Save to Pinterest One evening, craving nachos but out of tortilla chips, I stared at my pantry and spotted a box of rigatoni. What started as a joke turned into the crunchiest, most unexpected party snack I've ever made. My friends didn't believe me until they heard the snap of pasta under melted cheese. Now it's the recipe everyone asks me to bring, and I've stopped explaining—I just let them taste it first.
I made these for a game night once, and my neighbor came over just as I was pulling the tray from the air fryer. She looked at the pasta, then at me, then back at the pasta. When she finally tried one, she laughed so hard she had to sit down. We ended up making a second batch before halftime because the first disappeared in minutes.
Ingredients
- Short pasta shapes: Rigatoni and penne work best because their ridges catch oil and seasoning, turning them into little flavor bombs when they crisp up.
- Olive oil: This is what makes the pasta golden and crunchy, not greasy, so don't skip the toss.
- Garlic powder and smoked paprika: These two give the chips a savory, slightly smoky backbone that tastes nothing like plain pasta.
- Boneless chicken breast: Dice it small so it cooks fast and tucks into all the pasta gaps.
- Taco seasoning: I use store-bought for speed, but homemade works if you have cumin and chili powder on hand.
- Shredded cheddar cheese: It melts fast and gets those stretchy, golden edges everyone fights over.
- Jalapeños: Fresh slices add heat and brightness, if you want it milder, remove the seeds first.
- Sour cream, cilantro, tomato, and red onion: These toppings aren't required, but they turn a snack into something that feels like a real meal.
Instructions
- Preheat and prep the air fryer:
- Set it to 200°C (400°F) so it's blazing hot when the pasta goes in. A hot start is what makes them shatter-crisp instead of chewy.
- Boil the pasta just short of done:
- Cook it 2 minutes under the package time, then drain and pat it completely dry with a towel. Any moisture left behind will steam the pasta instead of crisping it, and you'll lose that chip texture.
- Season the pasta:
- Toss it in a bowl with olive oil, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and salt until every piece is coated. The oil should glisten but not pool at the bottom.
- Air-fry in a single layer:
- Spread the pasta out so the pieces don't touch, then air-fry for 10 to 12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. You'll know they're ready when they sound hollow and feel light.
- Cook the taco chicken:
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat, add the diced chicken, taco seasoning, and salt, and sauté for 5 to 7 minutes. The edges should be browned and the chicken cooked through with no pink left.
- Build the nachos:
- Layer the crispy pasta chips on a platter, scatter the taco chicken on top, then cover with shredded cheese and jalapeño slices. Don't be shy with the cheese, it's the glue that holds everything together.
- Melt the cheese:
- Put the whole platter back in the air fryer for 2 to 3 minutes, just until the cheese bubbles and starts to brown at the edges. Watch it closely so it doesn't burn.
- Garnish and serve:
- Finish with dollops of sour cream, a handful of chopped cilantro, diced tomato, and red onion if you're using them. Serve immediately while the pasta is still crackling.
Save to Pinterest The first time I served these at a potluck, someone asked if I'd ordered them from a restaurant. I didn't admit I'd invented the recipe by accident until after everyone had seconds. That's when I realized food doesn't have to make sense to make people happy, it just has to taste good and feel fun.
Making It Your Own
If you don't eat meat, swap the chicken for black beans straight from the can, drained and warmed with the taco seasoning. I've also used roasted bell peppers and zucchini, which turn sweet and smoky under the cheese. For a spicier kick, add a pinch of cayenne to the pasta seasoning or drizzle hot sauce over the finished nachos. You can even try different cheeses like pepper jack or a Mexican blend, they all melt beautifully and bring their own personality to the dish.
Best Ways to Serve
These nachos are perfect for passing around during a movie or setting out on the counter when friends drop by. I like to serve them on a big wooden board with small bowls of sour cream, salsa, and guacamole on the side so everyone can customize their bites. They pair surprisingly well with a cold lager or a tangy margarita, and if you're feeling fancy, a squeeze of fresh lime over the top right before serving wakes up all the flavors. Leftovers don't really happen, but if they do, reheat them in the air fryer for 3 minutes to bring back the crunch.
What I Learned Along the Way
The first few times I made these, I undercooked the pasta chips because I was nervous about burning them, and they ended up chewy in the center. Now I know that light golden color isn't enough, you want deep golden edges and a sound like breaking a cracker when you snap one in half. I also learned that taco seasoning varies wildly by brand, so taste your chicken before you pile it on and adjust the salt or spice if needed. The toppings are where you can get creative, but the base recipe is foolproof as long as you respect the drying step and don't rush the crisping.
- If your air fryer runs hot, start checking the pasta at 9 minutes to avoid burning.
- You can prep the pasta chips a few hours ahead and store them in an airtight container, then assemble and melt the cheese right before serving.
- For a smoky twist, add a tiny pinch of chipotle powder to the chicken while it cooks.
Save to Pinterest This recipe taught me that the best food ideas come from having nothing and trying anyway. I hope it makes you laugh, then makes you hungry, then becomes the thing people beg you to make again.
Recipe Questions
- → How do you make pasta chips crispy?
Cook pasta slightly under al dente, dry thoroughly, then air-fry in a single layer until golden and crisp, shaking halfway for even cooking.
- → Can I substitute chicken with other proteins?
Yes, black beans or grilled vegetables can be used for a vegetarian twist without losing flavor.
- → What seasoning gives the chicken its zesty flavor?
Taco seasoning combined with salt adds a spicy, savory kick that complements the crispy chips and cheese.
- → Is an air fryer necessary for this preparation?
The air fryer helps achieve a crisp texture on pasta chips faster, but baking at high heat until crisp may be an alternative.
- → What toppings enhance the flavor profile?
Cheddar cheese, jalapeños, sour cream, cilantro, tomato, and red onion provide layers of creamy, spicy, fresh, and tangy notes.