Appetizer Recipes
Korean-Inspired Air Fryer Nachos
We dreamed up these nachos for game day, but they’re also going on our master list of snack dinners. Piled high with chunks of juicy marinated steak, caramelized kimchi, and sweet corn, they’re loaded with crispy, chewy texture and so satisfying. But the flavors! The nacho cheese is laced with gochujang, and the whole sweet-salty thing with the corn and kimchi is magnificent.
Don’t skip the garnishes, they’re gorgeous! The minute we set our tray of nachos down on the test kitchen work table, a crowd formed (seriously, where did all those people come from?!) — and they were gone in a crunch!
Heads up: The steak does need to marinate for at least an hour, so there’s a little bit of prep time, but this air fryer nacho recipe is otherwise quick and easy.
Serves: 4 to 6
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Korean-Inspired Air Fryer Nachos
For the steak:
For the nachos:
Directions
To marinate the steak: Pat the skirt steak dry with paper towels and season both sides generously with salt. In a large resealable bag, combine the gochujang, rice vinegar, olive oil, garlic, and ginger. Shake to combine. Add the steak, seal, and turn to coat. Marinate in the fridge for 1 hour and up to overnight.
To caramelize the kimchi: Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a medium pan over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the kimchi and brown sugar and cook, stirring occasionally, until caramelized, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the sesame oil, toss to coat, and transfer to a bowl.
To grill the steak: Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a cast iron skillet over medium high heat. Remove the steak from the marinade and shake off any excess. Cook the steak for 2 to 3 minutes, until well charred, flip and cook for 2 minutes more for medium-rare. Let rest for 5 minutes, then dice the steak into ½” pieces.
To make the nacho cheese sauce: In a medium pot, combine the shredded cheddar, cornstarch, and evaporated milk. Heat over medium until the cheese melts and the sauce thickens, about 5 minutes. Stir in the gochujang and season with salt.
Preheat the air fryer to 325º. Line the air fryer basket with parchment paper. Layer ⅓ of the chips, mozzarella, caramelized kimchi, green onion whites, corn, and steak. Repeat 2 more times.
Air fry for 5 to 7 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the nachos are heated through.
Garnish the nachos with nacho cheese sauce, sour cream, green onions, sesame seeds, cilantro leaves, and chile flakes. Serve with lime wedges and the remaining nacho cheese sauce.