How to Make the Perfect Shrimp Nachos

Shrimp nachos are the ultimate party appetizer! With crispy tortilla chips, juicy shrimp, melty cheese, and tons of fresh toppings, these nachos are irresistible. I’m going to walk you through my easy step-by-step method for how to make the best shrimp nachos at home. These will be a major crowd-pleaser!

Ingredients You’ll Need

Before we get cooking let’s go over the key ingredients you’ll need to make shrimp nachos

• Shrimp – Medium or large shrimp work best so they don’t fall through the chips. Frozen, thawed shrimp or fresh shrimp will both work great.

• Tortilla chips – Yellow, white, or blue corn tortilla chips all work well. Look for a sturdy chip that won’t break when loaded up.

• Cheese – A melty Mexican cheese blend is ideal. I like to use a combo of Monterey Jack, cheddar, pepper jack, and/or colby jack.

• Beans – Black beans or pinto beans are classic. Make sure to rinse and drain them first.

• Salsa – I prefer a chunky salsa or pico de gallo, but any salsa will work.

• Guacamole – To make it easy, use store-bought or my 5 minute guacamole recipe.

• Toppings – Cilantro, lime wedges, jalapeños, avocado, sour cream, etc. Go wild with your favorite toppings!

Seasoning the Shrimp

• The key to amazing shrimp nachos is packing big, bold flavor into the shrimp.

• First, peel and devein the shrimp if using fresh shrimp. Pat the shrimp dry thoroughly.

• In a bowl, toss the shrimp with chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Massage the seasonings into the shrimp.

• Let the seasoned shrimp marinate for 10-15 minutes while you prep the other ingredients. This allows the flavors to really permeate the shrimp.

Assembling and Baking the Nachos

• Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line a large baking sheet with foil or parchment paper.

• Arrange enough tortilla chips on the sheet to cover it in a single layer. Try to minimize empty space between chips.

• Sprinkle the chips evenly with shredded cheese. I use about 8 oz of shredded cheese.

• Top the cheese with the black beans and seasoned shrimp.

• Bake for 10-15 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

• Carefully remove the nachos from the oven. The chips will be hot!

Finishing Touches

Now comes the fun part – loading up your nachos with toppings!

• Drizzle the nachos with salsa and guacamole.

• Add slices of avocado and jalapeño peppers.

• Sprinkle on fresh cilantro leaves and squirt over lime juice.

• Provide extra salsa, guacamole, and sour cream on the side for topping individual servings.

• Dive in while the nachos are still warm and melty!

Pro Tip: For an extra creamy and decadent sauce, make my 3-ingredient queso by melting Monterey jack cheese with milk and flour. Drizzle this queso over the baked shrimp nachos.

Shrimp Nachos Variations

The possibilities are endless when it comes to customizing shrimp nachos! Try these fun variations:

• Substitute grilled shrimp, blackened shrimp, or air fried shrimp for a change of texture.

• Use corn chips or blue corn chips instead of yellow or white tortilla chips.

• Mix up the beans with refried beans, cannellini beans, or no beans at all.

• Try salsa verde or mango salsa for a fruitier flavor.

• Add sliced banana peppers, pickled jalapeños, or peperoncini peppers for a spicy kick.

• Mix in diced tomatoes, red onion, roasted corn, or black olives.

• Swap different melty cheeses like pepper jack, Oaxaca, queso fresco, or queso blanco.

• Top with crispy bacon crumbles, shredded lettuce, or green onions.

• Drizzle spicy crema, cilantro dressing, or ranch dressing over the nachos.

Shrimp Nacho Tips and Tricks

Here are my top tips for perfectly delicious shrimp nachos every time:

• Use fresh shrimp if possible for the best flavor and texture. Thaw frozen shrimp overnight in the fridge if using frozen.

• Pat shrimp very dry before seasoning to help the seasoning stick.

• Don’t overcrowd the baking sheet with chips or they won’t crisp up. Use two pans if needed for a large batch.

• Preheat the baking sheet in the oven so the chips crisp up faster from below while the cheese melts on top.

• Pull the nachos as soon as the cheese melts to avoid burning the chips on the bottom.

• Load up individual servings with toppings rather than topping the whole pan. This prevents soggy chips.

• Add any cold toppings like guacamole, salsa, and sour cream just before serving so they don’t warm up.

• Keep a close eye on the shrimp’s internal temperature and stop cooking at 145°F to prevent rubbery, overcooked shrimp.

• Have fun with mix-ins! Leftover taco meat, grilled chicken, chorizo, and more make tasty additions.

• Serve any extra components like guacamole, salsa, beans, shrimp on the side for customizing individual portions.

How to Reheat Leftover Shrimp Nachos

Leftover shrimp nachos can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat them in the oven or air fryer until hot and crispy again. Here’s how:

Oven Method:

• Place the nachos on a baking sheet and cover tightly with foil.

• Bake at 350°F for 10-15 minutes until warmed through.

Air Fryer Method:

• Portion the nachos into smaller batches to fit your air fryer basket without overcrowding.

• Air fry at 400°F for 4-6 minutes, shaking halfway, until hot and crispy.

• Avoid air frying more than 1 batch at a time or the chips will lose their crispness.

Pro Tip: Wait to add any cold toppings like guacamole or salsa until after reheating so they don’t warm up and get mushy.

Shrimp Nacho Recipe Inspiration

For more shrimp nacho inspiration, check out these amazing recipes:

Sheet Pan Shrimp Nachos from How Sweet Eats – Loaded onto a sheet pan for easy baking and topping!

Shrimp Nachos from Mom on Timeout – With step-by-step photos and a flavorful 3-ingredient queso.

Easy Shrimp Nachos from Gimme Some Oven – Simple 30-minute nachos with zesty citrus shrimp.

Baked Shrimp Nachos from Chelsea’s Messy Apron – Packed with beans, corn, and two kinds of cheese!

Shrimp Nachos Supreme from The Chunky Chef – Loaded with a creamy cheese sauce and all the toppings.

Make the Best Shrimp Nachos Tonight

Now you’re ready to make the most irresistible shrimp nachos ever! With flavor-packed shrimp, melty cheese, crispy chips, and tons of bright toppings, this easy appetizer always wins big. Have fun getting creative and customizing your shrimp nachos. And be prepared for everyone to beg you to make these again and again. Enjoy!