Looking for a fun way to use up those Thanksgiving leftovers, or just want something a little different for game day? These air fryer turkey nachos are a great choice! Chopped turkey, melty cheese, and your favorite toppings come together for a delicious crunchy snack!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and easy. The air fryer gets these nachos hot, crispy, and cheesy in just minutes!
- A great way to use leftover turkey. Turn leftover holiday turkey or turkey burnt ends into a fun new meal instead of eating the same dinner again
- Crispy and cheesy. The chips get perfectly crunchy while the cheese melts over every layer
- Big on flavor. Smoky turkey, salty cheese, and lots of toppings give these nachos a delicious twist on the classic!
- Easy to customize. Add jalapeños, black beans, onions, corn, tomatoes, sour cream, guacamole, cranberry sauce, gravy, or whatever toppings you love!
- Perfect for sharing. Make a batch for game day, parties, cookouts, or casual snacking
- Small-batch friendly. The air fryer makes it easy to prepare just enough for a couple of people without heating up the oven
- Ready for any occasion. Serve them as an appetizer, snack, lunch, or easy weeknight dinner!
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Ingredients List
- 4 cups corn tortilla chips (or nacho chips if preferred)
- 8 oz shredded cheddar cheese (I like Applewood smoked cheddar)
- 1 cup cooked turkey, shredded or diced
Optional Toppings
- ¼ cup pickled jalapenos
- ¼ cup pickled red onions
- ½ cup corn kernels
- ½ cup black beans
- ¼ cup cranberry relish
- Sliced green onions for garnish
Ingredient Tips and Substitutions
- This recipe is great with leftover holiday turkey! I recommend breast or thigh meat (I used some leftover Smoked Turkey Wings and the meat is very hard to pull for this use), and these nachos are particularly good with smoked turkey!
- You can also use lean ground turkey (or substitute lean ground beef), cooked with taco seasoning or a blend of chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion, smoked paprika, and salt for classic nacho flavor
- For sauces, try a drizzle of BBQ sauce, sour cream, or even gravy!
- You could also add other toppings like pico de gallo, fresh cilantro, guacamole, bell pepper, sliced avocado, more Thanksgiving leftovers, or a squeeze of fresh lime juice
Step By Step Instructions
- Line the bottom of your air fryer basket with nonstick aluminum foil or parchment paper, letting it come about halfway up the sides of the basket to form a “bowl”
- Spread half the tortilla chips across the lined basket, then top with half the shredded cheese and half the cooked turkey
- Repeat with a second layer of chips, cheese, and turkey. Do not stack higher than about ¾ full in your basket, or the cheese may blow up into the heating element
- Cook on the air fry setting at 350°F for 5-7 minutes, until the cheese is fully melted and browned to your liking (it will vary a bit between different air fryers; start checking at the 4-5 minute mark, and add additional time in small increments)
- Use the edges of the parchment or foil to grab and slide the nachos out of the air fryer and transfer to a plate or serving platter. Add your favorite toppings and enjoy!
Pairing Suggestions
Air fryer turkey nachos are crispy, cheesy, smoky, and loaded with flavor, making them perfect for game day, casual entertaining, or turning Thanksgiving leftovers into something completely new! Pair them with classic nacho toppings, game day snacks, or Thanksgiving-inspired sides.
Game Day Favorites
- Chicken wings: Serve alongside Buffalo, BBQ, or garlic Parmesan wings for the ultimate game day spread
- Pigs in a blanket: Another easy handheld appetizer that guests can grab between plays
- Jalapeño poppers: Their creamy, spicy filling pairs beautifully with cheesy nachos. Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers are a great choice!
- Mozzarella sticks: Add another crispy, cheesy favorite to the snack table
- Loaded potato skins: A hearty companion for a serious game day spread. Try my easy Air Fryer Potato Skins!
- Pretzel bites: Serve with beer cheese or mustard for a salty contrast
- Spinach artichoke dip: Creamy and savory alongside the smoky turkey
- Chili: A hearty option for cold-weather game days and tailgates.
Thanksgiving Leftover Favorites
- Cranberry sauce: A little cranberry on top adds a sweet-tart contrast to the savory turkey and cheese!
- Stuffing: Crumble leftover stuffing over the nachos for an extra Thanksgiving-inspired layer
- Sweet potato casserole: The sweet-savory combination works especially well with smoky BBQ turkey
- Turkey gravy: Serve warm gravy on the side for dipping or drizzle a small amount over the finished nachos
Toppings & Dips
- Guacamole: Creamy avocado adds freshness and richness
- Sour cream: Cool and tangy against the warm, spicy nachos
- Pico de gallo: Fresh tomatoes, onions, and lime brighten up the dish
- Pickled jalapeños: Add acidity and heat to balance the richness
- BBQ sauce: Especially good if you’re using turkey burnt ends or smoked turkey
- Ranch dressing: A game day classic that works surprisingly well with BBQ turkey
- Queso: For when melted cheese simply isn’t enough cheese. No judgment! In fact, you can make some homemade Air Fryer Queso if you like!
Drinks
- Beer: A crisp lager, pilsner, or amber ale is practically made for game day nachos!
- Hard cider: Apple flavors are especially nice with turkey and Thanksgiving-inspired toppings
- Iced tea: A refreshing nonalcoholic option for casual gatherings
- Apple cider: Great for a Thanksgiving leftovers spread!
- Cranberry mocktails or cocktails: Tart cranberry provides a refreshing contrast to the rich nachos. Any of my Cranberry Vodka Drinks would be a great choice!
Best Occasions
These turkey nachos are especially good for football Sundays, tailgates, Super Bowl parties, holiday gatherings, and the days after Thanksgiving.
For game day, load them up with jalapeños, queso, guacamole, and BBQ sauce; for Thanksgiving leftovers, add cranberry sauce and even a little crumbled stuffing for a fun second-day feast!
My favorite way to serve them is to make a big tray for the day-after-Thanksgiving football games. Turkey + cheese + cranberry sauce + jalapeños sounds a little chaotic on paper, but in nacho form, it’s weirdly excellent!
Recipe FAQs
Which Cheese Is Best To Melt On Nachos?
Cheddar, Monterey Jack, and Colby Jack are all excellent choices because they melt smoothly and have plenty of flavor. For turkey nachos, I especially smoked cheddar because it melts well and adds the perfect complement of flavor.
How Do You Layer Nachos So They Are Not Soggy?
Start with a layer of sturdy tortilla chips, then add a light layer of cheese and turkey before repeating the layers. Keep wet toppings like salsa, sour cream, guacamole, and cranberry sauce off the chips until after cooking, and avoid piling on too much meat or sauce.
Can I Make These In The Oven Instead?
Absolutely! Assemble the nachos on a large baking sheet or large skillet (preferably cast iron) and bake at 400°F for about 5-10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Add fresh toppings after baking.
The oven is a great option for making a larger batch, especially for game day or parties.
Tips For the Best Air Fryer Turkey Nachos
- I recommend that you do not preheat your air fryer for this recipe. It isn’t needed, and trying to layer nachos in a hot air fryer basket is just a burnt hand waiting to happen!
- While I typically avoid blocking air flow in the basket when using foil or parchment, this recipe is an exception! Since I’m only melting the cheese from the top, air flow isn’t as important, so it’s OK to block it off (and a LOT easier to get out later)!
- Typically, I reheat things like corn and beans separately so that they don’t make the tortilla chips soggy. Add them after cooking and just before serving for the best texture!
Storage and Reheating
Storage Tips
- Store leftover nachos separately from wet toppings whenever possible. Keep sour cream, guacamole, salsa, and other fresh toppings in separate containers
- Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours in an airtight container and enjoy within 3-4 days
- Freeze the cooked turkey separately if you’re making these specifically for meal prep. The assembled nachos themselves don’t freeze well because the chips lose their crisp texture
Reheating Tips
- Air fryer (best method): Arrange the nachos in a single layer and heat at 350°F for 3-5 minutes, until the cheese is re-melted and the chips are crisped
- Oven: Reheat at 375°F for 5-10 minutes on a baking sheet until hot
- Microwave: Heat individual portions in 20-30 second intervals, but expect the chips to soften
- Add fresh toppings after reheating. Salsa, sour cream, guacamole, jalapeños, and cranberry sauce are best added once the nachos are hot!
Leftovers Tip
If you’re making these from Thanksgiving leftovers, store the turkey, cheese, and toppings separately rather than assembling the nachos ahead of time.
Then you can build a fresh batch and air fry it whenever the craving hits. It’s much better than reheating one giant pile of soggy nachos!
- Air Fryer Turkey Burgers
Final Thoughts
Air fryer turkey nachos are one of my favorite ways to repurpose holiday leftovers into something new and fun! They’re great for a quick and easy lunch, and super customizable with different toppings (including some other leftovers from the Thanksgiving table).
I also enjoy serving them for game day. Ground turkey makes a perfect alternative to traditional ground beef, for a crowd-pleasing snack! The air fryer keeps the chips crispy, while getting your cheese melty and perfectly browned, and ready for loading up with finishing touches.
Katie’s tip
Looking for more great ways to not only cook turkey, but use it in other creative leftovers meals? Check out all of my Air Fryer Turkey Recipes for inspiration!
Air Fryer Leftover Turkey Nachos
Equipment
- Foil (or parchment paper)
Ingredients
- 4 cups tortilla chips
- 8 ounces shredded cheddar cheese (such as Applewood smoked cheddar)
- 1-2 cups cooked turkey (adjust to taste; shredded or diced)
Optional Toppings (As Pictured)
- ¼ cup pickled jalapeno slices
- ¼ cup pickled red onions
- ½ cup corn kernels
- ½ cup black beans
- ¼ cup cranberry relish
- 1 Green onion, sliced (for garnish)
Instructions
- Line the bottom of your air fryer basket with nonstick aluminum foil or parchment paper, letting it come about halfway up the sides of the basket to form a bowl shape
- Spread half the tortilla chips across the lined basket, then top with half the shredded cheese and half the cooked turkey4 cups tortilla chips, 8 ounces shredded cheddar cheese, 1-2 cups cooked turkey
- Repeat with a second layer of chips, cheese, and turkey. Do not stack higher than about ¾ full in your basket, or the cheese may blow up into the heating element4 cups tortilla chips, 8 ounces shredded cheddar cheese, 1-2 cups cooked turkey
- Cook on the air fry setting at 350°F for 5-7 minutes, until the cheese is fully melted and browned to your liking (it will vary a bit between different air fryers; start checking around 5, and add additional time in small increments)
- Use the edges of the parchment or foil to grab and slide the nachos out of the air fryer and transfer to a plate or serving platter. Add your favorite toppings and enjoy!¼ cup pickled jalapeno slices, ¼ cup pickled red onions, ½ cup corn kernels, ½ cup black beans, ¼ cup cranberry relish, 1 Green onion, sliced
Notes
- This recipe is great with leftover holiday turkey! I recommend breast or thigh meat, and these nachos are particularly good with smoked turkey!
- You can also use ½ lb of ground turkey cooked with taco seasoning, or a blend of chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion, smoked paprika, and salt for classic nacho flavor
- For sauces, try a drizzle of BBQ sauce, sour cream, or even gravy!
- You could also add other toppings like pico de gallo, fresh cilantro, guacamole, bell pepper, sliced avocado, more Thanksgiving leftovers, or a squeeze of fresh lime juice
- Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand and flavor of ingredients, any sauces or toppings added, and quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only
Nutrition
