Air Fryer Old El Paso Stuffed Nachos – Beef & Cheese

Air Fryer Old El Paso Stuffed Nachos – Beef & Cheese

Why You’ll Love It

Old El Paso Stuffed Nachos take everything you love about nachos and put it in a fun, dippable, crispy pocket. Each bite-sized triangle is packed with seasoned beef, melty cheese, and bold Tex-Mex flavor. When cooked in the air fryer, the outer shell becomes perfectly crisp while the inside stays hot and gooey—no soggy microwave texture, no oven preheat, just crunchy, meaty, cheesy goodness in minutes.

Ingredients

• 6–10 Old El Paso Stuffed Nachos – Beef & Cheese (frozen; do not thaw)

• Optional: Olive oil or avocado oil spray (for extra crispiness)

• Optional: Salsa, queso, or sour cream for dipping

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preheat the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F for 3–5 minutes to ensure an evenly crisp shell.

Prepare the Stuffed Nachos

• Remove from packaging and cook straight from frozen—do not thaw.

• Arrange nachos in a single layer in the air fryer basket or tray.

• Lightly spray with oil if desired for a more golden and crunchy finish.

Air Fry

• Air fry at 400°F for 6–8 minutes, flipping or shaking the basket halfway through at minute 4.

• Keep an eye on them after minute 6—they brown quickly toward the end.

Check for Doneness

• Shells should be golden brown and crisp.

• The filling should be hot, with beef and cheese fully melted inside.

• Internal temperature should reach 165°F.

• Let rest for 1–2 minutes before serving to prevent burning your mouth on the melted cheese.

Pro Tips

• Shake or flip halfway to ensure even crisping on all sides.

• For a party platter, cook multiple batches and serve with assorted dips like guacamole, chipotle mayo, and queso.

• Want more heat? Sprinkle with chili powder or cayenne before cooking.

Serving Ideas

• Serve with:

  • Salsa verde or spicy queso dip

  • Guacamole or avocado ranch

  • Jalapeño slices or pickled onions

• Use as a base for a mini nacho plate:

  • Top with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, cheese, and sour cream

  • Load into a bowl over rice and black beans for a nacho bowl

  • Serve in a taco salad setup with crunchy toppings

Storage & Reheating

Storage

• Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

• Best texture is preserved when reheated in the air fryer, not the microwave.

Reheating

• Air Fryer: 375°F for 3–4 minutes until re-crisped and hot

• Microwave: 30–45 seconds (will soften the shell)

FAQs

Can I cook a full bag at once?

Only if your air fryer is large enough to keep them in a single layer. Overcrowding leads to uneven cooking.

Do they explode or leak cheese?

The filling may bubble out slightly, but they hold together well when not overcooked.

Are they spicy?

They have mild seasoning with a little kick. Add a spicy dip if you want more heat.

Air fryer Old El Paso Stuffed Nachos – Beef & Cheese for a crunchy, melty, flavor-packed snack in minutes. Step-by-step air fryer instructions, tips, and serving ideas included!