A shareable snack made in a cinch, loaded up with cheese, veggies, guac, and jalapeño.
I love you, oven, but you’re kinda high-maintenance. Don’t get me wrong, I still love using you, but there are some things you just can’t solve. Take making nachos, for instance.
You’re enthusiastic, and I like that, but sometimes your eagerness to cook means burnt cheese on the top of my nachos and soggy, sad tortilla chips underneath. You know me; I get distracted and attend to other dishes. So, will you know when to turn yourself off and set my nachos on the counter?
That’s why I’ve started using my air fryer to make my nachos. Nothing personal, oven, but the air fryer ensures ALL the chips are heated throughout, and the cheese is never burnt. We’ve had a good run, oven, but with my air fryer, making nachos has never been easier!
These air fryer nachos are the crispy, cheesy, and oh-so-easy treat you didn’t know was missing in your life. With layers of gooey cheese, tangy pickled jalapeños, and creamy avocado paired with a dollop of Greek yogurt and salsa on top, this dish is the ultimate crowd-pleaser!
Are Air-Fryer Nachos Healthy?
Let’s face it, nachos aren’t typically synonymous with health food. But, don’t worry, because this recipe makes some smart swaps to tip the scales in your favor.
By using whole-grain tortilla chips and a reduced-fat cheese blend, you’re already cutting back on calories and unhealthy fats. Add to that the fresh toppings like cherry tomatoes, avocado, and cilantro, and you’ve got a dish that sneaks in a few nutrients while still delivering indulgent flavor.
Swap the cheese and yogurt for a plant-based alternative to make this recipe vegan-friendly, or load up on extra veggies like bell peppers or shredded lettuce for extra nutrients.
Adding Protein To Your Nachos
While these nachos are already a delight on their own, adding extra protein takes them to the next level. To keep these nachos vegetarian, add black beans, pinto beans, or refried beans, or opt for seasoned, crumbled tofu or tempeh.
For meat options, I recommend marinating diced chicken in lime juice, garlic, and smoked paprika before grilling or air-frying for a zesty, smoky flavor. You could also sauté ground beef or turkey with taco seasoning and tomato paste for a classic nacho topping. Finally, these nachos would also be great with some shrimp that have been tossed in olive oil, chili flakes, and garlic, then seared or air-fried for a fresh and spicy twist.
Each of these proteins brings its own unique vibe, so mix and match to suit your cravings! If you’re a meat eater, just note that you’ll need to cook the meat before adding it to the nachos in the air fryer.
How To Make Ahead And Store
The tortilla chips will go soggy the longer they are stored for, so it’s best to eat these fresh. You can also make all the toppings ahead of time, store them all in separate airtight containers, and keep them in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Unfortunately, nachos don’t freeze well due to the texture of the chips and toppings.
Serving Suggestions
You’ve got a group of friends coming over, and you need an assortment of hot snacks for them to nosh on. What do you do? You boot up the air fryer, that’s what! My favorite air-fried snacks include these Buffalo Wings, these Wontons, and these Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Tenders, but for something slightly healthier, I can also recommend this Roasted Cauliflower, these Shishito Peppers, and this Crispy Eggplant.
Ingredients
- 2 to 3 cups whole-grain tortilla chips
- 2 cups reduced-fat shredded cheese blend such as cheddar or Monterey Jack
- 1 green onion thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup pickled jalapeños roughly chopped
- 1/4 cup sliced black olives drained
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes roughly chopped
- 1 avocado peeled and diced
- Salsa for serving
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro finely chopped
- Plain Greek yogurt for serving
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 320°F. Line air-fryer basket with a sheet of parchment paper.
- Arrange a single layer of tortilla chips on the sheet, overlapping them to prevent gaps (you want to support the toppings and prevent them from falling through).
- Sprinkle half the shredded cheese evenly over the chips, followed by the white parts of the onion.
- Add another layer of tortilla chips on top of the cheese. Finish by topping with the remaining cheese, green parts of the onion, jalapeños, and black olives.
- Air fry for 3 to 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the edges of the chips are just beginning to brown.
- Use the edges of the parchment paper to remove the nachos from the air-fryer basket and transfer them to a serving plate. Garnish with the diced cherry tomatoes and avocado.
- Serve immediately with salsa, cilantro, and a bit of Greek yogurt dolloped on top.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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