Jump to Recipe
Frito Corn Salad is out of this world delicious. Using just a few simple ingredients, you will have a crispy, crunchy and creamy salad that is impossible not to binge eat.
Frito Corn Salad is the perfect addition to your next home BBQ spread. Move over potato salad, there’s a new side dish in town! The smoky flavors of the salad go perfect with anything off of the grill. It is also a great dinner option for those hot summer nights when turning on the oven is the LAST THING you want to do.
This “salad” is anything but bland. In fact, my boys beg for it! They don’t even think of it as a salad because their favorite chip is tossed right in. While they happily gobble up a couple servings of veggies, I chuckle like a mastermind in the corner.
Frito Corn Salad
Unlike traditional lettuce-based salads, this salad is all about the texture. Crushed fritos, red onion, corn, red bell peppers, shredded cheddar cheese and creamy mayo come together to make a salad that eats like a chunky salsa. Bye-bye boring lettuce, hello crunchy-goodness!
The first time I tried this salad at a friend’s house, I was hooked by how filling it was. I started dreaming up different ways to make it more satisfying. Read on and I’ll share a couple of ways you can up the protein content and turn this side dish into a full-on meal.
Best Chips to Use For Frito Salad
Chili Cheese Fritos are by far the best type of Fritos to use in this salad. Unlike plain Fritos, Chili Cheese Fritos are seasoned with a mild chili and cheese flavoring that is a little savory, a little sweet. When you toss the mayo into your salad, the seasoning will blend with it and make a nice dressing that tastes similar to a chipotle ranch.
Tips For Frito Corn Salad
Below I will share my tips for making the perfect Frito Corn Salad. You will have all the crunch, without any of the soggy!
- Add Fritos Right Before Serving – Go ahead and crush up the Fritos ahead of time if you’d like. But, don’t add them in until right before you are going to serve the salad.
- Add Dressing Right Before Serving the Salad – Keep the salad fresh by not tossing in the mayo until right before serving! You want all your veggies to keep a nice, crunchy bite, so hold off on adding the dressing until the time is right.
- Dice Bell Peppers and Onion – Dice your bell peppers and red onion into uniform, small pieces. This will make for a prettier salad! It will also allow the veggies to absorb the dressing better.
- Corn for the Salad – You can use fresh corn that has been boiled or grilled. You can also use canned corn that has been rinsed from any excess salt or frozen corn that has been soaked in boiling water for at least 10 minutes.
- Add Protein to the Salad – Toss the salad with some ground beef, chicken or turkey that has been spruced up with taco seasoning right before serving. This will make for a filling meal in and of itself. If you want a more filling vegetarian version, add chunks of avocado and black beans instead.
Other Satisfying Salads to Try
- Black Bean and Corn Salad: This healthy, vegetarian salad can be eaten like a salsa with tortilla chips or all on its own!
- Corn Tomato Avocado: One of my favorite summertime salads, chock-full of juicy tomatoes, creamy avocado and crunchy corn.
- Mexican Tuna Salad: Upgrade your boring, old-school tuna salad with this Mexican twist!
Recipe
Fritos Chili Cheese Salad Recipe
Print Pin
Servings
8 Servings
Prep Time 20 minutes mins
Total Time 20 minutes mins
Frito Corn Salad is out of this world delicious. Using just a few simple ingredients, you will have a crispy, crunchy and creamy salad that is impossible not to binge eat.
Ingredients
- 16 oz corn
- 16 oz red bell peppers
- 1/2 purple onion
- 1 lb cheddar cheese
- 9 oz chili Fritos
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
US Units – Metric
Instructions
Prepare ingredients for the salad. Dice bell peppers and onion into small pieces. Grate cheese on the larger side of the grater. Break up Fritos a bit, keeping it the size that suits you best.
If you plan to serve the salad later, lay out the ingredients separately without mixing. Add mayonnaise right before serving the salad.
Toss everything together and serve right away.
Nutrition Facts
Fritos Chili Cheese Salad Recipe
Amount Per Serving
Calories 564 Calories from Fat 351
% Daily Value*
Fat 39g60%
Saturated Fat 15g75%
Cholesterol 65mg22%
Sodium 618mg26%
Potassium 352mg10%
Carbohydrates 37g12%
Fiber 4g16%
Sugar 6g7%
Protein 19g38%
Vitamin A 2500IU50%
Vitamin C 76.1mg92%
Calcium 468mg47%
Iron 1.3mg7%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Posted January 29, 2020
About Author
DonnaMar 9, 2024 No seasonings listed in recipe. Does that mean it can be bland? Where does flavor come from?
Natalya DrozhzhinMar 11, 2024 Hey Donna, I think the chips and other ingredients provide enough flavor, however you can season to taste.
JudybFeb 28, 2024 This was so good. I added a can of black beans and added taco seasoning to the mayonnaise to amp up the taco flavor. Chili cheese Fritos are a must. My grandchildren are visiting next week. I know they’ll love it and easy enough for them to help make it.
Natalya DrozhzhinFeb 28, 2024 Hello Judy, I like those additions! This salad is always a hit, it's so great on warmer days, for cookouts and BBQs. Thanks for giving it a try!
DebbieOct 3, 2023 I use 1/2 green bell pepper and 1/2 red pepper, and 2 Tbls ranch dressing added to mayo. Plus I use only chili cheese fritos.
Natalya DrozhzhinOct 3, 2023 Hi Debbie, Thanks for sharing! We appreciate the feedback.
EtheSep 3, 2023 This tastes good but I was shocked at how much cheese had to be used!
I added fresh lime juice and a bit more mayo because I thought it was too thick. I also had spicy black and chili beans.Natalya DrozhzhinSep 4, 2023 Hi Ethe, Thanks for the feedback. 🙂
KristyJun 19, 2023 Thinking of mixing the mayo with cream cheese, adding drained black beans and using frozen corn... Thoughts?
Natalya DrozhzhinJun 20, 2023 Hey Kristy, Adding black beans sounds like a delicious addition! If you're using frozen corn be sure to thaw it first. One way is soak the corn in boiling water for at least ten minutes. Mixing the mayo with cream cheese will also work, just be sure to have the cream cheese softened at room temperature for easier mixing. Enjoy!
Wanda WildmanJun 13, 2023 I haven't tried it yet but it sounds delicious. I lso copied down some of the changes different ones tried. will definitely try it soon. thanks for sharing.
Natalya DrozhzhinJun 15, 2023 You're welcome, Wanda! Hope you love this recipe. 😀
SarahMay 19, 2023 This was delicious!! I added green bell peppers for some color and I used chili cheese Fritos. Wow, is it good!
Natalya DrozhzhinMay 20, 2023 Sarah, I love the idea of green peppers. I bet it made salad so pretty. I need to try your version next time. Thank you for sharing.
Anna Lee FrenchMay 15, 2023 can I fix and keep in frig for later, why serve immediately
Natalya DrozhzhinMay 15, 2023 Hi Anna, Yes, you absolutely can but only add dressing, cheese and chips right before serving. This way you still get a nicely crunchy fresh salad. Enjoy
LeeAnn LeesMay 15, 2023 Has anyone tried this with the chili cheese fritos?
LeslieMay 28, 2023 I only use chili cheese Fritos but add them to individual servings, not mixed in
Natalya DrozhzhinMay 15, 2023 Hi LeeAnn, I have actually tried it. Loved it with chili cheese Fritos. I think you will love it as long as you like the flavor of them.
ShellyOct 24, 2022 I made this years ago and it was great, however I don’t remember if I can use miracle whip instead of mayo? Any ideas?
Natalya DrozhzhinOct 25, 2022 Hi Shelly- I haven't tried using miracle whip in place of Mayo so I'm not sure how the final taste would be altered. Let us know how it turned out with miracle whip if you give it a go!
ShellyNov 1, 2022 I did use the miracle whip and it worked out great… such a yummy salad 🎃
Natalya DrozhzhinNov 2, 2022 Glad you loved it, Shelly. I appreciate the feedback!
Christine ThomasSep 11, 2022 I added a mix of ranch and salsa mixed together as opposed to mayo. Gave it mote of a zesty mexican flavor!
Natalya DrozhzhinSep 12, 2022 Hey Christine- this is a great tip, and a wonderful alternative if someone doesn't eat mayo. Thank you for commenting!
CrystiSep 1, 2022 How do you think Greek yogurt in place of the Mayo would be? I’m anti mayo but everything else sounds delicious. 🤣
Natalya DrozhzhinSep 1, 2022 Hey Crysti- Ooh I haven't tried subbing the mayo out! I wish I had some advice for you. If you try with the greek yogurt, let us know how it tasted! Enjoy!
JaniceAug 24, 2022 Do u drain corn
Natalya DrozhzhinAug 25, 2022 Hey Janice- I normally use fresh corn, but if using canned then make sure it has been drained and rinsed from any excess salt. Enjoy!
AmyAug 23, 2022 This salad was absolutely amazing!!! My kiddos even loved it!!!
Natalya DrozhzhinAug 23, 2022 Hello Amy- Yay, it's always a great feeling when even the kids love a recipe! Thank you for sharing 😀
MargaretAug 23, 2022 Really good. I used honey bbq fritos and added chicken and avocada. I had a little left over for lunch the next day. While the fritos were softer, it didn't bother me and still tasted great.
Natalya DrozhzhinAug 23, 2022 Hi Margaret! The addition of chicken is a great call, sounds fantastic! Thanks for giving our recipe a try 😀
LauraJul 9, 2022 It seems like this would go soggy at a cookout??? I plan on bringing this to a potluck. Should I wait to mix it until I arrive? Or do the Fritos stay crisp for a few hours???
Natalya DrozhzhinJul 9, 2022 Hi Laura- Yes, the chips will go soggy if mixed too far in advance. In the post we mention not mixing the chips in until right before serving so that they stay crunchy. Enjoy!
Denise DouvilleJul 6, 2022 Are you sure you use a pound of cheese? I doubled your recipe and I had to stop at a half of pound. Otherwise delicious and my family was so surprised that they liked it. My daughters had a plate full each. 😋
Natalya DrozhzhinJul 6, 2022 Hey Denise- Yes, that is correct. You can halve or adjust the quantity to taste! I'm so glad your family enjoyed this recipe.
CariJun 28, 2022 This sounds delicious! I can't stand mayo so hoping I can switch it out for sour cream (jazzed up with spices). But if I add ground beaf or any other meat, would you recommend the meat be chilled or warm and mix in right before eating?
Natalya DrozhzhinJun 28, 2022 Hi Cari- I'd say go with room temp or cold meat, I think that would work best with the crisp veggies and crunchy chips. Enjoy!! 🙂
ConnieJun 17, 2022 I agree with a previous comment about adding cumin and chili powder. I also added a small can of diced green chiles. The only thing I think it still needed was some chopped cilantro on top. Great recipe, thanks!
Natalya DrozhzhinJun 17, 2022 Hi Connie, everything you added to your salad sound like wonderful additions! Yum! Thanks for commenting 🙂
AndreaJun 6, 2022 To scale up, look at the serving size amount/servings per container on the can/bag of corn and you can go from there.
Natalya DrozhzhinJun 6, 2022 Thank you for the tip, Andrea!
Laura kralMay 26, 2022 Is bagged store bought cheese ok or is it better to shred it yourself?
CheriAnnMay 29, 2022 I prefer to shred it myself. Already shredded cheese has a special preservative in it for it to last longer and to prevent moisture clumping it up.
Natalya DrozhzhinMay 26, 2022 Hi Laura, great question! Either one will work. Enjoy the salad, its so good!
Stephanie MooreMay 21, 2022 Would it be ok to use ranch dressing instead of mayo? I'm not a mayo fan! 🤪
Natalya DrozhzhinMay 21, 2022 Hey Stephanie, we can be best friends ... lol.. I am not a fan of mayo but in this recipe I don't mind it. I think it will work with ranch as well.
TaliaMay 4, 2022 I need to make 3 gallons of this how do I adjust your recipe below?
Natalya DrozhzhinMay 5, 2022 Hi Talia - Oh boy, this might be above my pay grade in the math department LOL. My guess would be to make one batch and see how it measures up to a gallon and then go from there. Hope this helps!
AnnetteMay 18, 2022 Any luck in scaling up the recipe? I would also love to make a large amount, and wondering how it went.
Natalya DrozhzhinMay 18, 2022 Hey Annette, you can definitely double or triple the recipe. It's a good one, glad you feel the same way. 🙂
MalissaApr 22, 2022 Delicious! Made it and used primal kitchen chipotle lime mayo. Perfect
Natalya DrozhzhinApr 23, 2022 Hi Malissa - OMG! We love that dressing. Such a great brand. Glad you enjoyed this salad. 🙂
MJDApr 19, 2022 Made this for a family birthday party with adults and kids. Went over very well and was very easy to make. Used 3 bags of frozen corn (so about 30 ozs) that I steamed and then cooled. Did as instructed and mixed all the ingredients except Fritos and chilled for 3 hours. Added crushed Fritos right before serving. Only reason I did not give this recipe 5 stars is because I think it needed a little bit more spicing up. I added some onion powder, garlic powder, a little bit of cumin, some Adobo seasoning, and a tiny bit of chili powder. It just needed that little bit of ooomph! Two people asked for this recipe after the party.
Natalya DrozhzhinApr 19, 2022 Hi Mary Jo - Thanks for such detailed feedback here. We really appreciate it. Glad that the recipe went well overall and you were able to spice it up to your liking. It might be a good idea for us to add a note about adding in some dried seasonings to taste for that extra oomph. Have a great day!
Jan GoldenFeb 5, 2022 Can I use Miracle Whip?
ShellyOct 24, 2022 Did you try the Miracle Whip?
Natalya DrozhzhinFeb 5, 2022 Hi Jan, I haven't tried using Miracle Whip but I'm sure it will work fine as a substitute. Enjoy!
ElenaJan 14, 2021 Can I layer the salad topping it with mayo and chips?
Natalya DrozhzhinJan 14, 2021 Yes, you can layer the salad. That’s a great idea.
ElenaJan 21, 2021 This salad was a hit. Added some shredded chicken I had leftover from deep fried thighs we had earlier.. tasted amazing! Thanks. Try it guys!
Natalya DrozhzhinJan 21, 2021 Great idea on the chicken. Thank you for sharing your feedback, Elena! I'm glad you liked the salad.
BrookeAug 9, 2020 I see the nutritional facts below, but checking to see if someone can tel me how much is a serving?
Natalya DrozhzhinAug 10, 2020 This salad makes 8 servings, its about 1 cup per serving. Enjoy
OlgaFeb 7, 2020 Natalya, thank you and Tim for your hard work
on creating easy and tasty recipes, and of course for the renewed website --I love it!
I also noticed that your writing style changed, which I also like, but kind of miss those silly typos from the past. 😄
Blessings to your family and lots of inspiration for many years ahead!
I even imagine a restaurant under this brand with small but tasty menu of mom's dishes.Natalya DrozhzhinFeb 7, 2020 Olga, I read this last night and it literally made my may. The time you took to notice the writing and the little details, it means so much! We did get help with writing, I learned that I can cook but can't write.. lol 🙂 So now someone looks over it before it gets out to the public.
Chad SchusterFeb 1, 2020 are you supposed to heat up the corn or add it to the salad cold, straight from the can?
Natalya DrozhzhinFeb 1, 2020 Add it cold, just drain and rinse.
