This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Treat your taste buds to these Hot Cheetos crispy treats, my new and creative take on the classic marshmallow treat! Made with just three ingredients, this is the easiest snack you can make, and it’s sure to impress. Plus, it is the perfect little treat when the munchies hit because IYKYK!!
I just had a post go viral on social media lately and for good reason. It was a variation of rice krispie treats made with Ruffles chips. It’s the perfect sweet-and-salty combo with an even stronger crunch. Everyone enjoyed it so much that I knew I had to bring you guys an even better version. So here we are!
This recipe combines the fiery kick of Flamin’ Hot Cheetos with the sweet vanilla taste of marshmallows. And don’t forget the unique crunch Cheetos bring. If you’re a fan of classic rice krispies treats (I have a whole lineup, from pumpkin rice krispie treats for fall to strawberry rice krispy treats for Valentine’s Day) and also love that iconic Flamin’ Hot flavor, this is a recipe you definitely need to try. I am honestly salivating just thinking about these. And yes, you might say that since I just made them, I should be enjoying them as I write this, but guys, THEY’RE GONE! Finished, completely disappeared in less than 24 hours!!
Quick Look: Hot Cheetos Marshmallow Crispy Treats
- 🌶️ What it is: Classic marshmallow crispy treats made with Flamin’ Hot Cheetos instead of cereal.
- ⭐ Why it works: Sweet melted marshmallow tames the heat and holds the crunchy chips together.
- 💛 Why you’ll love it: Three ingredients, no oven, and the ultimate sweet, salty, spicy munchies snack.
- ⚠️ What to watch for: Pull the marshmallows off the heat the second they melt, or the treats set hard.
- 🍳 Pan notes: Press into a greased 8×8 pan with a buttered spatula or greased hands.
- ❄️ Make ahead: Make them a day ahead and skip the fridge so they stay soft.
Table of Contents
Key Ingredients
Here are the ingredients you will need to make this munchies dessert. Scroll down to the recipe card at the bottom of the page for the detailed ingredient measurements.
- Hot Cheetos: are the super fun substitution for the normal rice krispies. The spicy, cheesy flavor balances the marshmallows’ sweetness with a bold kick.
- Butter: helps melt the marshmallows smoothly while preventing the mixture from sticking to the pan.
- Miniature Marshmallows: acts as the binder that holds the crushed Hot Cheetos together and creates that sticky, chewy texture. You will need about 4 cups, and they need to be fresh, just like in my peanut butter rice krispy treats, or the bars will set up hard.
- Cooking Spray or Additional Butter: is used to grease the pan and prevent the crispy treats from sticking.
How to Make Hot Cheetos Crispy Treats
- Melt the butter. Lightly butter or spray an 8×8-inch baking dish and set it aside. In a large saucepan, melt the butter over low heat, then add the mini marshmallows.
- Melt the marshmallows. Stir until the marshmallows are fully melted and smooth. Pull the pan off the heat as soon as they melt so your treats stay soft and chewy.
- Add the Hot Cheetos. Take the saucepan off the heat and immediately pour in the whole bag of Hot Cheetos.
- Coat every chip. Stir quickly until the chips are evenly coated in the gooey marshmallow mixture. Some chips may break during mixing, which is perfectly fine.
- Press into the pan. Transfer the mixture to the prepared dish and press it down firmly with a buttered spatula or greased hands. Let it set at room temperature for 30 minutes to an hour.
- Slice and enjoy! Once firm, lift it out of the pan with a spatula and slice into squares or rectangles. A little marshmallow may stay stuck to the pan, and that’s OK!
Expert Tips
- Use fresh marshmallows. Stale marshmallows won’t melt as smoothly and will give you hard crispy treats.
- Keep the heat low. Overheated marshmallows set up hard and stiff. Keep them on low heat just until they melt, then pull the pan off right away.
- Crush some of the Cheetos. Breaking up a handful of the chips gives you a better texture balance and helps every bite hold together.
- Work fast. Stir in the Hot Cheetos as soon as the pan comes off the heat, before the marshmallow starts to firm up.
- Grease your tools. A buttered spatula or lightly greased hands let you press the mixture into the pan without it sticking to you.
- Shape them like cookies. Scoop and shape the mixture with greased hands, the same way I do for my Crumbl rice krispie bar cookies.
- Prefer something baked? My Costco marshmallow crispy cookies turn that same marshmallow crunch into a chewy oven-baked cookie.
Why This Recipe Works
- All you need is a bag of Cheetos, marshmallows, and some butter to transport yourself to snack heaven.
- It’s a spicy and salty twist on a classic sweet treat, the same way my chocolate rice krispie treats put a cocoa spin on the original and my CTC marshmallow bars add cinnamon sugar.
- It’s the perfect creative dessert to satisfy the late-night munchies.
- These are totally addictive and such a fun little treat to gift to a Hot Cheetos lover!
Hot Cheetos Crispy Treats FAQs
Yes! When I first thought of making Hot Cheetos crispy treats, I wanted to use Limon Hot Cheetos but worried the citrus would be weird with the marshmallows. After making this recipe, I would totally try them next time, so if you’re a fan of Limon Hot Cheetos, go for it. And if you don’t like spicy, regular Cheetos work great too.
The marshmallows really tone down the heat in Hot Cheetos crispy treats, so if you want more spice, sprinkle some Tajin (the same chili lime seasoning I use on my pineapple Tajin popsicles), cayenne pepper, or chili powder into the melted marshmallow before adding the Hot Cheetos. You can also drizzle hot sauce on top before they set, or use Xxtra Flamin’ Hot Cheetos for more of a kick.
Yes! You can make Hot Cheetos crispy treats a day in advance. Just avoid refrigerating them, since the fridge makes them too hard. I like to keep mine in a Ziploc bag so they stay soft longer.
Store leftover Hot Cheetos crispy treats in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 or 4 days. Skip the fridge, which makes them hard.
Sure! To make Hot Cheetos crispy treats in the microwave, melt the butter and marshmallows in a large microwave-safe bowl in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until smooth. Then mix in the Hot Cheetos and follow the rest of the steps as usual.
More Sweet and Salty Crispy Treats
If you made these Hot Cheetos crispy treats, I need to know how spicy you went! Leave a ⭐ star rating and a comment below, and tell me if they disappeared in less than 24 hours like mine did. Happy snacking!!
Hot Cheetos Marshmallow Crispy Treats
Ingredients
- 1 bag Hot Cheetos chips 8.5 oz bag
- 3 tbsp Butter
- 4 cups Mini Marshmallows
- Cooking spray or additional butter for greasing the pan
Instructions
- Grease an 8×8 inch baking pan with cooking spray or butter. Set aside.Cooking spray or additional butter for greasing the pan
- In a large saucepan, melt the butter over low heat. Add the mini marshmallows to the saucepan and stir continuously until they are completely melted and smooth.4 cups Mini Marshmallows , 3 tbsp Butter
- Remove the saucepan from heat and add in the Hot Cheetos. Stir quickly and thoroughly until the chips are fully coated with the marshmallow mixture. It's okay to break the chips as you go to coat them better.1 bag Hot Cheetos chips
- Transfer the mixture into the greased baking pan. Using a buttered spatula or your hands (lightly greased with butter or cooking spray), press the mixture into the pan.
- Allow the Hot Cheetos marshmallow treats to cool and set at room temperature for about 30 minutes to an hour.
- Once cooled and set, remove from the mixture from the pan using a spatula. There is going to be some leftover marshmallow mixture stuck in the pan but that's ok. Cut into squares or rectangles of your desired size.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
