Air Fryer Nachos: How Long To Cook Them Perfectly?

Air fryer nachos are a quick and easy snack that can be made in minutes. They are also versatile, allowing you to add your favourite toppings and cheeses. The air fryer ensures that the nachos are cooked evenly, with a perfect amount of crunch and melted cheese.

Layering the nachos

Layering nachos in an air fryer is a simple process, but there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure you get the best results. Here's a step-by-step guide to layering nachos in your air fryer:

Step 1: Prepare the Air Fryer Basket

Before you start layering your nachos, it's important to prepare the air fryer basket. Line the basket with aluminium foil or parchment paper. This will make clean-up easier and help you lift the nachos out of the basket more easily once they're cooked.

Step 2: Layer the Chips

Start by creating a base layer of tortilla chips in the air fryer basket. Overlap the chips slightly to ensure there are no gaps between them, as this will prevent the cheese from dripping through. You can use plain or flavoured tortilla chips, such as ranch-flavoured chips. Just avoid heavily flavoured chips like Doritos, as they may burn. Thicker, restaurant-quality chips work better than thin ones, as they hold up better under the weight of the toppings.

Step 3: Add the Cheese

Once you have your first layer of chips, it's time to add the cheese. Sprinkle on a generous amount of shredded cheese. You can use a Mexican cheese blend, cheddar cheese, Colby jack cheese, or a combination of sharp cheddar and mozzarella. Pre-shredded cheese is convenient, but shredding your own cheese will result in better melting.

Step 4: Repeat Layers

Repeat the layers of chips and cheese until you have two or three layers, or until you reach the top of the air fryer basket. Remember to keep the top of the nachos below the rim of the basket. The number of layers will depend on the size of your air fryer.

Step 5: Add Additional Toppings

At this point, you can add some additional toppings before the final layer of cheese. You can sprinkle on some diced tomatoes, sliced jalapenos, black beans, ground beef, pulled pork, or chicken. If you're adding ground beef, make sure to cook and season it beforehand. You can also add other proteins like bacon bits, shredded chicken, or steak bites. Just be careful not to overload the nachos, as this can affect cooking and make them soggy.

Step 6: Final Layer of Cheese

Finish off your nachos with a final layer of cheese. This will ensure that the toppings are held together and create a delicious, gooey topping.

Remember, the key to layering nachos in an air fryer is to avoid overcrowding the basket and to ensure even layering so that each chip stays crispy. With these steps, you'll be well on your way to creating delicious, crispy, and cheesy air fryer nachos!

Best cheese to use

The best cheese for air fryer nachos is one that melts beautifully over the crispy tortilla chips. Some popular options include:

• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Monterey Jack
• Mexican cheese blends
• Mozzarella
• Sharp cheddar cheese
• Cotija cheese
• Queso

For the best results, it is recommended to grate your own cheese as pre-shredded cheese is often coated with starch to prevent clumping, which can affect how evenly it melts.

Additionally, you can also add extra cheese as a topping, such as crumbled Cotija cheese or drizzled Queso.

Topping ideas

Air fryer nachos are a versatile dish that can be customised with a variety of toppings. Here are some topping ideas to elevate your nachos:

Veggies

Olives, green onions, tomatoes, and jalapeno peppers are classic nacho toppings. You can also add chillies, green chillies, or black beans for an extra kick. If you're looking for something more substantial, try adding ground beef or shredded chicken.

Dips and Sauces

For dips, consider homemade restaurant-style salsa, tangy pineapple salsa, sour cream, tomatillo salsa, Tabasco sauce, or guacamole. Don't forget the queso!

Beans

For a vegetarian option, load up your nachos with black beans or refried beans. You can also add corn for extra texture and sweetness.

Proteins

Switch up the protein by using chicken, steak, or pulled pork instead of the traditional ground beef. You can also use leftover taco meat to save time.

Cheeses

While a Mexican or Tex Mex cheese blend is a popular choice, you can also experiment with different cheeses like Monterey Jack, cheddar, or mozzarella. Just make sure to choose a cheese that melts well.

Spicy and Sweet Combinations

Try combining sweet and spicy flavours by drizzling honey and sprinkling chilli powder on your nachos. Top with jalapeno slices and crumbled queso fresco for an extra punch.

Extras

Don't forget the extras like sliced scallions, chopped cilantro, and diced avocado. You can also serve your nachos with a side of mango avocado salsa, pico de gallo, or smoky red pepper crema.

How to load the air fryer

To load the air fryer, follow these steps:

Firstly, you should never pack the air fryer too much, as this will prevent the food from cooking evenly. You want to completely cover the bottom of the air fryer with tortilla chips so that the cheese doesn't fall through the grate. If your chips don't all fit in a single layer, cook them in batches. It's better to do smaller batches than one large one!

Secondly, add your toppings. You can add any toppings you like, but popular options include beans, olives, jalapenos, ground beef, chicken, and pulled pork. Just make sure you don't add too many toppings, or your nachos may become soggy.

Finally, add your cheese. You can use any cheese that melts well, such as cheddar, Colby jack, or a Mexican blend. You can add multiple layers of chips and toppings, but make sure that the top of your nachos is below the rim of the basket.

Reheating nachos in the air fryer

If you have leftover nachos, you can use your air fryer to reheat them and make them taste as good as new.

Set your air fryer to 320°F and place the nachos inside for 2-3 minutes. They should come out tasting as fresh as when you first made them!

If you're reheating nachos with cheese, keep an eye on them to make sure the cheese doesn't burn. You may want to consider removing any cold toppings before reheating, and then adding them back on afterwards.

For best results, make sure your air fryer is preheated before you put the nachos in.

Frequently asked questions