Fabulous Air Fryer Nachos

Nachos are such a feel-good treat. I love making them for a weekend picnic or a late afternoon get-together with the family. This is my tried and tested nacho recipe!

I used to make nachos in a conventional oven, but since I became a fan of Air Fryers, I cannot resist using mine at every opportunity. The jalapeños are optional and far too spicy for my grandkids. So I make 2 batches, one with and one without. Because the air fryer is so fast, it is not a problem and everyone is happy.

This recipe requires heat of 390°F which can be set on most air fryers. A great air fryer for a beginner is the Chefman Compact 2 Qt Air Fryer. It has a 2 qt basket and a simple easy knob control that will suit people who prefer to stay away from touchscreen controls.

For a family-sized side dish you need –

8 oz tortilla chips
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1/4 cup diced tomatoes
1/4 cup diced red onion
1/4 cup sliced black olives
1/4 cup sliced jalapeños (optional)
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Guacamole and sour cream, for serving these steps

Follow these steps

Preheat your air fryer to 390°F
Spread half of the tortilla chips evenly in the bottom of the air fryer basket.
Sprinkle half of the cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, tomatoes, red onion, black olives, and jalapeños (if wanted) over the chips.
Repeat layering with the remaining tortilla chips, cheese, and toppings.
Carefully place the basket in the air fryer, and cook for 5-7 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Remove the basket from the air fryer, and sprinkle the chopped cilantro over the nachos.
Serve the nachos immediately with guacamole and sour cream on the side for dipping.

Keep this in mind –

Depending on the air fryer size, you might want to divide the recipe in half for a smaller basket.

Experiment with your favorite toppings.

You may want to try adding a small amount of oil to the chips before frying for an extra crispness.

You can also stack the chips to make a layered air fryer nacho dish but this would require more time to cook, to ensure cheese melts and is bubbly.

Make your air fryer last longer with these easy cleaning tips—ideal for seniors who love quick, healthy meals with less mess.

Here are some other great Air Fryer models for beginners and advanced home cooks.

Are you looking for other easy and healthy meals? take a look at my Easy and Nutritious Meals for Seniors Living Alone.

Cooking with grandkids is one of life’s joys. You’ll find more ideas on my Cooking with Family

Written by Appliance Granny — Madlyn is a tech-savvy senior with 30+ years of experience running an IT business. She combines her love of cooking and family with a mission to make kitchens safer, simpler, and more joyful for seniors.