella, Monterey Jack, and pepper jack for gooey, creamy cheese coverage on each bite. For convenience, use pre-shredded cheese or slices. If you want more texture, go for crumbled cheeses like feta, blue, or Parmesan. The options are endless for adding extra cheesy richness to beloved hot Cheetos. Whether dipping, drizzling, or baking on a cheese topping, cheese and Cheetos are the perfect flavor combination.