Applebee’s Flamin’ Hot Cheetos Wings

Applebee’s Flamin’ Hot Cheetos Wings are incredibly tasty and great for an appetizer or dinner. Chicken wings are breaded with crushed Flamin’ Hot Cheetos and baked until crispy. Serve them with celery sticks and ranch or blue cheese dressing.

Copycat Applebee's Flamin' Hot Cheetos Wings on a plate.


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What Makes Applebee’s Hot Cheetos Chicken Wings So Good? 

Some people like it hot, and if you’re a member of the seared taste bud club, you are going to love these Hot Cheetos chicken wings. These wings are spicy with a splash of hot sauce and have a crunchy exterior of the most addictive snack ever: Flamin’ Hot Cheetos.

Just be careful. Flamin’ Hot Cheetos wings are so tasty that you may eat the entire batch without realizing it!

Why You Should Try Applebees Cheetos Wings

Expand your wing recipe repertoire with this tasty recipe. Not only are these wings bursting with intense flavor, but you also make them in the oven and not the fryer!

That means they are easier to cook and much better for your health without sacrificing any of the taste you love. 

Cheetos Wings Ingredients

For Applebee’s Hot Cheetos Wings, you’ll need:

  • Raw chicken wings
  • All-purpose flour
  • Salt
  • Black pepper
  • Garlic powder
  • Eggs
  • Whole milk
  • Hot sauce
  • Crunchy Flamin’ Hot Cheetos

Any brand of hot sauce will work in this recipe, but Franks RedHot or Crystal’s Lousiana are both excellent choices. 

Copycat Applebee's Flamin' Hot Cheetos Wings ingredients.

How to Make Flamin’ Hot Cheetos Wings 

  1. Preheat the oven to 425°F. 
  2. Crush the Flamin’ Hot Cheetos into crumbs. You can place them into a plastic bag and use a rolling pin, or better yet, use a food processor or a blender.
  3. Cut the wings into drumettes, flats, and tips if they are not already cut. Store and save the tips for making chicken broth. Watch this video on how to cut chicken wings.
  4. To set up the breading station, place three wide, shallow bowls on your work surface and grease a baking tray. 
  5. Use a fork to stir together the flour, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder in the first bowl. 
  6. Whisk together the eggs, whole milk, and hot sauce in the second bowl. 
  7. Pour the Flamin’ Hot Cheetos crumbs into the third bowl.
  8. Coat a wing in the dry flour mixture. Shake off the excess and transfer it to the wet egg hot sauce mixture. Finish by rolling it in the Cheetos crumbs. Place the coated chicken onto the greased baking tray in a single layer.
  9. Repeat with the remaining wings. 
  10. Place the tray with the breaded chicken wings into the oven and bake for 18 to 20 minutes. Flip the chicken halfway through the cooking time. 
  11. Cool the baked chicken wings on a wire rack for a few minutes before serving them in a basket or on a platter.
Collage of steps for making Applebee's Flamin' Hot Cheetos Wings.

Variations

Choose the level of heat you prefer. Swap the Flamin’ Hot Cheetos for regular ones if you are not looking for something too spicy. Or show no regard for your tongue and choose Xxtra Flamin’ Hot Cheetos instead!

Copycat Applebee's Flamin' Hot Cheetos Wings, ranch dressing, and celery on a white plate.

What to Serve With Cheetos Wings

Don’t forget to make one or more dips or dipping sauces. Ranch dressing, Sriracha-Mayo, and Spicy Queso Cheese are all great options for dipping. Add carrot and celery sticks to complete the meal.

How to Store the Leftovers 

Let the baked wings cool to room temperature and put them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. For storing them longer than that, try freezing them. They should stay fresh for up to two months. 

What’s the Best Way to Reheat Applebees Cheetos Wings?

Thaw frozen Applebee’s Hot Cheetos Wings in the fridge overnight before reheating:

To reheat:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  2. Place the Cheetos wings on a greased baking tray and cover the tray with aluminum foil.
  3. Bake the wings covered for 10 minutes. 
  4. Remove the aluminum foil and flip over the chicken pieces. Spray the chicken with cooking oil if you want them to be extra crunchy.
  5. Cook the wings uncovered until they are crispy, about five minutes. 
Overhead view of copycat Applebee's Flamin' Hot Cheetos Wings, ranch, and celery on parchment paper.

More Applebee’s Copycat Recipes

Favorite Appetizer Recipes

Check out more of my easy appetizer recipes and the best copycat restaurant recipes on CopyKat!

Copycat Applebee's Flamin' Hot Cheetos Wings on a plate.

Applebee’s Flamin’ Hot Cheetos Wings

You can make Applebee's Flaming Hot Cheetos Chicken Wings at home with this easy copycat recipe.
5 from 1 vote
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Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Applebees Recipes
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 8
Calories: 186kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds raw chicken wings
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon pepper
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • 2 large eggs
  • ½ cup milk
  • 2 teaspoons hot sauce
  • 8 1/2 ounces Flamin’ Hot Cheetos finely crushed using a food processor
  • hot sauce to serve (optional)
  • ranch dressing to serve (optional)
  • celery sticks to serve (optional)

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 425°F and prepare a large baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray.
  • Prepare a dredging station by mixing the flour, salt, pepper, and garlic powder in a shallow bowl; beating the eggs, milk, and hot sauce in another small bowl until fully blended; and placing the Flamin’ Hot Cheeto crumbs in a third shallow bowl or plate.
  • Dredge one chicken wing at a time in the flour mixture, coating evenly and fully. Then dip the wing into the egg mixture, coat the wing in Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, and place the wing on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat this process for all the wings.
  • Bake the wings for 18 to 20 minutes. Then allow them to cool for about 5 minutes before serving with additional hot sauce, ranch dressing, and/or celery sticks, if desired.

Notes

Consider purchasing two bags of Cheetos. While rolling each wing through the Cheetos, you may notice the egg or flour mixture rub off into the Cheeto crumbs. A second bag allows you to ensure your crumbs are fresh.
Wash your hands frequently while breading the wings.
The breading on the wings stays attached well. However, handle them gently.

Nutrition

Calories: 186kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 94mg | Sodium: 382mg | Potassium: 133mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 0.3g | Vitamin A: 167IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 22mg | Iron: 1mg

About Stephanie Manley

I recreate your favorite restaurant recipes, so you can prepare these dishes at home. I help you cook dinner, and serve up dishes you know your family will love. You can find most of the ingredients for all of the recipes in your local grocery store.

Stephanie is the author of CopyKat.com's Dining Out in the Home, and CopyKat.com's Dining Out in the Home 2.

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