I have a dear friend who confessed she had never tasted cheese curds. I admit I gasped. Living in the heart of New York dairy country, cheese curds are everywhere—your small-town grocer likely stocks box after box. If you love curds as I do, you’ve probably tried seasoned varieties: Cajun, sweet-and-spicy, garlic-and-chive, and more. One flavor I’d never seen, though, is Cool Ranch Dorito cheese curds. It seems obvious to me: cheese plus Cool Ranch seasoning is a natural pairing. Cheese + cheese = delicious.
This is ridiculously simple. Start by making a batch of homemade Dry Buttermilk Ranch Dressing Mix (no MSG), then use part of that to create a Cool Ranch Doritos seasoning. Toss freshly made cheese curds with the Cool Ranch seasoning and let them rest in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes so the flavors bloom. You could buy a packet of ranch dressing mix, but if you want true Cool Ranch Dorito cheese curds you’ll need to make the Cool Ranch seasoning yourself.
Bonus: you’ll have extra seasoning to use on a big batch of homemade Cool Ranch Doritos or to flavor baked taco-salad bowls. That extra seasoning opens up lots of tasty possibilities.
Why season cheese curds yourself instead of buying pre-seasoned?
When you make the seasoning at home you know exactly what goes on your curds. Many commercial spice blends include ingredients you might prefer to avoid, such as MSG or artificial colorings. Also, I couldn’t find Cool Ranch Dorito cheese curds anywhere online—I searched—so making them at home may be an original idea.
Why Cool Ranch Doritos–flavored cheese curds?
Because they’re delicious. Cool Ranch Doritos are a guilty pleasure for many, and recreating that flavor as a seasoning gives you better control over ingredients. These curds aren’t health food, but they’re a far better alternative to tearing into a bag of Doritos. They work beautifully on taco salads, make a quick high-protein snack, and are perfect game-day finger food. I may have even turned eating them into a competitive pastime—hey, it’s a special skill.
Cook’s Notes
- Make your own Dry Buttermilk Ranch Dressing Mix. It’s easy to prepare, tastes remarkably close to the packet version, and is healthier. After the initial cost of ingredients, the homemade mix is inexpensive per use. You also control the sodium.
- Once you have Homemade Cool Ranch Doritos Seasoning, you can use it on popcorn, fries, mashed potatoes, or anything else that could use a savory ranch-Dorito boost.
- The recipe calls for a pinch of cayenne pepper for a touch of heat. Cheese curds mellow spicy flavors, so the cayenne only adds a little piquancy. If you dislike heat, omit it—but it does enhance the overall flavor.
- For the most even coating, use the plastic-bag shaking method: place the curds in a food-safe bread bag or similar, add the seasoning, trap a pocket of air, seal, and shake vigorously. This evenly coats the curds and minimizes mess. Tossing in a bowl works too but is messier.
Cool Ranch Dorito Cheese Curds
Rebecca Lindamood
Ingredients
- about 1/2 pound of fresh plain cheese curds
- 2 tablespoons homemade Cool Ranch Doritos Seasoning
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Instructions
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Use a fork to stir together the Cool Ranch Doritos seasoning, paprika, and cayenne pepper. Toss the seasoning with the cheese curds using the plastic-bag method for the most even coating, or gently toss in a bowl. Place the coated curds in a covered container and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to develop. Serve chilled or at cool room temperature.
Nutritional information is an estimate and provided as a courtesy. Calculate nutrition with your actual ingredients using your preferred calculator.
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