Cheesy Air Fryer Nachos

Quick, easy, and cheesy—these Air Fryer Nachos come together in a snap. Just layer up chips, cheese, and your chosen toppings for a snack that’s as fast as it is delicious.

I love this recipe because it’s super flexible and perfect for using up leftovers. You can keep it vegetarian or toss in some ground beef for a hearty snack.

These nachos are ideal for anyone who doesn’t like sticking to exact measurements.

Whether it’s game day, a get-together, or just a movie night, these air fryer nachos are a fantastic choice. They’re delicious, easy, and quick to make.

All you need to do is layer the ingredients in the air fryer basket, top with shredded cheese, and cook for 4-6 minutes until the cheese melts and everything heats through. It’s that simple!

👩‍🍳How to Make Air Fryer Nachos

1. Put the parchment paper in the air fryer basket.
2. Throw half of the amount of the tortilla chips, canned corn, and black beans, and half of the amount of the shredded cheese. Repeat this step to make one more layer with those ingredients.
3. Add the fresh sliced tomatoes and cook everything at 400°F / 200°C for about 6 minutes or until the cheese melts.
4. In the end, before serving, add the avocado and sour cream.
5. Optionally, add some chopped parsley for extra color and freshness to the plate.

🥰 Why You Will Love This Recipe?

• It is a quick snack that you can make in less than 10 minutes to serve a crowd. Ideally for a movie night.
• You will save time and you don’t need to clean after yourself. Usually, I put parchment paper in the air fryer basket and I’m serving them right on it.
• Air fryer nachos are a very versatile snack because you can use any toppings you have. Also, almost any leftovers.
• It cooks from ingredients that are stored in the fridge or pantry. All you have to do is put them on top of each other and heat them in the air fryer until the cheese will melt.

🥘 Ingredients and Substitutes

• Tortilla Chips. I stick with corn tortilla chips for that classic taste, but feel free to use wheat if you prefer. Opt for sturdy chips to avoid breakage.
• Cheese. Gruyère is my go-to for its creaminess, but cheddar works great too.
• Black Beans & Corn. Canned for convenience. Just choose a trusted brand to ensure good taste and quality.
• Avocado. Adds a fresh, creamy touch. Make sure it’s ripe for the best flavor.
• Sour Cream. Perfect as a topping, but you can swap it out for Greek yogurt or your favorite sauce.
• Tomatoes. Fresh tomatoes add a nice pop of acidity and color, but you can sub in canned if that’s what you have on hand.
• Parsley. For a bit of freshness and color, but any aromatic herb will do.

Toppings for the Air Fryer Nachos

When it comes to toppings for Air Fryer Nachos, you’ve got options for both before and after they’re cooked. I like to add onions, tomatoes, olives, salsa, and chili peppers before baking.

After they come out, topping them with sour cream, guacamole, avocado, or fresh parsley really brings out the flavors and adds a nice burst of freshness.

I’ve put together a bunch of ideas for different ways you can jazz up your nachos.

Best Dipping Sauces for the Air Fryer Nachos

Usually, I prefer serving it with a spice sauce like a homemade sweet chili sauce, romesco sauce, or buffalo sauce. But of course, you can pick a more neutral sauce and serve the air fryer nachos near an avocado sauce, a yogurt and dill sauce, or near a Greek Tzatziki sauce.

👩‍🍳 Step-by-step Directions

I usually line the air fryer basket with parchment paper. It makes serving easier and keeps toppings from sticking, so you don’t have to scrub cheese off the basket later.

Quick Note: You can use regular parchment paper—just cut it to fit your basket. No need for special air fryer paper.

I like to make two layers. Start by placing half of your tortilla chips in the basket. Add half of the canned corn on top. Then, add half of the black beans and half of the grated Gruyère cheese over everything.

If you’re new to this recipe, try starting with two layers. If your air fryer is bigger, you can adjust the number of layers next time.

Now, pour in the air fryer basket half of the amount of the canned beans and half of the grated gruyere cheese on top of all the ingredients.

If you decided to go with two layers as I did, repeat all the steps again, starting with adding the rest of the tortilla chips.

Then add the rest of the canned corn and black beans. Optionally, you can some more ingredients for the second layer.

Sprinkle everything well with grated cheese in the end, and put the cubed tomatoes over all the ingredients in the air fryer basket.

Bake at 400°F / 200°C for about 6 minutes, just until the cheese melts and everything heats up nicely.

Feel free to toss in other veggies like bell peppers or red onions at this stage.

After baking, lift out the parchment paper with a large spatula and transfer the nachos to a serving plate. Now, top with avocado, sour cream, and fresh herbs for added flavor and a pop of color.

Just like that, you’ve whipped up a quick and tasty air fryer snack that’s sure to impress!

🍽️ Serving Suggestions

Serve while the tortilla chips are still hot, along with other air fryer snacks near a few soft drinks for a pleasant evening with your friends or family. Or just take the bowl of this delicious snack with you in front of the TV to enjoy a movie night.

🏆 Expert Tips. What to Pay Attention To?

• In this recipe, you can make a few layers and make different toppings on each layer.
• Are you a meat lover? Consider adding some ground beef or shredded chicken. In that case, make sure that the meat is cooked enough before serving. Another option is to add some bacon to this recipe.
• Distribute evenly the topping on all the tortilla chips. Who likes the naked tortillas?
• For the best results, you can layer two or even three layers of tortilla chips. It all depends on the size of your air fryer.
• Use cheese that stretches well when it is hot so you get extra texture and fun while you enjoy this meal.
• If you will not serve this dish to kids, don’t hesitate to add some extra spicy toppings. They will fit perfectly here.

♻️ Make Ahead and Storage:

📋 Recipe Card:

Loved making these Cheesy Air Fryer Nachos? I’d really appreciate it if you could leave a rating and share your thoughts in the comments below!