Air Fryer Nachos are a quick, easy, and delicious way to make a crowd-pleasing snack or meal with minimal effort. The air fryer cooks everything evenly and crisps up the chips perfectly, while the cheese melts beautifully. With the air fryer, you can make nachos in less than 10 minutes—perfect for a weeknight snack, party appetizer, or a cozy weekend treat.
The great thing about air fryer nachos is how customizable they are. You can go classic with just cheese and chips, or pile on all your favorite toppings like seasoned beef, chicken, beans, jalapeños, sour cream, salsa, or guacamole. The air fryer ensures your chips stay crisp, and your toppings cook evenly without getting soggy. Plus, it’s a healthier alternative to the traditional oven-baked nachos, as the air fryer uses much less oil.
Air Fryer Nachos Recipe
Ingredients:
- Tortilla chips (about 3-4 cups, enough to cover the bottom of your air fryer basket)
- 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar, Mexican blend, or your favorite cheese)
- Optional toppings:
- Cooked ground beef or chicken (about 1/2 cup, seasoned with taco seasoning or your favorite spices)
- Black beans (drained and rinsed)
- Sliced jalapeños (fresh or pickled)
- Sour cream
- Guacamole
- Salsa
- Chopped green onions
- Fresh cilantro (optional)
- Sliced olives (optional)
Instructions:
- Preheat the air fryer:
- Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C) for about 3-5 minutes.
- Prepare the nachos:
- Arrange a layer of tortilla chips at the bottom of your air fryer basket or tray. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to work in layers. Don’t overcrowd the chips to ensure they crisp up nicely.
- Add toppings:
- Sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly over the chips. Then add any additional toppings you like: cooked ground beef, black beans, and sliced jalapeños are all great options. You can add more toppings after the chips and cheese cook, but this layer will allow them to cook and melt together.
- Cook the nachos:
- Place the basket in the air fryer and cook for 5-7 minutes at 350°F (175°C), or until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly. Keep an eye on it so the cheese doesn’t burn, as air fryers can vary in how they cook.
- Add finishing touches:
- Once the nachos are ready, remove them from the air fryer. Add any cold toppings like sour cream, guacamole, salsa, and chopped green onions. Garnish with fresh cilantro and sliced olives if you like.
- Serve and enjoy:
- Serve your hot, cheesy nachos immediately, and enjoy!
Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Nachos:
- Layering is key: For evenly melted cheese, try layering your chips, cheese, and toppings. If you’re making a larger batch, you can layer in stages, cooking one layer at a time. This ensures all the chips get a fair amount of cheese.
- Toppings: You can go as simple or as elaborate as you like. Classic toppings include seasoned ground beef, refried beans, jalapeños, onions, and sour cream. For a healthier version, you could add grilled chicken, black beans, avocado, and salsa.
- Cheese: For the best results, use shredded cheese rather than processed cheese slices, as it melts more evenly and has a better texture. A blend of cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Mexican cheese blend works great.
- Watch closely: Air fryers cook quickly, so keep a close eye on your nachos while they’re cooking to avoid overcooking or burning the cheese. If you like your nachos extra crispy, you can add an extra minute or two, but be careful not to burn the chips.
- Air fryer basket or tray: If you’re using a basket-style air fryer, you may need to cook in batches depending on how many nachos you’re making. If using a tray-style air fryer, you can usually make larger portions at once.
- Customize to your taste: Make your nachos spicy with chili flakes, add some smoked paprika for depth, or top with some fresh diced tomatoes or cilantro for extra flavor.
