How To Reheat Nachos: Using Oven, Skillet, Microwave & Air-Fryer

Snack Lovers, listen up! 

I will reveal my nachos’ secrets – with uncompromised crispiness and flavors with leftover nachos. So keep reading to discover a thorough guide to how to reheat nachos – the hassle-free way!

Can You Reheat Nachos?

You surely can. 

It is not hard to reheat nachos, and with only a few steps, you can guarantee that your nachos will taste just as good as they were the very first time you tasted them.

A Quick Note on Methods of Reheating Nachos

I’ve experimented with four ways to reheat nachos to save you time and effort.

The approaches I used were:

1. Reheating nachos in an oven (best result, slower method)
2. Reheating nachos in a skillet (hassle-free, crunchiness compromised) 
3. Reheating nachos in a microwave (works best with toppings on, soggy result)
4. Reheating nachos in an air fryer (crispy chips, burns easily) 

***Benefits and drawbacks of each method will be discussed later.***

Note: 

I was on the lookout for crisp nachos in my experiment. 

Ultimately, I found that the oven gave the best results, albeit the air fryer did too. Turn up the oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit (150 degrees Celsius), and take the chilly toppings off the nachos. Lay the nachos on parchment paper and place them in a baking dish. Warm up the nacho chips in the oven for ten to fifteen minutes. Serve immediately after adding the chilled toppings.

Watch the video to understand easily how to reheat the leftover nachos.

How to Reheat Nachos (All Methods)

You can reheat fried rice in a microwave, stovetop skillet, air fryer, or oven. We put in extensive research and testing to develop methods for you on how to reheat nachos.

1. How to Reheat Nachos in Oven

Normal ovens are one of the most convenient places to reheat nachos.

Start by removing as much excess topping from the nachos as you can. You might end up with a large wet mess if you don’t. 

Instructions

1. Get ready an oven preheated at 300 degrees Fahrenheit (150 degrees Celsius).
2. Place (topping-free) nachos on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Throw in some extras, like cheese, if you’d like.
3. Bake the nachos for 10 to 15 minutes, or toast them for 5 minutes until they are crunchy.
4. Spread the nachos evenly so they can get some air and get crispy.
5. Just before serving, put everything back together again.

Pros

The oven is a great place to reheat nachos since the chips take on a pleasant toasted flavor. If you add cheese topping, then the cheese melts evenly.

Cons

This method is slower than other ones. 

Quick Tip: I would recommend slightly reducing the oven temperature and cooking the nachos for longer if they are soggy. 

2. How to Reheat Nachos in Skillet

Reheating nacho chips in a pan is a great option for when you have some leftovers in the fridge. Although reheating nachos in a skillet isn’t as good as in the oven, it’s still a decent option. Thus, if you don’t have time to wait for your oven to heat up, consider reheating the nachos in a skillet with the following instructions.

Instructions

• Find a large enough pan to lay out the leftover nachos.
• Distribute the nachos throughout the pan evenly. 
• Remove the lid from the skillet and cover it with aluminum foil. Put the foil over the nachos.
• Cover the foil with the skillet’s cover.
• Stick to medium-high heat and monitor the chips several times while cooking to ensure they don’t burn.
• Put the nachos in a bowl and refrigerate until they are cold enough to eat.

Pros

Takes less time and is hassle-free. 

Cons

The chips can be soggy and mushy instead of crispy. 

3. How to Reheat Nachos in Microwave

The microwave is very useful up to a certain point. But when you leave the chips in the microwave for too long, they will change their texture and become rubbery.

But there are times when you can be in a super hurry and have no other option than popping your nachos in the microwave so that you can use this method then. 

Instructions

• Take the nachos apart and put the chilled toppings in a separate bowl.
• Prepare a microwave-safe plate with a couple of servings of nachos.
• Melt the cheese on the nachos by microwaving them in 30-second increments.

Pros

Microwaving is the answer if you want to know how to reheat nachos with toppings. It saves time while reheating nachos, even with toppings. 

Cons

This method can make leftover chips soggier.

4. How to Reheat Nachos in Air Fryer

Reheating leftover nachos in an air fryer is convenient. With its high temperature and short cooking time, an air fryer is a fantastic appliance for quickly re-crisping leftover nachos.

Instructions

• Put the tortilla chips in an air fryer and cook them at 300 degrees Fahrenheit (150 degrees Celsius).
• Spread the nachos out as much as possible in the air fryer basket.
• Heat the nachos for 3–4 minutes, or until the nachos are crispy, and then top with any other ingredients you choose.
• Substitute cold condiments and serve immediately.

Pros

This method is the best for a small serving and is hassle-free. The chips are crunchy and airy. 

Cons

This method can burn chips quickly. It is not applicable for large batches of nachos. 

Pro Tip: Line the air fryer’s basket with foil if you use messy toppings. Poke some holes in the foil to ensure air circulation. 

How to Store Nachos?

Putting nachos in the fridge is easy and can help them stay tasty for longer. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you store your nachos!

Step 1: Let the nachos cool down all the way

If you just made the nachos, let them cool down completely before putting them in a container. This will make it harder for the cheese to stick to the bottom of the container.

Step 2: Remove all the toppings

If you have topped your nachos with toppings, removing them before storing, will be a good idea. If the topping is wet, like a sauce or mayonnaise, ensure the chips are cleaned and dry before putting them in a jar.

Step 3: Put the nachos in a container that can’t let air in

A container that doesn’t let air in will keep the nachos from going stale. If you don’t have a container that keeps out air, you can use a bag with a zip-top.

Step 4: Place the container in the refrigerator 

If you put the nachos in the fridge, they will stay fresh for longer. Ensure the container is tightly sealed so that no air can get in.

Step 5: Eat all the nachos within a few days

Even though they will stay fresh longer if they are stored correctly, you should eat them within a few days of putting them in the fridge. This will make sure they remain delicious and fresh.

Step 6: Warm up the nachos before you eat them

If you are going to wait to eat them immediately, make sure to heat them up before eating. This will help the cheese melt and keep the chips from getting soggy.

How Long Do Nachos Last?

One of the most common questions is how long nachos stay. That depends on your nachos and where you want to keep them.

In Room Temperature

Nachos may sit at room temperature for a few hours before they become stale. This is especially true if the nachos sit in open or sealed containers long. Keep them fresh for a longer period by storing them in an airtight container or by wrapping them in foil. This will delay their dryness and staleness.

In Refrigerator

Nachos can survive for up to a week if properly preserved in the fridge. You may extend their shelf life by storing them in an airtight container away from any items that can impart a strong odor. This will prevent them from becoming mushy or absorbing any unwanted flavors.

In Freezer

If you carefully store nachos in the freezer, they will last for months. Aluminum foil can help them keep for a longer time in the freezer. If you do this, they won’t dry out and become stale as quickly.

No matter how you store them, ensure to check the expiration date on the package. This lets you know how long the nachos will last. If the expiration date has passed, throwing out the nachos is best because they might have gone bad.

Conclusion

It doesn’t matter what season it is; nachos are always a good idea. When reheated improperly, nachos can become mushy, oily, and unappetizing. 

Now that you know how to reheat nachos, your nachos will reheat exactly every time, whether you reheat them in the oven, the microwave, or the air fryer. You may be assured that your nachos will taste as good as they did the day they were cooked the next time you want to eat them. Bon Appétit!