I Tried Making Viral TikTok "Stunt" Foods

Ingredients

• 2 cups Flamin' Hot Cheetos (crushed into fine crumbs)
• 1 teaspoon Red Food Coloring (mix with Cheeto crumbs for extra color)
• 1 cup All‑Purpose Flour (for batter)
• 1 cup Pancake Mix (instant pancake mix, unsweetened)
• 1/2 cup Water (room temperature)
• 12 slices Processed American Cheese Slices (cut into squares to match tower layers)
• 10 slices Plant‑Based Ham (square cut) (or any square‑shaped meat analog)
• 6 slices White Bread (crust removed, cut to fit tower width)
• 4 quarts Vegetable Oil (for deep frying) (high smoke‑point oil such as canola or peanut)
• 1/2 teaspoon Salt (for batter seasoning)
• 1/4 teaspoon Black Pepper (freshly ground)

Instructions

1. Prepare Cheeto Crumbs

   Place the Flamin' Hot Cheetos in a zip‑top bag and crush them with a rolling pin until fine. Transfer to a bowl, add red food coloring, and mix until evenly tinted.

   Time: PT5M

2. Make Pancake Batter

   In a mixing bowl combine pancake mix, all‑purpose flour, salt, pepper, and water. Whisk until smooth with no lumps.

   Time: PT5M

3. Prep Bread and Cheese

   Trim the crusts off the white bread slices. Cut each slice into a square roughly 4×4 inches. Cut cheese slices and plant‑based ham into matching squares.

   Time: PT7M

4. Heat Oil

   Fill the deep fryer with vegetable oil to the recommended level. Heat to 350°F (175°C). Use the thermometer to verify temperature.

   Time: PT10M

   Temperature: 350°F

5. Assemble the Tower

   On a clean surface, start with a bread square as the base. Layer in this order: cheese square, ham square, cheese square, a generous sprinkle of red‑colored Cheeto crumbs, then another bread square. Repeat until you have 8–10 layers, ending with a bread top.

   Time: PT12M

6. Batter the Tower

   Place the assembled tower on a plate. Using a spoon, pour the pancake batter over the entire tower, ensuring all sides are fully coated. Let excess drip off.

   Time: PT5M

7. Deep‑Fry the Tower

   Using tongs, carefully lower the battered tower into the hot oil. Fry for 3–4 minutes, turning once, until the coating is golden‑brown and crisp.

   Time: PT4M

   Temperature: 350°F

8. Drain and Cool

   Remove the tower with tongs and place on a paper‑towel‑lined plate to drain excess oil. Let rest for 2 minutes before slicing.

   Time: PT4M

Nutrition Facts

Calories

4200

Protein

45 g

Carbohydrates

210 g

Fat

260 g

Fiber

8 g