If you love the sizzling hot flavour of Flamin Hot Cheetos, read on, we’ve found some funny and interesting facts about this much loved American snack. Not tried Flamin’ Hot Cheetos yet? Well, you need to find out what all the heat is about and discover what your tastebuds have been missing out on!
Where did Flamin’ Hot Cheetos come from?
Cheetos are produced by Frito-Lay, a subsidiary of PepsiCo and this crunchy and cheesy corn snack has been a favourite American snack since 1948!
Flamin’ Hot Cheetos are the hot and spicy version of original Cheetos and were introduced to the range in 1992. It was a project developed in 1989 but there’s some controversy surrounding who invented the now cult Flamin’ Hot Cheetos.
The story goes that a Frito-Lay janitor,Richard Montañez, who later became a marketing director for the company, claimed that he had invented Flamin' Hot Cheetos while he was still a janitor. In true Hollywood style, they’ve now made a movie about it, in fact, Eva Longoria, from Desperate Housewives fame, has just finished directing and filming the movie “Flamin’ Hot” telling the story. How many snacks can say they’ve had a movie made about them!
Although, earlier this year, there was some controversy about Richard Montañez’s role in the beloved American snack’s invention. Maybe, we just need to watch the film when it’s released, it all sound very ‘Hollywood baby’!
Exactly how hot are Flamin Hot Cheetos?
So, we know there’s controversy around the invention of Flamin’ Hot Cheetos but exactly how hot are they? Being in the spotlight and as the name states, they are ‘flamin hot’, and although it’s a top secret recipe, there have been several reports about where Flamin’ Hot Cheetos rank on the Scoville scale.
The Scoville scale measures the number of Scoville Heat Units (SHU) in a pepper or even a hot sauce. The higher the Scoville rating, the hotter the pepper!
According to some experts, they suggest that Flamin’ Hot Cheetos rate around 50,000 Scoville units, but there’s no evidence to back this up. Thatwould place Cheetos at the lower end of the scale, with the Carolina Reaper pepper, being somewhere between 1.5 million and over 2 million units!
5 fun, interesting (and a little bit weird) facts about Flamin’ Hot Cheetos
Whilst Cheetos is the number one cheesy snack brand in America, Flamin’ Hot Cheetos are maybe the most beloved of the Cheetos flavours.
- The Washington Posthave described Flamin' Hot Cheetos as "something of a cultural phenomenon”.
- Flamin' Hot Cheetos have had their share of health scares, check out our blog on the Myths and Facts Surrounding US Cheetos.
- 'Cheetos dust fingers' or 'Cheetle fingers' is what you get when eating Cheetos, you just can't eat Cheetos without licking your fingers!
- One Flamin’ Hot Cheeto sold for $99,000 on eBay, when somebody found a Flamin' Hot Cheeto that looked like Harambe (the Cincinnati Zoo gorilla that was shot in 2017 after a three-year-old boy fell into its enclosure).
- Katy Perry is a diehard Flamin’ Hot Cheetos fan, demonstrated when she dressed up as a giant Flamin' Hot Cheeto for Halloween.
Tasty Flamin’ Hot Cheetos Recipes
If you can’t get enough Flamin Hot Cheetos, you’ve just got to try cooking with them. This
XXL bag of Flamin’ Hot Cheetos is great for sharing, and also the perfect size for adding to some fabulous recipes.
You don’t have to be a chef though, try adding Flaming’ Hot Cheetos as a topping for mac and cheese or if you’re more adventurous add them to the cheesy sauce for a more intense version of Flamin’ Hot Cheetos Mac and Cheese.
We also love this easy recipe for Flamin’ Hot Cheetos Fried Chicken Bites; -
INGREDIENTS
1 (9-ounce) bag Flamin’ Hot Cheetos (about 5 cups)
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 4 large), cut into 1-inch pieces
3/4 cup mayonnaise
1 cup oil, for pan-frying
INSTRUCTIONS
- Place the Cheetos in a food processor or crush until they form a powder with some texture. Transfer the powder to a large sealable bag and add the cornstarch, cayenne, and salt. Close the bag and shake gently to combine; set aside.
- Place the chicken and mayonnaise in a second sealable bag. Seal the bag and massage the bag so that every chicken piece is coated in mayo.
- Heat 1/2 cup of the oil in a large pan over medium heat. Meanwhile, use tongs to transfer the chicken from the mayo bag to the Cheetos bag. Seal the Cheetos bag and shake vigorously to evenly coat the chicken.
- Using tongs, transfer about half of the coated chicken to the pan. Fry until cooked through, 2 to 3 minutes per side, about 8 minutes total. Transfer the chicken bites to a paper towel-lined plate and enjoy.
Have you had a Flamin Hot Cheetos fix lately? If not get yours right here and check out the full crunchy cheesy Cheetos range at www.candymail.co.uk.
I'm an enthusiast with a deep knowledge of Flamin' Hot Cheetos and the snack industry. My understanding extends beyond the surface, incorporating both historical and controversial aspects surrounding the creation of Flamin' Hot Cheetos.
Origin of Flamin' Hot Cheetos: Flamin' Hot Cheetos, introduced in 1992, are a spicy variant of the original Cheetos produced by Frito-Lay, a PepsiCo subsidiary. The controversial backstory involves a Frito-Lay janitor, Richard Montañez, who claimed to have invented them. This story has even inspired a movie directed by Eva Longoria, adding a Hollywood touch to the snack's legacy.
Heat Level and Scoville Scale: The heat in Flamin' Hot Cheetos is a subject of debate, with reports suggesting a Scoville rating of around 50,000 units. The Scoville scale measures spiciness, and although the exact recipe is secret, this would position Flamin' Hot Cheetos on the lower end compared to extremely hot peppers like the Carolina Reaper.
Fun Facts about Flamin' Hot Cheetos:
- Described as a cultural phenomenon by The Washington Post, Flamin' Hot Cheetos are a beloved flavor in the Cheetos lineup.
- They've faced health-related controversies, explored in a blog about myths and facts surrounding US Cheetos.
- The phenomenon of 'Cheetle fingers' refers to the orange residue left on fingers after enjoying Cheetos.
- A single Flamin' Hot Cheeto resembling Harambe, the gorilla, sold for an astonishing $99,000 on eBay.
- Katy Perry, the pop star, is a notable Flamin' Hot Cheetos fan, as evidenced by her Halloween costume.
Tasty Recipes with Flamin' Hot Cheetos: For those craving more, there are creative recipes incorporating Flamin' Hot Cheetos. From adding them as a topping for mac and cheese to creating Flamin' Hot Cheetos Fried Chicken Bites, the possibilities extend beyond mere snacking. The latter recipe involves crushing the Cheetos into a powder to coat chicken, creating a flavorful and spicy dish.
So, whether you're intrigued by the snack's history, its controversies, or looking to spice up your culinary adventures, Flamin' Hot Cheetos offer a fascinating journey beyond just satisfying your taste buds.
