Frito pies (walking tacos) in a white bowl on a white round plate with a second bowl behind with a white and black towel behind all on a wooden surface (with logo overlay)

How to Make a Frito Pie or a Walking Taco

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Frito Pies, also known as Walking Tacos, are a simple combination of Frito chips, chili, and cheese. Perfect for a camping or game day easy recipe.

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Frito pies or walking tacos are a classic camping meal or game-day option. They are great when you are serving a crowd since each person can make their own. When we went camping with the scouts, this was one of our options for dinner. The pack made the filling and gave each person a bag of Frito chips to put it over.

When we make this at home, we don’t do it in the snack-size bags of chips. I prefer to buy one large bag of Fritos and pour those in a bowl. It is cheaper and there’s less waste than making a Frito chili pie with individual bags.

To make it super simple, you can purchase a can of chili. I’ve made them both with canned chili (when camping) and using some leftover chili from our own chili recipe. For canned chili, we prefer the Wolf brand chili cans because they are delicious, hearty, and available with beans or without beans. 

Whichever way you choose to make them, in a bag (walking tacos) or a bowl (Frito pies), they are a great quick option for an easy dinner recipe. You can use your favorite chili recipe for this delicious meal. 

Optional Add-Ins and Favorite Toppings

  • There are so many additional ingredients you can add to change the taste of a Frito Pie to your tastes. 
  • Sharp cheddar cheese or Monterey Jack cheese
  • Chili powder, cayenne pepper, or red pepper flakes
  • Pinto beans, black beans, chili beans, ranch-style beans, or kidney beans
  • Sliced green onions, diced fresh onion, or diced red onion
  • Taco seasoning or cumin
  • Fresh cilantro, shredded lettuce, sliced jalapeño peppers, or diced tomato
  • Enchilada sauce, tomato paste, sour cream, or hot sauce
  • Black olives, green chili, or diced bell pepper 

Frito Pies Step by Step

Ingredients

  • 9 1/4 oz Frito corn chips (1 bag)
  • 4 cups chili (prepared)
  • 1 cup fiesta blend cheese
  • Desired taco toppings

Preparation

Heat the chili in a medium saucepan over medium heat, stirring often, until warmed through, about 5 minutes.

Prepared chili in a stainless steel bowl next to a bag of Fritos next to a stainless steel bowl of shredded cheese all on a wooden surface

Separate the Fritos into 4 serving bowls.

Frito chips in a white bowl on a wooden surface

Divide the heated chili meat mixture among the bowls and layer on top of the Fritos.

Frito chips and chili in a white bowl on a wooden surface

Top with 1/4 cup of cheese.

Frito chips, chili, and cheese in a white bowl on a wooden surface

Add any desired taco toppings. NOTE: To make it a “walking taco” use individual-sized bags of Fritos and add the chili, cheese, and toppings into the bag of crunchy corn chips.

Frito pies (walking tacos) in a white bowl on a white round plate with a second bowl behind with a white and black towel behind all on a wooden surface (vertical)

Frito Pie Leftovers

Storage: Keep any extra chili separate from the chips and toppings. It’s best to save all Frito pies’ ingredients in their own airtight container. 

Reheating: Reheat the chili on the stovetop and put them together when ready to serve.

Recipe

Originally Published On: January 4, 2021

Last Updated On: July 24, 2024

Frito pies (walking tacos) in a white bowl on a white round plate with a second bowl behind with a white and black towel behind all on a wooden surface

Frito Pies or Walking Tacos

Frito Pies, also known as Walking Tacos, are a simple combination of Frito chips, chili, and cheese. Perfect for camping or game day.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Course:
Main Dish
Cuisine:
American
Keyword:
cheddar cheese
|
chili
|
Frito chips
|
tacos
|
texmex
Dietary Needs:
Egg-Free
|
Gluten-Free
|
Nut-Free
Meat:
Beef
Servings: 4
5 from 3 votes

Ingredients

  • 9 1/4 oz Frito corn chips (1 bag)
  • 4 cups chili (prepared)
  • 1 cup fiesta blend cheese
  • Desired taco toppings

Recommended Equipment

Instructions

  • Heat the chili in a medium saucepan over medium heat, stirring often, until warmed through, about 5 minutes
  • Separate the Fritos into 4 serving bowls
  • Divide the heated chili among the bowls and layer on top of the Fritos
  • Top with 1/4 cup of cheese
  • Add any desired taco toppings

Notes

To make it a “walking taco” use individual-sized bags of Fritos and add the chili, cheese, and toppings into the bag.
Nutrition facts calculated without toppings.
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Nutrition Facts
Frito Pies or Walking Tacos
Amount Per Serving (1 bowl)
Calories 513 Calories from Fat 261
% Daily Value*
Fat 29g45%
Saturated Fat 8g40%
Cholesterol 30mg10%
Sodium 546mg23%
Potassium 599mg17%
Carbohydrates 55g18%
Fiber 6g24%
Sugar 9g10%
Protein 14g28%
Vitamin A 1711IU34%
Vitamin C 216mg262%
Calcium 332mg33%
Iron 3mg17%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutrition content will vary based on brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes, and more.

Camping Recipes

22 thoughts on “How to Make a Frito Pie or a Walking Taco”

    1. Stephanie

      It seems to be split on what they are called, but either way, they are so easy and yummy! We didn’t eat them growing up because my mom doesn’t like beef.

      Reply
  10. Melissa Cushing

    5 stars
    I am loving this fin recipe and am making this the next time I make some homemade chili 😉 My kids and husband love Fritos so this will be a huge hit!

    Reply

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