Introduction

Oh, the smell of a campfire! Does anything beat it? I’m a huge fan of camping, and one of my absolute favorite things to do is whip up some easy, delicious food over the open flames. There’s just something magical about it. And if you’re looking for a snack that’s guaranteed to disappear faster than marshmallows on s’mores night, then you’ve found your winner. These Campfire Nachos are ridiculously simple, packed with flavor, and the perfect way to gather ’round with friends and family. Seriously, you won’t believe how easy they are to make!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Fast: Ready in under 15 minutes, perfect for quick snacks.
Easy: Minimal prep, maximum flavor – even beginner cooks can master this.
Giftable: Assemble the dry ingredients and present them as a fun camping gift!
Crowd-pleasing: Nachos are a universal language of deliciousness that everyone loves.

Ingredients

Gathering your ingredients is half the fun! Here’s what you’ll need:

1 (8 oz) bag tortilla chips: Your trusty foundation. Choose your favorite kind – sturdy ones work best for campfire cooking!
½ cup sliced black olives: For that salty, briny goodness.
¼ cup sliced green onions: Adds a fresh, oniony bite.
2 cups shredded taco cheese or your favorite blend: The star of the show that brings it all together. A Mexican blend or sharp cheddar works wonders!
2 jalapeños, sliced and seeds removed: For a touch of heat. If you’re sensitive to spice, just use one or remove all seeds and membranes.
Cilantro for garnish (optional): A sprinkle of fresh cilantro adds a burst of color and freshness.
Salsa, sour cream, and guacamole, for serving: These are the essential companions. Don’t skip them!

How to Make It

Alright, let’s get cooking! This is where the magic happens, right over the fire.

Prep your base: Grab a fire-safe platter, a cast-iron skillet, or a foil-lined grill basket. Layer half of your tortilla chips on the bottom. Think of it as building a delicious foundation!
Pile on the goodness: Evenly distribute half of your black olives, green onions, shredded cheese, and sliced jalapeños over those chips. Make sure to get a little bit of everything on each chip.
Double the layers: Now, repeat! Add the remaining tortilla chips on top of the first layer, then scatter the rest of the olives, green onions, cheese, and jalapeños. More cheese is always a good idea, right?
Time for the heat: Carefully place your platter or grill basket directly over medium-hot campfire coals or on your grill grates. Keep an eye on it!
Melt to perfection: Let them cook for about 5 to 10 minutes. You’re looking for that glorious moment when the cheese is perfectly melted and bubbly. Keep a close watch to prevent any accidental burning – nobody likes burnt chips!
Finishing touches: Once the cheese is gooey and irresistible, carefully remove your campfire nachos from the heat. If you’re using cilantro, give it a nice sprinkle over the top for a fresh finish.
Serve and enjoy: These are best served IMMEDIATELY. Grab your favorite salsa, a dollop of cool sour cream, and some creamy guacamole, and dig in!

Substitutions & Additions

The beauty of nachos is their versatility! Feel free to customize them to your heart’s content:

Protein Power: Add some seasoned ground beef, shredded chicken, or even some black beans for a heartier meal.
Veggie Vibes: Toss in some corn, diced tomatoes, or bell peppers for extra color and crunch.
Spice It Up: If you love heat, leave some of the jalapeño seeds in, or add a dash of your favorite hot sauce.
Different Cheeses: Monterey Jack, pepper jack, or a smoky gouda can all be fantastic alternatives.
No Campfire? No Problem: If you’re not camping, you can easily make these in your oven! Just bake at 350°F (175°C) for 8-12 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Tips for Success

A few little tricks can make your campfire nachos even more amazing:

Sturdy Chips: Opt for thicker tortilla chips that can hold up to all those delicious toppings.
Even Distribution: Try to spread your toppings evenly so every bite is a flavor explosion.
Watch the Heat: Campfire cooking can be unpredictable! It’s better to move them off the hottest coals for a minute if they’re cooking too fast.
Prep Ahead: Slice your green onions and jalapeños before you head out camping to make assembly even quicker at the campsite. You can even pre-shred your cheese!

How to Store It

These nachos are truly best enjoyed fresh off the fire. If you happen to have any leftovers (which is highly unlikely!), you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a day. However, the chips will lose their crispness. For the best experience, make them right before you plan to eat them!

FAQs

Q: Can I make these ahead of time?

A: While you can assemble the dry ingredients ahead of time, it’s best to cook them right before serving so the chips stay crispy and the cheese melts perfectly.

Q: What’s the best way to heat these over a campfire?

A: Placing them on a fire-safe platter or in a foil-lined grill basket directly over medium-hot coals works wonderfully. Just keep a close eye on them!

Q: Are there any vegetarian options?

A: Absolutely! This recipe is already vegetarian-friendly. If you want to add more protein, consider adding black beans or refried beans.

Campfire Nachos

Ridiculously simple, packed with flavor, and the perfect way to gather 'round with friends and family over an open flame. Ready in under 15 minutes!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 10

Servings 4 people

Equipment

Fire-safe platter Or cast-iron skillet, or foil-lined grill basket
Grill grates

Ingredients

Hauptzutaten

8 oz tortilla chips Choose your favorite kind – sturdy ones work best for campfire cooking!
0.5 cup sliced black olives
0.25 cup sliced green onions
2 cup shredded taco cheese or your favorite blend A Mexican blend or sharp cheddar works wonders!
2 jalapeños, sliced and seeds removed If you're sensitive to spice, just use one or remove all seeds and membranes.
Cilantro for garnish optional
Salsa, sour cream, and guacamole, for serving These are the essential companions. Don't skip them!

Instructions

Prep your base: Grab a fire-safe platter, a cast-iron skillet, or a foil-lined grill basket. Layer half of your tortilla chips on the bottom. Think of it as building a delicious foundation!
8 oz tortilla chips
Pile on the goodness: Evenly distribute half of your black olives, green onions, shredded cheese, and sliced jalapeños over those chips. Make sure to get a little bit of everything on each chip.
8 oz tortilla chips
Double the layers: Now, repeat! Add the remaining tortilla chips on top of the first layer, then scatter the rest of the olives, green onions, cheese, and jalapeños. More cheese is always a good idea, right?
8 oz tortilla chips
Time for the heat: Carefully place your platter or grill basket directly over medium-hot campfire coals or on your grill grates. Keep an eye on it!
Melt to perfection: Let them cook for about 5 to 10 minutes. You're looking for that glorious moment when the cheese is perfectly melted and bubbly. Keep a close watch to prevent any accidental burning – nobody likes burnt chips!
Finishing touches: Once the cheese is gooey and irresistible, carefully remove your campfire nachos from the heat. If you're using cilantro, give it a nice sprinkle over the top for a fresh finish.
8 oz tortilla chips
Serve and enjoy: These are best served IMMEDIATELY. Grab your favorite salsa, a dollop of cool sour cream, and some creamy guacamole, and dig in!
8 oz tortilla chips

Notes

The beauty of nachos is their versatility! Feel free to customize them to your heart's content with protein, extra veggies, different cheeses, or spice. If you don't have a campfire, you can make these in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 8-12 minutes.