Fritos Chili Cheese Salad Recipe

Introduction

This Fritos Chili Cheese Salad is a crunchy, flavorful dish combining fresh vegetables, sharp cheddar, and the iconic chili-flavored Fritos chips. It’s quick to prepare and perfect for casual gatherings or as a satisfying side dish.

Ingredients

• 16 oz corn
• 16 oz red bell peppers
• ½ purple onion
• 1 lb cheddar cheese
• 9 oz chili Fritos
• ½ cup mayonnaise

Instructions

1. Step 1: Prepare the vegetables by dicing the red bell peppers and purple onion into small pieces. Grate the cheddar cheese using the larger side of the grater for a nice texture.
2. Step 2: Break up the chili Fritos into bite-sized pieces according to your preference, keeping some chunkiness for added crunch.
3. Step 3: If you are serving later, lay out the ingredients separately without mixing to keep the Fritos crunchy. Add the mayonnaise only right before serving.
4. Step 4: When ready to serve, toss all ingredients together gently and enjoy immediately for the best texture and flavor.

Tips & Variations

• For extra zest, mix a little lime juice into the mayonnaise before tossing the salad.
• Substitute plain Fritos or another corn chip if chili flavor is too strong or not available.
• Add chopped fresh cilantro or green onions to brighten the flavors.
• Use sharp or extra-sharp cheddar cheese to enhance the cheesy flavor.

Storage

To maintain crunchiness, store the salad ingredients separately in airtight containers and combine only before serving. Once mixed with mayonnaise and Fritos, keep it refrigerated and consume within 1 day. Reheating is not recommended as it will soften the chips and alter the texture.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I prepare this salad in advance?

You can prepare and refrigerate the vegetables and cheese ahead of time, but keep the Fritos and mayonnaise separate until just before serving to prevent sogginess.

What can I use instead of mayonnaise?

You can substitute mayonnaise with Greek yogurt or sour cream for a lighter or tangier version of the salad.

Fritos Chili Cheese Salad Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.6 from 89 reviews

A quick and flavorful Fritos Chili Cheese Salad combining crunchy corn, diced red bell peppers, chopped purple onion, shredded cheddar cheese, and chili-flavored Fritos, all tossed with creamy mayonnaise. Perfect as a snack or side dish, this recipe offers a delightful blend of textures and zesty flavors.

• Author: Isla
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Total Time: 10 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Salad
• Method: No-Cook
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Vegetables

• 16 oz corn
• 16 oz red bell peppers, diced
• 1/2 purple onion, diced

Dairy

• 1 lb cheddar cheese, grated
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise

Snacks

• 9 oz chili Fritos, broken into bite-sized pieces

Instructions

1. Prepare the vegetables: Dice the red bell peppers and purple onion into small, uniform pieces for even flavor distribution throughout the salad.
2. Grate the cheese: Using the larger side of a grater, shred the cheddar cheese to achieve a chunky cheese texture that melts nicely when mixed.
3. Break up the Fritos: Gently break the chili Fritos into smaller pieces to your preferred size, ensuring they retain some crunch without being too large.
4. Combine ingredients if serving immediately: Toss the corn, diced vegetables, shredded cheese, and broken Fritos together in a bowl.
5. Add mayonnaise: Stir in the mayonnaise just before serving to keep the salad fresh and prevent the Fritos from becoming soggy.
6. Layer for later serving: If preparing the salad ahead of time, layer all ingredients separately without mixing and add mayonnaise only right before serving to maintain freshness and texture.
7. Serve: Once combined, serve the salad immediately for optimal crunch and flavor.

Notes

• For best texture, add mayonnaise just before serving to avoid sogginess of Fritos.
• This salad can be prepared in advance by storing ingredients separately.
• Customize the spice level by choosing different flavored Fritos or adding a touch of hot sauce to the mayonnaise.
• Use fresh, crisp vegetables for the best taste and texture.
• Cheddar cheese can be substituted with a sharp or mild variety according to preference.

Keywords: Fritos salad, chili cheese salad, easy salad, no cook recipe, snack salad, corn salad, American salad