Frito Pie

Today is National Corn Chip Day—the perfect day to try Frito Pie. 

Frito Pie is a super simple snack, perfect for a halftime break. Salty corn chips are topped with piping hot chili and all the best fixings. Serve it in a bowl or in the individual corn chip bag for snacks on the go.

Corn chips are a distinctive taste, thick and salty, full of the taste of corn. Not even close to the flavor of a tortilla chip, even though both are made with cornmeal that has been fried or sometimes baked. While food holidays always make me smile. You know there is something special about a particular ingredient or recipe when it rates its own special day.

The History of Corn Chips

Frito Lay is the company that invented corn chips in 1932. This is the same company that makes Doritos, so they are fully vested in the snack game. Some variation of the recipe for Frito pie is can be dated back to 1949. And throughout the mid-1950s, Frito Chili Pie was offered on the menu at Disneyland’s Casa de Fritos restaurant.

Whether you are from the South, mid-West, or West—you may have experienced this snack at county fairs, amusement parks, youth camps, ballparks, or even barbecue joints. The basic ingredients are corn chips, chili, and cheese. But the sky is the limit on other toppings and garnishes. Many times you are served this dish in an individual snack bag of corn chips, cut open to accommodate a heaping spoonful of hot chili and other yummy toppings. This made it easy to snack on the go.

How to Set up the Serving Station for Frito Pie

While the portable version is a great conversation point. I like to serve it in a bowl so the ratio of corn chips to chili and toppings can be better controlled. 

• Gather some medium-sized bowls and fill each about 1 third to halfway full with corn chips. I prefer the original corn chips instead of the scoops since the shape allows for more nooks and crannies for the chili to cover.
• Set out a steaming crock of warm chili by the bowls. Let everyone add a heaping spoonful of chili to completely cover the chips, but don’t drown them. You are looking for a good crunch of chips with every spoonful of chili. You can use canned chili, but I suggest you try my Easy Chili recipe to really amp up the chili.
• Add some shredded cheddar cheese over the top of the chili
• Top the bowl with sliced green onions
• Add a dollop of sour cream on top.

The flavor combination of the crunchy corn chips, warm chili, gooey cheese, fresh green onions, and creamy sour cream transcends each individual taste into a delicious whole that will tempt you to lick the bowl and go back for seconds.

Definitely offer diced tomatoes, jalapeños, and even shredded lettuce for those who want to super-size their snack. 

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