fritos

Fritos is a brand of corn chips produced by Frito-Lay, a subsidiary of PepsiCo. The chips were introduced in 1932 by Charles Elmer Doolin in San Antonio, Texas, and named Fritos from the Spanish word for fried. The base product is made from corn meal that is formed, fried in oil, and salted, resulting in a hollow, curved chip that is yellow to golden brown in color. Fritos are widely sold in bags and are commonly used for dipping or as a component in prepared dishes.

The Frito Company, founded by Doolin, merged with H. W. Lay & Company in 1961 to form Frito-Lay. The company became part of PepsiCo in 1965, and Frito-Lay remains a major snack brand within the corporation. Production occurs at multiple plants in North America and other markets, with the original corn chip recipe remaining largely consistent while flavors and line extensions have been introduced.

In addition to the original chips, Fritos has produced various shapes and flavors, including bowl-shaped Scoops designed for dipping. Fritos has become associated with American snack culture and regional dishes such as Frito pie, a preparation that layers chili and cheese on top of Fritos chips. Nutritional information varies by product variant but typical servings are around 140–160 calories per 1-ounce (28-gram) serving, with fat and sodium contents reflecting the fried snack profile.