Name: Easy Frito Chili Pie! 4 Ingredient chili
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 8
Ingredients: Homemade chili or can chili (chili recipe is in post); 2-3 bags of corn chips; 3 cups of shredded cheese; toppings: lettuce, tomatoes, onions, sour cream and jalapenos

My family loves chili, especially in the Winter time. But, I always make a lot! LOL. Who can make only a little bit of chili??? So, we take the leftover chili and make Frito Chili Pie! I believe we have more corn chips and toppings than chili, but that’s ok! It’s so good, EASY and cheap too! My Chili recipe (scroll down to find recipe) is less than $1.50 PER SERVING, plus down to $1 if you add beans! That’s amazing! So, I hope that y’all enjoy my Easy Frito Chili Pie: 4 Ingredient Chili. 🙂

What is a Frito chili pie?

A Frito chili pie is a meal with a layer of corn chips, then a layer of chili and topped with a layer of shredded cheese or nacho cheese. The traditional Frito chili pie doesn’t have all the toppings that I have added, but the more toppings the better! Right??

Why is Frito chili pie called a pie?

Actually, it is not a pie, but a pile of corn chips with chili and cheese on top. It can be served on a plate or in a bowl, but also can be served right out of the small individual sized Frito chip bags. Open the bag up and pour the chili right inside and top with cheese, this is a popular way to serve Frito chili pie for the kids.

Is Frito chili pie a Southern thing?

Frito chili pie is a dish popular in the Midwestern, Southeastern, and Southwestern United States.

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Is Frito chili pie and walking taco the same thing?

Basically, a Frito chili pie and a walking taco are the same thing. They both have corn chips, chili and cheese. But, the difference is that the Frito chili pie is on a plate and a walking taco is the chili and cheese over the corn chips while still in the little chip bag.

Who invented the Frito chili pie?

A lady by the name of Teresa Hernandez in Old Sante Fe is who the New Mexican’s say invented the Frito Pie. In the 1960’s there was a Five and Dime store, right off the main Plaza in Old Santa Fe when it was Woolworth’s Drug Store. She would open up a Frito bag and spoon in her mother’s homemade Texas style chili and top with cheddar cheese.

Cheap & Easy 4 Ingredient Crockpot Chili Recipe: Less than $1.50/serving

What goes in chili recipe?

Ground beef, ground chicken, ground turkey or venison
Diced tomatoes
Tomato sauce
Chili mix packet
If you have no chili mix packet, you can use: chili powder, paprika, cumin, garlic powder, salt and black pepper
Optional toppings for chili: sour cream, shredded cheese, green onions, or jalapenos
Additional chili ingredients that are optional: onions, green bell peppers, jalapenos, broth, cocoa, sugar, brown sugar

What is in a Frito chili pie?

Chili
Fritos or any off brand corn chip
shredded cheese
onions or bell peppers
lettuce, kale or spinach
tomatoes
jalapenos, any kind of pepper
sour cream or guacamole

Can I use can chili for Frito chili pie?

Yes, certainly! You can make chili from scratch or you can open a can of chili up and pour it over your corn chips and top with a layer of cheese. Having a can of chili in your pantry is always a great idea, especially with kids. Plus, you can not make a meal any quicker than a can of chili, bag of corn chips and shredded cheese. Dinner is served up in minutes!

Can I use off brand corn chips instead of Frito corn chips?

Yes, Yes!! I know that this recipe is called Frito chili pie, but I always buy off brand corn chips. It would sound funny calling this a corn chip chili pie, but with today’s grocery prices, if you need to buy an off brand of corn chips, it is OK! 🙂

How do I make Frito chili pie?

Make your chili or use a can of chili
Add corn chips to your bowl
Add your chili
Add lettuce, tomatoes, onions, cheese, sour cream and jalapenos (all are optional)

What are Frito chili pie toppings?

The Frito chili pie toppings can be whatever you’d like. The basic ingredients of a Frito chili pie are corn chips, chili and cheese. However, I like to add lettuce, tomatoes, onions, cheese, sour cream or jalapenos.

How do I store leftover Frito chili pie?

To store your leftover Frito chili pie just keep your chili and Fritos or corn chips separate. Do not assemble your Frito chili pie until you are ready to eat it. Store the chili in an airtight bowl with a lid, up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Also, keep your toppings cut up in an airtight container for easy assembly of your Frito Chili Pie.

We’d love to see your Frito chili pie! If you make some or a different recipe from our blog, be sure to tag us @thelazyKkitchen on social media so we can see your awesome creations!

Yield: 8-10 servings