This Frito™ Pie is a classic Southwestern dish that’s FUN comfort food for all! Perfect party or game day food!
Hellllooo folks and Happy Monday!
Happy and Monday usually don’t go together, but have no fear, I’m here to make your Monday SUPER happy with this totally delicious recipe for Frito™ Pie!!
This recipe goes out to my good friend Else, my soul sister Frito™ lover!
Fritos™ are one of our guilty pleasures. We don’t indulge often, but when we do it’s a TOTAL treat.
So when Tom and I were in Florida this winter, and we came across a local bbq restaurant that served something called Frito™ Pie you know I had to give it a go.
I had never heard of it, but was obviously intrigued, because it involved one of my all time favorite snacks.
We ordered it and WOW!
Surely, it would need to be recreated at home and eventually shared here at the BHK with you folks.
So if you’re a Frito™ Pie newbie like I was, let me bring you up to speed.
Frito™ Pie is a classic Southwestern dish that’s made up of chili, cheese and fritos. There are lots of different variations depending on the area you’re in. Some popular additions are jalapeños, sour cream, pickled red onions and refried beans.
This has FUN party food written all over it. You can serve it in a casserole dish as pictured, or for even more fun, in individual small fritos bags, also pictured above, that you’ve split down the middle, loaded with chili and all the toppings!
This is one dish that’s PERFECT for all your summer parties folks! Hope you give it a go. Enjoy!
A few other summer party favorites here at the BHK are Gram’s Easy Macaroni Salad, my Baked Three Bean Casserole, and my Watermelon, Feta and Couscous Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette.
A Few Cook’s Notes for Frito™ Pie Recipe:
I used chopped yellow onions for today’s recipe, but you could also use red onions or pickled red onions.
My recipe calls for 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne powder in the chili for spice, but if you like your chili spicier you can add a bit more.
I used cheddar-jack cheese to sprinkle on top of our pie, but you could also use plain cheddar or whatever cheese you prefer.
Frito™ Pie
Print Recipe Pin RecipeIngredients
Chili
- 2 Tbsp. olive oil
- 1 large yellow onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 lbs. ground beef
- 3 Tbsp. chili powder
- 2 Tbsp. cumin powder
- 3 tsp. dried oregano
- 2 tsp. paprika
- 2 tsp. salt
- 1/2 tsp. cayenne powder
- 1 28-oz. can crushed tomatoes
- 1 14.5-oz. can petite diced tomatoes, drained
- 2 Tbsp. light brown sugar
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 15-oz. can pinto beans, drained
Frito Pie
- 6-8 cups Fritos corn chips
- 2 cups shredded cheddar-jack cheese
- 1 cups yellow onion, chopped
- sour cream, sliced jalapenos, for topping, if desired
Instructions
Chili
- In a large Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add onion and cook for 5-7 minutes, or until translucent. Add the garlic and continue to cook, stirring constantly for 1 minute. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking up with a wooden spoon, until no longer pink. Drain almost all fat from the pot.
- Stir in the chili powder, cumin, oregano, paprika, salt and cayenne powder until well combined. Add the crushed and petite diced tomatoes, brown sugar and 1/2 cup of the beef broth. Simmer, uncovered for 20 minutes, stirring often. Add pinto beans and remaining cup beef broth. Cook for an additional 15 minutes.
Assembling Frito Pie
- You can assemble the Frito pie in a baking dish, individual bowls or in the individual bags sliced down the middle as picture. Top the Fritos with some of the shredded cheese, then some of the hot chili, chopped onions, then finally some additional shredded cheese and sliced or chopped jalapenos. Serve immediately.
I love Fritos too! And while I’ve never eaten Frito Pie, I can totally get behind the idea. I’m thinking it’s perfect for football season!
It’s so crazy delicious Kelsie! We LOVE it!
Love this! I think I would have to investigate Frito Pie if I saw it on a menu, too :) Looks delicious!
You’d love it if your a frito and chili lover Jennifer!
You never heard of frito pie or walking tacos?!?! Gurl, where you been living?! It must be a southern thing, because this was always a must at football parties or barbecues! I haven’t had frito pie since college so I am dying to make this! Yours looks FAB-U-LOUS! The perfect addition to our very low key Memorial Day pool party for two. ;) Pinned!!!
I know! I must have been living under a rock Chey! So glad I tried it because now I’m hooked! Perfect for your low key Memorial Day party!
My kids will go crazy for this!! I’ve never heard of it – and now I wonder what else I’ve been missing all my life!! Delish! Shared!
They’re gonna LOVE it Annie!
I’m always afraid to buy Fritos because we can’t stay out of them, lol! But with the long weekend coming up, looks like we need to make an exception because this Frito Pie looks stellar!
Thanks Marissa! I don’t buy them too often for the same reason! I have the willpower of an ant!
I hadn’t heard of this before.. but wow does it look so tasty!!! Mmmm, my mouth is watering!
It really is incredibly tasty Alex! Hope you give the recipe a try!
I love Frito Pie! I learned about it years ago from a friend who lived in Oklahoma. I actually made it last week with Trader-Joe’s Elote-flavored Corn chips, and it was delicious! It must’ve been in the air, because I hadn’t even thought of Frito Pie for years. Love your recipe!
Thanks so much Laura! It’s a new favorite for us!
I have never heard of Frito pie, but it sure looks delicious! Anything with corn chips mixed into something warm is bound to be terrific!
Fritos are my kryptonite Katherine!
I haven’t had fritos in years, but who can resist them as a crunchy, salty treat?! Love how you’ve served them here Mary Ann. Definitely one for a party when get togethers are allowed again!
Addictive Leanne! I can’t wait to get together with friends and family again. I really miss it!
I’m SO glad you’ve now experienced FRITO PIE, Mare! I grew up on this stuff (perfect presentation BTW!) and I still crave it today. Such a treat and so comforting!
My new FAVORITE TRaci! Fritos are my guilty pleasure!
This would be so much fun to make for/with the boys this summer!
They’d love it Naomi!
If you wanna do it truly southern, just know that you
NEVER EVER add beans to chili! Replace them
with jalapeños, lol
Thanks for the tip, but I don’t think I’d be able to resist! Lol! I love the beans!