Healthy Nachos Recipe

Want a nacho that can hold you over as a meal? Then I’ve got just the trick for you in this post! This Healthy Nachos Recipe is the perfect way to serve up a hearty quick fix dinner or a simple snack to please a crowd. They’re high in protein and lower in saturated fat than you traditional nacho recipe too!

Can you really make a healthy nachos?

Yes, you certainly can!

I could eat nachos morning, noon and night. Anyone else with me on this one?

There’s something so satisfying about the crunchy texture from those chips, the creaminess of avocado, and the oh so yummy cheesy goodness… it’s like a match made in heaven!

The downfall is if I picked up the delicious nachos from my local Mexican restaurant everyday I’d probably weigh 900 pounds. Sure, they’re the perfect treat to splurge on every now and then, but everyday, no way.

Just for reference, most loaded nachos rack in over 30 grams of saturated fat per container!

That’s why I decided to come up with these Loaded Lean Nachos!

Not only can you dress these up to suit your particular craving, but they’re also ready in no time flat, making them a convenient option to make last minute as an appetizer, meal or snack.

What you need to make this recipe:

♦ Baked Tortilla Chips

Fire up that oven to 425 degrees F and cut whole grain tortillas into small squares and triangles. Not only do you get a hearty dose of fiber (6 grams!), but one serving (20 chips) has over 7 grams of protein depending on the tortilla you choose!

♦ Creamy Cottage Cheese

Stealth health maneuver right here! To amp up the protein and add a little kick, I mixed 2% fat cottage cheese with hot sauce and dolloped over melted sharp cheddar cheese. It gave these nachos a super creamy flavor while also decreasing the amount of shredded cheese I needed to add; lowering the total saturated fat of the dish.

♦ Fresh Pico de Gallo

Store bought pico can be backed with sodium and truly doesn’t carry the same fresh feel. Take one tomato, a 1/4 onion and some cilantro, chop it up and add a little garlic powder and dash of salt for taste. #winning

♦ Avocado Slices

Last but certainly not least, avocado is the icing on the nacho cake! Providing a hearty dose of heart healthy monounsaturated fat, fiber, and protein, the green goddess polishes these off with just the right touch!

Tips on how to make this recipe:

• Use your oven or air fryer to bring these babies to life. The secret is making sure you flip them to get the even browning.
• If you don’t have black beans, use pinto or white beans! You can also mash the black beans to create a more “refried” consistency too!
• If you really don’t like cottage cheese, sub plain 2% Greek yogurt to keep the protein up and saturated fat down in place of sour cream.
• Use a store-bought whole grain chip to save time.

Other Ways to Spice Up This Recipe

If you’re looking for other options to try, I’ve got a few other ideas up my sleeve for you too! Enjoy!

• Mediterranean Nachos: Top with hummus, feta cheese and tomatoes!

• Breakfast Nachos: Top with a scrambled or over medium egg, pico de gallo and Hatch Chile Verde Salsa!

• Dessert Nachos: Sprinkle with cinnamon before baking, top with melted nut butter, fresh banana slices and a dollop of vanilla infused Greek yogurt!

And don’t forget, you should definitely pair any of these with that Spicy Skinny Margarita Recipe too!

I’d love to hear what you think about this Healthy Nachos Recipe! Did you make them!? Comment below and tag me (@shawsimpleswaps) on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest. I’d love to reshare!