Peanut Butter Fritos Candy (Easy No-Bake 5-Ingredient Recipe)
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If you’re looking for a quick and absolutely mouthwatering treat, Peanut Butter Fritos Candy is your go-to! This no-bake dessert combines the salty crunch of Fritos corn chips with a rich, sweet peanut butter coating that is simply irresistible. It’s a sweet and salty combination that will have your taste buds dancing with joy!
I make this recipe so often that it’s become a staple in my household.
It’s quick, requires minimal ingredients, and is always a hit at parties.
Beyond Peanut Butter Fritos, I also love whipping up other no-bake treats like Reese’s Peanut Butter Bars and Extra Marshmallow Rice Krispie Treats.
They’re all easy to make and perfect for satisfying a sweet tooth in no time.
Table of contents
Why You’ll Love This Peanut Butter Fritos Candy Recipe
I love Peanut Butter Fritos because they are incredibly easy to make and satisfy my sweet and savory cravings simultaneously.
It’s also a fun recipe to make with kids since there are just a few simple steps and no oven is required.
Plus, they’re perfect for any occasion—be it a quick snack, a party treat, or even a late-night indulgence!
Ingredients in Peanut Butter Fritos
Here’s a quick overview of what you’ll need and why they’re important.
If you need to make substitutions, I’ve got you covered:
- Fritos corn chips: The salty, crunchy base of this treat. If you don’t have Fritos, you could use any corn chip, but Fritos really do work best.
- Light corn syrup: This helps to hold the peanut butter mixture together and gives that glossy finish. Honey could be used as a substitute in a pinch.
- Granulated sugar: Essential for sweetness and the candy-like texture. You can use brown sugar for a deeper, molasses flavour.
- Peanut butter: The star of the show. Smooth peanut butter is ideal, but crunchy peanut butter can add an extra layer of texture.
- Chocolate chips (optional): For an added layer of decadence. You can use semi-sweet, dark, or even white chocolate chips.
How to Make Peanut Butter Fritos
Making Peanut Butter Fritos is a breeze!
Here’s how you do it:
- Prepare your dish: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and layer the bottom with Fritos corn chips.
- Mix the syrup and sugar: In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the corn syrup and sugar. Microwave on high for 1 minute, stir, then continue in 1-minute increments until the mixture boils.
- Add peanut butter: Remove the mixture from the microwave and stir in the peanut butter until smooth.
- Combine and cool: Pour the peanut butter mixture over the Fritos, ensuring all chips are covered. Don’t stir. Let cool for 1 hour.
- Optional chocolate topping: If using, melt the chocolate chips in the microwave and spread over the cooled bars.
Pro Tips
Here are a few of my favorite tips to ensure that your Peanut Butter Fritos turn out perfect every time.
- Microwave tips: Keep an eye on the syrup-sugar mixture to prevent it from boiling over.
- Mixing: Thoroughly stir the peanut butter into the sugar mixture to ensure a uniform texture.
- Cooling: Let the bars cool completely before cutting to ensure they hold their shape.
Recipe Variations
- Nut Butter Swap: Try almond or cashew butter for a different flavor profile.
- Add-Ins: Mix in some mini marshmallows or pretzels for added texture and flavor.
- Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the peanut butter mixture for a spicy-sweet treat.
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Frequently Asked Questions
While you can use natural peanut butter, it may separate more easily and be a bit more challenging to mix with the sugar syrup. For the best results, stick with conventional smooth peanut butter.
Yes, you can use honey or even maple syrup as a substitute for corn syrup. However, keep in mind that these alternatives may slightly alter the taste and texture of the final product.
Stored in an airtight container, these treats can last up to a week at room temperature. However, they are so delicious that they rarely last that long!
Freezing is not recommended as it can alter the texture of Fritos, making them less crunchy when thawed.
No microwave? No problem! You can heat the syrup and sugar mixture on the stovetop over medium heat until it reaches a boil, then proceed with the recipe as directed.
Definitely! Feel free to get creative with toppings. Some popular choices include crushed nuts, sprinkles, or even a drizzle of caramel or butterscotch sauce.
If your Peanut Butter Fritos didn’t set, it could be due to not letting the sugar mixture boil long enough. Ensuring the mixture reaches a full boil before adding the peanut butter is key to achieving the right texture.
For a slightly healthier version, you can reduce the amount of sugar and use a natural sweetener like honey. Additionally, switching to a low-sodium or lightly salted variety of corn chips can help reduce the overall sodium content.
Peanut Butter Fritos Candy
Ingredients
- 9 oz bag Fritos corn chips
- 1 cup light corn syrup
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup peanut butter
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chip, optional
Directions
- Grease 9×13-inch baking dish then pour Fritos corn chips to cover the bottom.
- In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the corn syrup and sugar. Microwave on high for 1 minute then stir well. Continue microwaving in 1-minute increments until the sugar mixture comes to a boil, about 3 minutes.
- Remove sugar mixture from microwave and stir in peanut butter until smooth.
- Pour the peanut butter mixture over the Fritos, trying to cover up all the chips. Do not stir.
- Allow to sit for 1 hour until cooled.
- If desired, you can melt the chocolate chips in the microwave (30-second intervals, until melted and smooth) and spread over the cooled bars. Tik Tok says this is the best way!
Equipment
Nutrition Facts
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This was such a big hit with my friends last night, I was going to take a picture but everyone ate it up so fast there was no time. I did add the chocolate chips and chopped nuts.
That sounds like fantastic additions to this easy treat!
I just made this using the microwave directions (but i wish i had done it in a pot but always try to followthe directionsfor the 1st time) I let it sit for an hour and a half before cutting a piece out. It is gooey not hard like I thought it would be. Did I make it right, I mean should it be hard or gooey? I read a lot of comments and noone mentions this. Thank you in advance for your help and for the recipe sharing.
Would this be classified as fudge or a candy bar?
Peanut Butter Fritos are a candy. If you’ve ever had old fashioned Corn Flake Candy, it’s the same peanut butter mixture but with Corn Flakes cereal stirred in.
Grandkids (and myself) loved it
I made these yesterday for my boyfriend to take to work. They were a huge hit. The hardest part of this recipe was waiting for it to cool down to cut it. I made the sauce on the stovetop and it came out wonderfully.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
I was asked to make this for a family reunion. One 9×13 for 50 people. So much was leftover and uneaten on plates.