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Fritos Friday: Frito Jets

A while back, I happened upon an NPR sponsored radio show, Hidden Kitchens: Texas, narrated by Willie Nelson.

Listening to talk radio is not normally my thing, but I was intrigued by the description: “the Texas experience through food and the stories of people who find it, grow it, cook it, sell it, celebrate with it, and write about it”.

Frito corn chips on a piece of parchment paper as they pour out of the bag. Each chip is dipped halfway in milk chocolate.

As I listened, flashes of old ice houses around San Antonio, taco restaurants that are still open today, it was all brought to life by Willie’s voice.

One part of the show that totally captivated me was the interview with Kaleta Doolin, the daughter of C. E. Doolin, the founder of the Frito (and later, FritoLay) Company.

She spoke of her mother and grandmother creating recipes using fritos, of her dad thinking fritos were a perfect food, and of him bringing home fresh bags, straight from the fryer (but before they’d had salt added – he was actually vegetarian, and quite health conscious).

You may not realize that Fritos are a San Antonio creation. While C. E. didn’t invent fritos (originally fritas – spanish for “little fried things”), he did recognize their genius, and purchased the patent and materials from the original maker for $100.

One recipe Kaleta mentioned during the broadcast is quite simple, but also quite ingenious – Frito Jets. Fritos dipped in milk chocolate and then cooled.


Frito Jets do not appear in the book Kaleta wrote last year, but there are tons of other fantastic recipes. I’ll be featuring some of them here on B&B because I am smitten. Check out Fritos Pie: Stories, Recipes and More for yourself, you’ll see what I’m talking about.

Large "scoops" style frito corn chips half dipped in milk chocolate on a sheet of parchment paper.

Frito Jets are a fantastic party food, and I won’t lie – it took all the will power I possess not to scoff the entire tray in one sitting.

Fritos are a weakness at the best of days, but dipped in chocolate? Oh. My.

Frito corn chips pouring out of a bag on a sheet of parchment paper. Each chip has been half dipped in chocolate.
Frito corn chips on a piece of parchment paper as they pour out of the bag. Each chip is dipped halfway in milk chocolate.

Frito Jets (Chocolate Dipped Fritos)

Yield: 10 servings (8 chips each)
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Chilling Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

Chocolate dipped fritos are perfect for any gathering. Wrap them up in cute packaging for holiday or teacher gifts.

Ingredients

  • 3 cups semisweet chocolate chips
  • 4 tablespoons vegetable shortening
  • 9.25 ounce bag Fritos Scoops

Instructions

    1. Place the chocolate chips and shortening together in a medium microwave safe bowl.
    2. Line a baking tray with parchment paper or aluminum foil and make room in the refrigerator or freezer for it.
    3. Heat in the microwave 30 seconds at a time, stirring after each time. The chocolate and shortening should start to melt after about 2 to 2 1/2 minutes.
    4. Continue heating and stirring until the both ingredients are completely melted and can be stirred to create a smooth sauce.
    5. When the chocolate is ready, begin dipping the fritos in it, one at a time. Dip only halfway so that you have a part of the chip to grab when served.
    6. After dipping the frito, place it on your lined baking tray. Repeat until you run out of chocolate.
    7. Place the tray in the refrigerator or freezer for at least 15-20 minutes.
    8. When the chocolate is solid, place the jets in a gallon ziptop bag and store in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 10 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 437Total Fat: 30gSaturated Fat: 12gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 15gCholesterol: 3mgSodium: 140mgCarbohydrates: 48gFiber: 4gSugar: 29gProtein: 4g

This nutritional information is just an estimate and not to be considered perfectly factual.

Did you make this recipe?

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Easter Bunny Bait | Bluebonnets & Brownies

Wednesday 1st of April 2015

[…] know about you, but I love love love snack-y foods. Crunchy, sweet and salty? I’m in. (See: Frito Jets) Peanut Butter Cheerios and Double Chocolate Krave cereal just naturally lend themselves to party […]

N

Wednesday 2nd of May 2012

Do you mean veggie oil? Or the sticks of Crisco shortening? By the way, this looks delicious! :)

Amber

Wednesday 2nd of May 2012

I mean sticks of Crisco (or tubs) :)

Jamie | My Baking Addiction

Wednesday 28th of March 2012

Hot Damn - Chocolate Dipped Fritos - now, I can get behind these bad boys!

Tracy

Tuesday 27th of March 2012

These are so fun! I love anything sweet & salty, and sadly I can't remember the last time I had Fritos. These look so addicting!

sweetsugarbelle

Monday 26th of March 2012

OH MY GOODNESS?! WHY????????????????????????? You just completely my snack attack moment! Sweet and salty bliss! PS...from now on I am blaming my large posterior on YOU!

Amber

Monday 26th of March 2012

I'll take the blame. Chocolate dipped fritos are totally worth it.

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