Get ready to dig into the ultimate comfort food experience with this mouthwatering Frito Chili Pie recipe! Featuring irresistible layers of perfectly crunchy Frito corn chips, a rich and hearty homemade chili, and gooey, melted cheese, this dish promises a delightful explosion of flavors and textures in every single bite. Perfect for any occasion, it’s a true American classic that’s incredibly easy to make.
Unveiling the Iconic Frito Chili Pie: A Comfort Food Legend
Searching for a hearty, satisfying, and incredibly delicious comfort food recipe that’s also remarkably simple to prepare? Your quest ends here with the legendary Frito Chili Pie! This iconic dish, beloved across America, particularly in the Southwest, offers a perfect blend of savory chili, crispy corn chips, and creamy cheese, creating a symphony of textures and flavors. Whether you’re fueling a lively crowd at a tailgate party, gathering friends for a casual potluck, or simply looking for a quick and incredibly tasty weeknight dinner that will please even the pickiest eaters, this Frito Chili Pie recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Beyond its delightful taste, it’s also an excellent and resourceful way to transform leftover chili into an exciting new meal. So, grab a bag of Fritos, rally your ingredients, and prepare to dive into this culinary masterpiece!
The Rich History and Enduring Appeal of Frito Pie
While often associated with Texan cuisine, the exact origins of Frito Pie are a delightful subject of debate, much like any good comfort food legend. The dish is believed to have emerged in the 1930s or 1940s in Texas, where it quickly became a staple at casual gatherings, sporting events, and school cafeterias. Its genius lies in its simplicity: a bed of crunchy Frito corn chips, generously topped with warm chili, and often crowned with a sprinkle of cheese. The Frito company itself played a significant role in popularizing this humble yet irresistible creation, printing the recipe on the back of their iconic corn chip bags in the 1960s, thereby cementing its place in American culinary history.
Frito Chili Pie is more than just a meal; it’s a cultural phenomenon, especially in the South and Southwest. It represents convenience, comfort, and communal enjoyment. From bustling football stadiums to cozy family dinners, this dish offers a unique blend of textures – the satisfying crunch of corn chips contrasted with the tender, savory chili and the melt-in-your-mouth cheese. It’s an adaptable recipe that welcomes personalization, making it a beloved choice for cooks and eaters alike.
Frequently Asked Questions About Frito Chili Pie
Frito Chili Pie is a quintessential American comfort dish, built upon a foundation of crispy Frito corn chips. These chips are generously smothered with a hearty serving of savory chili, and then typically topped with a generous layer of melted shredded cheese. This delightful combination can be served in various ways, from individual bowls to a large casserole, or even directly in the Frito bag itself, a popular variation often referred to as a “Frito Walking Taco.” It’s known for its satisfying crunch, rich flavors, and ease of enjoyment, making it a go-to meal for many.
Absolutely! While variations exist nationwide, Frito Chili Pie is most strongly identified with Texas and the American Southwest. The dish’s origins are deeply rooted in Texas, dating back to the 1930s or 1940s. It gained widespread popularity as an affordable, easy-to-prepare meal, especially at casual events like football games and community gatherings. The Frito company further cemented its status by promoting the recipe on their corn chip bags in the 1960s, solidifying its place as a cherished Texan culinary staple.
The beauty of Frito Chili Pie lies in its incredible versatility! There are countless ways to customize this dish to suit your personal preferences. Beyond the classic toppings like sour cream, diced red onions, and jalapeños, consider adding sliced black olives, a dollop of fresh guacamole, or even a sprinkle of chopped cilantro. For the chili itself, you can experiment with different meats, such as ground turkey, chicken, or a blend of beef and pork. Vegetarian versions can easily be made using plant-based meat substitutes or a hearty bean and vegetable chili. Don’t be afraid to get creative and make it your own!
A Frito Pie Bar is a fantastic and interactive way to serve Frito Chili Pie, especially for parties and gatherings. It transforms the meal into a customizable experience, allowing each guest to build their perfect Frito Pie. To set up a Frito Pie Bar, simply arrange all the different ingredients in separate bowls. Keep the warm chili in a slow cooker or Crock-Pot to maintain its temperature. Offer a variety of toppings like shredded cheese, sour cream, diced onions, pickled jalapeños, hot sauce, and any other desired additions. Individual-sized bags of Fritos are particularly convenient for this setup, as guests can simply open a bag, add chili and toppings, and enjoy directly from the bag – making for minimal cleanup!
Frito Chili Pie is undoubtedly best enjoyed fresh and hot, right after assembly, to ensure the chips retain their delightful crispness. However, you can certainly prepare the components in advance. The homemade chili can be cooked a day or two ahead and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. When ready to serve, simply reheat the chili thoroughly. You can also have all your toppings chopped and ready to go. While the assembled pie won’t be as crunchy if made far in advance, any leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave, though the chips will become softer.
Essential Ingredients for Your Perfect Frito Chili Pie
Crafting the perfect Frito Chili Pie begins with selecting quality ingredients. While the full, detailed recipe card is provided below, here’s an overview of what you’ll need to create this comforting classic. Our recipe focuses on a robust, thick, and flavorful chili that serves as the ideal foundation for the crunchy Fritos and melted cheese. You’ll be surprised how a few simple ingredients can come together to create such a memorable meal.
Note on the Chili Base: Our recipe provides a basic, incredibly thick, and flavorful chili recipe designed to cling perfectly to your Frito chips. If you’re a fan of chili with beans, feel free to enhance this recipe by adding a can of drained and rinsed kidney beans or pinto beans during the simmering stage. For an even richer, deeper “beefier” flavor profile, we highly recommend substituting water with an equal amount of low-sodium beef broth. Remember to adjust the salt accordingly if using salted broth. This simple tweak can elevate your chili to the next level!
How to Prepare Your Irresistible Frito Chili Pie
Making this Frito Chili Pie is a straightforward process that yields incredibly delicious results. Follow these simple steps to bring this comfort food favorite to your table:
Prepare the Chili Base: Begin by browning and crumbling your ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat. As the beef cooks, add the minced garlic and diced onions, stirring frequently until the beef is fully cooked through and the onions are softened and translucent. Once cooked, carefully drain any excess grease from the skillet to ensure a perfectly savory (not greasy) chili. Return the beef mixture to the skillet.
Simmer for Flavor: To the browned beef, garlic, and onions, add the tomato sauce, tomato paste, chili powder (adjust to your preferred spice level), ground cumin, and salt. Pour in the water (or beef broth for a richer flavor). Stir all the ingredients thoroughly until they are well combined, ensuring the seasonings are evenly distributed throughout the mixture. Take a moment to taste and adjust the salt and pepper if needed. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the skillet, and allow the chili mixture to gently simmer for at least 20 minutes. This simmering time is crucial as it allows the flavors to meld beautifully and the chili to thicken to the perfect consistency.
Assemble and Serve: Once your chili is perfectly simmered and ready, it’s time to assemble your Frito Chili Pie! For individual servings, simply place a generous handful of Frito chips on a plate or in a bowl. Then, lavishly spoon the hot chili mixture over the chips. For the popular “Walking Frito Chili Pie” style, carefully cut open the tops of individual-serving Frito bags, pour a portion of chili directly onto the chips within the bag, and allow guests to customize. This method is incredibly fun and practical, especially for outdoor events or gatherings where plates might be inconvenient.
Top with Your Favorites: The final and most exciting step is adding your favorite toppings! A classic Frito Chili Pie is incomplete without a generous sprinkle of shredded cheddar cheese, a dollop of cool sour cream, and a scattering of finely diced red onions. For those who enjoy a little heat, minced jalapeño peppers (fresh or pickled) add a fantastic kick. Feel free to offer a variety of toppings, allowing everyone to personalize their Frito Chili Pie exactly how they like it, creating a truly memorable and delicious meal experience.
Craving More Delicious Recipes?
If you loved this Frito Chili Pie recipe, you’re in for a treat! We have a treasure trove of other comforting, easy-to-make, and incredibly flavorful dishes that are perfect for any occasion. Explore some of our other popular recipes:
- Walking Tacos
- Walking Banana Pudding
- Walking S’Mores
- Walking Strawberry Cheesecake
- Walking Strawberry Pretzel Salad
- Frito Corn Salad
- Frito Pie Casserole
- Frito Taco Salad
- Crock Pot Chili
- Crock Pot Dr Pepper Chili
- Crock Pot White Chicken Chili
- Instant Pot Beef Chili
- 100 Ground Beef Recipes
Originally published: August 2013
Updated with new photos and republished: April 2023
Frito Chili Pie (+Video)
★
★
★
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Print Recipe
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10 minutes
20 minutes
30 minutes
8
Brandie Skibinski
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 3 cloves small garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, diced
- 15 ounce can tomato sauce
- 6 ounce can tomato paste
- 1-2 Tablespoons chili powder (or to taste)
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons salt
- ¾ cup water (or low sodium beef broth)
- 9.25 ounce bag Fritos corn chips (original or chili cheese flavor)
For topping:
- sour cream
- grated cheddar cheese
- diced red onion
- minced jalapeño peppers
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium heat, brown and crumble 2 pounds ground beef along with 3 cloves small garlic, minced and 1 small onion, diced. Drain excess grease. Place back into skillet.
- Add in 15 ounce can tomato sauce, 6 ounce can tomato paste, 1-2 Tablespoons chili powder, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 2 teaspoons salt and 3/4 cup water. Stir well until combined.
- Turn heat down to medium-low and allow mixture to simmer for at least 20 minutes.
- Put 9.25 ounce bag Fritos corn chips on a large plate or in a large bowl. Top with chili mixture. Or serve as individual portions in small bowls or directly in individual Frito bags for “Walking Tacos.”
- Serve immediately and add desired toppings such as sour cream, grated cheddar cheese, diced red onion, and minced jalapeño peppers for a customizable experience.
Video
Notes
- This recipe provides a fundamental, thick chili base. If you prefer chili with beans, a 15-ounce can of drained and rinsed kidney beans or chili beans can be added during the simmering phase for extra heartiness.
- For an even richer and more profound beef flavor, consider using low-sodium beef broth instead of water. If you choose beef broth, be mindful of its sodium content and adjust the added salt to taste; it’s always easier to add more salt than to remove it.
- For a milder chili, reduce the amount of chili powder. For extra heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of your favorite hot sauce during simmering.
Main Course
American
Nutrition
Calories:
484
kcal
|
Carbohydrates:
64
g
|
Protein:
26
g
|
Fat:
48
g
|
Sodium:
1602
mg
|
Fiber:
6
g
|
Sugar:
6
g
Nutritional Disclaimer
“The Country Cook” is not a registered dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate based on commonly used ingredients. If precise calorie count and other nutritional values are important to your dietary needs, we recommend independently running the ingredients through your preferred online nutritional calculator. Please note that actual calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on the specific brands and exact quantities of ingredients used.
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