Fritos was the Texas snack brand created by Charles Elmer Doolin in 1932 and later linked with Frito pie.
Doolin developed a fried corn snack after acquiring a recipe and production method in San Antonio. He began selling the product under the Fritos name, which comes from the Spanish word “frito,” meaning fried. The snack was originally made from corn masa and shaped into small, curved chips.
Fritos became a widely distributed American snack and later became closely associated with chili-based dishes. Serving chili over Fritos helped create the portable and informal format now called Frito pie, especially at schools, fairs, sporting events, and regional gatherings.
Fritos and tortilla chips are related but not identical. Fritos are made from corn masa and have a characteristic compact shape, while tortilla chips are generally cut from tortillas before frying or baking. The snack’s Texas origins help explain its strong place in Tex-Mex food culture.