Picture this: a pile of crunchy, cheesy, flavor-packed nachos that you whipped up effortlessly in your air fryer, perfect for any binge-watching marathon or spontaneous get-together.

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Creating quick and tasty snacks is a passion of mine, and Air Fryer Nachos 2 is a true delight! It’s a layered dish of crunchy tortilla chips, ooey-gooey cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese, and vibrant diced tomatoes and black beans.

An equally layered dish full of satisfying ingredients, yet still somehow nachos in the most basic and brilliant sense of the term. Slather with some spicy pickled jalapeños for a traditional nacho experience and a pleasant amount of heat.

Top with creamy, mashed avocado for an easy way to have fun with the flavor, texture, and appearance of the dish.

Ingredients

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Tortilla Chips: Crispy base, source of carbohydrates, adds satisfying crunch.

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Cheddar Cheese: Rich, savory flavor, provides protein and calcium.

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Monterey Jack Cheese: Milder taste, creamy texture, complements cheddar.

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Black Beans: High in fiber and protein, adds heartiness.

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Black Olives: Salty, briny kick, offers healthy fats.

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Tomatoes: Juicy, fresh, boosts vitamin C content.

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Jalapeños: Spicy heat, contains capsaicin, aids metabolism.

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Cilantro: Herbaceous flavor, adds freshness, contains antioxidants.

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Avocado: Creamy texture, rich in healthy fats, fiber.

Ingredient Quantities

8 ounces of tortilla chips

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese

1/2 cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed

1/2 cup sliced black olives

1/2 cup diced tomatoes

1/4 cup pickled jalapeño slices

1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

1/4 cup diced red onion

1/4 cup sour cream

1 avocado, diced

1 lime, cut into wedges

Optional: cooked ground beef, chicken, or crumbled tofu for additional protein

How to Make this

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1. Set the air fryer to 350°F (175°C) to begin heating.

2. Place half of the tortilla chips in a single layer on the bottom of the air fryer basket or tray.

3. Sprinkle half of the cheddar and half of the Monterey Jack cheese evenly over the chips.

4. Put on half of the following items: black beans, black olives, tomatoes, jalapeño slices, cilantro, red onion, and top with cheese.

5. Do the same with the rest of the ingredients, layering them as before with the remaining tortilla chips, cheeses, black beans, olives, tomatoes, jalapeño slices, cilantro, and red onion.

6. Compile the nachos and place them in the air fryer. Cook for about 5-7 minutes, or until everything is melted and bubbling.

7. Using a spatula, take the nachos out of the air fryer and put them on a serving plate.

8. Finish the nachos with the diced avocado and sour cream.

9. To add flavor to the nachos, squeeze lime wedges over them.

10. Serve right away, if you like, throwing in some optional cooked ground beef, chicken, or crumbled tofu. Enjoy!

Equipment Needed

1. Air fryer
2. Air fryer basket or tray
3. Cutting board
4. Knife
5. Measuring cups
6. Spatula
7. Serving plate

FAQ

Q: Can I use different types of cheese?A: Yes, feel free to use any cheese you favor or have available. Colby Jack or pepper jack are excellent substitutes.

Q: How long should I cook the nachos in the air fryer?A: Prepare the nachos at 350°F (175°C) for approximately 5-7 minutes, or until the cheese is completely liquefied and frothy.

Q: Can I make these nachos vegetarian?A: Absolutely! Just leave out any meat options or use crumbled tofu for a vegetarian-friendly version.

Q: How do I prevent the chips from flying around in the air fryer?A: Wire rack and another fryer basket are likely going to be your best bets for keeping the nachos flat while they cook. If you have either of these kitchen tools, use one of them to hold the nachos down. Another way to weigh down the nachos is to use a second fryer basket.

Q: Can I add other toppings?A: Indeed, modify your nachos with various toppings; for instance, what do you think of chopped green onions, salsa, or hot sauce? These are just a few suggestions.

Q: How do I store leftovers?A: Keep half-eaten nachos in a container that won’t let air in. Then chill the nachos in your fridge. They will be safe to eat for up to 48 hours.
When it’s time to serve the nachos again, pop them into your air fryer for just a couple of minutes. They should be nacho-dipping temperature by the time you get them out.

Air Fryer Nachos 2 Recipe Substitutions and Variations

Tortilla chips can be replaced by using corn chips or pita chips.
To create a similar flavor profile: Shredded mozzarella or pepper jack cheese can serve as a direct substitute for shredded cheddar.
If using canned black beans: Replace them with either pinto beans or kidney beans.
To use diced tomatoes: Use tomatoes from a can or cherry tomatoes.
To substitute for diced red onion:
Use diced yellow onion or green onions.

Pro Tips

1. Layering Technique: When layering the nachos, ensure each layer is thin and even to promote uniform melting of the cheese and heating of the toppings. This helps avoid soggy chips or unwarmed toppings.

2. Preheat Air Fryer: While you set it to 350°F, make sure to give it a bit of time to reach the full temperature before adding the nachos. A preheated air fryer ensures the cheese melts nicely and the chips stay crispy.

3. Cheese Variety: For added flavor complexity, consider mixing in a little pepper jack or sharp cheddar cheese along with the Monterey Jack and cheddar. This adds a slight kick and more depth to the dish.

4. Customize Heat Levels: Adjust the amount of pickled jalapeño slices according to your heat preference. You can also add a sprinkle of cayenne pepper or hot sauce if you prefer spicier nachos.

5. Timing is Key: Keep a close eye on the nachos while they cook in the air fryer. The cooking process is quick, and ingredients can go from perfectly melted to overcooked in minutes. If needed, adjust the cooking time based on how quickly your air fryer cooks.

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Air Fryer Nachos 2 Recipe

My favorite Air Fryer Nachos 2 Recipe

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Equipment Needed:

1. Air fryer
2. Air fryer basket or tray
3. Cutting board
4. Knife
5. Measuring cups
6. Spatula
7. Serving plate

Ingredients:

8 ounces of tortilla chips

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese

1/2 cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed

1/2 cup sliced black olives

1/2 cup diced tomatoes

1/4 cup pickled jalapeño slices

1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

1/4 cup diced red onion

1/4 cup sour cream

1 avocado, diced

1 lime, cut into wedges

Optional: cooked ground beef, chicken, or crumbled tofu for additional protein

Instructions:

1. Set the air fryer to 350°F (175°C) to begin heating.

2. Place half of the tortilla chips in a single layer on the bottom of the air fryer basket or tray.

3. Sprinkle half of the cheddar and half of the Monterey Jack cheese evenly over the chips.

4. Put on half of the following items: black beans, black olives, tomatoes, jalapeño slices, cilantro, red onion, and top with cheese.

5. Do the same with the rest of the ingredients, layering them as before with the remaining tortilla chips, cheeses, black beans, olives, tomatoes, jalapeño slices, cilantro, and red onion.

6. Compile the nachos and place them in the air fryer. Cook for about 5-7 minutes, or until everything is melted and bubbling.

7. Using a spatula, take the nachos out of the air fryer and put them on a serving plate.

8. Finish the nachos with the diced avocado and sour cream.

9. To add flavor to the nachos, squeeze lime wedges over them.

10. Serve right away, if you like, throwing in some optional cooked ground beef, chicken, or crumbled tofu. Enjoy!