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    Home » Air Fryer Recipes

    Air Fryer Nachos

    Published: Sep 6, 2023 · Modified: Nov 4, 2024 by Francesca

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Crispy, crunchy, and “soooo” cheesy, these Air Fryer Nachos are the perfect snack. Done in under 5 minutes. Nachos are a treat to be enjoyed, solo or shared.

    Crispy, crunchy, and "soooo" cheesy, these air fryer nachos are the perfect snack. Done in under 5 minutes. Nachos are a treat to be enjoyed, solo or shared. this recipe
    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Substitutions
    • Variations
    • Instructions
    • Pro Tips
    • Nacho Toppings
    • Equipment
    • Related
    • Pairing
    • FAQ
    • Air Fryer Nachos

    This post may contain affiliate links, please read the disclaimer policy.

    Not only are the air fryer nachos a perfect snack, but you can enjoy them as a fun light lunch. Are you having a get-together or game day at the house? No problem the air fryer nachos are the perfect to-order appetizer, served with our crispy chicken wings.

    Ingredients

    The magic about The Kitchen Bucket List air fryer nachos recipe is that you only need a few ingredients that can be varied to suit your taste. Everything is done so quickly, that you can easily make the classic to a deluxe or anything in between.

    The magic about The Kitchen Bucket List air fryer nachos recipe is that you only need a few ingredients that can be varied to suit your taste. Everything is done so quickly, that you can easily make the classic to a deluxe or anything in between.

    • Tortilla chips
    • Shredded Colby Jack cheese
    • Cooked ground sausage (or any meat you prefer)

    Keep on reading down to the recipe card for exact quantities and instructions.

    Substitutions

    The great thing about nachos is how versatile they can be. You can add different cheeses to suit your taste. I used ground sausage but you can add pulled pork, taco meat, shredded chicken, or seasoned ground beef to your liking. The Kitchen Bucket List has a wonderful pulled pork recipe and taco meat recipe each with a homemade seasoning. I love that we always make more of our tasty recipes so the leftovers can be used in nachos, tacos, or even fried rice.

    Variations

    • Spicy – Add a pinch of chili pepper flakes to heat up the nachos, Dad likes to use banana peppers too.
    • Deluxe – Add guacamole, onions, and tomatoes. The big choice here is to warm the onions and tomatoes up or have the coolness be a tasty contrast to the hot nachos.
    • Kid-friendly – Just add the cheese and some bacon bits.

    Instructions

    Nacho Time - Shred the cheese and line the air fryer basket with parchment paper. Do two layers of tortilla chips with the shredded cheese and meat. Place the basket back in the air fryer at 350 degrees F. and cook until melted.

    1. No leftovers, no problem – For this recipe, I cooked ground sausage and drained the excess oil. Usually, we have some tasty leftovers.
    2. Nacho Time – Shred the cheese and line the air fryer basket with parchment paper. Do two layers of tortilla chips with the shredded cheese and meat. Place the basket back in the air fryer at 350 degrees F. and cook until melted.
    3. Serve and Enjoy!

    Pro Tips

    What I have learned from making Air Fryer Nachos.

    1. The quality of chips can make a difference. 
    2. Use parchment paper or an air fryer liner for the basket. That way you get to keep all the cheesy goodness on the tortilla chips.
    3. Do 2 layers for more nacho yumminess. For our air fryer, 3 is the max. You need to be careful about getting too close to the top heating element. It could burn the nachos before they are ready.

    Nacho Toppings

    This is my classic nacho recipe with cheese and meat, but you can have even more fun with so many toppings. Here are some of our favorites (Okay, the last two are from Dad):

    • Guacamole
    • Sour cream
    • Tomatoes
    • Chopped onions
    • Black olives
    • Chopped jalapenos
    • Refried beans
    Sprinkle is excited to share with you our Simple, Easy, and Tasty recipes. She has traveled for years and enjoyed food everywhere from Hawaii to Italy. Now she is the muse for The Kitchen Bucket List helping us developed and create our favorite dishes to bring to all of you.

    If you want to enjoy them by yourself, make them when your sister is at the library…just kidding sis.

    Equipment

    All you need is an air fryer. For this recipe, I used a 5.8 qt. basket-style air fryer. If you use a different one, your time and temperature may vary. Parchment paper makes it easier to remove the nachos.

    Related

    Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:

    • Seasoned air fryer gnocchi coming out of the air fryer in the basket with a beautiful golden color.
      Air fryer gnocchi
    • Homemade air fryer Nutella granola with chocolate chips and almonds ready to be enjoyed.
      Air fryer Nutella granola
    • A mini cinnamon roll done with crescent dough right out of the air fryer is fresh, warm, and soft. It is ready to be enjoyed as the perfect breakfast treat.
      Mini cinnamon rolls with crescent dough
    • Chocolate roasted almonds in a cocotte, perfectly done in the air fryer in a fraction of the time. A homemade snack with the right amount of sweetness, crunch, and the chocolate flavor to wow your taste buds.
      Easy air fryer chocolate roasted almonds

    Pairing

    Enjoy the nachos before one of our delicious main courses:

    • Choose your favorite smoking wood to have smoked sausage done in a few hours. You can easily make smoked bratwurst and smoked Italian sausage at the same time. Eight sausages smoked on the smoker's grill grate.
      Smoked sausage
    • The Big Green Egg smoking a pork butt with our BBQ rub that has a dark red mahogany color with a deep crack in the fat cap. Once finished smoking you get Big Green Egg pulled pork with our BBQ rub. It is such a tasty option for making a pulled pork burger.
      Smoking a pork butt on the BBQ/Smoker
    • Cooked low and slow with sweet pecan wood, these Smoked Meatballs are our favorite BBQ flavor bombs this summer. The cheese brings a whole new level of flavor and texture.
      Smoked Meatballs
    • The smoked meat being sliced on a cutting board.
      Smoked corned beef brisket

    FAQ

    What other cheese can I use?

    You can use any of your favorite cheeses. I find shredding it from a block allows the cheese to melt and tastes better. On a funny note using a fresh soft cheese may not work. I tried fresh mozzarella (the kind still in water) and got soggy tortilla chips.

    Do I need to cook the whole sausage pack?

    No, I just find it easier and I know one of us will use the leftovers for a part of a tasty snack or small meal. Dad loves to add them to his scrambled eggs.

    Can I use something besides tortilla chips?

    Yes, the timing and amounts may vary. I like to use Triscuits or even bagel chips.

    You can use any of your favorite cheeses. I find shredding it from a block tastes better and it melts better too.

    What did you think of the nacho recipe? What are your favorite toppings?
    Let me know in the comments below.

    Crispy, crunchy, and "soooo" cheesy, these air fryer nachos are the perfect snack. Done in under 5 minutes. Nachos are a treat to be enjoyed, solo or shared.

    Air Fryer Nachos

    Francesca
    Crispy tortilla chips, gooey melted cheese, and savory sausage crumbles are all you need for classic nachos from The Kitchen Bucket List.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Saved!
    Prep Time 2 minutes mins
    Cook Time 5 minutes mins
    Total Time 7 minutes mins
    Course Appetizer, Side Dish, Snack
    Cuisine American
    Servings 2 People

    Equipment

    • 5.8 qt. Basket-style air fryer
    • Parchment paper, cut to size (1 air fryer liner)

    Ingredients
      

    • 8 oz tortilla chips
    • 1 ½ cups Colby Jack cheese, shredded
    • ½ cup cooked ground sausage, mild breakfast sausage (Preferred meat)

    Instructions
     

    No leftovers, no problem

    • Believe it or not today we didn't have any tasty leftovers for the nachos. My favorite addition is to use a mild breakfast sausage. Unpack the sausage and place it in a pan/skillet.
    • Cook and crumble the sausage until done.
    • Drain the excess oil from the sausage.
    • Set ½ cup of sausage crumbles to the side.

    Nacho Time

    • Shred 1 ½ cups of Colby Jack cheese.
    • Line your air fryer basket with parchment paper. It will make it a lot easier to take the nachos out and place them on a plate when ready to serve.
      NOTE: You can use an air fryer liner or even aluminum foil (be careful it will be hot).
    • Evenly layer your tortilla chips in the air fryer basket and add cheese with the sausage crumbles to cover the chips. Repeat for the second layer.
    • Air fry at 350 degrees F. for 4 to 5 minutes or until the cheese is melted and golden to your liking.
    • Serve and Enjoy!
    Keyword air fryer, Air Fryer Nachos, Nachos, Sausage Crumbles, shredded cheese, tortilla chips

    HAPPY AIR FRYING!!!

    Welcome to The Kitchen Bucket List. My name is Karina and I am very excited to share with you our Simple, Easy, and Tasty recipes. After years of cooking and baking with my girls, where even dad shows up from time to time, especially for the BBQ, The Kitchen Bucket List was created in the Spring of 2020.

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    Filed Under: Air Fryer Recipes, Appetizers, Cooking, Kids can cook, Recipes, Side Dish

    Comments

    1. Eva Filer says

      March 14, 2025 at 8:23 pm

      5 stars
      You have the best air fryer inspiration. These look so yummy.

      Reply

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    I'm Karina,

    After years of cooking and baking with my girls, where even dad shows up from time to time, especially for BBQ. The Kitchen Bucket List was created.
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    Modern footer. Welcome to The Kitchen Bucket List's Recipes & About footer. My name is Karina and I am very excited to share with you our Simple, Easy, and Tasty recipes. After years of cooking and baking with my girls, where even dad shows up from time to time, especially for the BBQ, The Kitchen Bucket List was created in the Spring of 2020.

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