Air Fryer Nachos: The Ultimate Guide to Crispy, Delicious Nachos Recipe

Introduction

Air Fryer Nachos offer a quick and easy way to enjoy crispy, flavorful nachos without heating up your oven. This method creates perfectly melted cheese and warm toppings, making it an ideal snack or appetizer any time of day.

Ingredients

• 1 bag (10-12 ounces) tortilla chips (thick-cut recommended)
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 packet (1 ounce) taco seasoning
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 (15 ounce) can refried beans
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
• 1/2 cup pickled jalapeño slices, plus more for serving
• 1/4 cup chopped red onion
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• Optional toppings: sour cream, guacamole, salsa, pico de gallo

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon. Drain any excess grease. Add the taco seasoning and water, stir to combine, then reduce the heat to low. Simmer for 5–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mixture thickens. Set aside.
2. Step 2: Heat the refried beans in a microwave-safe bowl for 1–2 minutes until hot, or warm them gently in a saucepan over low heat. Set aside.
3. Step 3: Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray or line it with parchment paper with holes. Spread a layer of tortilla chips evenly in the basket. Top with warmed refried beans, seasoned ground beef, shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses, jalapeño slices, and chopped red onion.
4. Step 4: Place the basket in the air fryer and set the temperature to 350°F (175°C). Air fry for 3–5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the chips are warmed through.
5. Step 5: Carefully transfer the nachos to a serving platter. Garnish with fresh cilantro and additional jalapeños if desired. Serve immediately with your favorite toppings such as sour cream, guacamole, salsa, or pico de gallo.

Tips & Variations

• Use thick-cut tortilla chips to prevent sogginess and hold up well in the air fryer.
• For an extra layer of flavor, add a sprinkle of smoked paprika or cumin to the ground beef while cooking.
• Try swapping ground beef for shredded chicken or black beans for a different twist.
• To make it vegetarian, omit the meat and load up on beans, cheese, and veggies.
• If you don’t have pickled jalapeños, fresh jalapeños work well—just use less for milder heat.

Storage

Store leftover nachos in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat them in the air fryer at 350°F for 3–4 minutes to revive crispiness and melt the cheese again. Avoid microwaving if you want to keep the chips crisp.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I layer the nachos in the air fryer basket?

It’s best to use one even layer of chips and toppings to ensure all chips crisp up and the cheese melts evenly. Overlapping can cause soggy spots.

What if my air fryer basket isn’t big enough?

Prepare the nachos in batches to avoid overcrowding. This helps keep them crispy and ensures even cooking for each portion.

Air Fryer Nachos: The Ultimate Guide to Crispy, Delicious Nachos Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 88 reviews

These Air Fryer Nachos offer a quick and easy way to create crispy, cheesy nachos topped with seasoned ground beef, refried beans, jalapeños, and fresh garnishes. Perfectly melted cheese and crunchy chips make this snack ideal for game days or casual gatherings.

• Author: luca
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4–6 servings 1x
• Category: Snack
• Method: Air Frying
• Cuisine: Mexican

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Chips

• 1 bag (10-12 ounces) tortilla chips (thick-cut recommended)

Beef Mixture

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 packet (1 ounce) taco seasoning
• 1/2 cup water

Beans and Cheese

• 1 (15 ounce) can refried beans
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese

Toppings

• 1/2 cup pickled jalapeño slices, plus more for serving
• 1/4 cup chopped red onion
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• Optional toppings: sour cream, guacamole, salsa, pico de gallo

Instructions

1. Prepare the Ground Beef: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon. Drain off any excess grease. Add taco seasoning and water. Stir to combine. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened. Set aside.
2. Prepare the Refried Beans: Heat the refried beans in a microwave-safe bowl for 1-2 minutes, or alternatively in a saucepan over low heat until heated through. Set aside.
3. Assemble the Nachos: Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray or line with parchment paper with holes. Spread a layer of tortilla chips in the basket. Top evenly with refried beans, seasoned ground beef, cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, jalapeño slices, and red onion.
4. Air Fry the Nachos: Carefully place the basket in the air fryer. Set the air fryer temperature to 350°F (175°C). Air fry for 3-5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and the chips are warmed through.
5. Garnish and Serve: Transfer the nachos to a serving platter. Garnish with fresh cilantro and additional jalapeños if desired. Serve immediately with optional sour cream, guacamole, salsa, or pico de gallo.

Notes

• Use thick-cut tortilla chips to prevent sogginess.
• You can prepare the beef and beans ahead of time for quicker assembly.
• If you prefer extra crispy chips, air fry the chips alone for 1-2 minutes before assembling.
• Adjust jalapeño quantity according to desired spice level.
• For a vegetarian option, substitute ground beef with seasoned sautéed vegetables or a plant-based meat alternative.

Keywords: air fryer nachos, crispy nachos, cheesy nachos, Mexican snack, quick nachos, easy appetizer