National Corn Chip Day Date in the current year: January 29, 2024

Corn chips are made from cornmeal processed into a particular shape (for example, a scoop or small noodle) and fried in oil or baked. They are very often confused with tortilla chips, but these are two different snacks. Although both are made from corn, they are produced differently; tortilla chips are made from a tortilla, whereas corn chips are not. Corn chips tend to be smaller, thicker, crunchier and more heavily salted than tortilla chips, which have a less rigit texture and a milder flavor and aroma.

One of the oldest and most popular corn chip brands in the United States is Fritos. The company was started in 1932 by Charles Elmer Doolin, who purchased a corn chip recipe from Gustavo Olguin and started to produce the chips in his mother's kitchen with the help of his immediate family. The Doolin famly named their small business the Frito Corporation and began selling the corn chips from their garage. The business took off, and in 1965, Frito-Lay merged with the Pepsi-Cola Company to become PepsiCo.

To celebrate National Corn Chip Day, buy your favorite brand of corn chips and serve them with an assortment of dips. You can also try cooking Frito pie (a casserole dish made with chili, cheese, and corn chips).