Pin Savory, spicy muffin balls packed with tangy dill pickles and a crunchy Flamin Hot Cheetos crust are perfect for snack time or party appetizers.
The first time I made these, my friends could not stop talking about the spicy crunch and tangy pickle bits in every bite. They were gone before I’d even cleaned up the kitchen!
Ingredients
- Biscuit Dough: 2 cups all-purpose flour, 2 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp baking soda, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter (cold and cubed), 3/4 cup buttermilk, 1 large egg
- Pickle & Flavor Mix: 1/2 cup finely chopped dill pickles (well-drained), 2 tbsp fresh dill (chopped) or 2 tsp dried dill, 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese, 1/4 cup chopped scallions
- Flamin Hot Coating: 2 cups Flamin Hot Cheetos (crushed into fine crumbs), 2 tbsp melted butter
Instructions
- Prepare for Baking:
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking tray with parchment paper or lightly grease a muffin tin.
- Mix Dry Ingredients:
- Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and garlic powder in a large bowl.
- Cut in Butter:
- Add cold butter cubes and cut in using a pastry blender or fork until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Add Wet Ingredients:
- In a small bowl, whisk together buttermilk and egg. Add to dry ingredients and stir just until combined. Do not overmix.
- Fold in Flavors:
- Gently fold in chopped dill pickles, fresh dill, cheddar cheese, and scallions.
- Shape the Balls:
- Using a cookie scoop or hands, form mixture into 12 golf ball-sized portions.
- Make Coating:
- In a shallow bowl, combine crushed Flamin Hot Cheetos and melted butter. Mix well.
- Coat and Arrange:
- Roll each biscuit ball in the Flamin Hot Cheetos mixture, pressing gently to adhere. Place balls on prepared tray or in muffin tin wells, spaced apart.
- Bake:
- Bake 16–18 minutes or until golden and cooked through.
- Cool & Serve:
- Let cool slightly before serving.
Pin These muffin balls disappeared in seconds at my last family movie night. My kids especially loved the fun, spicy crust and dipping them into ranch!
Required Tools
Mixing bowls, whisk, pastry blender or fork, baking tray or muffin tin, parchment paper, cookie scoop (optional)
Nutritional Information
Each serving contains approximately 205 calories, 11 g total fat, 22 g carbohydrates, and 5 g protein.
Notes & Swaps
For extra spice, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the dough. Swap cheddar for pepper jack for more heat, or use spicy tortilla chips instead of Cheetos.
Pin Serve warm and enjoy the spicy crunch with your favorite dip. These muffin balls will elevate any snack platter!
Recipe Questions
- → What gives these muffin balls their spicy crunch?
Crushed Flamin Hot Cheetos blended with melted butter create the signature spicy, crunchy coating on each biscuit ball.
- → Can I make these balls ahead of time?
Yes, you can prep and freeze the formed balls before baking; bake them straight from the freezer, adding a couple minutes to bake time.
- → Are there alternatives for Flamin Hot Cheetos?
Spicy tortilla chips work well as a coating, or you can use regular Cheetos for less heat.
- → What dips pair well with these snack balls?
Try ranch or cool yogurt dip to balance the heat, or serve plain for a bolder flavor experience.
- → Can I adjust the spice level?
Use pepper jack cheese or add cayenne to the dough for extra kick, or select milder toppings for a gentler bite.