Name: Air Fryer Nachos (Veggie Black Bean Nachos)
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: 6 cups Corn tortilla chips (homemade or store-bought); 1 Red onion (small, diced); 1/2 Red bell pepper (seeded and chopped); 1/4 cup Corn (frozen); 1/2 Jalapeño pepper (seeded and diced); 3/4 cup Black Beans (canned, liquid drained ); 3 cups Shredded cheese (cheddar and/or Monterey Jack); 1/2 cup Cherry tomatoes (halved, for serving); Cilantro (chopped) (for serving); Sour cream, salsa and guacamole (for serving)

Air Fryer Nachos are perfect for parties, a quick snack, or even midnight cravings. Crispy tortilla chips are loaded with black beans, melty cheese, and your favorite toppings, then air-fried for just a few minutes until bubbly and golden. They’re easy to customize and come together in no time!

air fryer nachos on a parchment paper garnished with cilantro

It’s one of our favorite things to order when we go out, so I knew I had to recreate it at home — and let me tell you, this is definitely going to be your go-to snack from now on! Not only is it incredibly easy to make, but my whole family couldn’t stop raving about it.

I made these on Super Bowl Sunday, and when I shared a picture on Instagram Stories, I got so many DMs asking for the recipe that I’ve shared it here for you all!

I love the combination of crispy nachos, melty cheese, black beans, and fresh veggies. You can top them with anything you like, such as fresh tomatoes, olives, jalapeños, and cilantro. It’s a snack that everyone will love!

Amazing 10-Minute Air Fryer Nachos
Why We Love This Air Fryer Nachos ?
Ingredients
How to make Vegetarian Nachos in an Air Fryer?
Favorite Nacho Toppings
Tips for the BEST Nachos
- How to Store Air Fryer Nachos ?
- How to Reheat Nachos in an Air Fryer?
More Easy Air Fryer Recipes

Amazing 10-Minute Air Fryer Nachos

Loaded with black beans, melty cheese, and fresh veggies, these nachos cook in minutes. Simply layer them in the air fryer and cook until golden and bubbly. Add your favorite toppings and serve with sour cream, salsa, and guacamole for a quick, satisfying snack or party appetizer!

nachos with tomatoes and jalapeno in air fryer basket

Why We Love This Air Fryer Nachos?

We can’t get enough of these air fryer nachos for numerous reasons:

Quick and easy to make
This is a no-fry recipe, and we don’t have to heat up the oven
Loved by both kids and adults
Versatile – easy to customize with your favorite toppings
Naturally gluten-free (check your chips and toppings!)
Budget-friendly – uses simple ingredients you likely already have at home
A perfect anytime snack

I love my air fryer! I use it often to make snacks like these, and I don’t feel guilty after eating or serving them.

Ingredients

Tortilla chips: For the best nachos, use thicker tortilla chips (homemade or store-bought). Thin chips can break easily, but the thicker chips will hold up perfectly under the toppings, giving you that satisfying crunch.

Cheese: The best nacho recipe is one with lots of cheese! I like using a blend of cheddar and Monterey Jack for a great mix of flavor and gooeyness.

Black beans: Canned black beans add a nice protein boost and texture to the nachos. Drain the liquid before adding to prevent the nachos from getting soggy.

Red onion and red bell pepper: Sliced red onion and chopped red bell pepper add crunch, sweetness, and color to the nachos.

Jalapeño pepper: For a little kick, I add sliced jalapeño. I love the spice it adds to the nachos, but you can use less or leave it out if you want a milder dish.

Corn: You can use fresh or frozen corn, but frozen corn is a quick and easy option that works great.

Cherry tomatoes: Fresh cherry tomatoes, halved, are perfect for adding a juicy burst of flavor.

Cilantro: A sprinkle of fresh cilantro adds a burst of freshness and a nice herby touch to your nachos.

Sour cream, salsa, and guacamole: No nachos are complete without these classic sides! They help cool things down and add creamy, tangy flavors that pair perfectly with the cheesy nachos.

How to make Vegetarian Nachos in an Air Fryer?

The best part about these air fryer nachos? They’re just so easy to make! Hardly any prep, a quick air fry, and you’re ready to dig in. I use simple ingredients, which all come together beautifully in just a few minutes.

Got leftovers from another meal? You can totally mix it up! If you’re not sticking to a vegetarian version, leftover taco meat, shredded rotisserie chicken, or even some grilled fajita veggies taste great layered into these nachos.

Prepare the air fryer basket:
Begin by lining the bottom of your air fryer basket with parchment paper. This will prevent the nachos from sticking and make cleanup easier.

Layer the first set of ingredients:
Arrange half of the tortilla chips evenly across the bottom of the air fryer basket. Spread them out in a single layer to ensure each chip gets topped with cheese and other ingredients.

added lots of cheese to make air fryer nachos

Add the toppings:
Layer on half of the sliced bell peppers, red onion, black beans, and corn. Sprinkle half of the shredded cheese evenly over the top. This will help the cheese melt nicely and stick to the chips.

added black beans on top of nachos to make air fryer nachos

Repeat the layering:
Add the second layer by repeating the process with the remaining tortilla chips.

add cherry tomatoes on top for air fryer nachos

Followed by the remaining bell peppers, onion, black beans, and corn. Add some halved cherry tomatoes and the rest of the cheese. Then spread some sliced jalapenos on top.

Make sure everything is evenly distributed for an even cook.

Air fry the nachos:
Set your air fryer to 330°F (165°C) and cook for 5 minutes. Keep an eye on them—your nachos are ready when the cheese is completely melted, and the top layer of chips starts to turn golden brown and crispy.

closeup shot of nacho in air fryer basket

Add the finishing touches:
Once cooked, carefully remove the nachos from the air fryer. Pick from the parchment paper and transfer to a bowl or platter.

Top them with fresh, chopped tomatoes and a generous sprinkle of cilantro for added color and freshness.

Serve and enjoy:
Serve your hot, cheesy nachos immediately with sour cream and/or guacamole. Enjoy this quick, easy, and delicious appetizer with some salsa on the side for dipping.

closeup shot of air fryer nachos topped with cilantro

Favorite Nacho Toppings

Nachos aren’t just a great appetizer – they are hearty and loaded with flavor, which can make them a meal on their own (love it for a fun lunch!).

Here’s our go-to list of toppings to make your air fryer nachos extra delicious.

Add before air frying: Sliced red onions, chopped bell peppers, sliced jalapeños, black olives, black beans, lots of cheese.

Add after air frying: Tomatoes, fresh cilantro, pickled jalapeños, diced avocado, green onions.

Serve on the side: Sour cream, salsa or pico de gallo, guacamole, lime wedges.

Tips for the BEST Nachos

Easy clean-up: Lining the air fryer basket with parchment paper makes clean-up so much easier.
Golden cheese: If you like your cheese extra bubbly and crispy, after air frying, broil the nachos for 1-2 minutes to get a golden finish.
Prep ahead: Chop the veggies, shred the cheese, and rinse the beans earlier in the day or the night before. When it’s time to cook, all you need to do is layer and air fry.
Adjust spice level: Adjust the spice based on your taste. Add more or fewer jalapeños or skip them altogether if you don’t like heat.
Use thicker chips: Go for thick tortilla chips—they hold up much better with all the toppings. Thin chips might get soggy or break easily.
Serve with your favorite dips: I always keep sour cream, salsa, and guacamole on the side. They add that creamy, tangy bite to every chip!
Extra cheese: More cheese = more melty deliciousness! The more cheese, the gooier and more delicious the nachos will be.

air fried nachos on a wooden chopping board with cilantro and jalapeno on side

Variations You Can Try

Beans for protein: I used black beans, but pinto beans or kidney beans work great too. Use whatever you have in your pantry.
Cheese choices: I love using a mix of cheddar and Monterey Jack for the melt, but you can also use a pre-shredded Tex-Mex or Mexican blend if that’s easier.
Add more veggies: Chopped tomatoes, green onions, bell peppers, or black olives are fun ways to add more flavor and color.
Lettuce for crunch: Add chopped romaine lettuce on top for a fresh crunch after air frying.
Use meat instead of beans: You can swap the black beans with leftover shredded chicken, taco-seasoned ground meat, or rotisserie chicken. It’s a great way to use up leftovers.

How to Store Air Fryer Nachos?

If you’ve got leftovers (though honestly, ours are usually gone in minutes!), store them in an airtight container in the fridge. Just know that the chips can get a bit soft, especially with toppings like beans, corn, and cheese.

If you can, keep the chips and toppings separate. But even if they are all together, they will still be tasty when reheated—just not as crispy as fresh!

How to Reheat Nachos in an Air Fryer?

Got leftovers? Here’s what to do:

Option 1: Store leftover nachos in the fridge. Reheat them in the air fryer or on a baking sheet at 320°F for 2-3 minutes, just until the cheese melts and until everything is hot. The chips might not get super crispy, but they’ll still taste great. Keep a close eye while they reheat—chips can burn fast if left too long.

Option 2: If the chips are too soggy, just discard them and save the toppings in an airtight container for up to 3 days. When ready, spread the toppings over a fresh batch of chips and air fry.

Tip: If you added lettuce or any other fresh toppings like tomatoes or cilantro earlier, it’s best to remove them before reheating to avoid soggy bites. You can always add them fresh again after reheating!