
There are many snacks with cheese dust, including the famous Cheetos, which has been around for over 70 years. The cheese dust on Cheetos has been officially named Cheetle by Frito-Lay, the company that owns the brand. Other popular cheese dusted snacks include Pirate's Booty Aged White Cheddar Snack Puffs, Cheez-Its, and Pringles. Some people prefer their cheese snacks in the form of cheese crisps or sticks, such as mozzarella sticks or Käze cheese snacks.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Snack with the best cheese dust | Cheetos |
| Official name of the cheese dust | Cheetle |
| Alternative names for the cheese dust | Cheese dust, Cheeto dust |
| Color of the cheese dust | Red and orange |
| Trademarks | Cheetle was trademarked in 2005 |
| Previous name | An earlier form of Cheetle was spelled "cheedle" |
| Alternative snacks with cheese dust | Pirate’s Booty, Cheez-It, Pringles |
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What You'll Learn

Cheetos cheese dust is officially called Cheetle
Cheetos are a popular snack that has been around for over 70 years. The cheesy, bright orange dust that coats the corn puffs and lingers on the fingers of those who eat them is a quintessential part of the Cheetos experience. This cheese dust has now been given an official name by Frito-Lay, the company behind Cheetos: "Cheetle".
The term "Cheetle" was trademarked by Frito-Lay in 2005, but it was only recently revealed to the public. According to Rachel Ferdinando, senior vice president and chief marketing officer of Frito-Lay North America, the decision to share the name was made due to the special interest shown by fans:
> "We (Frito-Lay executives) have long called that red and orange cheese dust ‘Cheetle,’ but it became clear from our fans the special interest they had, so we knew it was time to share our beloved name for this magic ingredient."
The announcement of the official name for Cheetos cheese dust was accompanied by the release of two new Cheetle-filled snacks: Cheetos Popcorn in classic cheddar and Flamin' Hot flavors. The release of these new snacks allows fans to enjoy the unique Cheetle experience with the texture of popcorn instead of the traditional corn puffs.
While some people find the name "Cheetle" silly, others are embracing it as long as they can continue to enjoy the cheese dust-coated finger experience that comes with eating Cheetos. The orange and red Cheetle has become symbolic of true Cheetos fandom, and the company has fully embraced the phenomenon, even releasing a new bag of popcorn dusted with Cheetle.
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Cheetle was trademarked in 2005
Cheetle is the brand name for the powdery residue that gets on your fingertips while eating the cheese snack, Cheetos. The word Cheetle is based on the brand name Cheetos, which is a blend of cheese and Charles Elmer Doolin's first creation, Fritos. The –le in Cheetle is likely based on the diminutive suffix –le, as in the word little, suggesting an affectionate smallness.
Cheetle was trademarked by Frito-Lay executives in 2005, but the company didn't use it externally in much capacity until recently. Before the term was trademarked, an earlier form of Cheetle was spelled "cheedle", which was one of the sniglets (fun coinages) of comedian Rich Hall in the 1980s. The first known proper use of Cheetle was found in a finger-painting online computer game as early as 2004 and 2005, after which the name was first popularly defined on Urban Dictionary.
Cheetle has become such a defining part of the Cheetos experience that it has trended on social media and been featured on TV shows like Saturday Night Live and The Ellen Show. The brand mascot, Chester Cheetah, has also used the term in hashtags since 2015.
Cheetos has embraced the Cheetle phenomenon, and in 2020, they officially named the brightly coloured snack dust that lingers on your fingers when eating the snack. The announcement of the name Cheetle was followed by the release of two new Cheetle-filled snacks: Cheetos Popcorn in classic cheddar and Flamin' Hot flavours.
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Cheetos popcorn is covered in Cheetle
Cheetos Popcorn is the latest snack to hit the shelves, bringing the delicious taste of Cheetos to a classic snacking favourite. The popcorn comes in two flavours: Flamin' Hot and Cheddar. The Cheddar flavour delivers all of the rich, smooth, cheesy flavour you know and love from classic Cheetos. The Flamin' Hot flavour delivers on its promise of a spicy kick, leaving your mouth tingly.
While the popcorn has been criticised for not having as much Cheetle as regular Cheetos, the Flamin' Hot flavour, in particular, has been praised for its level of Cheetle. Eating the spicy Cheetle dust on the popcorn is just like eating Flamin' Hot Cheetos. The Cheetle on the popcorn has been described as "perfection".
Cheetle is the official name for the orange cheese dust that lingers on your fingers when you eat Cheetos. Frito-Lay executives have long called the red and orange dust Cheetle, but it was not until 2020 that they made the name public. The term was trademarked in 2005.
If you're a fan of Cheetos but prefer the texture of popcorn, Cheetos Popcorn might be for you.
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Pirate's Booty Aged White Cheddar Snack Puffs are a dry, light snack
However, some customers have reported mixed experiences with the shelf life of these cheese puffs, with some receiving fresh products while others have mentioned that many bags arrive stale. The puffs have also received criticism for their saltiness and lack of cheesiness.
Pirate's Booty Aged White Cheddar Snack Puffs are a healthier alternative to traditional cheese puffs like Cheetos, which are known for their bright orange cheese dust that lingers on your fingers. Cheetos have been described as having a "fake, chemically smell" and feeling like they are just coated in cheese dust.
While Pirate's Booty Puffs may not be the best option for those seeking an intensely cheesy snack, they offer a more refined cheese taste and a crunchy, light texture that sets them apart from other cheese snacks.
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Cheetos cheese dust has a refined cheese taste
Cheetos are a popular cheesy snack, and their cheese dust is officially called "Cheetle". While Cheetos are loved for their bright orange, cheesy dust, it doesn't taste like the cheese you'd sprinkle on your macaroni. Instead, it has a refined cheese taste, a sharpness, and no cheese dust residue. Cheetos are crunchy, cheesy, and relatively light, and one taster said that unlike the Cheeto, which feels like it is just coated with cheesy dust, "it feels like there is cheese through and through".
Cheetos have been around for over 70 years, and enthusiasts have long embraced the orange fingers they get after munching on the corn puffs. The cheese dust is made from whey (a protein by-product of milk), oil, sodium-heavy flavourings, and a concoction of ingredients that help make it bright yellow and shelf-stable. It's technically not even cheese, but that doesn't mean it isn't delicious.
While Cheetos are a popular cheesy snack, there are other options available, such as Pirate's Booty Aged White Cheddar Snack Puffs, Cheez-It crackers, and Goldfish crackers. Pirate's Booty, for example, was described as "white, mildly cheesy dust on Styrofoam", and Goldfish crackers were mentioned as a salty, buttery cheddar cheese snack.
Overall, Cheetos cheese dust has a refined cheese taste that is loved by many, and the snack has become a classic, with its orange cheese dust being a quintessential part of the Cheetos-eating experience.
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Frequently asked questions
There are many snacks with cheese dust, including the famous Cheetos, which has a cheese dust officially named 'Cheetle'. Other snacks with cheese dust include Pirate's Booty Aged White Cheddar Snack Puffs, Cheez-Its, and Pringles.
Cheetos are a popular snack invented in 1948 that consists of corn puffs coated in cheese dust. They come in a variety of flavors, including classic cheddar, Flamin' Hot, and Jalapeño Cheddar.
Cheetle is the official name for the orange cheese dust that covers Cheetos. The term was trademarked by Frito-Lay, the company that owns the Cheetos brand, in 2005.
There are many other snacks that feature cheese in some form, such as mozzarella sticks, sour cream and cheddar-flavored chips, and cheese crisps or bites.
Yes, cheese is a healthy snack option that can be paired with nuts, almond flour crackers, or salad greens. Parmesan cheese, in particular, is a favorite among those following a keto diet due to its low carb and high protein content.

























