National Corn Chip Day

Categories:: Food & Beverage
Tags:: Comfort Food Healthy Food
Where:: United States
Date change rule:: Every January 29
Holiday emoji:: 🌽

National Corn Chip Day crunches its way onto the calendar every January 29. This savory snack, made from cornmeal, offers a satisfying crunch and a versatile base for countless dips and dishes. Gather your favorite brands, whip up some fresh salsa, or explore new recipes to celebrate this beloved chip.

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History
Timeline
Businesses
FAQs
Importance
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Expected National Corn Chip Day Deals

While we await official 2027 promotions to drop, history shows that National Corn Chip Day often inspires a variety of deals. Look for discounts on bags of Fritos, Tostitos, and Doritos at major grocery retailers. Local delis and Mexican restaurants might offer specials on nachos, Frito pies, or corn chip-crusted dishes. Keep an eye out for promotions from dip brands like Sabra and Wholly Guacamole, encouraging perfect pairings. Even smaller, artisanal chip makers like Siete Family Foods may run online sales. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as January 29 approaches.

Platform Guide for National Corn Chip Day

Instagram

Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #NationalCornChipDay. Share your favorite corn chip creations, from elaborate nacho platters to simple chip-and-dip moments.

TikTok

Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #NationalCornChipDay. Film a quick recipe featuring corn chips, a taste test of different brands, or a fun ‘crunch challenge’.

Facebook

Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #NationalCornChipDay. Ask your community for their go-to corn chip dip recipes or memories associated with the snack.

National Corn Chip Day Hero

Elmer Doolin

Elmer Doolin was an American businessman who founded The Frito Company in 1932. He discovered corn chips in San Antonio, Texas, and purchased the recipe for $100, beginning production from his mother's kitchen. His entrepreneurial spirit transformed a regional snack into a national sensation, laying the groundwork for what would become Frito-Lay, a snack food empire.

History of National Corn Chip Day

Corn chips have been available to eat since 1932. Charles Elmer Doolin is the man who popularized corn chips. Doolin owned a candy store, but he needed to increase his stock by including corn chips. Unfortunately, all the fried tortillas he attempted grew stale very fast. But as history goes, one day he tried out fried corn dough strips sold by a local gas station. He loved it, and as soon as he got the recipe, Doolin enriched it and immediately sold bags of it from his shop in 1932. In 1945, Doolin came to an agreement with Herman Lay (of Lay’s potato chips) to distribute Doolin’s Fritos across the country. By the 1950s, Fritos had evolved into a bestseller of corn chips across the United States. The two companies (Frito and Lay) were incorporated in 1959, after Doolin’s death, to be known as Frito-Lay.

Today in the U.S., Fritos is one of the oldest and most recognized corn chips. A corn chip is usually prepared from cornmeal and is fried in oil, or baked. Apparently, corn chips or Fritos are often confused with the tortilla chip as the two of them are produced from cornmeal, which is baked or fried in hot oil. It often has the shape of a small scoop of pasta and a strong aroma and flavor of roasted corn. The chips are seasoned with a lot of salt and are thick, crispy, and very crunchy. They’re healthy and perfect for every season but, like everything else, should be eaten in moderation.

National Corn Chip Day timeline

1930s

The Corn Chip Is Born

Corn chips are first made.

1945

Corn Chips Are First Distributed

Doolin comes to an agreement with Herman Lay (of Lay's potato chips) to distribute Doolin’s Fritos across the country.

1950s

Fritos Become Popular

Fritos becomes a best-selling corn chip in the U.S.

1959

Fritos and Lays Merge

The two companies (Frito and Lay) form a merger, after Doolin’s death, known as 'Frito-Lay.'

How Businesses Can Celebrate National Corn Chip Day

Local businesses can celebrate National Corn Chip Day by offering creative specials. Restaurants might feature ‘Frito Pie’ variations, loaded nacho platters, or corn chip-crusted entrees. Grocery stores could create end-cap displays with various corn chip brands alongside complementary dips, salsas, and cheeses. Even bars could offer discounted corn chip bowls with drink specials, or host a ‘build-your-own nacho’ bar. Consider collaborating with local dip makers for unique pairings.

National Corn Chip Day FAQs

When is National Corn Chip Day?

In 2027, National Corn Chip Day is observed on Friday, January 29. This end-of-week timing makes it an ideal occasion for a celebratory snack session.

How many corn chips are consumed annually?

The snack food market continues its robust growth, with corn chips remaining a staple. Industry reports indicate that Americans consume an enormous volume of savory snacks, with corn chips consistently ranking among the top choices for their versatility and satisfying crunch.

What is the origin of corn chips?

Corn, as a food staple, has ancient roots in Mesoamerica, but the modern corn chip as we know it emerged in the early 20th century. Doolin’s entrepreneurial spirit popularized the snack, transforming a regional treat into a national favorite by the mid-century.

What's the difference between corn chips and tortilla chips?

The key distinction lies in the processing of the corn and the shape. Corn chips are usually extruded and fried, yielding a hearty, often scoop-shaped snack. Tortilla chips undergo nixtamalization, a process that improves flavor and nutrition, before being shaped and cooked, making them ideal for dipping and nachos.

How to Celebrate Corn Chip Day

Eat corn chips
Eat corn chips and have fun doing it. With the varieties of corn chips to enjoy from, you can buy a lot and mix them up. That way you get a different but similarly delightful flavor in every chip.
Host a corn chip party
With the idea of mixing up different chips, you can get different dips as well for a little party. Play games, live, laugh, love, and eat crunchy corn chips.
Make it at home
Got a little time on your hands? You can get to learn about corn chips and how to prepare them at your home. Don't forget the dips!

5 Amazing Facts About Corn Chips

Chips and dip straight out of the bag
In some regions, pouring the chili into a bag of corn chips and eating the mixture directly from the bag is a norm.
Fritos were the first corn chips
The first corn chip is the Fritos Corn Chip, initially sold in the 1930s.
Frito Chili Pie
'Frito Chili Pie' is a type of pie invented in the 1960s by Teresa Hernández, a cook in Santa Fe.
Lay popularized Fritos
Fritos became huge after joining up with Lay's.
Fritos had a restaurant in Disneyland
After Disneyland opened in 1955, Casa de Fritos happily opened its doors for visitors to have a taste of Mexican specials like tamales and enchiladas.

Why We Love Corn Chip Day

Corn chips are healthy
With just three basic ingredients: corn, salt, and veggie oil, corn chips are lower in fat than regular chips and can be a healthy option when enjoyed in moderation.
We get to eat a lot of chips
Maybe we're on a diet and badly craving chips. Corn Chip Day is an excuse to eat as much as we can, without feeling guilty. Did we mention how low it is in fat?
It's a day to get together
What shouts “party!” louder than a big bowl of chips? especially assorted chips. they can be sneaked into any type of party, and enjoyed.