Frito Corn Salad – The Crunchy, Creamy Side Dish You’ll Make All Summer
This Frito Corn Salad is everything you want in a crowd-pleasing side dish—cool, creamy, crunchy, and packed with bold flavor. It comes together in minutes with just a few simple ingredients and zero cooking, making it the ultimate no-fuss recipe for parties, BBQs, or busy weeknights. The combination of sweet corn, tangy dressing, and salty corn chips delivers the perfect balance of textures and tastes in every bite.
Frito Corn Salad
This salad is also super versatile. You can tone down the heat, swap in flavored Fritos, or throw in extra veggies to suit your crew. If you love this kind of easy crowd-pleasing dish, be sure to check out my Creamy Coleslaw, Broccoli Salad, or Instant Pot Potato Salad for more fun sides that pair perfectly with burgers, BBQ, or even tacos!
What makes this Frito Corn Salad a total winner is how simple it is to prep. All the ingredients come together in one bowl, and there’s no cooking required—just a quick stir, a little chip-crushing, and it’s ready to go. You can even make it ahead and mix in the chips right before serving to keep that crunch on point.
What You Will Love About This Recipe
Quick and easy – no stovetop or oven needed
Customizable – adjust the spice, chip flavor, or cheese to fit your taste
Great for a crowd – perfect for summer gatherings, BBQs, or potlucks
Bold flavors – creamy, smoky, crunchy, cheesy, and just a little spicy
What do I need to get started?
- Whole kernel corn – canned or frozen
- Southwest corn – any corn that has red and green peppers mixed in
- Mayonnaise – your favorite brand
- Onion – red, yellow, or white
- Jalapeno – if you don’t like it spicy, use green pepper instead
- Bacon bits – you can cook and crumble bacon or buy real bacon bits
- Cheddar cheese – use any cheese you like
- Smoked paprika
- Corn chips – cheddar, BBQ, chili, or plain
How to Make Frito Corn Pie
- Combine both types of corn, mayonnaise, onion, jalapeno, bacon bits, cheddar cheese, and paprika together in a bowl.
- Crush half of the corn chips and stir into the corn right before serving. Top with remaining chips.
Tips & Tricks
- Wait to add the chips until right before serving to keep them crispy
- Use flavored Fritos like chili cheese or BBQ for an extra flavor kick
- Dice jalapeños finely if you want the heat without overwhelming bites
- Make it ahead – prep the salad base up to a day in advance and store covered in the fridge
- No bacon? No problem – it’s still delicious without it, or try subbing in diced ham or crispy pancetta
FAQs
Frito Corn Salad
Frito Corn Salad is loaded with corn, onion, pepper, bacon, and cheddar cheese that is then topped with corn chips. It is the perfect dish that will wow your guests at your next gathering!
Ingredients
- 1 (15 ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained
- 1 (15 ounce) can Southwest corn, drained
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup red onion, diced
- 1 jalapeno, diced
- 1/2 cups bacon bits, optional
- 1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese, grated, or small cubes
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 (9.75 ounce) bag Corn chips (any flavor)
Instructions
- Combine both types of corn, mayonnaise, onion, jalapeno, bacon bits, cheddar cheese, and paprika together in a bowl.
- Crush half of the corn chips and stir into the corn right before serving. Top with remaining chips.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
6Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 471Total Fat: 41gSaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 29gCholesterol: 43mgSodium: 607mgCarbohydrates: 15gFiber: 2gSugar: 2gProtein: 11g
I’m Melissa, the imaginative force behind Sparkles to Sprinkles, where creativity comes to life, and sprinkles of joy are scattered generously. Melissa is a proud Jersey girl who found love with a New York boy. As a mom to four wonderful boys and a few fur babies, her journey into the world of blogging began after making the life-changing decision to stay home and raise her children. Previously a dedicated workaholic, Melissa’s blog became her creative outlet and passion project. Inspired by her mother-in-law, a masterful cook renowned for her delicious home-cooked meals and legendary holiday feasts (think mouthwatering sausage stuffing), Melissa honed her culinary skills through a combination of family recipes and countless cooking classes. She often attended these classes with her son Michael, who shared her enthusiasm for cooking from a young age. Melissa’s love for learning extends beyond familiar cuisines, as she enjoys exploring international recipes in hands-on cooking classes. Her blog features a diverse array of recipes, showcasing her expertise with various kitchen appliances such as the Instant Pot, air fryer, Slow Cooker, Ninja Foodi, Instant Vortex Plus, and more. Join Melissa on her culinary adventures as she shares tried-and-true family favorites alongside exciting new discoveries!
