Air Fryer Nachos
Air Fryer Nachos are the perfect snack, combining crispy tortilla chips with melted cheese and all your favorite toppings, all cooked in the air fryer for a quick and easy treat. With minimal oil and no need to bake or deep fry, this recipe creates perfectly crisp nachos every time. Customize them with your choice of proteins, veggies, and spices for an unforgettable dish that everyone will love!
Equipment
- 1 Air Fryer (6QT capacity)
- 1 Cheese Grater (for freshly grating cheese)
- 1 Small Bowl (for seasoning or mixing toppings)
- 1 Spoon (for layering toppings)
Ingredients
- 3 cups Tortilla Chips
- 1 ½ cups Shredded Cheddar Cheese
- 1 cup Shredded Monterey Jack Cheese
- ½ cup Sliced Jalapeños optional
- ½ cup Sliced Red Onion optional
- 1 cup Cooked Ground Beef or Shredded Chicken optional
- ¼ cup Black Olives sliced (optional)
- ¼ cup Diced Tomatoes optional
- 2 tbsp Fresh Cilantro for garnish
- ¼ cup Sour Cream for serving, optional
- ¼ cup Guacamole for serving, optional
- ¼ tsp Chili Powder optional, for extra flavor
- ¼ tsp Garlic Powder optional
Instructions
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 3 minutes.
- Prepare the Chips: Spread a layer of tortilla chips evenly in the air fryer basket. Make sure the chips aren’t stacked on top of each other for even crisping.
- Layer the Nachos: Sprinkle a generous amount of shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese over the chips. Add your optional toppings like ground beef, chicken, jalapeños, olives, and onions. Season with chili powder and garlic powder if desired.
- Cook: Place the basket in the air fryer and cook for 4-6 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the edges of the chips are golden and crispy. Check the nachos halfway through to ensure even cooking.
- Finish the Nachos: Once cooked, remove the nachos from the air fryer. Add fresh toppings like diced tomatoes and cilantro. Serve with sour cream and guacamole for dipping.
Notes
- Chip Layering: Avoid overloading the air fryer basket. Layer the chips evenly for a crispier result.
- Cheese Variations: Feel free to experiment with different cheese types. For a spicier version, use pepper jack cheese.
- Topping Options: Customize your nachos with proteins such as beans, ground beef, shredded chicken, or even tofu for a vegetarian version.
- Reheating: Leftover nachos can be reheated in the air fryer for 3-4 minutes at 350°F (175°C).
- Serve Immediately: Nachos are best served right after cooking while the chips are still crispy and the cheese is gooey.