Cheetos: the crunchy universe of America's most iconic cheese snacks!

Who invented Cheetos?

Cheetos were born in 1948 in San Antonio, Texas, thanks to Charles Elmer Doolin — already the creator of the famous Fritos. Experimenting in his kitchen with a corn-extruding machine, Doolin developed a small crunchy puffed-corn snack, which he then coated in a cheese seasoning. The recipe was an instant hit. The success of Cheetos was even one of the factors behind the merger that created Frito-Lay in 1961, today a subsidiary of PepsiCo.

Since then, Cheetos have become a worldwide phenomenon, sold in more than 36 countries. The brand adapts its flavors and recipes to the tastes and preferences of each region of the world — which is how strawberry Cheetos came to be in Japan!

Did you know the orange residue on your fingers has a name?

Oh yes! That fine orange powder that colors your fingers when you devour a bag of Cheetos officially has a name: "Cheetle"! A little detail that's become cult among fans. Another pop tidbit: Cheetos made a memorable appearance in the movie E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, used by Elliott to lure the famous creature. It's hard to get more rooted in American culture than that!

Chester Cheetah: the iconic mascot

You can't talk about Cheetos without mentioning Chester Cheetah, its unmistakable mascot. This ultra-laid-back cheetah, sunglasses on and attitude super cool, appeared in the 1980s and quickly became a pop-culture icon. His cult slogan? "It ain't easy bein' cheesy." Mischievous and adventurous, Chester perfectly embodies the irresistible fun of biting into a Cheeto.

The Cheetos universe: endless shapes and flavors

The great strength of Cheetos is their incredible variety. Texture-wise, there are the ultra-crunchy versions, the lighter puffed versions that are melty on the inside, and even fun shapes (spirals, rings, triangles...). Flavor-wise, cheese remains the must-have classic, but the brand never stops innovating with bold tastes and limited editions that surprise your taste buds. At MYAM, we've selected a way for you to explore this indulgent, colorful universe.

Good to know: some American versions of Cheetos (like the original US Flamin' Hot) aren't sold in Europe because of artificial colorings now banned under EU regulations. But don't worry, we offer other "Flamin' Hot" spicy products and plenty to treat yourself!

A fan's tip: Cheetos in the kitchen

Cheetos aren't just for eating by hand! Crush them into an ultra-crunchy, cheesy coating on chicken or mac & cheese, scatter them over a gratin, or serve them as a topping on a bowl. For snack time, they go perfectly with an ice-cold soda or a light beer. And for a get-together, a big bowl of Cheetos to share is always a crowd-pleaser!

Where to find Cheetos?

My American Market, your online grocery store, has selected a variety of Cheetos to take you on a snack-time journey. Whether for munching, for snack spreads or to twist up your recipes, you're in for a treat. Want other fun snacks? Take a look at our wide range of savory appetizer products!