5 Tips To Avoid Soggy Nachos At Your Super Bowl Party

Select thick and sturdy tortilla chips

When enjoying tortilla chips with salsa or guacamole, most people prefer a thin chip that breaks easily. However, for nachos, it's essential to choose chips that can support heavy and moist toppings. Opt for thick, robust chips that are relatively flat. Steer clear of rounded or curved chips, which are better suited for dipping. For the most durable chips, consider making your own by cutting tortillas into wedges and then deep-frying them or baking them in the oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

Another alternative is to seek out restaurant-style chips, which are typically thicker than regular snacking tortilla chips. Two brands to consider are Santitas, known for their thick, grainy texture, and On the Border, which Chowhound ranked as the 7th best among 14 tortilla chip brands in a taste test, noted for being one of the sturdiest options.

Use cheese as a barrier between wet and dry ingredients

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Cheese is undoubtedly a key ingredient that elevates nachos to a must-have game day treat. Not only is it tasty, but it also acts as a shield, keeping the crunchy tortilla chips separate from wetter toppings. Lightly sprinkle shredded or crumbled cheese over the chips; a foolproof method for perfect game day nachos is to avoid overloading them with cheese. Bake or broil just long enough to melt the cheese without burning the chips or letting them soak up too much moisture. If you have other ingredients that require heating, add them after the cheese has melted, then return the tray to the oven, ensuring the chips remain intact.

It's also important to select the right types of cheese. Opt for fresh, hard cheeses with low moisture content, such as cheddar and jack, which are widely regarded as the best choices for nachos. Additionally, shred the cheese yourself; pre-shredded varieties often contain stabilizers that hinder quick melting, which means the chips will need to stay in the oven longer, increasing the risk of sogginess and burning. If you enjoy a rich, creamy nacho cheese sauce, consider serving it on the side to prevent it from weighing down the chips or making them soggy.

Drain any ingredients with excess moisture

One of the advantages of making nachos for a Super Bowl party is that many ingredients, like olives, jalapeños, and beans, are conveniently available in jars and cans. However, this also means they often contain extra liquids. Be sure to thoroughly drain these ingredients before adding them to the nachos to avoid soggy chips. The same applies to freshly chopped items like tomatoes.

This also pertains to any ground beef you've cooked to sprinkle over the chips. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the meat from the pan to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb any excess moisture and oil. Another helpful tip to prevent the beef from sliding off the nachos is to mix in refried beans while browning the meat. The beans will help the meat adhere to the chips.

Serve cold and wet ingredients on the side

Nachos wouldn't be complete without key Mexican toppings like guacamole, salsa, and sour cream. However, these ingredients are wet, cold, and heavy. They can cool down the warm components underneath and make the chips soggy. To avoid this, serve them on the side so they don’t linger on the chips for too long. You can also do the same with olives, jalapeños, and other toppings, allowing guests to customize their cheesy chips to their preference.

Create a build-your-own-nachos bar

Instead of just serving the cold and wet ingredients on the side, consider offering all the ingredients—except for the cheese and chips—on the side as well. Create a build-your-own-nachos station with a platter of warm chips topped with melted cheese, and present all the other ingredients you think your game day guests will enjoy in separate bowls. This way, your guests can customize their nachos to their liking, and you won’t have to worry about the chips becoming soggy. Additionally, the hot ingredients will remain warm while the cold ones stay chilled. This approach is sure to score big with your Super Bowl nacho spread!