Frito Candy

If you’ve made one too many batches of puppy chow or other cereal-based desserts, Frito candy has a unique twist. Corn chips, chocolate chips and chewy peanut butter caramel are mixed, allowed to set and then cut into individual bars.

This Frito candy recipe allows for a myriad of customizations and add-ins. Their appeal lies in the contrast of flavors and textures: crispy, savory corn chips bound together with a soft caramel and studded with sweet chocolate chips for a candy welcome addition at any bake sale or book club get together.

Ingredients for Frito Candy

• Corn chips: Frito corn chips are the base of this fun candy. Look for the traditional flavor and shape.
• Chocolate chips: We call for semi-sweet chocolate chips but you can dry dark or white chocolate or a combination.
• Sugar and corn syrup: Melt these two sweeteners together to form the caramel.
• Peanut butter: A cup of creamy peanut butter adds flavor and heft to the caramel syrup that binds the chips together.

Directions

Step 1: Prepare pan and start layering

Grease a 13×9 inch baking pan and spread one package of corn chips on the bottom. Sprinkle with 1 cup chocolate chips.

Step 2: Melt peanut butter caramel

In a heavy saucepan, bring sugar and corn syrup to a boil. Stir and boil for one minute. Remove from heat and stir in peanut butter. Pour 1/2 of the caramel over the chips. Add the remaining package of chips and chocolate chips. Drizzle the rest of the caramel over the top. Let stand until set and cut into bars.

Frito Candy Variations

• Make clusters: Stir the corn chips and caramel together if you’d like individual candy clusters. Add in the chocolate chips and scoop clumps onto a lined baking sheet. Allow it to set.
• Everything’s more fun with sprinkles: After drizzling the last bit of peanut butter caramel, scatter sprinkles over the top for added color and delight.
• Add more chocolate: Melt additional chocolate chips in increments in the microwave until smooth. Drizzle over the bars. Here are some tips for melting chocolate.

How to Store Frito Candy

Store Frito candy in an airtight container at room temperature for five days or in the refrigerator for up to seven.

Can you freeze Frito candy?

Cut the candy into bars and layer in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper. Freeze up to three months and thaw overnight on the counter.

Frito Candy Tips

How can I make sure my Frito candy bars set?

When you’re boiling the sugar and corn syrup for you’re trying to get the syrup to reach soft-ball stage, which occurs at 235° to 240°. If you want to be sure you’ve hit the right temperature clip a candy thermometer onto the pan. (We have lots of tips on making candy and the different stages of melting sugar.)

What else can I add to Frito candy?

Think about any other salty or sweet things that go well with peanut butter and caramel. Pretzels, M&M candies, toffee bits or candy corn, if it’s Halloween. You may want to increase the caramel portion by half to ensure everything sticks together.

How do I cut neat bars?

By nature this recipe won’t cut as cleanly as your favorite brownies because chips crumble. These tips will set you up for success: parchment paper is a useful kitchen tool and you can use it to line your pan with overhanging sides like a sling. Lift the dessert out for easy cutting when the bars are set.

Make sure the peanut caramel is evenly distributed so there aren’t any loose chips. It’s important to wait until the candy is cool and set up before attempting to cut into bars.