Toffee Cheese Puffs are a variation of Sweet Crunchy Nuts, and a killer addictive snack. I know, I know! Sounds incredibly weird, but one taste, and I promise you will be hooked! They are sort of like a savory candy, as odd as it sounds.
The crunchy cheese puffs have a toffee coating that is irresistable. It takes some attention, mostly stirring during baking, but it is simple and well worth the time. Plan on making extras of this recipe for snacking. They also make great unusual gifts from the kitchen.
I recommend using non-stick foil on the baking pan, but you may also use a non-stick, rimmed cookie sheet.
Toffee Cheese Puffs Recipe
1 (12 ounce) bag baked crunchy cheese puffs/curls (like Cheetos®–See Notes)
Vegetable cooking spray
2 cups light brown sugar, packed
1 cup (2 sticks) margarine (do not use soft/whipped margarine or butter–See Notes)
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1/2 teaspoon baking soda (not baking powder)
Preheat oven to 250 F. Line a jelly roll baking pan with nonstick foil.
Spray a very large metal mixing bowl with cooking spray. (Trust me, you will need the space.) Fill with the cheese puffs and set aside.
Combine brown sugar, margarine, and corn syrup in a medium heavy saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce to low, and cook for 5 minutes, stirring often. Watch carefully that it does not boil over. Remove from heat and stir in baking soda. It will foam a bit and turn creamy in color.
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Immediately pour mixture over the cheese puffs. Use two large spoons to toss thoroughly to coat. Spread out on the prepared baking pan and bake for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes to separate. When done, stir one last time to separate.
Pour onto parchment paper and spread in a single layer to cool. Seal these snacks tightly to store.
Yield: about 10 cups
Notes:
• Cheetos® are arguably the original and most well-known cheese curls. However, generic and knock-off store brands will work just as well in this recipe.
• Whipped margarine and butter (the soft-spread varieties) just doesn’t work. They throw off the ratio of the ingredients because they have air whipped into them.
Toffee Cheese Puffs Recipe Photo ©2021 Peggy Filippone
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