Chili Cheese Fritos: Ultimate Pairing Guide For A Flavor Burst

Chili cheese fritos are a delicious snack, side, or main course. They are a type of corn chip that combines chili and cheese flavours to create a savoury, crunchy treat. Fritos have been a popular snack for over 80 years and are enjoyed at parties, barbecues, and sporting events. While the original Fritos are not considered to be very healthy, there are now many recipes available for baked chili cheese fritos that use simple, natural ingredients. Frito pie, or Frito chili pie, is a popular dish where Fritos are topped with chili and cheese, and sometimes other taco toppings such as lettuce, sour cream, tomato, and jalapeños.

Baked Chili Cheese Fritos

Ingredients:

• 6 (5-6 inch) yellow corn tortillas
• 2 ½ Tbsp olive or avocado oil
• 1 ½ tsp chili powder (unsalted)
• 1 tsp each cumin, onion powder, garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp nutritional yeast (optional)

Method:

Preheat the oven to 380 degrees F (193 C). In a large bowl, add all the spices and seasonings and whisk until well combined. Set aside.

Using a knife or pizza cutter, cut the tortillas into equal strips. Transfer the strips to a baking sheet and toss in oil until well coated. Spread the strips out in an even layer.

Bake for 12-15 minutes, tossing at the halfway point to ensure even baking. Keep an eye on them as they will burn quickly after the 14-minute mark.

Once removed from the oven, immediately add the tortilla strips to the seasoning mix and toss to coat. If they seem dry, spritz them with a little oil so the seasonings stick better.

Transfer to a serving bowl or plate using a slotted spatula to shake off any excess seasoning. Serve immediately with chili, soup, or dips.

Tips:

• For a more cheesy flavor, add nutritional yeast.
• For a spicier kick, use a medium heat chili powder.
• These chips are best served fresh but can be stored in a storage bag or container at room temperature for up to a couple of days.

Variations:

• For a walking taco, serve the chili and cheese on top of the chips in individual bags of Fritos.
• For a Frito Pie, layer the chips, chili, and cheese in an oven-safe dish and bake until the cheese is melted.
• For a heartier meal, add seasoned ground beef, chili beans, and diced peppers to the Frito Pie.
• Top with sour cream, sliced jalapenos, hot sauce, or other taco toppings.

Frito Pie

Ingredients:

• Fritos corn chips (1 large bag or 9-1/4 ounces)
• Canned chili (2 cans, 15 ounces each, preferably without beans)
• Rotel Original diced tomatoes and green chilies (2 cans, 10 ounces each)
• Shredded sharp cheddar cheese (3 cups)
• Ground beef (optional)
• Onion (optional)
• Enchilada sauce (2 cans, 10 ounces each)
• Green onions (optional)

Method:

• Preheat your oven to 350°F.
• If using ground beef, cook it with diced onion in a large skillet over medium heat until the beef is no longer pink. Drain any excess grease.
• In a separate saucepan, warm the canned chili over medium heat.
• Prepare your first layer by spreading a layer of Fritos chips (about 1/3 of the bag) in a 12-inch skillet or 13-inch x 9-inch baking dish.
• Spoon half of the warmed chili evenly over the Fritos.
• Spread one can of Rotel (diced tomatoes and green chilies) over the chili.
• Prepare the second layer by adding another layer of Fritos chips (about 1/3 of the bag) and sprinkling half of the shredded cheese on top.
• Spoon the remaining chili evenly over the second layer.
• For the third layer, add a final layer of Fritos chips, spread the second can of Rotel, and sprinkle the remaining cheese on top.
• Bake in the oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
• Allow the Frito Pie to cool slightly, then serve warm with your favorite toppings.

Variations and Tips:

• You can use any type of chili you prefer, with or without beans.
• If you want to add more ingredients, try diced green chilies, sliced jalapenos, Mexi-corn, sliced black olives, or Ro-Tel tomatoes with chilies.
• For a "flamin' hot" version, use Flamin' Hot Fritos instead of the original.
• Frito Pie is best served fresh, but if you have leftovers, you can wrap them in flour tortillas and warm them in the microwave to make Frito burritos.
• Serve with toppings such as sour cream, guacamole, salsa, diced avocado, sliced jalapeños, or sliced green onions.
• For a side dish, try a fresh side salad with black beans, tomatoes, and cheddar cheese, or heartier options like Spanish rice or corn and bean salad.

Frito Chili Pie

Ingredients:

• 1 pound of ground beef
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 1 clove of garlic, minced
• 1 14-ounce can of kidney beans, undrained
• 1 5.5-ounce can of tomato paste
• 1 10-ounce can of Rotel (diced tomatoes and chilies)
• 2 tablespoons of chili powder
• 1 teaspoon of sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon of cumin
• 1 9.25-ounce bag of Fritos chips
• 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese
• Optional toppings: diced onions, diced jalapeno peppers, sour cream, sliced green onions, diced tomatoes, or chopped bell peppers

Instructions:

• In a large skillet or pot, brown the ground beef, onion, and garlic on medium heat. Drain off the excess fat.
• Add the kidney beans, tomato paste, Rotel, chili powder, salt, sugar, and cumin to the ground beef. Stir to combine.
• Turn the heat down to medium-low and let the mixture simmer uncovered for about 20 minutes.
• When it's time to serve, you have a few options:

• Add the Fritos and cheese into the pan, stir, and then dish it out.
• Add the chili to individual bowls and top with cheese and Fritos.
• Put Fritos on a plate or bowl, add the chili, then top with cheese and any other desired toppings.
• For a "walking taco" version, open individual bags of Fritos, add a scoop of chili and cheese to each bag, and eat with a fork!

To store leftovers, keep the chili in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days or in the freezer for up to three months. It's best not to store it with the Fritos to maintain their crunch.

Tips and Variations:

• You can use ground turkey instead of beef if you prefer.
• If you like your chili with more heat, add more chili powder, pepper, or cayenne pepper.
• For a saucier chili, add a 15-ounce can of tomato sauce to the recipe.
• To make it meatless, replace the ground beef with additional beans (pinto, black, garbanzo, or cannellini beans).
• If you're short on time, you can use canned chili instead of making your own.
• Get creative with your toppings! Try sour cream, hot sauce, or sliced jalapeños for some extra kick.

Enjoy your Frito Chili Pie, and feel free to experiment with different ingredients and serving styles to make it your own!

Frito Pie with ground beef

Ingredients:

• Ground Beef
• Fritos Corn Chips
• Taco Seasoning
• Enchilada Sauce
• Beans (Refried, Pinto, or Black Beans)
• Cheese (Shredded Mexican Blend or Cheddar)
• Onion
• Optional: Green Onion, Sour Cream, Guacamole, Chili Powder, Kidney Beans, etc.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

Step 1: Prepare the Beef Mixture

In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and diced onion until the beef is fully browned. Drain the excess grease, then stir in the taco seasoning and mix well. You can also add water to create the right consistency.

Step 2: Add Enchilada Sauce and Beans

To the beef mixture, add the enchilada sauce and beans, and any optional ingredients like chili powder or kidney beans. Stir everything together until well combined.

Step 3: Assemble the Casserole

Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish. In the dish, layer about 4 cups of Fritos, followed by a cup of shredded cheese. Spread the meat mixture evenly over the chips and cheese. Top with the remaining cheese.

Step 4: Bake and Serve

Bake the casserole for 20-30 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. For an extra crunchy topping, add Fritos to the top of the casserole and bake for an additional 10 minutes. Serve with desired toppings such as sour cream, guacamole, green onions, or jalapeños.

Tips and Variations:

• You can use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef.
• Omit the onions if desired.
• Add extra veggies like bell peppers, spinach, or mushrooms to the beef mixture.
• Make it vegetarian by substituting tofu or meatless crumbles for the beef.
• Prepare the filling and serve it "walking taco" style in individual Fritos bags with toppings.

Homemade Chili Cheese Fritos

Ingredients:

• 6 (5-6 inch) yellow corn tortillas
• 2 ½ Tbsp olive or avocado oil
• 1 ½ tsp chili powder (unsalted)
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp nutritional yeast (optional)
• 1 tsp tomato powder (optional)

Method:

Preheat your oven to 380°F (193°C). In a large bowl, add all the spices and seasonings and whisk until well combined. Set aside.

Using a knife or pizza cutter, cut the tortillas into equal strips. Transfer the strips to a baking sheet and toss in oil until well coated. Spread the strips in an even layer.

Bake for 12-15 minutes, tossing at the halfway point to ensure even baking. Keep an eye on them as they will burn quickly after the 14-minute mark.

Once removed from the oven, immediately add the tortilla strips to the seasoning mix and toss to coat. If they appear dry, spritz them with a little oil so the seasonings stick better.

Serve immediately with your favorite chili, soup, or dips. Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a couple of days, although they are best when fresh.

Tips:

• For a more cheesy flavor, add nutritional yeast.
• If you want to enhance the chili-tomato flavor, add 1 teaspoon of tomato powder, although this is optional.
• These baked Chili Cheese Fritos are healthier than the traditional fried version and are vegan and gluten-free.

Serving Suggestions:

Chili Cheese Fritos are a delicious snack on their own, but if you want to make a heartier meal, try using them as a base for Frito Pie. Frito Pie is a simple, flavorful one-pot dish that's perfect for game days or family dinners.

To make Frito Pie, start by browning ground beef with onions, peppers, and garlic. Drain the grease if desired. Add your choice of seasonings, diced tomatoes, chili beans, and jalapenos or chilies. Top with shredded cheese and bake in the oven until the cheese is golden and bubbly. Finally, add a generous amount of Chili Cheese Fritos on top, and you're ready to serve!

Enjoy your homemade Chili Cheese Fritos!

Frequently asked questions