Corn chips, plain (Fritos)
Common food
Photo: Wikipedia
Fritos are golden, crunchy corn chips made from whole corn kernels that are coarsely ground, seasoned with salt, and fried until deeply savory and satisfyingly crisp. Their texture is hearty and substantial, with a bold, toasted corn flavor that stands up to bold dips and toppings. Nutritionally, they are a high-energy, high-fat snack, delivering a significant calorie load primarily from fat in a small serving.
Calorie split: 4% protein · 41% carbs · 54% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love Fritos for their intensely satisfying crunch and robust, salty corn flavor that pairs perfectly with chili, cheese, and dips. They are a nostalgic staple of American snack culture, iconic in dishes like Frito Pie and as a versatile topping.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The high fat and calorie density can contribute to weight gain if overconsumed, and the significant sodium content may be a concern for those monitoring blood pressure. To counteract, practice strict portion control by measuring out a single serving, and pair them with protein-rich foods like chili or bean dip to enhance satiety and slow the overall glycemic impact.
Key benefits
- Provides quick energy from carbohydrates
- Contains some dietary fiber from whole corn
- Gluten-free when made from corn
- Satisfies savory, salty cravings effectively
- Shelf-stable and convenient for on-the-go snacking
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The Frito-Lay company was founded in 1932 when C.E. Doolin bought a small corn chip recipe for $100 and began selling them from his mother's kitchen.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 1.1 g |
| Energy | 539 kcal |
| Protein | 6.2 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 33.4 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 57.3 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 4.0 g |
| Total Sugars | 0.27 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 138 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 1.2 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 72.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 194 mg |
| Potassium, K | 144 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 514 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 1.3 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.10 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 7.6 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.00 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.05 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.08 mg |
| Niacin | 0.84 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.17 mg |
| Folate, total | 8.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 8.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 8.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 12.1 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 3.0 ug |
| Retinol | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 20.0 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 2.0 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 41.0 ug |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 527 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 7.2 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 6.3 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 4.3 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 3.5 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.55 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 9.1 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.03 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 9.0 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.10 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 16.4 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 16.1 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.28 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 0.00 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
Estimated from Snacks, corn-based, extruded, chips, plain — USDA does not publish this profile for Corn chips.
| Tryptophan | 0.05 g |
| Threonine | 0.25 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.23 g |
| Leucine | 0.80 g |
| Lysine | 0.18 g |
| Methionine | 0.14 g |
| Cystine | 0.12 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.32 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.27 g |
| Valine | 0.33 g |
| Arginine | 0.33 g |
| Histidine | 0.20 g |
| Alanine | 0.49 g |
| Aspartic acid | 0.46 g |
| Glutamic acid | 1.2 g |
| Glycine | 0.27 g |
| Proline | 0.57 g |
| Serine | 0.31 g |
FAQ
Are Fritos gluten-free?
Yes, classic Fritos corn chips are made from corn, corn oil, and salt, and are generally considered gluten-free. However, always check the packaging for allergen warnings if you have celiac disease.
What is the difference between Fritos and tortilla chips?
Fritos are made from coarsely ground whole corn kernels that are fried, giving them a thicker, nubbier texture and a more pronounced corn flavor. Tortilla chips are typically made from a smoother corn masa dough that is rolled thin, cut, and fried.
Why are Fritos so high in fat?
The chips are deep-fried in oil, which is the primary source of their fat content. This frying process is what gives them their signature crunch and rich flavor.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 5.39 kcal/g · 5% calories from protein · 4.0 g fiber · 0.3 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 3.57 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.