Fried Cheese Stuffed Doritos

Let’s just say this right out of the gate: Fried Cheese Stuffed Doritos are not pretending to be anything other than what they are—ridiculously indulgent, wildly fun, and absolutely impossible to stop eating once you start. If you’ve ever found yourself torn between your love of cheese sticks and your craving for a crunchy bag of Doritos, this recipe is here to end the debate. It’s both.

Imagine crispy, golden-fried bites of gooey, melted cheese completely encased in a bold, flavorful Doritos crust. Yes, it’s as delicious as it sounds. Perfect for game day snacks, late-night cravings, party appetizers, or just because you feel like treating yourself to something outrageous and delicious. These cheese bombs are crunchy on the outside, melty on the inside, and every bite packs that punchy Dorito flavor you already love.

I came up with this recipe on a whim after staring into my pantry on a Saturday night, looking for something snacky. I had string cheese. I had Doritos. I had a deep fryer. And that’s all it took. Since then, these have become my go-to party snack and a must-have for any movie night. They’re nostalgic, satisfying, and just plain fun.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Crunchy, gooey perfection – Crispy outside, cheesy inside. What more do you want?
• Super customizable – Use different types of Doritos (Cool Ranch, Spicy Sweet Chili, Flamin’ Hot!) to switch things up.
• Easy to make – Only a few ingredients and a basic breading process stand between you and cheesy glory.
• Crowd-pleaser – These disappear fast at parties. Be warned: you may need to make a double batch.
• Fun to serve – Dip them in ranch, marinara, or even queso. You can’t go wrong.
• Make-ahead friendly – You can prep and freeze them, then fry when you’re ready.
• Perfect snack or appetizer – They’re finger food at its finest.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s what you’ll need to whip up a batch of these cheesy Doritos delights:

• 12 mozzarella string cheese sticks
  (These are perfect because they’re already portioned and melt perfectly when fried.)
• 2 cups crushed Doritos (any flavor you love)
  (Crush them in a food processor or smash them in a zip-top bag. The finer the better for coating.)
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  (This helps the egg wash stick to the cheese.)
• 2 large eggs
  (The glue that holds it all together.)
• 1–2 tablespoons milk
  (To thin out the eggs a bit for smoother coating.)
• Oil for frying (vegetable or canola oil works great)
  (You’ll want enough to fully submerge the cheese sticks.)

Optional for serving:

• Ranch dressing, marinara, or spicy aioli
  (These dipping sauces all go ridiculously well with the fried Doritos crust.)

(Note: A complete list of ingredients with exact measurements is included in the instructions section below.)

How to Make It (Step-by-Step Instructions)

Step 1: Freeze the cheese sticks

Unwrap your string cheese sticks and place them on a baking sheet or plate lined with parchment paper. Freeze them for at least 30 minutes (or up to a few hours). This is a critical step—if you skip it, the cheese will melt way too fast and ooze out before the coating gets crispy.

Step 2: Set up your breading station

While the cheese is chilling, set up your breading station. You’ll need three shallow bowls or plates:

• One with flour
• One with eggs whisked with milk
• One with crushed Doritos

Tip: If your Dorito crumbs are too chunky, they won’t stick well—make sure they’re crushed fine, like panko.

Step 3: Bread the cheese sticks

Once the cheese sticks are frozen solid, it’s time to coat them. Working one at a time, roll each cheese stick in flour, then dip it into the egg wash, then coat it in the crushed Doritos. For an extra thick, crunchy crust, repeat the egg and Dorito step one more time. Double coating = extra crunch.

Place the breaded sticks back onto the lined tray and freeze again for another 20–30 minutes. This helps the coating set and keeps everything sealed during frying.

Step 4: Heat the oil

Pour your oil into a deep pot or fryer and heat it to 350°F (175°C). If you don’t have a thermometer, test it by dropping a small piece of bread into the oil—it should sizzle and turn golden in about 30 seconds.

Step 5: Fry to golden perfection

Carefully lower 3–4 cheese sticks at a time into the hot oil using a slotted spoon or tongs. Fry for about 2–3 minutes, or until the outside is golden brown and crisp. Don’t overcrowd the pot—too many at once can drop the temperature and lead to greasy results.

Remove and drain on a paper towel-lined plate. Let them rest for a minute before serving—molten cheese is no joke!

Step 6: Serve immediately with your favorite dips

These are best hot and fresh, with your dipping sauce of choice on the side. Ranch is classic, but warm marinara gives them mozzarella-stick vibes, and a spicy sriracha mayo is excellent for those who want a kick.

Helpful Tips

Make ahead and freeze:
You can prep these ahead of time up to the point of frying. After breading and freezing them solid, transfer them to a zip-top freezer bag and keep them frozen until ready to use. Fry straight from frozen—just add an extra 30 seconds or so to the cook time.

Crush your Doritos well:
A food processor is ideal, but a rolling pin and zip-top bag works too. Just be sure they’re ground finely enough to coat evenly.

Try different cheeses:
Mozzarella is classic, but you could experiment with pepper jack, cheddar, or even smoked gouda string cheese for a new flavor twist.

Air fryer option:
You can air fry these at 375°F (190°C) for 6–8 minutes, flipping halfway through. They won’t be quite as indulgently crispy, but they’ll still taste amazing and are slightly lighter.

Add seasoning to flour:
Mix a little garlic powder or paprika into your flour to amp up the flavor even more.

Double-dip for crunch:
If you like a super thick, satisfying crust, go for a second round of egg and Doritos. It helps lock in the cheese and gives the most satisfying crunch.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I use regular block cheese instead of string cheese?
You can, but you’ll need to cut it into similar-sized sticks and freeze it really well to avoid melting too quickly. String cheese just tends to hold up better when frying.

Can I bake these instead of frying?
Yes, though they won’t be quite as crispy. Bake at 400°F (200°C) for about 10–12 minutes on a wire rack over a baking sheet, flipping halfway through.

Do I have to freeze them before frying?
Yes—this is essential. Freezing prevents the cheese from leaking out during frying and gives the coating time to crisp up before the interior melts.

How long do they stay crispy?
They’re best served right away. You can keep them warm in a low oven (about 200°F) for 15–20 minutes, but over time the crunch does fade.

Can I use other chips instead of Doritos?
Absolutely. Cheetos, Flamin’ Hot chips, BBQ chips—all work great. Just make sure to crush them into fine crumbs.

Fried Cheese Stuffed Doritos aren’t just a snack—they’re a full-blown experience. They’re bold, cheesy, crunchy, and pretty much guaranteed to be the most talked-about thing at your next gathering. I make these any time I want to surprise friends or just treat myself to something that feels fun and over-the-top.

Give this recipe a try the next time you’re craving a snack with serious personality. Don’t forget to tag me or comment if you do—I’d love to hear which Dorito flavor you tried and what dipping sauce you went with. Trust me, once you make these once, they’ll become a snack-night staple.