Air Fryer Nachos

Name: Air Fryer Nachos
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Yield: 6
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 1 lb (450 g) tortilla chips; 3 cups shredded cheese, such as sharp cheddar and mozzarella; 2 cups corn, fresh, frozen thawed or canned drained; Guacamole, diced tomatoes, diced red onion, sliced jalapeños, cilantro and sour cream, to serve

Air fryer nachos are the fast game-day snack when you want melty cheese without heating the big oven. Layer chips with shredded cheese and corn in the basket, melt at 375°F, then pile on guacamole, salsa and jalapeños at the table. Grate your own cheese for the smoothest melt.

15 min total
375°F / 190°C
6 servings
5 min prep

Jump to recipe See steps

Layer in stages

Chips, cheese, toppings, more cheese on top. Layers help the heat reach the middle without burning the edges.

Grate your own cheese

Pre-shredded cheese is coated with starch so it clumps in the bag. Freshly grated cheddar and mozzarella melt more evenly.

Toppings after cooking

Cold sour cream, guacamole and fresh salsa go on after the cheese melts. Hot chips plus cold toppings is the point.

Air Fryer Nachos

Prep 5 min · Cook 10 min · Total 15 min · 6 servings

Air Fryer375°F / 190°C

Basket time10 min

Flip / shakesee steps

Tested onCosori 5.8 qt, 1700W

Crowding. One batch fills most 6 qt baskets. For a crowd, cook in two batches and keep the first warm at 200°F while the second melts.

Basket liner (optional). A paper basket liner makes it easy to lift the whole nacho pile out without breaking chips. Melted cheese will stick to bare basket wire.

Step-by-step instructions

Follow each step in order. Photos show what to look for so the basket finish matches the plate.

Layer

Line the air fryer basket with a paper liner. Layer half the chips, half the cheese and the corn. Repeat with the remaining chips and cheese, finishing with a layer of cheese on top.
Tortilla chips layered with cheese and corn in the air fryer basket

Melt

Air fry at 375°F (190°C) for 8-10 minutes until the cheese is melted and lightly golden on top.
Melted cheese nachos in the air fryer basket
Carefully lift the liner out of the basket and slide nachos onto a platter. Top with guacamole, tomatoes, onion, jalapeños, cilantro and sour cream. Serve immediately.