Air Fryer Nachos

Air Fryer Nachos are loaded with cheese, chicken, tomatoes, and more. You’ll love these loaded nachos, made in just 5 minutes with the Air Fryer.

Air Fryer Nachos are layered onto a serving plate and topped with sliced olives, avocado slices, salsa, and sour cream.

I love using my Air Fryer. Whether I am making Air Fryer Chicken Wings, Air Fryer Baked Potatoes, or Air Fryer Peanut Butter Cookies, I am always in awe of how easy and awesome this little kitchen gadget is. Not only is it easy, but air fryer recipes are way healthier than frying in oil.

Air Fryer Loaded Nachos are another of my favorite meals . I love Mexican food and making my own nachos. You’ll never eat soggy nachos again when you make these in the air fryer.

The best part about making your own nachos is you can customize them to your liking.

These delicious Air Fryer Nachos are the perfect choice when you are craving something filling and want to have a quick and easy snack with friends or the family. They’re also the perfect game day appetizer.

Want more recipes and tips? Join our Air Fryer Facebook group.

Air Fryer Nachos on a table surrounded by nachos and limes, and the nachos are piled onto a while plate. Air Fryer Nachos are also topped with sliced olives, sliced avocado, salsa, and sour cream.

Ingredients:

  • Nacho chips
  • shredded cheese
  • jalapeno peppers
  • cherry tomatoes
  • chicken fajita meat (pre-cooked)

If you want to skip to the recipe, head down to the very bottom of the post and grab the full printable recipe card. It will have all of our favorite tips and tricks to make these the best nachos ever. You will also find information on frequently asked questions, storing leftover nachos, and our favorite substitutions.

How to Make Easy Air Fryer Nachos

  1. Prepare the air fryer tray with nonstick spray such as olive oil. Layer the nacho chips in the bottom of the air fryer basket.
  2. Top with chicken, cheese, sliced cherry tomatoes, and sliced jalapeños.
  3. Cook in the Air Fryer for 3-5 minutes, checking in the last 2 minutes to ensure the cheese melts completely and the top of the chips start to turn a light golden brown.
  4. Remove the nachos from the Air Fryer to a serving platter and add your favorite toppings such as a dollop of sour cream, sliced avocado, sliced black olives, and salsa.
Collage of photos showing the steps to creating this Air Fryer Nachos recipe - 1st photo with chips in the bottom of the air fryer basket and topped with chicken - 2nd photo with chips topped with chicken, shredded cheese, sliced cherry tomatoes, and sliced jalapenos - 3rd photo show the Air Fryer nachos fully cooked with melted cheese on top.
Air Fryer Nachos on a white serving plate with sliced olives, salsa, sliced avocado, and a dollop of sour cream on top.

FAQs and substitutions:

Do I have to use chicken fajita meat?

No. You can use Rotisserie chicken, fajita steak strips, ground beef, or ground turkey seasoned with taco seasoning. You can easily change up the taste and flavors of this

What are other toppings I can use for these easy air fryer nachos?

Consider using additional toppings. I have a lost of favorite nacho toppings such as black beans, bell pepper, corn, refried beans, green onions, fresh cilantro, and diced tomatoes with green chilies. You can make these nachos different every time.

What tortilla chips are best for nachos?

My favorite tortilla chips to use for these nachos is the On the Border brand. Use your favorite brand of nacho tortilla chips, or make your own homemade tortilla chips from corn tortillas.

How do I store leftover nachos?

Store leftover nachos in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. For crispy nachos, sprinkle with extra cheese and reheat for 2-3 minutes.

What is the best cheese for nachos?

I love to use Mexican blend cheese, but you can also use shredded cheddar cheese, or even nacho cheese sauce for even more cheesy flavor.

Do I need to prepare my air fryer rack or basket before making nachos?

I personally prepare my basket before making nachos so the cleanup is easier. You can use olive oil spray, parchment paper, or even aluminum foil in the bottom of the basket.

I hope you enjoy this Air Fryer Nachos recipe as much as I do. It’s one of our quick and easy snacks!

Overhead shot of Air Fryer Nachos on a white plate topped with sliced olives, avocado, salsa, and sour cream. Surrounded by chips, avocado, and limes.

WHAT AIR FRYER SHOULD I USE?

JOIN OUR NEW AIR FRYER FACEBOOK GROUP!

We love our Air Fryers and actually have two of them! If you’re in the market for an Air Fryer I love to use both the Ninja Foodie Pro and the Cosori 5.8Q.

The Ninja Foodi is a grill and has several different options. It’s also called an air crisper, and you can learn more about that here. I like this for larger projects. You can open the top and check on what’s cooking, and you can also use the temperature probe and never undercook or overcook anything again.

The Cosori has a basket, is an actual air fryer, and makes it easy to shake things around while cooking. The handle on the basket makes removing the basket easier, and it’s very easy to clean. Each works very well and I use them both with this big family of mine. I can have them both working and have dinner done FAST.

They both really do work great and I love to use them on an almost daily basis. One last thing I would recommend with whichever air fryer you choose, make sure to get some basket liners. They are amazing and help make cleanup a breeze!

MORE EASY AIR FRYER RECIPES:

Air Fryer Nachos topped with sour cream, salsa, and avocado slices.

Air Fryer Nachos

Jennifer
Air Fryer Nachos are loaded with cheese, chicken, tomatoes, and more. You'll love these loaded nachos, made in just 5 minutes with the Air Fryer.
4.41 from 10 votes
Prep Time 3 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 8 minutes
Course Appetizer, Main Course, Side Dish, Snack
Cuisine Mexican
Servings 4
Calories 500 kcal

Equipment

  • Air Fryer

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups nacho chips
  • 1/2 cup chicken fajita meat
  • 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes sliced
  • 2 cups shredded cheese
  • 1/4 cup black olives
  • 1/4 cup sliced jalapeno

Instructions
 

  • Prepare the air fryer tray with nonstick spray such as olive oil. Layer the nacho chips in the bottom of the air fryer basket.
  • Top the chips with fajita meat, cheese, sliced tomatoes, and sliced jalapenos.
  • Cook the nachos on 320 degrees Fahrenheit for 3-5 minutes, checking during the last 2 minutes to ensure the cheese is melted and the tops of the chips are light golden brown.
  • Remove the nachos from the Air Fryer to a serving platter and add your favorite toppings such as a dollop of sour cream, sliced avocado, sliced black olives, and salsa.

Notes

  1. I did not preheat the Air Fryer for this recipe. 
  2. You can use Rotisserie chicken, fajita steak strips, ground beef, or ground turkey seasoned with taco seasoning to substitute for fajita chicken meat.
  3. Use additional nacho toppings such as black beans, bell pepper, corn, refried beans, green onions, fresh cilantro, and diced tomatoes with green chilies.
  4. Store leftover nachos in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. For crispy nachos, sprinkle with extra cheese and reheat for 2-3 minutes.
  5. I personally prepare my basket before making nachos so the cleanup is easier. You can use olive oil spray, parchment paper, or even aluminum foil at the bottom of the basket.

Nutrition

Calories: 500kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 23gFat: 28gSaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 63mgSodium: 761mgPotassium: 334mgFiber: 4gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 574IUVitamin C: 11mgCalcium: 391mgIron: 2mg

*Nutritional information is a calculated guesstimate. Please note that this can change with different brands and modifications you may make to the recipe. For the most accurate information, use a nutritional calculator with the exact brands and measurements you’re using with each recipe.

©PinkWhen 2023

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4.41 from 10 votes (9 ratings without comment)

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4,439 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    how do you remove nachos from basket

    1. I will usually prepare my basket with a piece of parchment paper underneath and then use two spatulas to remove that when I am done cooking. That has been the easiest way to remove them. Even if you don’t use parchment paper, I would still recommend using two spatulas – the cheese helps act like “glue” to hold things together but you will still lose some. I just add them back to my serving plate and go from there. 🙂 But I have also been known to just sit the basket on the counter and eat out of the basket 😉