COPYCAT CHEETOS CHICKEN FRIES

Copycat Cheetos Chicken Fries image

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Time 40m

Yield 32 fries

Number Of Ingredients 11

Nonstick cooking spray, for spraying the baking dish
6 cups crispy cheese puffs, such as Cheetos®
1 pound all white meat ground chicken
1 teaspoon chicken bouillon powder or crumbled cube
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon paprika
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Vegetable oil, for frying
1 cup all-purpose flour
3 large eggs, lightly beaten
1/2 cup ranch dressing

Steps:

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Spray an 8-inch square baking dish with cooking spray.
Add the cheese puffs to a food processor and grind to fine crumbs.
In a large bowl, mix the ground chicken, chicken bouillon, garlic powder, paprika, 1/4 cup of the cheese puff crumbs, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper with your hands until combined. Press the chicken mixture into the baking dish, creating an even layer. Bake until the chicken is cooked, 7 to 10 minutes. Set aside to cool slightly, then turn out onto a cutting board and cut into 4-by-1/2-inch sticks.
Meanwhile, fill a heavy skillet or a Dutch oven halfway with oil. Heat over medium-high heat until a deep-frying thermometer registers 350 degrees F.
Put the flour, eggs and remaining cheese puff crumbs in separate shallow dishes. Season the flour with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Dip each chicken stick first in the flour, then in the egg, then in the crumbs.
Add the sticks to the hot oil a few at a time, making sure not to overcrowd. Fry, turning frequently, until crispy, about 1 minute. Remove to a paper-towel lined plate. Serve warm with ranch dressing.