Air fryer nachos in 5 minutes (no preheating required)! These vegan black bean nachos are loaded with flavor, topped with all your favorite toppings, and make for a quick and simple snack or appetizer!
Easy Black Bean Loaded Vegan Nachos in an Air Fryer
For anyone who loves Southwestern food and fuss-free snacks, get ready for these air fryer nachos to become a new favorite. These vegan black bean nachos are salty, spicy, 'cheesy', tangy, and delicious. Plus, they’re ready in minutes, require minimal prep, are budget-friendly, and made with just a few simple pantry staples.
By making these nachos in an air fryer, there’s minimal clean-up, too. Especially if you eat them directly from the basket (which I usually do!). They are just as adaptable as other nachos recipes, too. Choose your favorite toppings, add extra plant protein, adjust the spice level, etc. Perfect for impromptu snacking, game days, and parties!
While there are many vegetarian nachos recipes already, this easy nachos recipe relies on just a few simple vegan ingredient swaps for delicious vegan nachos. Honestly, It’s never been easier to be a vegan!
I highly recommend making these air fryer vegan nachos (and vegan jalapeño poppers) whenever you need a guaranteed crowd-pleaser!
The Ingredients
This recipe requires 8 base ingredients with plenty of additional topping options.
- Tortilla chips: Use your favorite sturdy corn chips (triangles, rounds, etc.). Note that flavored corn chips like vegan Doritos may burn, so avoid them.
Did you know you can make your own air fryer tortilla chips?
It’s actually really simple. Just slice the corn tortillas into 4-6 chips. Lightly spray each one with a bit of oil on both sides, and air fry for 4-5 minutes at 400F/205C, until crispy and golden brown. Then load them up with the vegan cheese and beans and pop them back in the machine for air fryer nachos.
- Vegan cheese: Use a vegan melty cheese like a dairy-free cheddar cheese or a spicy vegan Mexican cheese. A block will be better than pre-shredded. You could also use vegan nacho cheese (queso).
- Black beans: Use canned or pre-cooked black beans or pinto beans.
- Jalapenos: Use fresh or pickled jalapenos (or green chilies), thinly sliced. Adjust the amount to taste.
- Avocado: I used guacamole, but vegan avocado crema or chunks would work, too.
- Vegan sour cream: Use low fat if preferred.
- Black olives: Technically optional, but I love the briny flavor.
- Cilantro: Or green onions for any non cilantro fans.
Other Vegan Nachos Toppings
For air fryer loaded nachos, choose any of the below toppings to add to your nachos!
- Salsa: Pico de Gallo or another red salsa would work perfectly.
- Tomatoes: Finely diced tomatoes (instead of salsa).
- Sauteed peppers and onions: Optionally with a bit of taco seasoning.
- Vegan ground beef/chili: You could use soy protein/TVP or a meat alternative with taco seasoning.
- Lentil taco meat: For a soy-free plant-based protein option.
- Bell peppers: Fresh or jarred.
- Corn: Canned or blackened/grilled corn tastes amazing in veggie nacho recipes.
- Pickled pink onions: Wonderfully tangy and pretty and pink.
- Refried beans: To swap out with the black beans.
- Shredded tofu: Use a fork or grater to shred some tofu and cook it with taco seasoning/chili powder and cumin.
- Shredded lettuce: Added right before serving.
- Hot sauce: For those who like theirs with a bigger kick.
- Taco seasoning: Lightly sprinkle it over the layers of chips and vegan cheese.
If you’re serving these loaded vegan nachos to a large group, try keeping the various toppings in separate dishes so everyone can pick and choose.
How to Make Air Fryer Nachos?
This air fryer nachos recipe requires just four practically effortless steps, including:
- 1) First, spread two cups of tortilla chips across the bottom of the air fryer basket. Overlap them, so the vegan cheese doesn’t melt and drip through the chips.
- 2) Then sprinkle over half of the shredded vegan cheese and ¾ cup of beans. Then repeat the layers once more before sprinkling over the jalapeno peppers (if using them).
- 3) Set the air fryer to 320F/160C and cook the vegan nachos for 3-5 minutes, until the vegan cheese melts.
- 4) Then, transfer them to a large plate (or eat them from the air fryer for less washing up!) and top them with all your favorite toppings. I used guacamole, black olives, vegan sour cream, and minced cilantro.
FAQs
Well, I wouldn’t go adding these vegan nachos to my post-workout snacks list, but they also don’t have to be loaded with fats and unhealthy ingredients.
If you track macros and calories closely, feel free to measure out the ingredients and tweak ratios to your liking. However, with black beans, guacamole, and corn chips, this snack is loaded with protein, fiber, and heart-healthy fats.
Corn chips are usually gluten-free, but I recommend checking the packaging details, just in case. Otherwise, the ingredients in these black bean nachos are naturally vegan.
I wouldn’t recommend it once all the toppings are on. However, the base black bean nachos and vegan cheese combo can be reheated in an air fryer for 2-3 minutes.
Yes, baked nachos are also simple to prepare but take longer. Spread the tortilla chips across a baking sheet, top with the vegan cheese and beans, then bake at 375F/190C for 9-12 minutes, or until the dairy-free cheese has fully melted. Then serve them with your favorite toppings.
I don’t recommend preparing the entire air fryer nachos dish in advance. You can, however, prepare many of the elements in advance.
I.e., if making homemade salsa, chopping veggies, homemade vegan queso, guacamole, any ‘meaty’ topping like vegan mince or chili, etc. All (except the guacamole) can be made 2-3 days in advance.
If you do have any leftover nachos, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for a day at most.
Top Recipe Tips and Notes
- Use the best tortilla chips: It’s best to use thick, sturdy chips for these air fryer nachos so they don’t become soggy too quickly. i.e., Casa Sanchez, Mission tortilla rounds, etc. Or make your own with corn tortilla chips.
- Don’t overfill the air fryer: I recommend up to 3 layers of tortilla chips maximum (or around ⅔ the way up the side of the basket).
- To avoid 'naked' chips: Spread the vegan cheese evenly across each layer of the vegan nachos.
- For super easy clean up: You could place a layer of aluminum foil at the bottom of the basket, going a couple of inches up the sides of the basket (which you can use to pull it out of the machine).
- Cooking time may vary: Based on your type and air fryer model. So keep an eye on them to avoid burning.
- Enjoy immediately: The tortilla chips will soften as they sit, so enjoy these air fryer nachos immediately for the best texture.
More Vegan Air Fryer Recipes
- Air Fryer Hash Brown Patties
- Air Fryer Asparagus
- Air Fryer Tater Tots
- Air Fryer Butternut Squash [Cubes + Halves]
If you try this air fryer nachos recipe, I’d love to know what you think in the comments below. I’d also really appreciate a recipe card rating!
Photos by Alfonso Revilla
Air Fryer Nachos [Vegan Black Bean Nachos]
Equipment
- air fryer
- cutting knives
- measuring cups
Ingredients
- 3 ½ cups of tortilla chips divided
- 7 ounces of vegan cheese
- 15 ounces of black beans, drained, rinsed, and dried
- Sliced jalapenos optional
- Dollop of guacamole optional
- Dollop of vegan sour cream optional
- Sliced black olives optional
- Minced cilantro optional
Instructions
- Fill the bottom of the air fryer with 2 cups of tortilla chips, sprinkle on half of the vegan cheese, and ¾ cup of the beans.
- Add another layer of tortilla chips using the remaining two cups, followed by the remaining vegan cheese and beans. If using jalapenos, you can also add them now if you want them cooked.
- Set the air fryer to 320 degrees F and cook for 5 minutes.
- You can either move them to a plate and add optional toppings or leave them in the air fryer basket and add optional toppings (fewer dishes!).
Notes
- Use the best tortilla chips: It’s best to use thick, sturdy chips for these air fryer nachos so they don’t become soggy too quickly. i.e., Casa Sanchez, Mission tortilla rounds, etc. Or make your own with corn tortilla chips.
- Don’t overfill the air fryer: I recommend up to 3 layers of tortilla chips maximum (or around ⅔ the way up the side of the basket).
- To avoid 'naked' chips: Spread the vegan cheese evenly across each layer of the vegan nachos.
Nutrition
Disclaimer: Although foodsharingvegan.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, kindly note that these are only estimates. Nutritional information may be affected based on the product type, the brand that was purchased, and in other unforeseeable ways. Foodsharingvegan.com will not be held liable for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on nutritional information. If you need to follow a specific caloric regimen, please consult your doctor first.
Andrea says
Love how easy it is to whip up nachos now! Love it!
Jean says
this nachos is a treat! what a perfect meal to enjoy.
Andrea says
Right?! So cool to make in the air fryer too!
Katie says
These nachos are absolutely perfect!!
Andrea says
They come out so so good!
Ashley says
Love these nachos! And I need my air fryer to do some work! 🙂
Andrea says
Yesss! It's the ultimate air fryer dish!
Tina says
Delicious vegan nachos in only 5 minutes?! Sign me up!!
Andrea says
Enjoy! They're the best 5 minute nachos ever!
Teodora says
The perfect recipe for summer evenings!
Andrea says
Yesss! So so good and hits the spot every time!
Gina H. says
Holy moley, these are sooo sooo good! I wish I could eat them for every meal. Such a treat!
Andrea says
I'm with you! So so good!
Amanda says
Yum! What a great way to make nachos!
Andrea says
Right?! So tasty and quick to make!
Janaye says
Omg these nachos look so good!
Andrea says
Such an epic way to enjoy nachos!