Nachos are a traditional Tex-Mex dish consisting of crunchy tortilla chips layered with melted cheese or a warm cheese sauce, often customized with an assortment of savory toppings like spiced meat, beans, and chillis. When piled high with substantial proteins and vegetables, they are commonly referred to as loaded nachos.

What to serve with nachos?

You can serve nachos with guacamole and salsa for added flavour and texture. Nachos also pair perfectly well with sour cream, jalapeños and refried beans for more of a main meal than a snack, side or starter option.

Do you eat nachos with your fingers?

Yes, nachos are fundamentally a finger food designed to be eaten entirely with your hands rather than a knife and fork. Part of the social appeal of a loaded platter is physically pulling apart the melted cheese strands and using individual chips to scoop up the toppings.

How do you stop nachos from getting soggy?

The best way to prevent soggy nachos is to bake them quickly at a high temperature and layer your grated cheese directly onto the tortilla chips to act as a protective barrier before adding wet ingredients like salsa. Always serve cold toppings like sour cream and guacamole on the side rather than spooning them directly over the hot platter.

What is the best cheese for melting over nachos?

A combination of mature cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese provides the absolute best results for nachos because they melt smoothly while delivering a sharp, punchy flavour profile. Avoid buying pre-grated bagged cheese, as it contains anti-caking starches that prevent a perfectly glossy, gooey melt.

Can I make nachos in the air fryer?

Yes! Nachos cook as well in an air fryer as they do in a conventional oven. Cooking nachos in the air fryer takes around five minutes. If you’re making loaded nachos with meat, you must make sure the meat is completely cooked beforehand, so that it is safe to eat.

Nachos Recipes

Whether doused in a velvety warm sauce or loaded with seasoned chicken or beef, mastering a nachos recipe is the ultimate way to create a crowd-pleasing sharing platter. Layering your tortilla chips correctly ensures a perfect crunch in every single bite.

Vegetarian Greek Style Nachos

Halloumi-Chicken Fajitas and Cheesy Nachos

with Chipotle Soured Cream, Smashed Avocado and Tomato Salsa Salad

Mexican Style Cheesy Beef Nachos Rapidos

with Mushrooms, Courgette and Soured Cream

Beefy Nachos!

with Beans and Tomato Salsa

Chipotle Pulled Chicken Loaded Nachos

with Cheese and Avocado

Nutrition-Packed Nachos

with Sour Cream and Guacamole

Indian Nachos

with Chickpeas, Veggies & Yoghurt Dip

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How to Make Nacho Cheese

To make the perfect nacho cheese to accompany your Mexican feast, simply follow these easy steps:

Melt the butter – Place two tbsp of unsalted butter in a saucepan over a medium heat until it is completely liquid and foaming slightly.
Build a smooth roux – Whisk in two tbsp of plain flour, stirring continuously for roughly one minute to cook out the raw flour taste and form a golden paste.
Gradually incorporate the liquid – Pour in one cup of whole milk a little at a time, whisking vigorously to eliminate any lumps until the mixture thickens into a velvety base.
Lower the temperature – Reduce the hob heat to medium-low immediately; keeping the pan too hot will cause your dairy components to split and turn oily.
Melt the cheese blend – Stir in one cup shredded cheddar, 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack and 1/4 cup cream cheese until melted.
Introduce the seasonings – Mix in one tsp of garlic powder, 1/2 tsp of paprika, and 1/4 tsp of cayenne pepper for an optional kick, then add salt and black pepper to taste.
Adjust and serve immediately – Pour the warm cheese directly over your crunchy tortilla chips or transfer it to a side dish to use as a dipping sauce. If your sauce thickens up too much as it sits, HelloFresh’s Senior Recipe Developer, Mimi Morley, suggests whisking in a tiny splash of warm milk to restore your desired consistency.

How to Air Fry Nachos

You don’t always have to rely on a conventional oven to make the most delicious nachos. Did you know it’s actually super simple to make nachos in the air fryer?

Layer the baseline chips – Place a single layer of crunchy tortilla chips flat into your air fryer basket, ensuring they are spread out enough to allow the hot air to circulate evenly.
Add the initial toppings – Scatter your grated cheese and desired toppings, such as sliced jalapeños and cooked minced beef, directly over the base layer.
Build an even second layer – Repeat the chip and cheese distribution on top to guarantee a perfect topping-to-chip ratio right down to the bottom of the basket.
Set the time and temperature – Cook at 175°C for around five minutes until the cheese has transformed into a gooey, gently bubbling blanket.
Monitor the melting progress – If after five minutes your cheese hasn’t finished melting, simply pop the basket back in the appliance and continue to cook in rapid one-minute increments until done.
Garnish and serve warm – Carefully remove your finished nachos from the air fryer and serve immediately alongside traditional dips like tomato salsa, fresh guacamole and cool soured cream while still warm.

Check out our air fryer recipes for more ways to get the most out of your cost-friendly kitchen appliance.

Nachos Recipes

Double Loaded Beef Chilli Nachos

Mexican Style Beef Nachos Rapidos

Mexican Style Cheesy Pork Nachos Rapidos

Mexican Style Game Night Pork Nachos

Mexican Style Cheesy Pork Nachos Rapidos

Mexican Style Game Night Beef Nachos

Cold Busting Mexican Soup

Loaded Beef Chilli and Chorizo Nachos

Mexican Style Pork Nachos Rapidos

Cheesy Loaded Veggie Nachos

Nacho Style Loaded Fries and Tomato Salsa