Easy Air Fryer Nachos

Name: Easy Air-Fryer Nachos | 10 minutes
Prep time: 7 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 Flour tortillas; 1 1/2 Teaspoons Salt; 1 Cup Black Beans (drained of excess liquid); 2 Teaspoons Taco seasoning; 1/3 Cup Corn (canned or frozen); 1/2 Cup Shredded Cheese; 1/4 Cup Diced Avocado; 2 Tablespoons Sliced Jalapeno; Salsa

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Air Fryer Nachos make the easiest, cheesiest snack around! Crunchy tortilla chips are loaded with cheese and piled high with your favorite toppings. You could even add leftover chicken or ground beef and have a healthy 10 minute meal made right in the air fryer.

loaded air-fryer nachos on a square wood board on a white backdrop

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Why This Recipe Works
Air Fryer Nacho Key Ingredients
How To Make Air Fryer Nachos
Expert Tips
Recipe Variations
Storing and Reheating Air Fryer Nachos
FAQS
More Air Fryer Snacks
Easy Air-Fryer Nachos | 10 minutes
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I absolutely love using my air fryer to make delicious snacks. It's great for everything from chicken wings to french fries, and it even makes incredibly delicious nachos.

Nachos have always been a family favorite snack! My dad used to make them after church and we'd all gather around the table scooping the gooey cheese with crunchy tortilla chips. But now that I'm older, and making my own nachos, I choose to make them in the air fryer!

It's an easy snack you can make in just 10 minutes and it's totally customizable. You can you any type of cheese you like, layer on your favorite toppings, or add pre-cooked meat and turn these delicious air fryer nachos into one of your new favorite meals.

The best part about this air fryer nacho recipe is how versatile it is. It's great for kids when they get home from school, can be a light dinner, and also makes a fantastic game day snack to pair with pigs in a blanket and potato skins.

Why This Recipe Works

They're ready in just 10 minutes
No need to preheat the oven
Super versatile, you can add any of your favorite toppings
Family favorite- chips + cheese = happy family
Simply add a protein and you have a delicious meal in 10 minutes

Air Fryer Nacho Key Ingredients

air-fryer nacho ingredients labeled with pink text boxes

Homemade tortilla chips: I make mine with flour tortillas, but you can use corn as well. If you don't want to make your own, store bought chips work great
Cheese: I always shred my own cheese, but shredded cheese is a wonderful shortcut
Beans: A great vegetarian and vegan source of protein! I used black beans but any kind, such as pinto beans or kidney beans will also work
Taco seasoning: You can use either homemade or a pre-made packet
Corn: Both frozen and canned corn will work here
Avocado: This is added for a healthy fat and extra creaminess
Salsa: I always use hot salsa, but make sure to use your favorite!
Salt: You need this to season your homemade tortilla chips
Jalapeno peppers: Added at the end for an extra kick, but leave out if you don't like spice

How To Make Air Fryer Nachos

Preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees F
While the air fryer is heating up, spray your tortillas lightly with cooking spray and sprinkle ½ teaspoon of salt over each tortilla
Cut the seasoned tortillas into triangles and place them into the basket of your pre-heated air fryer
Set the timer for 5 minutes and let the chips cook, shaking them halfway through
While the chips are cooking, prepare the rest of the ingredients.
Drain the beans and add them to a small mixing bowl, then season with taco seasoning and stir to coat. Set that aside while you dice the avocado into small chunks
Once the chips are cooked, take the air fryer basket out but leave the chips in
Load the chips up with the corn, seasoned beans, jalapeno, and cheese. Cook them in the air fryer for 2 minutes, until the cheese is melted
Take the air fryer basket out and finish your nachos off with the diced avocado and salsa and enjoy!

tortilla cut into triangles on white background — **Cut tortillas into triangles**

homemade tortilla chips in air-fryer basket — **Air-fry tortillas to make chips**

black beans seasoned in white bowl — **Season beans with taco seasoning**

air-fryer nachos with melted cheese — **Layer on your toppings and cook for 2 minutes to melt cheese**

Expert Tips

You can also make the homemade chips with low carb tortillas
Use your favorite store-bought tortilla chips if you don't want to make them
Heat your salsa on the stove or in the microwave before topping your nachos to help the melted cheese stay melty
Do not add salsa to the chips before air frying or you'll have soggy nachos
Line the air fryer basket with parchment paper or a piece of aluminum foil for easy clean up and removal
Use a thin spatula, like a fish spatula, to remove the nachos if you didn't line your air fryer basket

loaded air fryer nachos on a wooden board.

Recipe Variations

This recipes is just a starting point because the best part is you can customize them any way you like! You probably have your favorite nacho toppings, but here's some more ideas:

Black olives
Chopped tomatoes
Rotisserie chicken
Leftover taco meat
Green onions
Bell peppers
Refried beans
Green chilies
Pico de gallo
Sour cream
Fresh cilantro
Nacho cheese sauce

Best cheese to use:

Cheddar cheese
Monterey jack
Mexican cheese blend
Pepper jack

Storing and Reheating Air Fryer Nachos

Nachos make a quick snack, but they don't store very well. If you have to keep leftovers, place them into an airtight container and keep in the fridge for 1-2 days.

When you're ready to reheat, preheat your air fryer to 300 degrees F, remove any of the cold toppings from your nachos (sour cream, avocado, salsa, etc.), and place the chips into a single layer. Cook for 3-4 minutes until the cheese is melty again, then enjoy!

FAQS

Can I use corn tortilla chips?

Yes, you absolutely can use corn tortilla chips! If you do that these air fryer loaded nachos would also be gluten free.

How do I make nachos without them getting soggy?

Crispy nachos are the way to go, and in order to achieve that you have to leave off any watery toppings until the very end. Do not add things like salsa, sour cream, or nacho cheese sauce until right before you eat them. These ingredients will make the chips soggy and unappetizing.

Can I bake these if I don't have an air fryer?

Yes, you can totally make them in an oven. Line a baking sheet with a piece of aluminum foil and add a single layer of chips, sprinkle the cheese between layers of chips and bake at 400 degrees F for 5-6 minutes, or until cheese is melted.

Take the tray out, add additional toppings, and then place the baking sheet back into the oven to warm up the other toppings. Finish with salsa if desired and enjoy.

What kind of air fryer do you use?

I use a Cosori 5.8 basket style and it works perfectly. You could also use a Ninja Foodi, which is a tray style.

More Air Fryer Snacks

Did you make these loaded air fryer nachos? If you did, I’d really appreciate you leaving a comment and star rating down below! Additionally, you can also follow me on Instagram and tag me if you make this or any other of my easy air fryer recipes.

*post was updated 1/23/23 to include more tips and clearer instructions*