Frederic Melton
Chili Cheese Fritos are a flavour of corn chips produced by FritoLay. They were introduced in 1986 and have since become a popular snack, often used in Frito pies or as a topping for chilli. The chips are made with corn, vegetable oil, whey, salt, spices, cheese, and other flavourings to create a savoury, crunchy snack. They are available in various pack sizes, including individual packs and 9.25 oz bags, making them a convenient and versatile option for snacking, parties, or road trips.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Introduced | 1986 |
| Weight | 9.25 oz |
| Price | $4.48 |
| Ingredients | Corn, Corn Oil, Whey, Salt, Spices, Maltodextrin (Made from Corn), Cheddar Cheese (Milk, Cheese Cultures, Salt, Enzymes), Canola Oil, Potassium Chloride, Tomato Powder, Monosodium Glutamate, Onion Powder, Natural Flavors, Romano Cheese (Cow's Milk, Cheese Cultures, Salt, Enzymes), Dextrose, Sugar, Buttermilk, Sodium Caseinate, Annatto Extracts, Butter (Cream, Salt), Citric Acid, Sunflower Oil, Garlic Powder, Disodium Inosinate, Disodium Guanylate, and Caramel Color |
| Customer Review | "I really like the small packets, it keeps me from overeating. Love the chips, they add just a bit to a lunch." |
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What You'll Learn
Fritos ingredients
Fritos are a well-loved snack food, with their unique flavour and texture, and have been a popular choice for over 80 years. The corn chip is the base of the Frito, and the other ingredients combine to create the famous Frito crunch and taste.
The Frito corn chip is made from selected corn, vegetable oil, and salt. The corn is sourced and chosen for its flavour and crunch, and the vegetable oil ensures the chip is fried to perfection. Calcium Hydroxide is also listed as an ingredient on some Frito products.
The Fritos corn chip is then flavoured to create the famous Chili Cheese variety. The cheese flavour comes from a blend of cheddar cheese, Romano cheese, and butter, with the addition of buttermilk and whey. The spices and onion powder add a kick, and the tomato powder and natural flavours create the chili tang. Sugar and maltodextrin are also added to the mix, along with monosodium glutamate and potassium chloride.
The full list of ingredients for Fritos Chili Cheese Flavored Corn Chips includes: corn, corn oil, whey, salt, spices, maltodextrin (made from corn), cheddar cheese (milk, cheese cultures, salt, enzymes), canola oil, potassium chloride, tomato powder, monosodium glutamate, onion powder, natural flavours, Romano cheese (cow's milk, cheese cultures, salt, enzymes), dextrose, sugar, buttermilk, sodium caseinate, annatto extracts, and butter.
Fritos are a versatile snack, perfect for lunchboxes, parties, and road trips. They can also be used as an ingredient in dishes such as Frito pie.
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Fritos recipe
Fritos are a popular corn chip snack that has been around for over 80 years. They are known for their unique flavour and crunch. While there are many varieties of Fritos, this recipe will focus on creating the iconic Chili Cheese flavour.
Ingredients:
- Corn
- Vegetable Oil (Corn and/or Canola Oil)
- Whey
- Salt
- Spices (including chilli powder and smoked paprika)
- Maltodextrin (made from corn)
- Cheddar Cheese (shredded)
- Romano Cheese (shredded)
- Milk
- Cheese Cultures
- Enzymes
- Potassium Chloride/Potassium Salt
- Tomato Powder
- Monosodium Glutamate
- Onion Powder
- Natural Flavours
- Dextrose
- Sugar
- Buttermilk
- Sodium Caseinate
- Annatto Extracts
- Butter (made from cream and salt)
- Citric Acid
- Sunflower Oil
- Garlic Powder
- Disodium Inosinate
- Disodium Guanylate
- Caramel Colour
Optional Ingredients:
- Nutritional Yeast (for a cheesier flavour)
- Liquid Smoke
- Brown Sugar
Instructions:
- Prepare the corn by grinding it into a fine meal. You can use a food processor or blender for this step.
- Combine the corn meal with the other dry ingredients, such as the spices, maltodextrin, and salts. Mix well to ensure even distribution of flavours.
- Add the vegetable oil and mix until a dough forms. You can adjust the amount of oil to achieve the desired consistency.
- Roll the dough out thinly and cut it into small, even pieces. These will be your corn chips.
- Heat a pan of oil (enough to submerge the chips) to 350-365 degrees Fahrenheit. Fry the chips in batches until they are golden brown and crispy. Alternatively, you can bake the chips for a healthier option.
- Remove the chips from the oil and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to absorb excess oil. Sprinkle with salt while they are still warm.
- In a separate bowl, prepare the chilli and cheese topping by mixing the cheeses, milk, cheese cultures, enzymes, and other remaining ingredients. You can adjust the spiciness and cheesiness to your preference.
- Spread the topping over the warm chips, ensuring an even distribution.
- Enjoy your homemade Fritos! You can serve them as a snack or use them in recipes like Frito pie or chilli.
Tips:
- You can adjust the amount of chilli and spices to your taste preferences.
- If you prefer a baked option, you can use corn tortillas and cut them into chip shapes before baking.
- Feel free to experiment with additional seasonings and ingredients to make your Fritos unique.
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Fritos reviews
Fritos have been a popular snack for over 80 years, and reviews of the product are generally positive. Customers describe the chips as "super addicting", "an experience, a tradition, and a culinary marvel", and "the gold standard of chips". The chips are praised for their crunch and salty flavour, with one review stating that "each chip is a crispy masterpiece, with a satisfying texture that delivers an audible snap with every bite".
The versatility of Fritos is also highlighted in reviews, with customers mentioning that they can be enjoyed straight from the bag, sprinkled on a salad, or used as an ingredient in dishes such as Frito pie. The individually wrapped packs are also convenient for snacking on the go.
However, there are some negative reviews, with a few customers reporting issues with the quality of the product, including stale chips and ants in the bags. There are also some concerns about the high sodium content of the chips, with one reviewer suggesting that the company reduce the amount of salt.
In addition, there are some complaints about the company's customer service, with one customer reporting that they received a lacklustre response to a complaint about receiving faulty products.
Overall, while there are some negative reviews, the majority of customers seem to have a positive experience with Fritos, enjoying the taste, texture, and convenience of the product.
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Fritos serving suggestions
Fritos are a versatile snack that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. Here are some serving suggestions to elevate your Fritos experience:
Frito Pie
Frito Pie is a popular choice for Fritos enthusiasts. This dish consists of a bowl of chili topped with Fritos and melted cheese. It's a hearty and flavourful option that has been a staple in some towns since the 1970s. For an extra cheesy kick, use Chili Cheese Fritos instead of regular Fritos.
Salad Topping
For a crunchy and savoury addition to your salad, sprinkle some Fritos on top. The salty, cheesy flavour of the Chili Cheese Fritos can add an exciting contrast to the freshness of a salad.
Snack on its Own
Fritos are a delicious snack on their own, perfect for satisfying those salty, crunchy cravings. Their portability makes them an excellent choice for lunchboxes, road trips, and busy days when you need a quick bite.
With Dips
Fritos can be enjoyed with a variety of dips. Try pairing them with bean dip, or explore other options like guacamole, salsa, or even some sour cream and onion dip. The possibilities are endless, and Fritos' versatility means they complement a wide range of flavours.
Chilli Cheese Fritos Recipes
For those who want to get creative in the kitchen, there are recipes for baked chilli cheese Fritos available online. These homemade Fritos allow you to experiment with different seasonings, such as nutritional yeast for a cheesier flavour or smoked paprika for a hint of spice.
Whether enjoyed as a standalone snack or incorporated into a dish, Fritos offer a timeless flavour and a satisfying crunch that has been loved by fans for decades.
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Fritos history
Fritos have been a popular snack for over 80 years, enjoyed at small-town events and family barbecues, as well as big-city parties. The corn chip's versatility and portability have made it a beloved classic.
The Fritos story began in 1932 when Elmer Doolin, a merchant in San Antonio, Texas, created the original corn chip using a traditional Mexican recipe. Doolin was just 19 years old when he bought a corn chip recipe from a street vendor for $100 and a sack of corn. He then set up the Frito Corporation with his father, selling their corn chips from their family kitchen.
The Doolins' chips were an instant hit, and by 1935 they had outgrown their home-based operation and moved to a proper manufacturing facility. Over the next decade, the Frito Corporation continued to expand, and by 1945, it had become a nationwide brand, with its products being sold across the United States.
In 1961, the Frito Company merged with H.W. Lay & Company, another snack food manufacturer, to form Frito-Lay, which later became a subsidiary of PepsiCo. This merger helped to further solidify the brand's success and reach.
In 1986, Frito-Lay introduced Chili Cheese Fritos to the market, which became an instant classic and a game-changer for the brand. The combination of earthy corn, salt, and fried-to-perfection crunch, along with the blend of chili and cheese flavours, created a timeless taste that has endured for decades.
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Frequently asked questions
Chili Cheese Fritos contain corn, corn oil, whey, salt, spices, maltodextrin (made from corn), cheddar cheese, canola oil, potassium chloride, tomato powder, monosodium glutamate, onion powder, natural flavors, Romano cheese, dextrose, sugar, buttermilk, sodium caseinate, annatto extracts, butter, citric acid, sunflower oil, garlic powder, disodium inosinate, disodium guanylate, and caramel color.
A 9.25-ounce bag of Chili Cheese Fritos contains 4.2 servings, with each serving containing 100 calories.
Chili Cheese Fritos are a versatile snack that can be enjoyed straight out of the bag or as an ingredient in recipes. They can be added to a bowl of chili, sprinkled on a salad, or used as the star ingredient in a Frito pie.
Chili Cheese Fritos are available for purchase on Amazon and Walmart. They can also be found on the official Frito-Lay website and in-store at Walmart.
