Wait! Please don’t leave. I promise there’s a really good reason to make flaming hot cheetos grilled corn.

flaming hot cheetos grilled corn

I swear. There is a legitimate reason for covering your corn in these spicy, crunchy crumbs and then eating it. I promise.

It might even become one of your favorite summer treats!

Let’s be real: it’s definitely a treat. And if we’re cooking at home all summer, things gotta be good. 

corn on the cob

Now, I didn’t make this recipe up. You may remember two years ago when I was doing a book signing for The Pretty Dish in Boston, we had flaming hot cheetos street corn one night.

It was SO good.

crushed flaming hot cheetos

And guys, here’s the biggest thing. I am not a cheetos fan, and I’m certainly not a flaming hot cheetos fan. As a kid, I liked cheese puff things more than crunchy cheetos. And I’m such a baby when it comes to heat and spice! If things are too spicy, I feel like they just burn out my taste buds and then I can’t, well, TASTE anything. 

You know?

But I had to make it at home. I don’t know exactly how that restaurant made their corn, but the way I’ve made it is incredible. Like holy flavor from heaven. 

grilled corn on the cob

So anyway. Here I am. Covering my grilled corn on the cob in flaming hot cheetos. 2020 has brought me to my knees. And brought me to this.

Let me tell you how insanely good it is. I mean, it is GOOD. 

rolling corn on the cob in cotija mayo

First up, let’s talk about the components:

It’s sweet from the corn.

Creamy and cheesy from the cotija lime mayo.

Spicy and crunchy from the cheetos coating.

Seriously, EVERYTHING you want in one bite? This is it.

I’ve made this recipe a few times over the years, but I was “embarrassed” to share the full “recipe” since it uses the cheetos. 2020 has tossed all embarrassment out the window. You may have seen me post it on instagram stories last summer, but this year I decided that it HAD to have its own space here. It’s just so incredibly good, regardless of how trashed up the concept may be.

flaming hot cheetos grilled corn

Here’s how it goes down:

Grill your corn. Or heck, even roast it. Doesn’t matter to me. I love the charred, smoky bite that you get from a grilled ear of corn. But whatever works! Just cook it.

Then, slather it with a mixture of mayo, crumbled cotija cheese and lime zest. This is good enough to eat with a spoon. Super flavorful! Spread it all over the ear of corn because it acts as “glue” (ew?) for the cheetos.

I know, I know. I still can’t get over the cheetos either. 

Then, roll it in the cheetos crumbs. Add a sprinkle of cotija, a spritz of lime.

And you’ve arrived. TRY IT!

flaming hot cheetos grilled corn

Flaming Hot Cheetos Grilled Corn

Flaming Hot Cheetos Grilled Corn

This hot cheetos grilled corn is amazing. Charred, smoky grilled corn slathered in cotija cheese mayo and rolled through crushed flaming hot cheetos. Yum!
5 from 20 votes
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Ingredients

  • 6 ears of corn
  • 2/3 cup mayonnaise
  • ¼ cup crumbled cotija cheese, plus extra for sprinkling
  • 1 lime, zest freshly grated (you can use the juice to spritz after)
  • 2 cups flaming hot cheetos

Instructions 

  • Preheat your grill to the highest setting. Shuck the corn (I left the husk at the bottom for photos, but honestly, it’s messy to eat this way!). I don’t use olive oil or anything here - I find that it browns nicely on the grill and there is enough flavor with everything else!
  • Place the corn on the grill grates and cook until charred and golden, rotating every few minutes. My corn takes 10 to 15 minutes total, maybe a bit less for smaller ears.
  • While the corn is grilling, stir together the mayo, cotija cheese and lime zest.
  • Place the cheetos in the bowl of your food processor and pulse until small crumbs remain (or place them in a sealed bag and crush them!). Place the crumbs on a plate that is large enough to roll the ears of corn in.
  • Remove the corn from the grill and spread the cotija mayo (about 2 tablespoons each) all over the ears of corn. Roll the corn through the crushed cheetos. Sprinkle with extra cotija cheese. Serve immediately with fresh lime for spritzing!
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