Air Fryer Nachos: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Air fryers are a great way to make nachos. They're easy to make, versatile, and quick to cook. You can use a variety of ingredients, including tortilla chips, ground beef, cheese, and various toppings such as salsa, sour cream, guacamole, and jalapeños. The air fryer ensures that the nachos are crispy and the cheese is melted. The cooking time is usually around 5 minutes at 320-375°F, and it's important not to overcrowd the air fryer to ensure even cooking.

Preheat the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the nacho-making process. It ensures that your nachos get crispy as soon as possible and helps to keep the chips from going soggy.

To preheat your air fryer, start by setting it to the desired temperature. For nachos, a temperature of between 320°F and 370°F (or 160°C and 182°C) is recommended. Allow the air fryer to heat up for around 3 to 5 minutes.

While the air fryer is heating up, you can prepare your ingredients. Gather your tortilla chips, cheese, and desired toppings, such as ground beef, chicken, beans, salsa, and guacamole. You can also line your air fryer basket with foil or a parchment liner and spray it with cooking spray to prevent sticking.

Once the air fryer has preheated, you can start assembling your nachos. Spread a layer of tortilla chips in the basket, sprinkle on your cheese and toppings, and then cook until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Layer the ingredients

Layering the ingredients is a key step in making delicious nachos in your air fryer. The layering technique ensures each nacho is packed with flavour and has a satisfying crunch. Here's how to do it:

First, place a layer of tortilla chips in the air fryer basket. It's important to use good-quality, firm chips that can hold up under layers of toppings. Overlap the chips slightly to prevent the cheese from dripping through the tray.

Next, sprinkle on your cheese. You can use shredded cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a Mexican or Tex Mex blend. This first layer of cheese will act as a delicious glue for your other toppings.

Now, it's time to add your chosen fillings. You could go for ground beef or shredded chicken, black beans, pulled pork, or veggies like olives, green onions, tomatoes, and jalapenos.

Simply repeat these layers, making sure the top of your nachos is below the rim of the basket. You can make as many layers as you like, but remember not to overcrowd your air fryer.

Finish with a final layer of cheese on top. This will ensure your nachos come out of the air fryer golden brown and irresistibly melty.

Now, your nachos are ready to be cooked to crispy, cheesy perfection!

Add toppings

Now for the fun part: toppings! The beauty of nachos is that you can add whatever toppings you like, but here are some ideas to get you started.

For a classic take on nachos, you could add ground beef, chicken, or pulled pork, along with black beans, refried beans, or chili. If you're feeling adventurous, try adding green chilis, bacon bits, or black beans.

In terms of vegetables, you can't go wrong with olives, green onions, tomatoes, and jalapeno peppers. If you want to spice things up, add some fresh or pickled jalapenos. Onions are also a great option, whether fresh, cooked, or pickled red onions. For a bit of crunch, add some bell peppers, either cooked or fresh.

Don't forget the cheese! Cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a Mexican or Tex Mex blend are all excellent choices. And if you're feeling extra indulgent, drizzle some queso over the top.

Finally, finish your nachos with some sour cream, salsa, guacamole, and/or hot sauce. You can also add some fresh cilantro for a pop of color and extra flavor.

Remember, the key to successful air fryer nachos is to avoid overcrowding the air fryer and to layer the ingredients evenly so that each tortilla chip stays crispy. Enjoy experimenting with different toppings and creating your perfect plate of nachos!

Air fry

Air-frying nachos is a quick, easy, and tasty way to make this snack. It's also versatile, allowing you to adapt the basic recipe to your taste.

To air-fry nachos, first preheat your air fryer to around 350°F (175-180°C). You can line the air fryer basket with foil or a parchment liner, and spray with cooking spray if desired.

For the nachos, you'll need tortilla chips, cheese, and your choice of toppings. Overlapping the chips slightly can help prevent the cheese from dripping through the gaps. You can then add your toppings in layers, with cheese in between, or just add a single layer and cook in batches.

Place the basket into the air fryer and cook until the cheese is melted and starting to brown, usually around 4-7 minutes. Remove the nachos from the air fryer and serve immediately, with extra toppings on the side if desired.

Serve

Once your nachos are ready, carefully remove the basket from the air fryer. You can serve them straight from the foil or paper liner, or gently lift them off and place them on a plate.

Top with your favourite toppings and enjoy! Suggested toppings include:

• Sour cream
• Salsa
• Guacamole
• Scallions
• Chopped cilantro
• Lettuce
• Beans
• Avocado
• Jalapenos
• Black olives
• Red onions
• Green onions
• Diced tomatoes

You can also serve your nachos with a side of pork or chicken tacos and a mango margarita.

Frequently asked questions