Air Fryer Queso

Meaty, cheesy and full of deliciousness, this Air Fryer queso is one of the easiest, most indulgent party dips you’ll ever make. 

Team it up with some crunchy tortilla chips and your favorite appetizers, and it’s sure to be a total crowd pleaser!  If you love cheesy dips, you’ve got to try this recipe that has the perfect balance of meaty, savory and cheesy flavors. 

Queso is hands-down one of my all-time favorite party and game-day dips. It’s incredibly hearty and delicious, and is so easy to serve too. 

So naturally, I had to try out lots of versions of the recipe- right from my classic Instant Pot queso to the fancy Ninja Foodi spicy sausage queso. 

And of course, I had to put my favorite Air Fryer to use too!

Why You’ll Love this Recipe

• Rich and creamy: With time, I’ve perfected the recipe. Follow this, and you’ll end up with a dip that’s rich, creamy, and just perfect. 
• Super easy: The dip is ridiculously easy to make. You’ll just need a few minutes of hands-on kitchen time to put it together. It’s mess-free too! 
• Ultimate party dip: With all the right flavors and textures, this dip is sure to be a total hit with everyone at that party you’re hosting. 

Ingredients Needed For Air Fryer Queso

• Chorizo: You’ll need uncooked ground chorizo. It lends a delightful meaty texture to the dip and lots of flavor too. 
• Cheese: I used a mix of Velveeta cheese which has a rich and creamy texture, and some Mexican cheese to add that beautiful pull and savory flavor. 
• Milk: Just a bit, to thin out the cheese and get it to the perfect consistency. 
• Rotel: I used the version with tomatoes and green chilies. They add a nice bit of tanginess and a kick of heat, which is just right for this recipe. 
• Seasonings: To season, I went with garlic powder and onion powder. 
• Toppings: I love using cooked, crumbled bacon and chopped green onions. You can try lots of different toppings of your choice. 

Variations & Substitutions

• Swap the Rotel with some salsa verde to make some delicious salsa verde queso. 
• Add some black beans along with the chorizo to make the queso more hearty and filling. 
• Top the queso dip with chopped jalapenos or green chilies to add a nice kick of heat to it. 
• Love veggies? Add chopped tomatoes, broccoli, onions and bell peppers into the mix to make a veggie-loaded queso. 
• You can also make seafood queso by adding shrimp, crab meat or lobster into the dip. Or just try my Air Fryer cheesy hot crab dip. 
• To lend some smokiness to the dip, add some liquid smoke into it, or season it with smoked paprika. 

How to Make Air Fryer Queso 

To make the Air Fryer queso, start by preheating the Air Fryer. 

Chop cheese: Chop the Velveeta cheese into 1 inch cubes and place it in a small oven-safe dish. 

Time to pile: Top the cheese with all the other ingredients. 

Air fry time: Place the dish in the Air Fryer basket and cook for 8-10 minutes. Mix the dip halfway through the cooking time. 

Remove and serve: Get the dish out of the Air Fryer and let it rest for a few minutes. Top it with your favorite toppings and serve. 

Tips & Tricks to Make Queso in the Air Fryer

•  Remember to use the best quality Velveeta cheese you can find. It really makes a difference in how those flavors turn out. 
• Experiment with different kinds of cheese like cream cheese (check out my Instant Pot cream cheese recipe), Monterey Jack and cheddar cheese to create different variations of flavors. Choose room temperature cheese for best results. 
• Shred your own cheese instead of buying pre-shredded cheese. This is again, a game changer and can get your queso to have a rich flavor instead of tasting chalky. 
• Remember to set your Air Fryer at a low temperature. High temperature cooking will cause the cheese to separate, which is not what you would want for this recipe. 
• For better flavor, you can swap the milk with some chicken broth to thin out the queso. 

Storage Instructions

Refrigeration: This Air Fryer queso can stay good for up to 3 days when stored in the refrigerator. Use an airtight container to store it, or cover up the bowl with some plastic wrap. 

Freezing: I wouldn’t recommend freezing your leftover queso. Since it has dairy, freezing and thawing can ruin its texture. 

Reheating: To reheat your leftover queso, pop it in the microwave for a few minutes, pausing at every 30-40 second interval. You can also reheat it over the stovetop if you want to. Use a non-stick pan for best results. 

Serving Ideas & Suggestions

Serve this Air Fryer queso with some Air Fryer low-carb tortilla chips or Air Fryer taco spiced tortilla chips if you want something that has a bolder flavor. 

I also love pairing it with my Air Fryer wonton chips– the crunchy and crispy texture pairs perfectly with the meaty, cheesy dip. 

And on occasions when I really want to keep it healthy, I team the dip up with my Air Fryer zucchini chips, Air Fryer sweet potato chips or my Air Fryer veggie chips.

If you’re serving this for a party, you may want to serve it alongside some other snacks and appetizers like Air Fryer queso chicken tacos, lemon pepper chicken tenders, Air Fryer taco bombs and  Air Fryer smoked cream cheese.    

FAQs

Why is my queso getting lumpy? When bits of cheese stick together and aren’t mixed properly, the queso can get lumpy. To fix this, simply add a dash of milk or broth to loosen the dip and give it a nice whisk. 

How can I keep the queso warm while serving? The best way to keep the queso warm while serving it is to transfer it to a slow cooker after it is done cooking, and set it to the keep warm setting. You can also use a warming tray if you have one. 

More Air Fryer Recipes

• AIR FRYER LASAGNA EGG ROLLS
• BLACKSTONE LOADED GRILLED NACHOS
• AIR FRYER BREADED EGGPLANT
• AIR FRYER CANDIED PECANS
• EASY AIR FRYER HOMEMADE CHEEZ-ITS
• AIR FRYER GARLIC ROASTED FINGERLING POTATOES

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