Grab these easy air fryer nachos while they’re hot because they’re about to disappear!
Crispy tortilla chips smothered in melty cheesy goodness and the works. I’m talking taco-licious ground beef, juicy tomatoes, green olives, and more.
Say goodbye to soggy chips and long preheat times. The air fryer is where it’s at.
Ingredients for Air Fryer Nachos
I like my nachos loaded with toppings. The more cheesy, meaty goodness full of crave-worthy Mexican flavors, the better.
But these nachos are totally customizable. So, I’ve included the must-haves and some optional ingredients below.
Here’s what you need for my air fryer nachos recipe:
- Taco Seasoning – For the ground beef. Store-bought or a homemade blend both work.
- Ground Beef – Ground beef makes it more filling and delicious.
- Tortilla Chips – Choose any brand of tortilla chip you like. Yellow corn, white corn, or blue corn, all create tasty nachos.
- Cheddar Cheese – Freshly grated cheddar will melt better than pre-shredded. So I recommend grating it yourself.
- Diced Tomatoes (Optional) – Use fresh for the best texture. And feel free to cook them with the beef if you want them soft.
- Green Onions (Optional) – For a mild onion flavor, burst of freshness, and pop of color.
- Green Olives (Optional) – The salty bite of green olives adds another layer of flavor.
- Dips – For serving! I love the classic trio of salsa, sour cream, and guac, but you can mix and match with whatever you like.
How to Make Nachos in the Air Fryer
Making nachos in the air fryer is ridiculously easy. Just try it for yourself! You’ll never use the oven or microwave again.
Here are the basic instructions:
1. PREHEAT the air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175°C).
2. COOK the ground beef and stir in the taco seasoning.
3. ASSEMBLE the nachos. Spread a layer of tortilla chips in the air fryer basket. Top with 1 cup of shredded cheese and half each of the fillings. Repeat using the rest of the ingredients.
4. AIR FRY the nachos for 5-7 minutes.
5. SERVE immediately with salsa, sour cream, and guacamole. Enjoy!
Tips for Success
Anyone with an air fryer can make these nachos. They’re faster than the oven and better than the microwave.
But if you want the best nachos around, follow these tips:
- Adjust the cooking time. Your air fryer may cook these faster or take longer, depending on the model. So check the nachos early and adjust the time accordingly.
- Shred thick. I prefer to use the larger holes on the grater for shredding the cheese. The thicker shreds won’t melt as fast, so the cheese is less likely to burn and turn rubbery.
- Layer evenly. Nobody wants a chip without cheese, right?
- Serve immediately. Nachos are best eaten hot. As they cool, the cheese hardens, and the chips can also get soggy, depending on the toppings.
- Try other meats. Use other proteins like ground turkey, steak, or chicken. You could even use chorizo or pulled pork. All will be delicious if you ask me!
- Make them vegetarian-friendly. Don’t eat meat? No problem! Skip the ground beef or use plant-based beef crumbles. You could also add black beans or refried beans instead.
- Mix up the toppings. What I love about nachos is they’re completely customizable. So, pick your favorite toppings, like jalapeños, corn, cilantro, and avocado.
Topping Ideas
You can’t have loaded nachos without the toppings! Black beans, sour cream, guac – use whatever you fancy.
You can stick with my recipe or customize these nachos any way you like. For some inspiration, here are some of my favorite nacho toppings:
- Qdoba Queso
- Chipotle Guacamole
- Pico de Gallo
- Tomatillo Salsa Verde
- Chipotle Corn Salsa
- Taco Bell Diablo Sauce
- Nacho Cheese Sauce
- Homemade Chili
How to Reheat Nachos in the Air Fryer
For the best texture, reheat nachos in the air fryer. It’s super easy and quick.
Preheat the air fryer to 320 degrees Fahrenheit, then cook for 2-3 minutes. As soon as the cheese melts, they’re ready.
Now, you can load them up with fresh toppings like salsa and guac.
Note: these won’t store well, as the chips will go soggy.
More Air Fryer Snacks
Air Fryer Quesadillas
Air Fryer Pizza Rolls
Easy Air Fryer Hot Dogs
Air Fryer Potato Wedges
Air Fryer Nachos
4
servings10
minutes5
minutes987
kcalGrab these easy air fryer nachos while they’re hot! Between the taco-licious ground beef, juicy tomatoes, and gooey cheese, they’re not to be missed.
Ingredients
1 (1.5 ounce) packet taco seasoning
1 pound ground beef
1 (12 ounce) bag tortilla chips
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup diced tomatoes, optional
1/2 cup chopped green onions, optional
1/4 cup sliced black olives, optional
Salsa, sour cream, and guacamole for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175°C).
- In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat until browned and crumbly. Drain any excess grease.
- Stir in the taco seasoning and cook for 1-2 more minutes, until the seasoning is evenly distributed.
- Spread a layer of tortilla chips in the bottom of the air fryer basket. Top with 1 cup of shredded cheese and half of the cooked taco meat. Next, add half the diced tomatoes, green onions, and black olives (if using).
- Add another layer of tortilla chips and repeat the layering process with the remaining cheese and taco meat. Then, the tomatoes, green onions, and black olives.
- Cook in the air fryer for about 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Remove the nachos from the air fryer and serve immediately with salsa, sour cream, and guacamole.
Notes
- Use cooked ground turkey, steak, or chicken in place of ground beef.
- Add black beans or refried beans if desired.
- Add other toppings, such as diced jalapeños, corn, sliced avocado, or chopped cilantro.
