The air fryer melts nacho cheese evenly without the burnt edges and cold middle you get under a grill — and it's done in 6 minutes. The secret is layering. Here's how.
Key takeaways
Q: How do you make nachos in an air fryer?
A: Layer tortilla chips and cheese in a dish and air fry at 180°C (360°F) for 4–6 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbling.
Q: How do you melt the cheese evenly?
A: Layer chips and cheese in two or three layers rather than piling cheese only on top.
The layering trick
Don't just heap cheese on top — that burns the top layer and leaves the rest bare. Instead, build in layers: chips, cheese, chips, cheese. Every chip gets a melt, and nothing scorches. Add fresh toppings like salsa and soured cream after cooking.
The recipe
Loaded Air Fryer Nachos
Ingredients
- 150g tortilla chips
- 100g cheese, grated
- Jalapeños, spring onion
- Salsa, soured cream to serve
Method
- Layer chips and cheese in an oven-safe dish.
- Add jalapeños between layers.
- Air fry at 180°C (360°F) for 4–6 minutes.
- Top with salsa and soured cream.
Toppings
- Cooked: jalapeños, peppers, beans, cheese.
- Fresh, after: salsa, guacamole, soured cream.
- Add protein with leftover chicken or crispy chickpeas.
Frequently asked questions
How do you make nachos in an air fryer?
Layer tortilla chips and cheese in an oven-safe dish and air fry at 180°C for 4–6 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbling. Add fresh toppings after.
How do you stop nachos burning?
Layer the chips and cheese rather than piling cheese on top, and keep the time short — 4–6 minutes is plenty at 180°C.
Can you make them vegan?
Yes — use a plant-based cheese that melts, and load up with beans, salsa and guacamole.