Advertisement

What is Dorito pie? This crunchy TikTok trend is the perfect weeknight comfort food.

The ability to highly customize Dorito pies according to crowd size, taste and budget is undoubtedly one of the reasons they've skyrocketed in popularity.

Dorito pie, a cousin to the walking taco and Frito pie, is made with seasoned taco meat and shredded cheese. (Photo: Ben Myhre, Ramshackle Pantry)
Dorito pie, a cousin to the walking taco and Frito pie, is made with seasoned taco meat and shredded cheese. (Photo: Ben Myhre, Ramshackle Pantry)

Is there only one way to eat a Dorito? Absolutely not. Dorito pies have their roots in already popular walking tacos and Frito pies, but many think Dorito pies are even better than the dishes that inspired them. Dorito pies, baked casserole-style combinations of foods like Doritos chips, seasoned taco meat and shredded cheese, are taking TikTok by storm because there are endless variations that are cheap and easy to make.

What is Dorito pie?

Recipe creator Ben Myhre of Ramshackle Pantry describes Dorito pie as "a cousin to both the hot dish and casserole." Food scientist, chef and founder of Robust Kitchen Michael Murdy calls Dorito pie an "American classic," though there's no one accepted way of making the dish and no standard ingredients, other than Doritos and ground beef.

The ability to highly customize Dorito pies according to crowd size, taste and budget is undoubtedly one of the reasons they've skyrocketed in popularity. Videos showcasing variations on the dish have been viewed more than four billion times on TikTok alone.

Myhre says he created his twist on Dorito pie, made with a tater tot crust, because he's "a sucker for both Doritos and comfort food." He wanted to incorporate Doritos, which he describes as his "weakness," into "a different kind of recipe."

"I really liked the idea of combining long-used comfort foods like tater tots and Doritos to make an interesting oven dish," Myhre tells Yahoo Life.

Murdy wanted "to create a fun and tasty twist on a traditional meat-and-cheese casserole," so he experimented with different ingredients until he came up with a combination he liked. Doritos wound up being part of the equation, as well as green bell peppers and red enchilada sauce.

Recipe creator Jamie Laughing loves Dorito pie. When her 13-year-old son asked her to make walking tacos, but "also wanted three different kinds of Doritos to make them with," she came up with her take on the dish.

Unaware that the dish was trending on social media, Laughing named her creation Dorito pie because she "used Doritos instead of Fritos."

"If we can have Frito chips with meat and fixin's and call it 'Frito pie,' why can't we have Doritos with the same ingredients and call it Dorito pie?" she says. "That was my thought process behind this dish."

Why are Dorito pies so popular?

Laughing thinks one reason Dorito pies have become so popular is they have the appeal of walking tacos, "except you don't stuff everything into a small bag" and you "can eat it with a fork or [your] hands." Adding to the popularity of Dorito pie is that "it's delicious and easy to make," she says. "Really the only thing [you have] to do is cook the ground beef and season it before adding the Doritos and toppings."

Murdy says Dorito pie is a "crowd pleaser" he makes often because it's a "delicious, comforting dish that is easy to make and appeals to all age groups." He also thinks Dorito pie is superior to the better-known Frito pie. "I think Dorito pie is definitely better because the Doritos add a crunchy texture and unique flavor that compliments the beef and cheese," he says.

The secret to great Dorito pie

Even though Doritos are a key ingredient in Dorito pie, Laughing says the key to a great pie "is seasoned taco meat" and the perfect list of toppings. She likes hers with "pinto beans, nacho cheese, shredded cheese, lettuce, cheese, tomatoes and salsa or jalapeños, with some sour cream."

Murdy agrees to make a great Dorito pie, the focus needs to be on elements other than Doritos. "The secret to a great Dorito pie is to use high-quality ingredients and to layer the flavors correctly," he says. "This means each layer should be well-seasoned, and the cheese should be melted perfectly."

Tips for making Dorito pie

Dorito pie is easy to scale for one or 100. The recipe Laughing created for her family of six uses three bags of Doritos, all different flavors. According to Laughing, use about 1 ½ pounds of ground beef per one bag of Doritos to get the correct ratio of meat to chips. She also says any flavor of Doritos, or a mix, will do. Laughing's family likes to combine Cool Ranch, Nacho Cheese and Flamas varieties, but she says "people can choose whatever flavor Dorito chip they like."

To make Dorito pie even more flavorful, add "a dollop of sour cream and a side of fresh salsa or guacamole," says Murdy.

Although Dorito pie is best when eaten right away, Myhre says it can be stored in the refrigerator three to four days in an airtight container to maintain its freshness and flavor. He recommends reheating the pie in an oven or microwave before serving to retain its crispiness.

Ready to try Dorito pie? Laughing and Myhre share their Dorito pie recipes below.

Dorito Pie

Courtesy of Jamie Laughing 

(Photo: Jamie Laughing)
(Photo: Jamie Laughing)

Serves 6

Ingredients:

  • 5 pounds of ground beef

  • 3 packets taco seasoning

  • Doritos chips, 1 bag each: Cool Ranch, Nacho Cheese and Flamas

  • Shredded cheddar cheese

  • Shredded lettuce

  • Chopped tomatoes

  • Sliced jalapeños (pickled, in the jar)

Instructions:

  1. Cook ground beef then remove excess grease (return meat to pan)

  2. Add packet(s) of taco seasoning

  3. Add water according to taco seasoning packet instructions

  4. Cook ground beef and taco seasoning together for about five minutes, then set aside

How to assemble the pie:

  1. Layer Dorito chips on plate

  2. Add taco meat on top

  3. Add beans and nacho cheese (optional)

  4. Add shredded cheese on top

  5. Add shredded lettuce on top

  6. Add chopped tomatoes on top

  7. Add sliced jalapeños on top

  8. Add sour cream, guacamole and salsa if desired

Dorito Pie with Tater Tot Crust

Courtesy of Ben Myhre, Ramshackle Pantry

(Photo: Ben Myhre)
(Photo: Ben Myhre)

Ingredients:

  • 4 servings of tater tots

  • 1 egg

  • ½ cup flour

  • 1 pound of ground burger

  • 1 packet of taco seasoning

  • 4 servings of Doritos, crushed with hand

  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Instructions:

  1. Thaw tater tots in a microwave or let them sit in the fridge overnight

  2. Preheat oven to 425 F

  3. In a large bowl, hand mix tots, egg and flour until completely combined

  4. Add to a 9-inch pie pan and use your hand to flatten tater tot mixture down until it forms like a pie crust

  5. Bake crust for 20 minutes

  6. While crust is baking, cook ground beef and add taco seasoning per instructions

  7. Mix beef, ¾ Doritos and 1 ½ cups of cheese

  8. After 20 minutes, remove crust and put filling in

  9. Bake another 20 minutes

  10. Remove and add final ¼ Doritos and ½ cup of cheese as a topping

  11. Bake for 5 more minutes to melt cheese

  12. Remove and serve

Wellness, parenting, body image and more: Get to know the who behind the hoo with Yahoo Life’s newsletter. Sign up here.