Craving deliciously crispy and cheesy nachos? Discover guilt-free air fryer nachos, a 5 minute masterpiece with perfectly golden chips and irresistible fresh toppings in every bite.
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Prepare to experience the ultimate flavor explosion with air fryer nachos. The combination of gooey melted cheese and crispy corn tortilla chips is pure magic!
Once you learn how to make nachos in an air fryer, it will become your go-to quick and easy meal or game day appetizer! Air frying creates the perfect crispy texture while maintaining the cheesy goodness. Top it off with dollops of sour cream, fire roasted tomatoes, and green onion for a burst of flavor.
Whether you’re hosting a gathering or craving a simple snack, this easy air fryer nachos recipe is the ideal choice. Embrace the cheesy, crispy goodness of homemade nachos and bring your appetizers to the next level.
How to Make Nachos in the Air Fryer
A full printable version of this recipe with ingredient measurements is available at the bottom of this post.
STEP ONE: Brown your ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat with the chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper. Drain it and set aside.
You can also brown the ground beef in the air fryer too.
STEP TWO: Preheat your air fryer to 320 degrees Fahrenheit.
STEP THREE: Line the basket with aluminum foil or parchment paper. Add half the chips to the bottom of the basket, then layer on half the cheese, half the tomato, half the pepper and half the beef.
STEP FOUR: Repeat the layers, starting with the chips, then air fry the nachos for 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted.
STEP FIVE: Top the nachos with scallions and minced parsley. You can serve it with sour cream and/or salsa if desired.
Tips for the Best Air Fryer Nachos
- Layering is key. Layer your ingredients evenly to ensure that each chip gets a taste of all the delicious toppings.
- Avoid overcrowding. Make sure not to overcrowd the air fryer basket, the hot air needs to circulate evenly around the nachos for that crispy perfection.
- Serve immediately. Air fryer nachos are best enjoyed immediately while they’re still hot and crispy.
Favorite Toppings to Add to Nachos
My favorite nacho toppings are a flavorful symphony. I start with ground beef cooked to perfection or leftover taco meat, then I pile on gooey melted cheese — cheddar and Monterey Jack for extra yum.
If you aren’t a fan of whole beans, try refried beans instead! Diced tomatoes, pickled jalapenos, and chopped fresh cilantro add freshness, while tangy sour cream balances it all.
Each bite combines crisp chips, creamy cheese, and a burst of flavors. These toppings make every gathering a flavorful fiesta!
What to Serve with Air Fryer Nachos
- Cajun Corn on the Cob
- Air Fryer Avocado Fries
- Smoky Red Pepper Crema
- Air Fryer Tortilla Chips
- Air Fried Blooming Onion
- Ninja Foodi Rice
- Mango Habanero Salsa
Variations of Air Fryer Nachos Recipe
- Make them vegan. Load up on black beans, corn, bell peppers, onions, and your favorite plant based cheese.
- Drizzle on sauces. Finish your nachos with drizzles of sour cream, salsa, guacamole, or hot sauce to enhance the overall taste.
- Add extra protein! Make easy taco meat with browned ground beef and homemade taco seasoning. Beef nachos are extra hearty and a great weeknight meal.
- Combine sweet and spicy flavors. Drizzle with honey, sprinkle with chili powder, top with jalapeno slices, and sprinkle with crumbled queso fresco.
- Swap the tortillas chips for Doritos: For an extra burst of flavor, try Doritos Nacho Cheese or Spicy Nacho chips as a cheesy base for your crispy nachos!
More Air Fryer Appetizers
- Frozen Egg Rolls in the Air Fryer
- Air Fryer Crab Cakes
- Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Wings
- Air Fryer Taquitos
- Air Fryer Meatballs
- Air Fryer Fish Sticks
How to Reheat Nachos in the Air Fryer
Preheat your air fryer to 320 degrees Fahrenheit and cook the nachos for about 2-3 minutes at a low temperature. Once reheated, you can add any fresh toppings you’d like.
To store your nachos, allow them to cool completely after cooking. Place them in an airtight container, separating any layers with parchment paper or wax paper to prevent sticking. Store the nachos in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.
How Long to Cook Nachos in the Air Fryer
One thing I love about these air fryer nachos is how little time they take!
It only takes 1-2 minutes to cook them initially, and 2-3 minutes to reheat them without burning the cheese.
What’s the Best Cheese for Nachos?
Any cheese that melts beautifully over those crispy chips is great!
Some of my personal favorites are shredded cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack, or a blend of Mexican cheeses.
More Air Fryer Snacks
- Air Fryer French Fries
- Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Taquitos
- Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries
- Air Fryer Green Beans
- Air Fryer Tater Tots
- Air Fryer Tortilla Pizza
- Air Fryer Popcorn
- Air Fryer Curly Fries
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Air Fryer Nachos
Ingredients
- ½ lb ground beef
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon oregano
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 4 cups tortilla chips
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 roma tomato diced
- ½ bell pepper diced
- 1 scallion sliced
- Minced fresh parsley
- Sour cream for serving
Instructions
- Brown the beef in a large skillet over medium heat with the chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt and pepper; drain and set aside.
- preheat the air fryer to 320 F, line with parchment paper.
- Add half the chips to the bottom of the basket, then layer on half the cheese, half the tomato, half the pepper and half the beef.
- Repeat the layers, starting with the chips, then air fry for 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted.
- Top with sliced scallions and minced parsley, serve with sour cream if desired.
This looks absolutely delicious!!! I can’t wait to make these!
Yes! We’ve been snacking on these nachos every night lately. We can’t get enough!
I see so many tasty air fryer recipes, but I still have not invested in one. I really need to because I’m loving the recipe options! #client
Air fryers will change the way you cook, Melanie! It’s amazing how many things you can make in them. We barely use our oven anymore!
Always love nachos! These were delicious.
This was the best Friday night dinner idea! The lime juice gave them great flavor.
We loved these nachos! It is a good thing they’re so easy to make, this is requested frequently in our house!
Would definitely try this!
I would never have thought to make nachos in the air fryer, but these turned out amazing!
Hi,
I am new to air fryer cooking and I just LOVE your recipes and I have tried quite a few with great success. However, I have read in other recipes that you should not cover the holes in the air fryer basket because the air needs to circulate the food in side. This recipe looks as thought the holes are totally covered by the parchment paper. The description of the recipe says to use foil and the recipe and pictures show parchment paper. I’m assuming you can use either one?? So, is it or is it not okay to completely cover the holes in the air fryer basket? Thanks, I would appreciate some clarification 🙂
I’m thrilled to hear that you’ve been enjoying air fryer cooking and finding success with the recipes. While it is essential to allow the air to circulate in the air fryer, I’ve found no issues with using parchment paper or foil to line the bottom of the air fryer for easy clean up. In this case, you can use either foil or parchment paper. Thanks for asking this question!
Hi, It’s me again. Just double checking on the temperature. In the description it says to preheat air fryer to 370 F. On the recipe print out it says 320 F. Thank You
Thanks for double checking, the correct temperature for this recipe is 320 degrees.
Hi I live alone and have been using air fryer a long time (I went through 3 air fryers LOL)I love your recipes as they are easy and fast and right to the point. So happy you have the time to test these recipes for us. Takes away a lot of the trial and error I used to experience. I have to say I dont know what I did before the air fryer. Guess I used microwave alot as my time is short for cooking as so many other things I have to do at night .Again thank you for great food recipes.
It’s awesome to hear you’re a solo air fryer pro, even going through three of them – that’s dedication! I’m thrilled the quick and straightforward recipes are a hit, saving you trial and error. The air fryer’s a game-changer for busy nights. Thanks for the kind words, and I’m here anytime you need more tasty recipes.