There’s nothing worse than soggy nachos. Absolutely no one enjoys the soggy remains at the bottom of the pile. That’s why you need an air fryer. Thin layers of chips and cheese mean that these vegetarian nachos are crispy throughout, even if you’re reheating them! This recipe makes the absolute perfect amount. Enjoy them as a main meal for two, or share them with more friends. The best part is they take just 5 minutes to crisp up, so making another batch is a snap. And since we’re heating just the chips and cheese, everyone gets to customize the toppings on their own serving.
Here’s what you’ll need
This list is SO simple. Grab your favorite chips and cheese at the store and get cooking. Jump to the recipe card for exact measurements – this is just an overview!
Tortilla Chips: Wander the chip aisle, and you’ll find the standard brands, but now there are also so many to choose from, including grain-free, lower-salt, and lime-flavored. Choose your favorite! Feeling adventurous? Make your own tortilla chips! Shredded Cheese: I like classic cheddar, but grab whatever strikes your fancy. (Need help? Here’s our definitive guide to the best cheese for nachos.) Monterey Jack or a cheddar-jack blend also tastes great. Give vegan cheese a try, too. The Daiya brand melts nicely. Toppings: This is where you go wild! Pickled jalapeños, pico de gallo, homemade guacamole, vegan chorizo…the list goes on!
Nachos are super easy to make
The hardest part is waiting 5 minutes! (Jump to the recipe for the full printable recipe.) Step 1: Prep the Air FryerCut a piece of parchment paper or foil the size of your basket’s insert, plus a bit to go up the sides – but not TOO high! Try and keep it below the top of the basket. This will help you pull your entire serving of air fryer nachos out of the basket while also preventing a cheesy mess in the bottom of your air fryer (but just in case, here’s how to clean your air fryer). Step 2: Assemble the NachosWe’re doing two layers here, just like making lasagna. Chips-cheese-chips-cheese. Step 3: Air FryCook for 5 minutes or until your cheese is melted. There is no need to preheat! I love that you can easily set the timer for longer, hang out by the air fryer, and take a quick peek multiple times without losing too much heat. This lets you get things perfect. Step 4: Serve Them Up!Carefully lift out your vegetarian nachos by the edges of the parchment. I just place the entire paper on the serving platter. Now add all your favorite toppings! You can also gently pull apart the entire stack of nachos into two for everyone to customize their plates.
Why this Recipe Works
No wasted energy when you want a single serving. There’s no reason to heat up the main oven when the air fryer will do! Five minutes is all you need to make these. You can’t even heat up a toaster oven in the time these nachos cook in the air fryer! No soggy nachos here! The air fryer heating element is super close to the chips, keeping them nice and crispy. And with your layered approach, no chip is cheese-less!
Why do I need to line the basket?
Using parchment under your nachos serves a dual purpose. Not only can you easily lift your entire platter of nachos out at once, but no cheese will drip into the basket! This means you need to quickly wipe any crumbs to clean your machine.
How do you make nachos crispy again?
These are amazing fresh, but to reheat, just pop them right back in the air fryer for a minute or so. Keep in mind that you just need to reheat them briefly to get crispy again.
Can I put parchment paper in the air fryer?
Yes – it’s totally safe! Just make sure you keep the edges of the paper below the top of the basket so they don’t come into contact with the fan or heating element. Did you make this recipe? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me @liveeatlearn on Facebook or Instagram!
