Air Fryer Nachos Recipe

There’s something magical about nachos that feels satisfyingly indulgent yet effortlessly easy, and this recipe perfectly captures that vibe. The melty cheese combined with the zesty toppings and a hint of lime takes snack time to the next level—making these air-fried nachos my ultimate comfort food obsession.

In my kitchen, making Air Fryer Nachos is a labor of love. I take a heaping bag of tortilla chips and do the first layer fondue-style, melting the cheddar over half of the dish.

I then top nachos ensemble-style, with black beans, jalapeños, and olives, before completing the assembly and going for round two with the air fryer. (These first two rounds represent the only time I might not serve a dish fresh from the pan.) After the second round, I remove the vibrant nachos from the air fryer, plate them, and blanket them with toppings that are too good to skip.

Ingredients

Corn Chips: Base of the crunchy texture, a very culinary source of carb-aliments; often, and only lightly, salted—they don’t need it.

They’re perfect as they are.

Cheddar Cheese {\n\t: Enriched with protein and calcium,\n\tadds\n\t\t| |M | | | | | | |L | |V | |L |: Delicious creaminess.

{\nM: Measures mouthfuls written like delicious.

\nV: Scents emitted from cheddars that reinforce boldness.

Black Beans: Provides a hearty, nutritious boost, is high in fiber and protein, and is good for you.

Black Olives: Provide the beneficial oils, near the well-seasoned, briny flavor.

Jalapeños: Spicy zing, low-cal, and a hit of vitamin C.

Tomato: An additive that injects a fresh flavor and an intense blast of vitamin richness—especially vitamins A and C—into whatever you are eating or drinking.

Also, it’s really juicy.

Sour Cream: Creamy, smooth texture, with lots of protein and calcium (small amounts); makes a great base for dips; adds a nice tanginess to potato salad.

Use low-fat or fat-free, and get your potassium from another source.

Guacamole: Created from avocados, abundant in nutritious fats and fiber.

Cilantro: An herb that is fresh; it adds a vibrant flavor and is aromatic (in a good way!).

Ingredient Quantities

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• 1 bag of tortilla chips
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1/2 cup cooked ground beef or chicken (optional)
• 1/4 cup sliced black olives
• 1/4 cup sliced jalapeños
• 1 small tomato, diced
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 1/4 cup guacamole
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
• 1/4 cup chopped red onions
• Lime wedges for serving

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Instructions

1. Prepare the air fry to a temperature of 350 degrees Fahrenheit, or 175 degrees Celsius.

2. Evenly spread a single layer of tortilla chips in the basket of the air fryer.

3. Evenly distribute half of the shredded cheddar cheese over the tortilla chips. We are using a lot of cheese in this recipe, which is why we are using two kinds. I’m not just doing this because I think using two kinds is better (which I do, by the way), but also because, at this point in the recipe, I think you need as much cheese as possible to make your dip worth its name.

4. Place the black beans, cooked ground beef or chicken, black olives, jalapeños, chopped tomatoes, and red onions over the cheese.

5. Spread the rest of the cheese on top so that it is even. You want a cheesy cover; too much cheese on this dish is better than too little.

6. Return the basket to the air fryer, and cook for approximately 5 to 7 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbling. Keep a watchful eye to avoid overcooking.

7. Remove the nachos from the air fryer with care, using a spatula.

8. Place generous spoonfuls of sour cream and guacamole on top.

9. Adding chopped cilantro is an effective but simple way to finish your dish, giving it the brightness and freshness that comes from this herb.

10. Present with lime wedges at once to allow your guests to give their servings an extra personality lift with the addition of ginger and/or citrus. Dig in and enjoy!

Equipment Needed

1. Air fryer
2. Cooking thermometer (optional, for checking air fryer temperature)
3. Measuring cups
4. Cutting board
5. Knife
6. Spatula
7. Spoon (for sour cream and guacamole)
8. Plate or platter (for serving)

FAQ

• Q: Can I use a different type of cheese?You can replace any meltable cheese, such as Monterey Jack or a Mexican blend, for the cheddar in this recipe.
• Q: How do I prevent the chips from becoming soggy?A: Make sure to drain all ingredients thoroughly, especially the beans and meats, before adding them to the nachos.
• Q: Is it necessary to preheat the air fryer?Yes, the air fryer must be preheated to melt the cheese evenly and crisp the chips.
• Q: Can I make this recipe vegetarian?A: Absolutely! You can just leave out the ground beef or chicken for a vegetarian option.
• Q: What is the ideal air fryer temperature setting?A: For best results, set your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
• Q: How long should I cook the nachos in the air fryer?Prepare the nachos in the manner prescribed for cooking them for about 5-7 minutes, or until you ascertain that the cheese is melted and bubbly throughout, which is what you want for ooey-gooey nachos.

Substitutions and Variations

1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese, rather than cheddar cheese.
1/2 cup pinto beans used in place of black beans.
1/4 cup sliced green olives instead of black olives
1/4 cup fresh jalapeños instead of pickled jalapeños
1/4 cup chopped green onions instead of red onions.

Pro Tips

1. Layering Strategy For an even distribution of toppings and optimal flavor in every bite, layer the ingredients in stages. Start with a base layer of chips, then add cheese and toppings, and repeat once more to ensure everything is well-covered.

2. Cheese Selection While cheddar is delicious, consider mixing in a bit of Monterey Jack or pepper jack for a creamier texture and additional flavor. The melting quality of these cheeses complements cheddar well.

3. Customize Your Protein For added flavor, season the ground beef or chicken with taco seasoning or a blend of cumin, paprika, garlic powder, and chili powder before cooking. This adds an extra depth of flavor to your nachos.

4. Prevention of Soggy Chips To avoid soggy chips, make sure any ingredients that are higher in moisture (like tomatoes) are well-drained before adding them to the nachos.

5. Alternative Cooking Method If you don’t have an air fryer or need to make a larger batch, use an oven preheated to 375°F (190°C) and bake for about 10-12 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.