Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek
We’re deep in soup season, and I don’t know about you, but I’m struggling to make each soup feel different and exciting. Soups are the only thing I want for dinner on a cold winter’s night, but let’s face it: They can get a bit boring after a while.
One of my favorite ways to add an extra little something to my bowl of soup is by adding a sprinkle of croutons on top. This little trick has unexpectedly opened up a whole new world of possibilities—and I recently discovered that Fritos make the perfect addition.
How I Discovered Fritos on Soup
A few nights ago, after I realized that I was out of croutons, I was digging through my pantry in search of something I could use as an alternative. I was searching for something that had the perfect alchemy of croutons: crunchy, but not hard to eat; salty but not too salty; and flavorful but not overpowering when scattered over soup.
Lo and behold, I finally came upon a half-eaten, forgotten bag of Fritos in the back of my pantry. I crumbled up some of them and sprinkled them over my soup. Now, I’m never going back.
Simply Recipes / Laura Scherb
Why Putting Fritos on Soup Works
I was actually shocked at how well Fritos worked when crumbled on top of my soup in place of traditional croutons. They really work as the perfect substitution because they fit all of my criteria: they’re salty, crunchy, and distinct in flavor without being overpowering.
I think Fritos actually might work better for some soups and stews (keep reading!), but in general, I actually preferred them to traditional croutons because they’re thinner. The fun, twisty shapes of the snack allow them to lie nicely on the surface, so they don’t get soggy when you’re eating. I also love the corn-forward flavor; it really adds another layer.
What Kinds of Soups and Stews Pair Best with Fritos
The soup that I had made the night of the first Fritos experiment was a creamy, spicy tomato soup. It was the perfect pairing for the salty, corn flavor of the Fritos. In general, I think Fritos would pair nicely with most tomato soup recipes I’ve come across, as it offers a nice foil for the richness and sweetness of the tomato.
That being said, I’m also excited to try these on a whole bunch of other soups; a hearty bean chili, pozole verde, chicken and lentil, and corn chowder are high on my list.
I’m also excited to expand my crouton game into other types of snacks. My husband loves foods with heat, so I know that spicy Fritos will be making an appearance soon. Next time I have company, I might make a big pot of soup, put out a snack bar, and let my guests choose their own crunchy, salty topping adventure.
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Dining and Cooking