Easy Air Fryer Nachos Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How to heat nachos in an air fryer? ›

Limiting the number of ingredients baked with the chips is the key to crispiness. Top chips with no more than two or three toppings. Choose from items such as black beans, refried beans, chopped grilled chicken, seasoned ground beef (browned and drained), or chopped jalapenos.

Tip tortilla chips on to a baking tray, pour over salsa and scatter over a few sliced spring onions. Grate over a good chunk of cheese (fontina is perfect, but cheddar will do). Add a pinch of crushed chilli flakes, then put under a hot grill for about 3 minutes to melt the cheese.

For better coverage, spread a single layer of tortilla chips, then scatter a minimal layer of your melting cheese of choice, making sure to coat the chips on the edges. Bake in a 300-degree oven until the cheese has melted, then scatter your beans or meats and vegetable toppings over the cheese.

To prevent Sheet Pan Nachos from getting soggy, you can pre-bake the chips for a few minutes before adding other ingredients like cheese and salsa to help them stay crisp longer. This only makes a difference if it will take you a long time to eat them.

Cheddar cheese is a popular choice these days, though Monterey Jack and Mozzarella work just as well. Nacho cheese, or cheese sauce, is another delightful interpretation of this key ingredient. To transform your nachos into a heartier snack or even a main meal, consider adding a meat filling.

Foil is safe to use in an air fryer so long as you follow three basic rules: never let foil touch the heating element; make sure the foil is weighted so it doesn't blow around the basket; and avoid contact with acidic ingredients, which can cause the foil to leach onto your food.

Absolutely no one enjoys the soggy remains at the bottom of the pile. That's why you need an air fryer. Thin layers of chips and cheese mean that these vegetarian nachos are crispy throughout, even if you're reheating them!

To make sure every chip is covered in cheese, lay down the cheese on the chips first. The cheese will serve as a blanket, protecting the chips from liquidy, sog-inducing toppings.

Choose a combination of cheeses for both flavor and meltability. A Monterey Jack cheese will have the oozy-melty quality sought after in the best nachos, while a standard sharp cheddar will offer a little tang.

How many layers of chips for nachos? ›

As many as you like. I usually have one layer of chips, then cheese, more chips, meat of choice, choped tomatoes, onion, cliantro, salsa and sour cream.

Start with a baking sheet: You need surface area, plus it makes a statement to present a tray of nachos that generous. Spread out a layer of chips, followed by an even distribution of meat and beans, then lots--I mean lots--of cheese.

* Bring refrigerated toppings to room temperature before piling them onto the warm chips. * To prevent the chips from getting soggy, sprinkle grated or crumbled cheese on top and bake them in the oven for a few minutes. When melted, the cheese will act as a buffer between the chips and toppings.

What's in Taco Bell's Nachos? Crispy tortilla chips, seasoned beef, warm Nacho Cheese Sauce, reduced fat sour cream, refried beans and diced tomatoes - can you imagine anything more delicious? At Taco Bell, we don't need to call it anything else but perfection.

Spread 5 cups chips in a 12-inch heavy-bottomed skillet (preferably cast iron). Top with 1 cup chili, then half the beans and 1 cup cheese. Layer with remaining 5 cups chips, 1 cup chili, remaining beans, and 1 cup cheese. Bake until cheese is melted and bubbly, 5 to 7 minutes.

If you feel like revving up your nacho game, try topping them with grilled shrimp, doused in lime juice and some chipotle chili powder. Add grated Monterey Jack, sliced avocado, some seeded and sliced jalapenos and queso fresco to top it off.

Here are a few extra tips to always keep in mind when making homemade nachos: Prep all ingredients before assembly. In order to prevent soggy nachos, prep all of your ingredients completely first and then quickly layer them on the chips.

Melting Salts:

We've found that the secret to perfectly velvety-smooth nacho cheese sauce is a combination of keeping the cheese at low temperature while cooking, and the use of sodium citrate (derived from citric acid) and SHMP (sodium hexametaphosphate).

Line a baking sheet or oven-safe plate with parchment paper. Then, spread out your nachos evenly across the sheet. To protect your chips from getting too crispy, cover the entire sheet with a piece of aluminum foil. Heat your oven to 275° F (135° C) and cook for 5 to 10 minutes.

Asadero Cheese

It elicits a subtle tanginess that offers a little more dimension than Oaxaca cheese. Because of its spectacular melting properties, it's an ideal base for queso on nachos, burritos, tacos, enchiladas or any Mexican dish.

Is Velveeta real cheese? ›

Though Velveeta is no longer an FDA-defined genuine cheese, it does have some similarities, namely pasteurized milk and cheese culture.

Different cheeses are like different guests at a party—the each add a different texture and personality. While Cheddar, jack or mozzarella melt well, blue, Pecorino Romano, and Feta will add a punch of flavor.

Reheat leftover nachos in the oven on a baking sheet covered in aluminum foil for 5-10 minutes at 275° F (135° C). Reheat your nachos in a cast-iron skillet covered with aluminum foil over medium heat for 5 minutes. Remove all the cold ingredients, like lettuce and guacamole, from your nachos before reheating them.

Reheating your tortilla chips is a great way to give them new life! To heat up in your air fryer, lightly spray any leftover chips with a bit of oil. Air fry for 2-3 minutes at 350 degrees F until they are warmed and crispy.

Hard shells: Preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Arrange the shells in an even layer and heat for two minutes. Soft shells: Preheat the air fryer to 250 degrees Fahrenheit. Wrap the tortillas (no more than six at a time) in foil and heat for 3-4 minutes.

Can you put wax paper in an air fryer? No, you cannot put wax paper into an air fryer. Wax paper is sensitive to heat and, given the air fryer cooking process is dependent on hot air, they do not mix.