Nachos are a popular Mexican snack, but do you know how to reheat nachos? It may be difficult to reheat this dish since it includes many chips with toppings covered by melted cheese. But if you know the right way to reheat nachos, it will be effortless!
Confused whether you should discard the leftover nachos or reheat them and use them as normal? I think you should keep them because they can be warmed up and this post will lend you a hand! Some of my recommendations may help! Keep reading for more!
But first, let me solve the problem:
How To Reheat Your Nachos?
There are several ways to reheat nachos, but for me, the 6 best methods of warming this Mexican food are:
- Using the oven
- Using the skillet
- Using the air fryer
- Using the toaster oven
- Using the broiler
- Using the microwave
So, are you curious about how we can use these utensils to reheat the nachos? Read more and I will show you how to do it!
What You Should Know About Nachos
Nachos are a worldwide popular dish from Mexico and Tex-Mex cuisine. It is a kind of food with many varieties, but the original one usually includes fried corn tortilla chips with melted cheese.
Nachos are typically served as a quick snack; however, with many different versions of the toppings and dipping sauces nowadays, they can also be served as an appetizer or main dish.
People around the world love nachos! Nachos were not that popular when they first appeared in Mexico, but now they have been famous and available everywhere with tons of distinctive varieties to please regional consumers.(1)
Anyone can make nachos right at home with some simple ingredients! Let’s see this video to know:
How To Store Leftover Nachos Effectively?
Storing leftover nachos properly can help the reheated outcome be better. It affects the whole taste, and crispness of the dish. So, you should consider this and store leftover nachos in the right way.
First, you should try to eliminate the cold toppings of the nachos that can’t be reheated as much as you can, such as fresh veggies (tomatoes, onions, jalapeno, etc.), sauces (sour cream, etc.); while keep the items that can be warmed up like meat, cheese, beans, etc.
The best way to store leftovers is to put all of them in an airtight plastic container. It’s not an exception for nachos. When you’re done eating them, you should place the rest inside a zip-lock airtight bag to prevent them from being wet, soft, and soggy.
After that, put the bags into the fridge. It can stay in the fridge for about 3 to 4 days, so you should reheat and eat them as soon as possible. More than 4 days? Consider discarding them because they may get spoiled after this time.(2)
Top 6 Methods To Reheat Your Nachos
Now, let’s get right to the point! The most useful methods to reheat nachos are listed below. Skim and choose the best way for you to warm your leftover nachos up! If one of these utensils is available in your kitchen, don’t be afraid to use it immediately!
1. Using The Oven – The Best Method For Reheating
This may be the most efficient method to deal with leftovers! Using the oven can help preserve the taste and texture of nachos, not exactly as authentic ones but can be a replica version. Read carefully what you need to prepare and the steps to revive your nachos.
What you may need:
- An oven
- Oven-safe plate
- Aluminum foil/ Oil spray
Instructions:
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 225-250oF.
Step 2: Eliminate cold toppings from the leftover nachos.
Step 3: Put them on a baking sheet or dish that is oven-safe. You can spray the oil on the baking tray or wrap it with aluminum foil to conduct heat.
Step 4: Carefully place them in the oven. After 10 minutes, check the nachos to ensure that they are not burning. This step may last for 20 minutes in total.
Step 5: After taking the nachos out of the oven, let them sit for a few minutes before adding your preferred toppings. You may reheat the nacho toppings at the same time as the nachos to save time.
2. Skillet – An Easy-To-Use Cookware
Skillet is a common utensil available in any kitchen. It can be used to warm the nachos up without messing them. Try this simple method to get a right-away dish of nachos.
What you may need:
- A skillet
- Aluminum foil/ A lid fitting the skillet
Instructions
Step 1: Remove the cold toppings (sauces, vegetables, etc.) from the nachos.
Step 2: Find a big enough pan and spread all your nachos on the pan to ensure they cook evenly. For efficient heating results, use aluminum foil to cover your pan before putting the nachos on. If you don’t have it, opt for a lid.
Step 3: Place your skillet on the stovetop and set the temperature to medium-high heat. Heat the nachos for 4 to 6 minutes. Regularly check them during this time, and try to keep the temperature of your skillet at medium heat.
Step 4: Take them out and let them cool down before eating. Bon appetit!
3. Air Fryer – A Helpful Assistant
You don’t have to prepare anything; just let the air dryer do its job. This is also my favorite method of reheating leftovers because of its convenience.
What you may need:
- An air fryer
- Oil spray (optional)
- Some fresh nacho chips
Instructions
Step 1: Put aside the cold toppings of the leftover nachos.
Step 2: Set your air fryer to 370-400oF. You can spray some oil inside so that your nachos won’t stick to the pan.
Step 3: Spread a single layer of fresh nacho chips in the pan, then place the leftover nachos on top. Keep building the interlaced layers to your likings. You can place the cheese that you’ve put out earlier to the top of your masterpiece.
Step 4: Let the air fryer do its job in about 6-7 minutes.
Step 5: Take them out and serve them with some new sour cream or vegetables. Voila! Enjoy your nachos!
Use your air dryer to reheat your leftover nachos quickly. Let’s see this video to know:
4. Toaster Oven – The Twin Of Oven
Using a toaster oven is just like using an oven to reheat nachos. It is another easy but effective way to warm your leftovers.
What you may need:
- A toaster oven
- Oven-safe plate
- Aluminum foil
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat your toaster oven to 240oF.
Step 2: Spread nachos evenly on aluminum foil to conduct the heat. Place the foil with nachos on a toaster oven-safe dish.
Step 3: Put the dish inside the toaster oven. Wait until the nachos look crunchy outside. The cooking time might range from 10 to 15 minutes.
Step 4: Take them out from the toaster oven and let them rest for a few minutes before serving to your family or friends!
5. Broiler – The Efficient Utensil
Using a broiler may not be the most popular way to warm up foods, but it is still helpful if you already have it in your kitchen.
What you may need:
- An oven-safe container (pan, plate, baking sheet, etc.)
- A broiler
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat your broiler to 400oF.
Step 2: Arrange the leftover nachos in the foiled container evenly in one single layer. You can place some cheese on top.
Step 3: Put the container with nachos under the broiler. Set the heat to 550oF and leave the nachos for 3 to 5 minutes or until the cheese melts completely. Remember to check on them frequently to make sure they are not burning.
Step 4: Take them out of the broiler then let them rest for a few minutes. You can serve them with some new cold toppings on top!
6. The Microwave – Friendly Kitchenware
Microwave may not be the best cookware for reheating leftovers, but it can be considered as the most convenient and fastest way if you want to eat the nachos immediately. You don’t have to prepare a lot of equipment to deal with this method.
What you may need:
- A microwave
- Baking sheet or microwave-safe pan
- Paper towel
Instructions
Step 1: Cover the microwave-safe container with paper towels.
Step 2: Arrange all the leftover nachos evenly on the wrapped container.
Step 3: Put the container with nachos in the microwave, which is already set to “Reheat” mode. Leave it for 1 minute; if the outcome doesn’t satisfy you, continue to heat at 20-second intervals and check on it regularly to see if they are warm enough.
Step 4: Take the nachos out and cool them down a little bit before serving with some extra toppings.
How To Reheat Nacho Cheese?
In nachos, melted cheese plays the role of a dipping sauce or the topping sauce. It can help enhance the taste of nachos, making them more flavorful and worth eating. Don’t know how to reheat the nacho cheese to serve with the nacho chips? Here’s basically how!
There is a lot of kitchenware to use to reheat nacho cheese, but for me, these three following utensils will work the best.
- Microwave: Microwave the nacho cheese for five minutes in a microwave-safe bowl. In about 3 minutes, keep on checking the cheese every 30 seconds and take it out when it’s dense.
- Skillet: To keep your food from sticking, heat a little bit of butter in a pan over low heat. Add the nacho cheese to a small pan and warm it until melted. Stir often until it reaches a comfortable temperature.
- Crockpot: Set the crockpot at a high temperature and stir the nacho cheese regularly as it reheats rapidly. Even if you cook at a moderate temperature, make sure to stir the mixture often to prevent scorching.
Your nacho cheese will taste as good as the first day it was made! Serve with the reheated nachos for the best experience!
How about making a brand new cheese sauce for your nachos? Let’s see this video to know:
FAQs
With all the information about ways to reheat nachos, I bet you’ve somehow figured out the best method for yourself! But if you’re still a bit confused, this section may help!
How Does It Feel To Revive Your Nachos?
As you can see, reheating nachos is not that difficult or time-consuming. Your nacho chips will retain their taste if you use these methods to warm them. It also restores the delicious, crunchy texture that is missing.
So, don’t hesitate to try and share your masterpiece with me! Do you have any further concerns or questions? Comment below!
References
1. En.wikipedia.org. 2021. Nachos – Wikipedia. [online] Available at: <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nachos>.
2. Mayo Clinic. 2021. How long can you keep leftovers?. [online] Available at: <https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/expert-answers/food-safety/faq-20058500>
