Air-Fried Nachos: Ground Beef Edition

Air fryer nachos are a quick, easy, and delicious snack that can be made with ground beef. They are a perfect game-day snack, offering crispy tortilla chips and melted cheese with a variety of toppings. The air fryer ensures that the nachos are crunchy and evenly cooked, without the need for an oven.

To make air fryer nachos with ground beef, you will need the following ingredients: tortilla chips, ground beef, cheese, and desired toppings such as tomatoes, onions, beans, salsa, and sour cream. You can also add taco seasoning to the ground beef for extra flavour.

The process is simple: first, cook the ground beef with seasonings in a skillet. Then, layer the tortilla chips, cheese, and beef in the air fryer basket, creating multiple layers for even distribution. Finally, air fry the nachos for a few minutes until the cheese is melted, and add your desired toppings.

Air fryer nachos are best enjoyed immediately while they are still hot and crispy. They can be a great individual snack or a sharing dish for parties.

Preheat the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in making nachos with ground beef. It ensures that your nachos get crispy as soon as possible and helps to keep the chips crunchy. Here are some detailed instructions on how to preheat your air fryer effectively:

First, set the temperature to between 320-375 degrees Fahrenheit. Most recipes recommend a temperature of 320 or 325 degrees Fahrenheit, but you can go up to 375 if you want your nachos extra crispy.

Next, let the air fryer preheat for about 3-5 minutes. This will ensure that the air fryer basket is nice and hot before you add your nachos.

If you have a model that requires preheating with the food inside, you can place your prepared nachos in the basket and then set the temperature. Just be sure to keep an eye on them so they don't burn.

Some recipes also recommend spraying the air fryer basket with cooking spray before adding your nachos. This will help to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.

Once your air fryer has preheated, you can add your nachos and cook them according to your recipe instructions. Remember to cook in batches if your air fryer is not large enough to fit all of your nachos in a single layer.

By preheating your air fryer, you'll ensure that your nachos come out crispy and delicious every time.

Brown the ground beef

To brown the ground beef, start by heating a pan over medium to medium-high heat. Place the ground beef in the pan and cook for around 3 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the meat is browned. If you are using lean ground beef, there will be less fat to drain off.

Once the beef is browned, remove the pan from the heat and drain off any excess fat. Return the pan to the stove and add your choice of seasonings. For example, you could add taco seasoning and a small amount of water, stirring it into the beef and continuing to cook until the water has reduced, leaving you with seasoned ground beef.

If you are using a seasoning mix, follow the package instructions for the correct amount to use and whether to add any additional ingredients, such as water. You can also make your own seasoning mix with ingredients like chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper.

Layer the ingredients

Layering the ingredients is a crucial step in making delicious nachos in your air fryer. Here's a detailed guide to help you layer the ingredients like a pro:

Start by preparing your air fryer basket. Line the bottom of the basket with aluminium foil or parchment paper. This step is important as it ensures easy removal of your nachos after cooking and also helps catch any drippings. Make sure the foil or parchment paper comes up the sides of the air fryer, creating a "bowl" for your nachos.

Now, it's time to begin layering! Start with a layer of tortilla chips, placing them in the bottom of the prepared air fryer basket. Try not to overlap the chips too much, as you want to avoid overcrowding. Evenly distribute the chips, creating a base for your nachos.

Once you have your chip layer, it's time to add the cheese! Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese (or a Mexican cheese blend) over the chips. You can also add other shredded cheese varieties like Monterey Jack or mozzarella. Make sure to distribute the cheese evenly so that every chip gets its fair share.

Next, it's time to add your ground beef. If you haven't already, cook and season your ground beef before adding it to the nachos. You can season it with taco seasoning, chilli powder, cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper, or use your favourite blend. Sprinkle the seasoned ground beef over the cheese layer, ensuring it's evenly distributed.

Now, it's time to repeat the layers! Start with another layer of tortilla chips, followed by more cheese, and then the ground beef. You can repeat this layering process once or twice more, depending on the size of your air fryer. Just make sure that the top of your nachos is below the rim of the basket.

If you like, you can also add other ingredients to your layers, such as black beans, refried beans, cooked chicken, pulled pork, or vegetables like bell peppers, onions, or jalapenos. Feel free to get creative and add your favourite nacho toppings!

Finally, finish your nachos with a generous layer of cheese. This top layer of cheese will help hold everything together and create a delicious, melted topping.

Remember, the key to successful layering is to distribute the ingredients evenly and avoid overcrowding the air fryer. You want to aim for a nice balance of chips, cheese, and toppings so that every bite is perfect.

Now that your nachos are layered, they're ready to be cooked in the air fryer! Follow the cooking instructions provided by your chosen recipe, and you'll have crispy, cheesy, and delicious nachos in no time.

Cook the nachos

Now that you've gathered all your ingredients and prepared your air fryer, it's time to cook your nachos! Here's a detailed, step-by-step guide to ensure your nachos turn out perfectly:

Step 1: Layer the Chips and Cheese

Start by spreading a layer of tortilla chips evenly on the bottom of the air fryer basket. You can use plain or flavoured chips, such as ranch-flavoured, depending on your preference. For the best results, try to avoid overlapping the chips too much.

Next, sprinkle shredded cheese over the chips. You can use cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a blend of Mexican cheeses. It's best to grate your own cheese for smoother melting, but pre-shredded cheese will also work.

Step 2: Add Your Toppings

On top of the cheese layer, evenly distribute your chosen toppings. You can use cooked ground beef, shredded chicken, pulled pork, beans, or any combination of these. If you're using meat, make sure it's cooked and seasoned before adding it to the nachos.

Feel free to add other toppings like diced tomatoes, onions, black olives, jalapenos, or Mexican corn. Just remember not to overload your nachos, as this can make them soggy.

Step 3: Repeat the Layers

For the best results, repeat the layers of chips, cheese, and toppings. This ensures that every bite of your nachos will be loaded with flavour. Just make sure that the top of your nachos is below the rim of the air fryer basket.

Step 4: Air Fry

Place the basket into the preheated air fryer and cook your nachos. The cooking time may vary depending on your air fryer, but generally, it should take around 3-8 minutes at a temperature between 320-375°F. Keep a close eye on your nachos to prevent burning, as they cook quickly.

Your nachos are ready when the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the edges of the chips are slightly browned.

Step 5: Serve

Carefully remove the basket from the air fryer and place the nachos on a serving plate. Top with fresh toppings like chopped cilantro, and serve with sour cream, salsa, and guacamole on the side for dipping.

It's best to serve your nachos immediately while they're still hot and crispy. Enjoy your delicious, freshly made air fryer nachos!

Serve with toppings

There are endless ways to top your air fryer nachos. Here are some ideas:

Fresh Ingredients

Fresh cilantro, green onions, lettuce, jalapenos, and tomatoes are all great options for adding a fresh kick to your nachos.

Meats

You can add chicken, pulled pork, ground chorizo, ground chicken or turkey, or stick with the ground beef you cooked earlier.

Beans

Black beans, refried beans, or pinto beans are all great options to sprinkle over your nachos.

Salsas and Dips

Try salsa, pico de gallo, guacamole, sour cream, or hot sauce.

Cheeses

While you've already added cheese to your nachos, you can sprinkle on some extra shredded cheese, cotija cheese, or queso.

Other Toppings

You could also add black olives, avocado, or corn.

Remember, you don't want to overload your nachos with toppings and make them soggy, so choose your favourites and enjoy!

Frequently asked questions