Imagine a mouthwatering dish that combines the hearty richness of chili, the sweet tang of BBQ sauce, and the irresistible crunch of Fritos – all magically created in your Instant Pot in just 30 minutes! This Honey BBQ Fritos Chili Bake is not just a meal; it's a flavor explosion that will transform your weeknight dinner from ordinary to extraordinary. Get ready to impress your family and friends with this incredibly easy, incredibly delicious recipe that proves gourmet cooking can be simple and fun!
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 30 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 can chili beans
- 1 cup honey BBQ sauce
- 1 bag Fritos corn chips
- 1 cup shredded cheese
- 1/4 cup green onions, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare your Instant Pot by inserting the inner cooking pot and selecting the Sauté function.
- Add ground beef to the pot and brown thoroughly, breaking meat into small crumbles, cooking approximately 5-6 minutes until no pink remains.
- Drain excess fat from the ground beef, leaving a small amount for flavor.
- Pour chili beans and honey BBQ sauce into the pot with browned beef, stirring to combine ingredients completely.
- Close the Instant Pot lid, set valve to sealing position, and select Manual/Pressure Cook mode at high pressure for 8 minutes.
- Once cooking cycle completes, perform a quick release of pressure to prevent overcooking.
- Open lid and stir mixture, ensuring ingredients are well incorporated.
- Layer crushed Fritos corn chips across the top of the chili mixture.
- Sprinkle shredded cheese evenly over the Fritos layer.
- Optional: Place lid back on and let residual heat melt cheese for 2-3 minutes.
- Garnish with chopped green onions before serving.
- Serve hot directly from the Instant Pot, scooping generous portions onto plates.
Tips
- Choose lean ground beef (80/20 or 85/15) to minimize excess fat while maintaining great flavor.
- For extra depth, consider adding a dash of smoked paprika or chili powder when browning the beef.
- Use fresh, crisp Fritos for maximum crunch – stale chips will become soggy.
- If you prefer a spicier version, add a few dashes of hot sauce to the BBQ sauce mixture.
- For a vegetarian alternative, substitute ground beef with plant-based crumbles or black beans.
- Allow the chili to rest for 2-3 minutes after cooking to let flavors meld together.
- Customize toppings with sour cream, additional green onions, or jalapeños for extra kick.
- Ensure your Instant Pot valve is properly set to sealing to maintain pressure during cooking.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 580kcal
Carbohydrates: 55g
Protein: 25g
Fat: 32g
Saturated Fat: 12g
Cholesterol: 75mg
