This classic Texas recipe is served at every high school and college football game in the state.
Frito pie is a classic Texas recipe that's found at nearly every high football concession stand as well as in many high end restaurants.
It's quick and easy, has many variations, and is addictively good. This is the original Frito Pie recipe, created by the wife of one of the Fritos executives in the 1950s. Plain, simple, and delicious! This post has been updated from the original February 2011 version.
I know. After I write this post about Frito pie I will need to create a new identity, dye my hair, and move to Far North Dakota, the frozen tundra... Frito pie? Really Marye?
Umm... yeah. Really.
I would love to tell you that I made homemade chili and hand fried the corn dough for the Fritos but I don't lie. Real Fritos, Wolf Brand Chili (no beans), a hunk of cheddar, and some sour cream. Welcome to my happy place. No one ever leaves. It is like the sailors in the Lotus Eaters:
Frito Pie is a 3 minute dinner. You can make it in a casserole OR it would be fun for Super Bowl Sunday or any game day party to get the snack size bags and create Frito Pie high school football stadium style. Just open the bag sideways and dump in the chili then add your toppings.
It also is good made with this creamy white chicken chili!
Easy, right? And it is good. But please, don't tell anyone where you got the recipe. I have an image to uphold. 'K?
One more thing.
Frito Pie, delicious as it is, is not very photogenic.
📖 Recipe
Authentic Texas Frito Pie
Print Rate RecipeIngredients
- 8 ounces Fritos Corn Chips, , a little more wouldn't hurt
- 48 ounces Wolf Brand Chili, , no beans
- 1 large onion, , chopped
- 2 cups Cheddar cheese, , shredded
Instructions
- Heat the chili until it is steaming hot.
- Place Fritos in a lightly oiled casserole dish.
- Cover with the chili.
- Cover top with cheese.
- Heat until cheese melts.
- Serve sprinkled with onions and sour cream if desired.
Notes
Nutrition Facts
Nutrition information is estimated as a courtesy. If using for medical purposes, please verify information using your own nutritional calculator. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
This recipe has been tested several times. If you choose to use other ingredients, or change the technique in some way, the results may not be the same.
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Kathy Robinson says
We like Frito Pies and enjoy them whenever we have a cook-out. No matter what we are cooking, there will always be the makings for Frito Pies. But I have NEVER thought of putting them on our dinner menu. What a great idea!
Linda G Hensley says
Being from Texas myself, this is exactly the way we always made it. I live in Utah now and it is sometimes hard to find Wolf Brand chili. Thankfully I have a wonderful recipe to make my own chili.
ELIZABETH says
Fritos & Wolf Brand chili, both born in Texas. They make perfect partners, and grace our menu at least once a month, when neither myself or my husband are in the mood to cook. And to make clean up easy, we prepare it concession stand style. No shame in my book to share recipes like this. Keep 'em comin'!
Chris Casey says
I see that this an old post, but I just had to leave you a note!
Your comments before the recipe is painful reading. I my song too. Now, at the age of 72, I can feel the emotion as if it happened yesterday. Isn't it terrific that you have created a wonderful life for your self in spite of a rocky start! Your web site is the best. !!
Marye says
Thank you Chris! My life is SO much better now... But yeah.. it's a hard thing to go through. Thanks for reading!
Ceinwyn says
This is exactly the sort of thing my husband ADORES while I sigh for Thai food. On the plus side he really, really loves me for making things like this, so now I have to make it. The downside is...the gas:)