Keto Nachos
Published February 5, 2024 • Updated December 2, 2025
Every chip is covered with cheesy toppings!
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Layers and layers of gooey, melted cheese covered chips, holding toppings piled on high, make the ultimate keto nachos every time without risk burning or undercooking
Creating delicious keto nachos has never been easier with this air fryer recipe that guarantees perfectly melted cheese on every layer without burning the chips or creating mushy toppings.
Why this method is the best
- Every chip is covered with toppings – There is nothing worse than getting to a second layer of chips, only to find that all of the toppings are gone since they were piled on top leaving a plate of chips with no cheese or toppings to scoop up. The magic of this keto nacho recipe lies in the layering technique. Each layer of tortilla chips is adorned with cheese, the seasoned taco meat, and the other toppings, ensuring that every chip is fully loaded with savory goodness.
- No burnt or mushy chips – The secret to perfect nachos is to cook them in the air fryer. Making nachos in the air fryer ensures that the cheese on every layer of tortilla chips is gooey and perfectly melted, while maintaining the crispy texture of the chips without burning the chips, cheese or toppings.
- Requires no babysitting – Heating nachos in the air fryer means that you don’t have to hover around the oven to make sure the nachos aren’t burning like you would if you are heating them under the broiler. Making air fryer nachos, you can start the air fryer and walk away to make your creamy horseradish truffle sauce.
How to make keto nachos
- Seasoned protein topping: Choose between flavorful beef taco meat using a homemade taco seasoning blend or make shredded chicken or pork.
- Layer down the chips: Spread a handful of chips or pork rinds in the basket of the air fryer.
- Add base nacho toppings: Sprinkle on cheese or nacho cheese sauce, seasoned protein.
- Alternate more toppings: Repeat with another layer of chips and cheese. Then add more toppings like black olives, pickled jalapenos, diced red onions and zesty pico de gallo or salsa.
- Final toppings: Lift the nachos out of the air fryer. To elevate them further, a finishing touch of fresh pico de gallo, creamy guacamole, and a homemade horseradish truffle cream sauce.
Explore 679+ keto recipe videos with step-by-step instructions, tips, and tricks to make keto easy.
Beef Taco Meat Ingredients
1 tablespoon chili powder -
1 ½ teaspoon ground cumin
-
1 teaspoon salt
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1/2 teaspoon paprika
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1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
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1/4 teaspoon onion powder
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1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
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1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
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1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
-
1 lb ground beef
Keto Nacho Ingredients
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2-3 bags (10-15oz) keto tortilla chips
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4 cups shredded Colby Jack Cheese
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1 cup pico de gallo, divided
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1 small can (2.25oz) sliced black olives
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1/2 cup pickled jalapenos
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1/2 cup diced red onion
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1/2 cup guacamole
Horseradish Truffle Cream Sauce Ingredients
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1/2 cup mayonnaise
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1/4 cup sour cream
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2 tablespoons horseradish cream
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1/2 - 1 teaspoon truffle oil
Step by Step Instructions
Step by Step Instructions
Make taco seasoning
Add all the spices to a small bowl and mix to combine.
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
Make taco meat
Add ground beef to a skillet and cook until browned. Then stir in seasoning and 1/4 cup of water. Let simmer over low medium heat until liquid has mostly evaporated. Remove and set aside.
- taco seasoning
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 pound ground beef
Air fryer instructions
Place a sheet of parchment paper in the basket of the air fryer. Layer down a few handfuls of chips to form a single layer. Followed by taco meat, 1 cup shredded cheese, 1/3 cup pico de gallo, half of the olives, another layer of chips, 1 cup cheese, jalapenos, onion, more chips, 1/3 cup pico de gallo, remaining olives, more chips, more meat, remaining 2 cups cheese. Air fry at 400°F for 10 minutes or until cheese is melted.
- 2-3 bags (10-15oz) keto chips
- 4 cups shredded Colby Jack Cheese
- 2/3 cup pico de gallo
- small can sliced black olives
- 1/2 cup pickled jalapenos
- 1/2 cup diced red onion
Oven instructions: sheet pan method
Lay down a sheet of parchement paper or aluminum foil on a large sheet pan. Layer down tortilla chips into a single layer. Sprinkle half of the shredded cheese over chips, followed by the seasoned beef, pico de gallo, olives, jalapenos and red onions. Top with remaining shredded cheese. Bake at 400°F for 5-6 minutes or until cheese is melted.
Make horseradish truffle cream sauce
Mix together mayonnaise, sour cream, horseradish cream and truffle oil. Add more truffle oil to taste. Season with salt to taste.
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons horseradish cream
- 1/2 - 1 teaspoon truffle oil
Nutrition disclaimer
The nutrition information provided is an estimate and is for informational purposes only. I am a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.); however, this content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your physician or other qualified health provider before making any lifestyle changes or beginning a new nutrition program.
I made this for a game night and it turned out great using the oven method. The layers of cheese really held everything together.
These nachos were insanely good! I was able to whip them up quickly using the oven method while juggling dinner and homework time. The horseradish truffle sauce was a surprising hit! Thank you Annie!
I tried the oven method and it worked perfectly. The cheese melted evenly and the toppings added great flavor. I was surprised how good the horseradish truffle sauce turned out.
I followed the air fryer method and it turned out great. The truffle horseradish sauce was new for me but added a lot of flavor. Definitely making again.