Here are 5 easy ways to reheat nachos with toppings and sour cream, plus other delicious Mexican and Tex-Mex recipes you’ll love!
Here’s some good news for nacho lovers!
We’re sharing how to reheat nachos with toppings and sour cream so you can enjoy them again the next day.
No one likes soggy nachos so these easy techniques will keep your nachos crispy and your cold toppings cold.
We also share tips for storing leftover nachos, how to tell if your nachos have gone bad, and other yummy Tex-Mex recipes to try!
Nachos 101

Before we detail the best ways to reheat nachos, here’s some fun information you may not know!
Below you’ll find information on the history of nachos, typical toppings, and some creative ways to make nachos you might not think of.
Their Creation
It’s believed that nachos originated in Northern Mexico in the 1940s by Ignacio Anaya.
As the story goes, Ignacio created nachos on a whim when a group of hungry servicemen showed up in his restaurant one day.
He whipped up a quick dish with the ingredients he had on hand, creating the first plate of nachos.
The dish rapidly spread because it’s quick, easy, and cheap to make.
Nachos Today
You can now find nachos in Mexican-themed restaurants throughout the world as a main dish or appetizer.
And it’s a popular concession food for sports.
Nachos are also one of America’s favorite snacks to make at home for game day.
They have a crispy texture, melted cheese, and lots of flavorful add-ons. They’re great for a crowd, and you can personalize them with your favorite toppings.
A typical nacho dish may include grocery store ingredients like:
- Nacho chips
- Nacho cheese
- Sour cream or a sour cream substitute
- Cheddar cheese or a cheddar cheese substitute
- Salsa sauce like fresh garden salsa
- Ground beef, chicken, steak, or chorizo
- Jalapenos
- Guacamole
- Black olives
- Pinto beans
To make nachos, simply add nacho chips and cheese to a sheet pan or skillet and cook them until the cheese melts. Then, sprinkle on your desired toppings.
You can also get creative with less traditional ingredients.
- You can make Mediterranean nachos with pita chips, feta, olives, and tzatziki sauce.
- Asian nachos might feature teriyaki chicken, edamame, bell peppers, and sweet chili sauce.
- You could also try Thai-inspired nachos with satay chicken, peanut sauce, lime, and shredded red cabbage.
- Try BBQ chicken and pineapple nachos with Monterey jack cheese and grilled Huli Huli chicken.
- Experiment with shrimp and avocado nachos featuring grilled shrimp, queso fresco, and pico de gallo.
- Make fruit nachos with cinnamon tortilla chips, fruit salsa, and white chocolate drizzle
- Make eggs and bacon nachos with cheddar cheese, crispy bacon, and your favorite veggies.
How To Store Leftovers

To store leftover nachos, you should first deconstruct them.
If you can, separate and remove the cold toppings like lettuce, olives, and guacamole from the hot toppings like ground beef and beans.
Place the chips, cold toppings, and hot toppings in separate containers and refrigerate.
PRO TIP: Store the chips in a shallow airtight container with a paper towel on top to soak up excess moisture. This will help your chips stay crispy and make it easier to reheat them when you’re ready.
How long do leftovers last?
It’s important to store and eat leftover nachos in a timely manner to avoid food poisoning.
Nachos should sit at room temperature for no longer than 2 hours.
And they last 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
Be sure to check your nachos for signs of spoilage before eating them.
These may include:
- An off odor
- Mold
- Increased moisture
- Slimy texture
If you notice these, it’s a good idea to throw them out!
How To Reheat Nachos

There are several different ways to reheat nachos. And the best method will depend on what appliances you have and how much time is on your hands.
Below you’ll find 4 techniques that will produce crispy nachos.
And one less ideal option that works when you’re in a pinch.
Air Fryer
The best way to reheat a small portion of nachos is in the air fryer. It’s a great way to get crispy nachos in a short amount of time.
If you haven’t already, remove any cold toppings from your nachos and set them aside.
Then, line the air fryer basket with aluminum foil and spray the foil with olive oil cooking spray.
Preheat the air fryer to 370 degrees Fahrenheit, then add your chips and hot toppings to the basket.
Cook for 6-7 minutes or until the cheese has melted.
Remove the chips from the basket, and add your cold toppings back on top.
Conventional Oven
If you need to reheat a large amount of nachos, a conventional oven is your best bet.
First, preheat the oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit.
Then line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Remove the fresh ingredients from the nachos and place the chips and hot toppings on the baking tray in a single layer.
Cover tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes.
If you have less time, you can use another oven method that uses direct heat.
Place the nachos under the broiler (set to high) for 1-3 minutes and watch closely to make sure they don’t burn.
Once reheated, add your cold toppings and enjoy!
Toaster Oven
The toaster oven method is similar to the conventional oven.
Place the nachos on an oven-safe plate with cold toppings removed.
Cover with foil and cook at 225 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 minutes.
Replace the cold toppings and enjoy.
Skillet

You can also reheat your nachos in the skillet.
But, it will require a little more effort.
For the skillet method, you will need a heavy bottom skillet or cast iron pan with a lid.
Remove cold toppings and add your nachos to your pan in a single layer.
Don’t overcrowd the pan or the nachos will steam.
Place foil over the pan, then cover with a lid and heat over medium heat for 5 minutes.
Once the cheese is melted, you can add your cold toppings back on and enjoy.
Microwave
If you’re in a pinch, you can reheat your nachos in the microwave.
However, your chips will probably turn out a little mushy.
Remove your cold toppings, and add the nachos to a microwave-safe plate lined with paper towels.
Heat nachos in 30-second intervals until the cheese is melted.
Then replace the cold toppings and enjoy.
FAQs

If you don’t want to reheat your nachos for a quick snack, you can repurpose them into other meals.
Here are some creative ways to repurpose leftovers and give them new life:
-Make an enchilada casserole
-Use the toppings for taco soup or tortilla soup
-Add the toppings to a quesadilla
-Add the toppings to a baked potato
-Make a taco salad rice bowl
Leftover nachos will last 3-4 days in the refrigerator when properly stored. However, you should always check your leftovers for signs of spoilage like an off odor, mold, excess moisture, or slimy texture.
If you notice these, throw the nachos out.
You should also throw nachos away if they sit for more than 2 hours at room temperature.
Don’t leave nachos at room temperature for longer than 2 hours. After 2 hours, rapid bacteria growth will make them unsafe to eat.
Store your leftover nachos in the refrigerator as soon as possible.
To avoid soggy nachos, separate and remove cold and hot toppings from your chips. And store your chips, cold toppings, and hot toppings in separate shallow airtight containers.
Other Mexican and Tex-Mex Recipes You’ll Love
Now that we’ve covered how to store and reheat nachos, here are some other delicious Mexican and Tex-Mex recipes we know you’ll love!
Each of these dishes is easy to make, full of flavor, and family-friendly.
They have similar ingredients to nachos. So if you’re a fan of nachos, you’ll definitely enjoy these dishes.
Serve them for your family’s next weeknight meal!
Creamy Avocado Picante Chicken

This Creamy Avocado Picante Chicken features tender chicken pieces covered in a creamy Picante sauce, topped with sliced avocados, all served over hot rice. It’s an easy dinner idea that comes together in no time!
Shredded Chicken Cafe Rio Salad

This homemade Cafe Rio salad recipe features juicy shredded chicken, cilantro lime rice, and beans covered in fresh lettuce, pico de gallo, cotija cheese, and a delicious tomatillo dressing. It’s incredibly flavorful and delicious!
The Easiest Creamy Taco Soup

This delicious creamy taco soup features a creamy broth, ground beef, beans, vegetables, and plenty of taco spice. It’s so easy to make and ready in just 30 minutes!
White Chicken Chili Recipe With Cream Cheese

This White Chicken Chili recipe with cream cheese is perfect for a chilly evening. Just dump the 7 ingredients in your Crock Pot and in a few hours you’ll have a deliciously creamy chili ready for dinner!
Homemade Chicken Enchiladas with Sour Cream White Sauce

These Chicken Enchiladas with Sour Cream White Sauce are filled with a creamy sauce, tender chicken, and lots of cheese. Your family will fall in love with this non-traditional recipe!
I hope you found some new Mexican and Tex-Mex recipes to try. If you make one of these recipes be sure to take a picture and tag me on Instagram with @ashcroftfamilytable and use the hashtag #ashcroftfamilytable!
And if you’d like to get a 4-week meal plan featuring my recipes, just enter your email in the form above and you’ll get it straight to your inbox!
Did we answer all your questions about how to reheat nachos? Let us know if we missed anything in the comments.
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