Frito Corn Salad Recipe: The Crispiest Summer Side Sensation

Summers call for fresh, zesty sides that bring people together, and this delightful frito corn salad packs a punch of flavor and texture.

Crisp corn kernels dance with tangy mayo and sharp cheddar cheese, creating a crowd-pleasing dish.

Loaded with crunch and vibrant ingredients, this salad delivers a delicious twist on classic picnic fare.

Each bite promises a perfect balance of creamy and crispy elements that will make taste buds sing.

The recipe comes together quickly, requiring minimal prep and maximum enjoyment.

Serve this irresistible salad at your next barbecue or potluck, and watch it disappear in minutes.

Prepare to be the star of the gathering with this simple yet spectacular side dish.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time:

Total Time: 10 minutes

Calories: 198 kcal

Servings: 8

What You’ll Need to Toss Together Frito Corn Salad

• Corn: Sweet kernel base that provides crisp, fresh foundation for the salad.
• Cheddar Cheese: Sharp, tangy element that adds rich, creamy texture and depth of flavor.

• Bell Pepper: Vibrant vegetable that introduces colorful crunch and slight sweetness.
• Green Onions: Mild, zesty herb that brings bright, sharp accent to the overall dish.
• Fritos: Iconic corn chip that delivers ultimate crispy, salty crunch when added just before serving.

• Mayonnaise: Creamy, smooth binder that holds ingredients together with rich, silky consistency.
• Chili Powder: Optional spice that introduces warm, smoky heat to elevate flavor profile.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential seasoning duo that balances and enhances all other ingredients' natural tastes.

Tools to Keep Your Frito Corn Salad Crunchy

• Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining all ingredients thoroughly.
• Measuring cups: Helps ensure accurate ingredient proportions.
• Cutting board: Perfect for chopping bell peppers and green onions.
• Sharp knife: Needed for precise vegetable preparation.
• Spatula or wooden spoon: Great for mixing ingredients smoothly.
• Cheese grater: Useful if using block cheddar cheese.
• Serving spoon: Helps transfer salad to serving dish.
• Frito crusher: Optional tool for breaking chips into right-sized pieces (can use hands or rolling pin).

How to Make Frito Corn Salad in Just a Few Steps

• Combine Core Ingredients Toss corn, cheese, peppers, and onions into a spacious mixing vessel. Blend these vibrant components until they're perfectly integrated.
• Create Creamy Base Stir in mayonnaise, introducing a luscious texture that binds all the elements together. Season with a sprinkle of chili powder, salt, and pepper to awaken the flavors.
• Chill and Marinate Let the salad rest in the refrigerator for half an hour, allowing the ingredients to mingle and develop a deeper, more complex taste profile.
• Add Crunchy Finale Just before serving, gently fold in crushed Fritos. This crucial step ensures maximum crunchiness and prevents the chips from becoming soggy.
• Serve and Savor Plate your colorful creation immediately, ready to delight taste buds with its perfect balance of creamy, crunchy, and zesty elements.

Additions That Bring Boldness to Frito Corn Salad

• Add Fritos right before serving to maintain their signature crispy texture and prevent sogginess.
• Prepare the salad base (without Fritos) up to 24 hours in advance, storing in an airtight container for convenient meal prep.
• Replace mayonnaise with Greek yogurt for a lighter version, or use vegan mayo for a plant-based alternative that keeps the creamy consistency.
• Adjust chili powder quantity to match your heat preference, from a mild sprinkle to a bold, zesty kick for adventurous palates.
• Enhance the salad by adding diced grilled chicken, black beans, or crispy bacon for extra protein and more substantial meal potential.

Serving Frito Corn Salad at Parties or Cookouts

• Picnic Perfect Plating: Serve this zesty salad in a clear glass bowl to showcase the vibrant colors and crunchy Fritos on top, making it a stunning side dish for outdoor gatherings.
• Barbecue Buddy: Pair this corn salad alongside grilled meats like burgers, hot dogs, or barbecue chicken for a delightful summer meal that brings extra crunch and flavor to your plate.
• Taco Night Companion: Use this salad as a fresh topping or side dish for taco nights, adding a creamy and crunchy element that complements Mexican-inspired meals with its bold southwestern flair.
• Potluck Showstopper: Bring this salad to community gatherings or potlucks, where its easy preparation and crowd-pleasing taste will make you the star of the culinary show.

Best Way to Store Leftover Frito Corn Salad

• Transfer leftover salad to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 2 days. Keep Fritos separate until serving to maintain their crispy texture.
• Make the base salad mixture ahead of time and store in the refrigerator. Add crushed chips just before serving for maximum crunch and freshness.
• Chop vegetables and shred cheese in advance, storing them separately in sealed containers. This strategy saves time and keeps ingredients fresh for quick assembly.
• Divide salad into individual meal prep containers for easy grab-and-go lunches or side dishes. Pack Fritos in a small separate compartment to prevent soggy chips.

Crunchy Frito Corn Salad Recipe

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4.7 from 13 reviews

• Total Time: 10 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Creamy Frito corn salad brings southwestern zest to summer gatherings with its crunchy texture and tangy dressing. Crisp corn kernels and zesty ingredients combine for a crowd-pleasing side dish you’ll want to savor at every picnic and potluck.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 1 bag (9.25 oz/262 g) chili cheese or original Fritos, crushed slightly
• 2 cans (15 oz/425 g each) whole kernel corn, drained
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• ½ cup diced red bell pepper
• ½ cup chopped green onions
• 1 tsp chili powder (optional, for a little kick)
• Salt and pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Gather corn, cheddar cheese, bell pepper, green onions, mayonnaise, chili powder, salt, pepper, and Fritos.
2. Mixing Base: Combine corn, shredded cheddar, diced bell pepper, and sliced green onions in a spacious mixing bowl, creating a vibrant and colorful foundation.
3. Dressing Integration: Fold mayonnaise into the vegetable mixture, ensuring even coating and smooth distribution of creamy texture.
4. Seasoning Enhancement: Sprinkle chili powder, salt, and pepper to elevate the flavor profile, gently stirring to incorporate seasonings thoroughly.
5. Chilling Process: Refrigerate the salad for a minimum of 30 minutes, allowing ingredients to meld and flavors to intensify.
6. Crispy Finale: Immediately before serving, gently fold crushed Fritos into the salad, preserving their distinctive crunch and adding a delightful textural contrast.
7. Serving Recommendation: Present the salad chilled, showcasing its vibrant colors and inviting texture for maximum enjoyment.

Notes

• Use fresh or thawed corn kernels for the best texture and flavor, avoiding canned corn which can be mushy.
• Add crushed Fritos just before serving to maintain their signature crunch and prevent them from becoming soft and losing their crispy texture.
• Experiment with different cheese varieties like pepper jack or cotija for a unique twist, and adjust spice levels with additional chili powder or hot sauce.
• Prepare the salad base (excluding Fritos) up to a day in advance and store in the refrigerator, adding crushed chips right before serving to keep everything fresh and crisp.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 210
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 24 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg