This easy Frito Corn Salad recipe combines vibrant veggies, zesty spices, and the crunch of Fritos for a delicious salad, perfect for potlucks and parties.
This Fritos Corn Salad is a crowd-pleaser on game day, at picnics, BBQs, potlucks, or as an easy salad for any meal. The first time I made this, I fell in love.
I even like to make it in the winter – it makes me think of warm weather anytime.
Easy to prepare and bursting with vibrant flavors, it’s a staple recipe that embodies summer in every bite.
This delicious corn salad is adored for its simplicity.
It combines fresh ingredients, creamy dressing, and spices, all topped with the irresistible crunchy Fritos, making it a favorite among all ages.
We love to serve it with arrachera tacos, BBQ-pulled chicken sandwiches, and chicken fajitas. Serving with BBQ chicken, pizza, or hot dogs is also fun.
It’s the perfect side dish for your summer cookouts and backyard barbecues.
Frito Salad Ingredients
Frozen whole-kernel corn: For this recipe, we used frozen corn. You can also use canned kernel corn.
Mild cheddar cheese: We use mild cheddar to elevate the flavor and texture of this recipe.
Green bell pepper: Green pepper adds color and flavor to this corn salad.
Jalapeno: We used a fresh jalapeno to add heat to this salad. You can also use pickled jalapeno peppers, or if you don’t like heat in your food, you can leave it out or substitute green chilis.
Red onion: Red onion is used to elevate the flavor of this summer salad.
Mayonnaise: Mayo is used as the dressing for this recipe. We combine mayo with spices to create a yummy dressing for this corn salad.
Spices: For this recipe, we use garlic powder, ground cumin, onion powder, chili powder, paprika, oregano leaves, sea salt, and ground black pepper to elevate the flavor of this salad.
Corn chips: We used a 9.25-ounce bag of the original Fritos for this recipe. You can also use chili cheese Fritos, your favorite kind of Fritos, or a generic brand.
Personal preference is often the key to a great side dish.
Substitutions for the Main Ingredients
If you prefer canned kernel corn, you can substitute using two 15-ounce cans of sweet corn kernels.
If you go with fresh corn, you’ll need approximately 4-5 ears to match the amount of canned corn in this recipe.
Medium or sharp cheddar will impart a more robust flavor profile. Monterey Jack is a suitable alternative with its mild flavor and melting ability.
Like cheddar, Colby Jack cheese offers a mild taste and can work well in this salad.
Instead of green bell peppers, swap in yellow or red bell pepper for added sweetness and color variety.
You can also use poblano peppers for a mild and slightly earthy taste.
For less heat, substitute with mild pepperoncini or diced green chilis. Anaheim peppers are milder peppers, ideal for those seeking less spicy options.
Substitute mayo with Greek yogurt for a lighter dressing alternative. Creamy and tangy sour cream is another potential replacement.
You can make this vegan by substituting regular mayo with vegan mayo!
Modify the quantity of spices according to personal taste preferences. Instead of individual spices, a pre-made Mexican spice blend can be a convenient substitute.
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Tools Needed for Crunchy Frito Corn Salad
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
- Cutting board
- Chef’s knife
- Mixing bowls – one large bowl and one medium bowl
- Whisk
- Rubber spatula
How to Make This Easy Frito Corn Salad Recipe
Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, use a large mixing spoon to mix corn, shredded cheddar cheese, green bell pepper, jalapeño, and red onion.
Mix Mayo and Spices: In a separate medium mixing bowl, blend mayonnaise with all spices until thoroughly combined with the mayo.
Coating the Corn Mixture: Pour the sauce over the corn and pepper mixture. Utilize a rubber spatula to gently stir, ensuring the creamy sauce coats the entire mixture evenly.
Scroll down to see the full recipe below!
Serve or Chill: Either serve the Fritos Corn Salad immediately or refrigerate it for about an hour to chill and let the flavors meld.
Add Fritos Before Serving: Just before serving, stir in the Fritos to maintain their crispiness and serve your delicious Fritos Corn Salad.
How to Store Fritos Corn Salad
Store your corn salad in the refrigerator using an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Looking for more side dishes or dips for parties? Try these:
Easy Frito Corn Salad
This easy Frito Corn Salad recipe combines vibrant veggies, zesty spices, and the crunch of Fritos for a delicious salad, perfect for potlucks and parties.
Ingredients
- (2) 12-ounce bags of frozen whole-kernel corn
- 2 cups mild cheddar cheese, shredded
- 2 cups diced green bell pepper (1 green pepper
- 1 ½ cups finely diced red onion (1 medium red onion)
- 1 finely diced jalapeno
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon oregano leaves
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- (1) 9.25-ounce bag of plain Fritos corn chips
Instructions
- Combine the frozen whole-kernel corn, shredded mild cheddar cheese, chopped green bell pepper, finely diced jalapeno, and red onion in a large mixing bowl.
- Combine the mayonnaise, garlic powder, ground cumin, onion powder, chili powder, paprika, oregano leaves, sea salt, and½ teaspoon ground black pepper in a small mixing bowl. Mix until the spices are blended with the mayo.
- Pour the sauce over the corn mixture and stir with a rubber spatula until the creamy sauce coats the corn and pepper mixture. Serve right away or chill in the refrigerator for an hour.
- Stir in Fritos just before serving.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 405Total Fat: 32gSaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 22gCholesterol: 40mgSodium: 534mgCarbohydrates: 22gFiber: 3gSugar: 6gProtein: 10g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and may not be correct.