Air Fryer Nachos {Easy and Cheesy!} - iFoodReal.com (2024)

Air Fryer Nachos are easy, cheesy, loaded, and have the flexibility of making them exactly the way you like. In under 8 minutes with almost no clean-up afterward, you’ll have layers of the best tasting crispy nachos you’ve ever made!

Looking for more Tex Mex inspiration? Try these black bean nachos, ground chicken tacos, and this taco skillet, too!

If you make nothing else in your air fryer except these air fryer nachos, I promise it’s worth owning an air fryer! Crispy loaded nachos, melty cheese, and all of your favorite toppings, with virtually no clean-up, is every nacho lover’s dream!

In under 10 minutes, you can have a giant serving (because who wants to share their nachos?!) all to yourself to satisfy your late-night munchies or make it a shareable snack for movie night, game day, or even a fun snack for the kids when they come home from school.

Why Make Nachos in Air Fryer?

Ingredients for Nachos Air Fryer

• Tortilla chips: Most tortilla chips are made from corn, but for certified gluten-free check the package.
• Cheese: Freshly grated from a block, I use either marble, cheddar cheese, or a Tex Mex combination blend.
• Jarred jalapeños: Also called pickled. You want to drain them before adding them and then decide how many you want to add!
• Green onions: Finely chop a couple of sprigs for a mildly pungent flavor.
• Diced tomatoes: I always just grab a couple of tomatoes from the fridge or counter and dice them myself rather than opening up an entire can. Plus, I’m not dealing with all of that extra juice.

For serving: Salsa and sour cream are top picks in this house but for more topping ideas keep reading!

How to Make Air Fryer Nachos

• Prep: Preheat the air fryer to 320 degrees F and line the basket with parchment paper.

• Add the first layer of chips: Lay down half of the chips in a single layer, overlapping each other. This way, nothing falls through the cracks. Top with half of the jalapenos, green onions, and cheese.
• Add the other half of the chips: On top of the first layer of chips and toppings, add another single layer. Then, sprinkle on the remaining cheese and jalapeno (we’ll save the rest of the green onions for later).
• Air fry the nachos: for 3-4 minutes or until the cheese has melted.

Check at 3 minutes. Each model and size of air fryer is different so the length of fry time may differ. I use a large 5.8-quartCosori air fryer.

• Garnish and serve: Top with diced tomatoes and the rest of the green onions and serve with sour cream and salsa. Enjoy!

Easy serving tip: Serve it right in the air fryer basket (be careful it’s hot) and have everyone dig in. Or, use the sides of the parchment paper to carefully lift the nachos out of the basket and transfer them to a platter.

Optional Add-In’s and Variations

Like I said, this air fryer loaded nachos recipe is super flexible and there are so many ways to make it your own 🙂

Leftovers can be made into loaded nachos too! Try Black bean quinoa casserole leftovers for delicious results.

• Meat protein. Add some leftover taco ground beef, ground turkey, or shredded chicken cooked in pressure cooker for added protein. It’s a great way to use up any leftover meat. If you’re making from scratch, a sprinkling of taco seasoning is all you need to liven it up for this recipe.
• Vegetarian protein. If you want to add more protein without the meat, think about adding in some beans. Black beans, pinto beans, navy, or kidney beans.
• Serve with Instant Pot refried beans. Either for dipping or add some in as a topping!
• Have any leftover chili? Pour some buffalo chicken chili, turkey chili, or Instant Pot chili right over top!
• Make a vegan version by using vegan cheese, or completely omitting the cheese and loading it up with everything else!
• For BBQ nachos top with my Instant Pot BBQ chicken and use a little extra healthy BBQ sauce.
• Pork carnitas nachos can be made by using this easy Instant Pot pork carnitas recipe first.

Make homemade tortilla chips in the air fryer. Simply cut your corn tortillas into quarters, which should give you triangles. Then lay them in a single layer (not overlapping!), spray with oil, and air fry for 7-9 minutes. They should be slightly golden on the edges but will continue to crisp up as they cool. A very similar process to the shrimp tostadas, only in chip-size!

Tips for Best Results

FAQs

What Are Some Other Nacho Toppings Ideas?

Are you a person who likes to load up the nachos to the point where someone asks, “would you like some nachos with your toppings?” Or, are you more of the one and done type?

In my family, we’re a mix! Here are some of our favourite toppings and dips:

• Green olives or black olives
• Pico de gallo
• Diced avocado
• Guacamole
• Mango salsa
• Fresh peach salsa
• Black bean salsa
• Salsa guacamole
• Avocado cilantro dressing

How to Store Leftover Nachos Air Fryer?

The great thing about the air fryer is it’s smaller than the oven which means you’re only making a certain amount. Just like air fryer sweet potato fries, you could probably nosh on them yourself with no leftovers! Ok, maybe you and a buddy.

To store: If you happen to have leftovers, keep them stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. They will be soggy so reheating them before enjoying them again is recommended.

To reheat: Place them back in the air fryer to crisp up for a couple of minutes.

More Air Fryer Recipes to Try