Air Fryer Nachos: How Long To Fry?

Air fryer nachos are a quick and easy snack that can be made in minutes. They're perfect for game day, get-togethers or as a simple afternoon bite. But how long do you put them in the air fryer for? Well, it depends on how crispy you like your nachos. Most recipes recommend cooking them for around 3-5 minutes at 320-375°F, but you can cook them for up to 10 minutes if you like them extra crunchy. Just keep an eye on them to make sure they don't burn!

Preheat the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the process of making nachos. It ensures that your nachos get crispy as soon as possible and helps to keep the chips crunchy. Here are some detailed instructions and tips for preheating your air fryer and preparing your nachos for cooking:

Firstly, set your air fryer to the desired temperature. The ideal temperature for cooking nachos is between 320°F and 375°F (160°C to 190°C). Preheat your air fryer for about 5 minutes to ensure it reaches the desired temperature.

While the air fryer is preheating, you can prepare your nachos. Line the air fryer basket with aluminium foil or parchment paper. This will make cleaning up easier and help to catch any cheese that might drip through the basket. Overlapping the foil or paper up the sides of the basket will create a "bowl" for your nachos, ensuring that no cheese or toppings fall through.

Now, it's time to layer your ingredients. Start with a layer of tortilla chips, trying not to overlap them too much. You want a nice, even layer that covers the bottom of the basket. This will ensure that the cheese doesn't fall through the gaps and burn.

Next, sprinkle your desired amount of shredded cheese over the chips. You can use a variety of cheeses, such as cheddar, Monterey Jack, Mexican blend, or mozzarella. Just make sure to avoid pre-shredded cheese, as it may not melt as smoothly due to the anti-caking agents used.

If you're adding any additional toppings or ingredients, such as ground beef, beans, or vegetables, now is the time to add them. Just make sure not to overload your air fryer, as this can affect cooking. Aim for filling the basket no more than halfway full.

Once you've added your desired ingredients and toppings, you're ready to cook your nachos. Place the air fryer basket into the preheated air fryer and set the timer. Depending on the amount of ingredients and the temperature of your air fryer, cook your nachos for 3 to 6 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and slightly browned.

Finally, remove the nachos from the air fryer and serve immediately. Top with your favourite toppings, such as sour cream, guacamole, salsa, or fresh herbs, and enjoy the crispy, cheesy goodness!

Layer ingredients

Layering nachos in an air fryer is an art, and it's important to get it right to ensure that every mouthful is as delicious as the last. Here is a step-by-step guide to layering nachos in an air fryer, with some extra tips to ensure you get the best results.

Firstly, it's important to prepare the air fryer. Line the bottom of the air fryer basket with aluminium foil or parchment paper. This will make it easier to remove the nachos from the air fryer when they are cooked, and it will also make cleaning up easier.

Now, it's time to start layering! Begin with a layer of tortilla chips, placing them in a single layer with a slight overlap to prevent the cheese from dripping through the tray. You can use plain or flavoured tortilla chips, but it's best to avoid heavily-flavoured chips like Doritos, as they can burn easily.

Next, sprinkle shredded cheese over the chips. You can use a Mexican or Tex Mex blend, or go for a classic like Monterey Jack or Cheddar. It's best to avoid pre-shredded cheese, as it is coated in preservatives that can prevent it from melting smoothly.

At this point, you can add some more layers of chips and cheese, or you can start adding your other toppings. If you want to add meat, ground beef, shredded chicken, or pulled pork are all excellent options. Just make sure that the meat is cooked before you add it to the nachos.

You can also add beans, onions, peppers, and olives at this point. Black beans, refried beans, and pinto beans all work well, and you can use fresh or cooked onions, pickled red onions, or spring onions. For peppers, you can use bell peppers or jalapenos, fresh or pickled.

Once you've added all your desired toppings, it's time to repeat the process and add another layer of chips and cheese. This will ensure that every mouthful of nachos is packed with flavour.

Finally, add a generous amount of cheese to the top layer, making sure that all the toppings are covered. This will ensure that everything is held together and that the nachos look and taste delicious.

Now your nachos are ready to be cooked! Place them in the air fryer and cook at 320-375 degrees Fahrenheit for 3-6 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and starting to brown.

Once the nachos are cooked, remove them from the air fryer and add any fresh toppings, such as sour cream, guacamole, salsa, or fresh herbs.

And that's it! You now have a delicious, crispy, and cheesy plate of nachos to enjoy.

Cook time and temperature

The ideal cook time and temperature for nachos in an air fryer depend on the type of nachos you want. For example, if you want your nachos to be crispy, you should air fry them for around 3-5 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. However, if you want your nachos to be softer, you can air fry them for up to 10 minutes at 375 degrees Fahrenheit.

It's important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on the size and brand of your air fryer, so you should keep an eye on your nachos while they're cooking to ensure they don't burn. Additionally, it's recommended to preheat your air fryer before adding the nachos, and to avoid overcrowding the air fryer by filling it more than halfway full.

• Preheat your air fryer to 320 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Line the air fryer basket with foil or a parchment liner, and spray with cooking spray if desired.
• Overlap a layer of tortilla chips in the basket, making sure there are no gaps between them. You can use plain or flavored tortilla chips, but avoid heavily-flavored chips like Doritos as they may burn.
• Top the chips with your desired toppings, such as shredded cheese, ground beef, beans, vegetables, or salsa.
• Repeat with another layer of chips and toppings if desired, making sure not to fill the air fryer more than halfway full.
• Place the basket into the air fryer and cook at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 3-5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and starting to brown.
• If you're making a larger portion, you may need to cook the nachos for up to 10 minutes.
• Once the cheese is melted, carefully remove the nachos from the air fryer and place them on a plate.
• Serve immediately with your favorite toppings and dips, such as sour cream, guacamole, or salsa.

Toppings and dips

The best thing about nachos is that you can top them with almost anything you like. Here are some ideas for toppings and dips to go with your air fryer nachos.

Popular nacho toppings

• Seasoned ground beef
• Chicken seasoned with taco seasoning
• Ground turkey
• Steak (Carne Asada)
• Pulled pork or carnitas
• Avocado or guacamole
• Sour cream or Mexican crema
• Salsa or Pico de Gallo
• Melted, shredded cheese such as Cheddar, Monterey Jack, Fontina, Pepper Jack, and White American
• Green onions or scallions
• Jalapenos
• Black olives
• Shredded iceberg lettuce
• Hot sauce
• Squeeze of lime juice

Best vegetarian nacho toppings

• Beans, either with or instead of meat
• Refried beans and black beans are the most popular options
• Soffritas
• Corn or a corn salad
• Peppers and onions

Unique nacho toppings

• Chili con Carne (without beans)
• Pineapple
• Fried chicken
• Shrimp
• Fruit for dessert/fruit nachos

Dips

• Salsa
• Sour cream
• Tomatillo salsa
• Tabasco sauce
• Homemade guacamole
• Queso
• Homemade restaurant-style salsa
• Tangy pineapple salsa

Reheating nachos

Step 1: Prepare the Air Fryer

Set your air fryer to 320 degrees Fahrenheit. If you're in a hurry, you can skip preheating, but it's recommended to preheat the air fryer so your nachos get crispy faster.

Step 2: Layer the Nachos

Place a layer of tortilla chips in the air fryer basket, ensuring they don't overlap too much. Overlapping the chips will help prevent the cheese from dripping through the tray, but too much overlap may cause sogginess.

Step 3: Add Toppings

Sprinkle your chosen toppings over the chips. For best results, stick to just a couple of layers of toppings to prevent sogginess. You can add more toppings after cooking if you like.

Cheese is a must for nachos, and freshly grated cheese will melt more smoothly than pre-shredded cheese. You can also add meat, such as ground beef, chicken, or pulled pork, and veggies like onions, tomatoes, or jalapenos.

Step 4: Cook

Place the air fryer basket in the air fryer and cook for 2-3 minutes. Keep an eye on your nachos to ensure they don't burn. They are done when the cheese is fully melted.

Step 5: Serve

Remove the nachos from the air fryer and serve immediately. You can add fresh toppings like guacamole, salsa, or sour cream.

Reheated nachos will be crispy, crunchy, and just as delicious as the first time!

Frequently asked questions