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Frito Corn Salad

Frito Corn Salad is a crunchy, creamy side dish with sweet corn, tangy sour cream, sharp cheddar, and crispy Fritos. The dressing is mixed smooth, then the Fritos go in right before serving so they stay crunchy in every bite.
Prep Time 15 minutes
chill 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 10 servings
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 420

Ingredients
  

Salad
  • 3 can (15 oz) whole kernel corn drained thoroughly
  • 1 bag (9.25 oz) original Fritos corn chips lightly crushed
  • 1.5 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1 packet (1 oz) dry ranch seasoning
  • 0.5 cup diced red onion
  • 0.5 cup diced red bell pepper
  • 0.25 cup sliced green onions for garnish
  • 0.25 tsp black pepper
  • 0.25 tsp garlic powder

Method
 

Mix the salad base
  1. Drain the three cans of whole kernel corn thoroughly and add it to a large mixing bowl.
  2. Add the diced red onion and diced red bell pepper to the corn and toss to combine.
Make the creamy ranch dressing
  1. In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, dry ranch seasoning, black pepper, and garlic powder until smooth and creamy.
  2. Pour the dressing over the corn mixture and stir well until everything is evenly coated.
Add cheese, chill, and finish
  1. Fold in the shredded sharp cheddar cheese and mix gently to distribute.
  2. Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors meld together.
  3. Just before serving, add the lightly crushed Fritos and fold them in so they stay as crunchy as possible.
  4. Garnish with sliced green onions and serve immediately so the Fritos don’t lose their crunch in the dressing.

Notes

Pro tip: crush the Fritos just before serving and keep the salad chilled until the last minute for maximum crunch. Refrigerate covered for up to 3 days, but wait to mix in Fritos until serving. Freezing isn’t recommended because the chips won’t retain texture after thawing. For a lighter option, use Greek yogurt in place of half the mayonnaise for a tangier, lower-fat dressing.