Frito pie

Frito Pie is a dish popular in the Southern, Midwestern, and Southwestern United States, whose basic ingredients are chili, cheese, and corn chips (specifically Frito-Lay). Additions can include salsa, refried beans, sour cream, onion, rice, or jalapeños. There are many variations and alternative recipes with different ingredients.

Etymology

The term "Frito Pie" is a combination of "Frito", the name of the corn chip brand from Frito-Lay, and "pie", which in this context refers to a layered dish, not a dessert.

History

The recipe is claimed to have been created in the 1930s by Daisy Doolin, the mother of the founder of the Frito-Lay company, and was served at her husband's confectionery. The oldest known recipe using Fritos brand corn chips with chili was published in Texas in 1949. The dish is also a common concession stand item at Little League baseball games in Fort Worth, Texas.

Preparation

Frito Pie can be prepared in a casserole dish, but an alternate preparation can be in a single-serve Fritos-type corn chip bag with the chili and cheese added in layers on top of the corn chips.

Variations

There are many variations of Frito pie including recipes that use corn chips and chili as a base, with cheese, onions, jalapeños, salsa, and occasionally, lettuce and tomato added on top.

In popular culture

Frito Pie is often associated with the cuisine of the Southwestern United States, particularly New Mexico. It is a staple dish at the annual Texas State Fair.

See also

• Chili con carne
• Nachos
• Taco salad
• Walking taco

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  Frito pie as seen today
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  Frito pie with chili and cheese
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  Walking taco
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  Ingredients for dorilocos
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  Frito pie at Five & Dime General Store, Santa Fe, New Mexico
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  Frito pie jalapeño style