Fritos Corn Salad

Fritos corn salad is a versatile, easy dish that you can whip up in 15 minutes for any last-minute gathering (or if you just forgot until the last second). Serve it with corn chips, freshly chopped veggies, or eat it with a fork. It’s also a great topping for taco salad and makes a perfect dip or side for a day spent by the pool, watching the game, or the family barbecue.

Learn how to make Fritos corn salad, and watch every one snatch it up at your next party.

Ingredients for Fritos Corn Salad

The fresh veggies, canned corn, and chips make this a simple recipe. You just need a few items from the fridge and pantry:

• Corn: Two cans of whole kernel corn make this a year-round dish. If it's summer, you can use fresh corn, too.
• Cheddar cheese: The sharpness of the cheese contrasts nicely with the sweet corn.
• Bell pepper: Both green and red bell pepper are great, but you could use all of one if that's what you get from the grocery store or have in your produce drawer.
• Red onion: The slightly sweet flavor of the red onion is better than sharper white or yellow onions.
• Mayonnaise and sour cream: Both make for a great creamy base that doesn't overpower the other ingredients.
• Paprika, cumin, and black pepper: The perfect spices for this salad, they add a bit of warmth and heat.
• Corn chips: You want some regular Fritos corn chips for the salad and big ones for scooping if you plan to eat this dish like a dip.
• Jalapeño peppers: Optional, but they add a great warmth. If you like, use pickled jalapeños or even candied jalapeños instead.

How To Make Fritos Corn Salad

Don't turn on the oven or stove. This no-cook dip comes together in just 15 minutes. Here's a brief outline of the process; the full recipe is further below:

• Combine ingredients: In a bowl, combine the first 10 ingredients (through black pepper).
• Chill: Chill for at least an hour.
• Add chips: When you're ready to serve the salad, add some crushed corn chips, and fold them in. Serve with chips or fresh vegetables.

How To Serve Fritos Corn Salad

While we suggest stirring all the crushed Fritos in just before serving, there are lots of options for how to actually put the Fritos in Fritos Corn Salad.

Some folks prefer to make the salad and simply use the crushed Fritos as a topping, while others like to serve the salad and allow guests to add the Fritos themselves to mix in or keep on top. We suggest mixing them in because there’s something special about that salty crunch in every bite. So, just like my great-grandma used to say about how to measure salt, “follow your heart” when choosing which chip method works best for you.

Variations and Substitutions

If you aren’t a big mayonnaise fan, you can substitute some of the mayonnaise for sour cream and still get a delicious, creamy salad. If you don't care for sour cream, you can substitute the called for amount with extra mayo instead.

For an extra spicy kick, stir in some diced jalapeños or serve them on the side. To bring out some southwest flavors, substitute the paprika with taco seasoning.

How To Store Fritos Corn Salad

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for two to three days. If you’re going to store it in the fridge, we recommend just adding the Fritos per serving, instead of mixing them all into the salad where they will become soggy.

We do not recommend freezing this corn salad dip. While most of the flavor will remain intact, the textures will be ruined. It's best to eat it fresh.