Vegan Chili Cheese Fritos
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One of my old favorite snacks, but without the dairy! These Vegan Chili Cheese Fritos taste just like the real deal!
These Vegan Chili Cheese Fritos taste just like I remember! I used to wolf these down like no tomorrow when I was a kid and well into my 20s. And to be honest, into my 30s too! These are super nostalgic and I hate to say addictive, but while I was taking photos of these I couldn’t stop snacking on them. My camera had a bunch of chili cheese dust on it!
Speaking of dust, this recipe is so dang easy. Just procure yourself a bag of Fritos, then whip up the vegan chili cheese blend. Next you just gotta dust them and toss them around to get them nice and coated.
I also highly recommend blending the spice blend in a blender, like a bullet style blender. Nutritional Yeast has some pretty large flakes. On top of that blending will turn it into a fine dust and concentrate the flavor. I also highly recommend some kind of seasoning shaker to coat the chips with!
I did try making these with some corn tortillas that I fried up and then added the seasoning. But they really did not hit the way that Fritos do. I really don’t think you can make a good Fritos copy cat at home, so I highly recommend just getting a bag at the store and dusting them!
And what’s great about this spice blend is you can use it on anything! Fries, Baked Potatoes, Popcorn, literally anything that could use some Chili Cheese Flavor!
Vegan Chili Cheese Blend
- Nutritional Yeast – This is the “Cheese” in the Chili Cheese. This one is mandatory so don’t skip it!
- Chili Powder – Chili Powder in the US isn’t necessarily spicy. It’s really just a blend of spices!
- Smoked Paprika, Onion & Garlic Powder, and Cumin – Which are all in Chili Powder, but we are adding more because they are so dang good!
- Sazon – Optional but highly recommended! This will amp up the “cheesy” flavor.
- MSG – Optional but highly recommended! It just MAKES STUFF GOODER! Seriously, MSG is amazing and I will not tolerate any MSG slander!
other recipes you might like…
storage
This recipe makes enough dust for 3-4 bags of Fritos. It should keep for at least 6 months. Store in a seasoning shaker and use on anything you like!
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Vegan Chili Cheese Fritos
Ingredients
- 1 Bag of Fritos
Seasoning Blend
- 3 Tbsp nutritional yeast
- 1/4 cup chili powder
- 2 Tbsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1 – 2 tsp MSG
- 2 tsp Sazon
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Blend everything for the seasoning blend in a bullet style blender. You can try a normal blender, but I haven't tested it, should be fine though. A spice blender will work too, you just might need to do it in batches.
- Dust the Fritos in a large mixing bowl that's light enough to toss them. Dusting is easier with some kind of seasoning shaker. Add as much seasoning as you like, and dig in immediately! Wash down with a Mountain Dew if you wanna relive my teenage years!
I just made up a double batch of your chili cheese Fritos seasoning. It’s pretty darn close! I added a bit more nooch and 1 tsp lactic acid and BAM! Try the lactic acid the next time you make some, I’d love to know what you think. If only I had a Dew to go with these. (Check out “The Gentle Chef – he has a recipe for Sour Cream and Cheddar seasoning you might enjoy.)
Yesterday I remembered one of your videos using jackfruit as the sub for tuna so I made a batch as I would have when I used tuna. Holy moly, what a game changer! Chickpea “tuna” is just not good (and I love chickpeas!).
Thank you so much for your recipes, they never disappoint! I hope you release a cookbook of recipes like your No-Beef Burgundy (a stunner) and other traditional meals (or slow food as my son calls it). I know I’ll love it as much as your Vegan Fast Food book.
Oh good looking out, I’ll try it! And thank you, so glad you like all the recipes so far!