Did you know that you can make amazing nachos in the the air fryer? A family favourite meal or snack, using the air fryer is a quick and easy way to make cheesy nachos in just 5 minutes. Once you have made Air Fryer Nachos, you will never make them another way again.
About these Air Fryer Nachos
If you have wondered if you can air fry nachos, the answer is yes! Crispy tortilla chips loaded with cheese and all your other favourite nacho toppings and cooked until delicious melty comfort food.
These air fryer nachos are pretty life changing! No preheating of the air fryer needed and ready in just 5 minutes. Nachos in air fryer is much quicker than using the oven and you get better results than using the microwave.
Looking for other air fryer recipes? Why not try our delicious Air Fryer Rotisserie Chicken, crispy Air Fryer Chicken Tenders or our tasty Air Fryer Salmon Bites?
Jump to:
Ingredients and Substitutions
A full ingredients list, along with US Customary and Metric measurements, can be found in the recipe card at the end of this post.
- Tortilla Chips - Tortilla chips come in all kinds of shapes, sizes, flavour and colour, so use whatever you like. You could even make your own with our Baked Tortilla Chips or Air Fryer Tortilla Chips recipe.
- Cheese - We used shredded cheddar, but Monterey Jack works too. Make sure to shred your own cheese, rather than buying bags of it already shredded. This is because the bags of it are coated in an anti-caking ingredient to stop it all sticking together in the bag, but it also stops it from melting properly too.
- Tomatoes - We used fresh tomatoes instead of a salsa, as that makes it too soggy.
- Avocado - A must on top of nachos. You could make Guacamole to add instead.
- Jalapeños - If you like nachos spicy, then don't give these a miss.
- Spring onions (scallions) - These add a nice extra crunch.
- Coriander (cilantro) - This adds a nice freshness to nachos.
Variations
The great thing about nachos is how adaptable they are. Once you have the tortilla chips and cheese, there are so many different things that you can add.
If you wanted to add some meat, then you can add leftovers from our Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken, Slow Cooker Pulled Pork or Slow Cooker Beef Barbacoa. You can also load it with Homemade Chilli.
To keep it vegetarian, but still make it more filling, you could add some black beans. Leftovers of our Chipotle Black Bean Stew would work well.
We haven't added any salsa to these nachos, instead it is just a base of cheese and fresh tomatoes. But if you wanted to, you could add some of our Salsa Picante. This would make the air fryer nachos a little more soggy though.
How to Make Air Fryer Nachos - Step by Step
Prep: Line your air fryer basket with baking (parchment) paper.
- Step 1: Add the tortilla chips, cheese, jalapenos and spring onions to the air fryer in two layers.
- Step 2: Cook at 180°C for 3-5 minutes.
- Step 3: Carefully remove the nachos from the air fryer and top with tomatoes, avocado, salsa, sour cream and chopped coriander (cilantro).
What to Serve with Air Fryer Nachos
These air fryer nachos are a filling meal or snack in themselves, depending on how many people you are sharing them with. However, if you wanted to serve them as part of a bigger Mexican feast, then here are some of our favourite recipes to serve them with.
For tacos, try our Air Fryer Chicken Tacos, Mushroom Tacos or Shredded Beef Tacos.
They also go well with our Slow Cooker Chicken Fajitas, Chicken Burrito Bowl or Chicken Enchiladas.
If you want some extra dipping sauces, then we recommend our Restaurant Style Salsa, 2 Minute Nacho Cheese Sauce or Jalapeno Sauce.
Extra Tips
- Although not traditionally Mexican, some sliced olives are delicious on top of nachos.
- The type of tortilla chips you choose are important. Go for the best quality you can, and the thicker ones that will hold up with the layering.
- But sure to layer and overlap the tortilla chips, so the cheese doesn't all drip through. You don't want wasted cheese.
- Be really careful when removing the nachos from the air fryer. Remove them by holding onto the sides of the baking paper and then it can be served on the paper.
- Add a squeeze of fresh lime juice before serving to really freshen it all up.
- Avoid overcrowding the air fryer, as you need to let air circulate.
Frequently Asked Questions
These need to be served immediately whilst the nachos are still crunchy. Nobody needs soggy nachos in their life.
Most tortilla chips are gluten free, so as long as you make sure there is no cross contamination, then these air fryer nachos can be gluten free.
These only take about 3-4 minutes to cook, as you just need to melt the cheese. However, every air fryer heats differently, so check them after a couple of minutes to make sure they are not burning.
We think it is cheddar. It melts well, but isn't too melty and it has a nice strong flavour.
Yes, you can use foil instead. Make sure it comes up the side of the air fryer, as this makes the "bowl" and makes it easier to remove the nachos.
More Nacho Recipes
If you’ve tried this air fryer nacho recipe, let us know how you got on in the comments below.
Tag us in your creations on Instagram @hungryhealthyhappy - Use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.
Recipe
Air Fryer Nachos
Ingredients
- 180 g (6.5 oz) Tortilla chips
- 140 g (5 oz) Cheddar cheese - grated
- 2 Spring onions (Scallions) - sliced
- 8 Cherry tomatoes - diced
- 0.5 Avocado - diced
- 25 g (0.25 cups) Jalapenos - diced
- 5 g (0.33 cups) Fresh coriander (cilantro) - finely chopped
- Salsa - (optional)
- Sour cream - (optional)
Instructions
- Line your air fryer basket with baking (parchment) paper.
- Add 180 g Tortilla chips, 140 g Cheddar cheese, 25 g Jalapenos and 2 Spring onions (Scallions) to the air fryer in two layers.
- Cook on the Air Fry setting at 180°C/350°F for 3-5 minutes.
- Carefully remove the nachos from the air fryer and top with 8 Cherry tomatoes, 0.5 Avocado, Salsa, Sour cream and 5 g Fresh coriander (cilantro).
Recipe Tips
- Although not traditionally Mexican, some sliced olives are delicious on top of nachos.
- The type of tortilla chips you choose are important. Go for the best quality you can, and the thicker ones that will hold up with the layering.
- But sure to layer and overlap the tortilla chips, so the cheese doesn't all drip through. You don't want wasted cheese.
- Be really careful when removing the nachos from the air fryer. Remove them by holding onto the sides of the baking paper and then it can be served on the paper.
- Add a squeeze of fresh lime juice before serving to really freshen it all up.
- Avoid overcrowding the air fryer, as you need to let air circulate.
Nutritional Information
The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.
As all appliances vary, cooking times are a guide. Please note that by changing the serving size, the cooking time may also need to be altered.
TAYLER ROSS says
We made these nachos for football Sunday yesterday and they were incredible! Love that I can make them in the air fryer!
Kathleen says
These quick, easy and fabulous nachos make a perfect appetizer, snack or meal.
Bobby says
I loved these air fryer nachos! The kids devoured it - definitely adding this to the rotation!
Barbara says
Best nachos ever! I used refried beans too as love them. Very easy
Lori says
These air fryer nachos are amazing! Definitely hit the spot on a cold Friday night, following a long work week. I added refried beans, and will use the rest of those for bean and cheese burritos. Curious as to what tortilla chips you use. Thanks for sharing.