Game day just isn’t complete without nachos. Piled high with seasoned beef, melty cheese, and fresh toppings, they’re the ultimate party food. The good news? You don’t have to give them up on keto. With Quest chips as the base, these keto nachos bring all the crunch and cheesy flavor you love — without the carb-heavy tortillas.
Even better, they come together in under 25 minutes. Whether you’re watching football, hosting friends, or just craving comfort food, this recipe proves keto can be fun, flavorful, and satisfying.
In This Post
Why You’ll Love It
Nachos are the ultimate comfort food, and this keto version proves you don’t have to miss out. These loaded nachos check all the boxes:
New to keto? My free 3-Day Keto Jumpstart Planner is the easiest way to start low-carb eating with confidence.
Ingredients & Substitutions
You don’t need much to make these keto nachos — just a few pantry spices, some fresh toppings, and a couple of bags of Quest chips. Here’s what goes in, plus easy swaps if you want to change it up:
Ground beef – 80/20 makes these rich and flavorful. Swap for lean ground beef, turkey, or chicken if you’d like.
Chili powder, cumin, paprika & garlic powder – A quick seasoning blend. Adjust the amounts to your taste or add cayenne for extra spice.
Quest chips – The nacho base. Nacho Cheese and Loaded Taco flavors are the best choices, but Ranch works if you want variety.
Shredded cheese – Monterey Jack melts beautifully, but cheddar, Colby Jack, or a Mexican blend are great swaps.
Celery – Adds crunch. Bell peppers or onions are a good alternative.
Roma tomato – Fresh and juicy. Cherry or grape tomatoes also work.
Jalapeño – Sliced thin for heat. Use pickled jalapeños or swap for a milder pepper if you prefer.
Sour cream – A cool, creamy finish. Try guacamole or avocado for another keto-friendly option.
Fresh cilantro – Bright, herby, and perfect for topping nachos. Parsley can work in a pinch.
How to Make It
This recipe comes together fast — just cook the beef, layer everything on a sheet pan, and broil until melty. Here’s how:
Cook the Beef
In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until fully cooked. Drain excess fat.
Season It
Add chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Cook for 2–3 minutes to let the flavors blend.
Assemble the Base
Spread the Quest chips evenly on a small sheet pan.
Layer & Broil
Top with cooked beef, shredded cheese, celery, and jalapeño slices. Broil for 2–3 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Serve & Enjoy
Remove from the oven, sprinkle with diced tomato and fresh cilantro, and serve immediately with sour cream on the side.
Storage & Reheating
These nachos are best enjoyed fresh, but you can save the components separately for later.
Recipe Tips
- Broil, don’t bake – Broiling melts the cheese quickly and keeps the chips from getting soggy.
- Use freshly shredded cheese – It melts creamier than pre-shredded, which often has anti-caking agents.
- Adjust the spice – Add extra jalapeño or cayenne for heat, or swap in bell peppers for a milder version.
- Serve immediately – Quest chips are crunchiest when eaten right away.
- Customize toppings – Try onions, black olives, guacamole, avocado, or extra cilantro for a fully loaded plate.
Want something sweet after all that cheesy crunch? Try my Coconut Fat Bombs — a quick keto dessert that balances those nachos perfectly.
Recipe Card
Keto Nachos
Description
These keto nachos are a low-carb twist on a classic. Built on crunchy Quest chips, they’re piled high with seasoned beef, gooey cheese, and fresh toppings. Ready in 25 minutes, they’re a splurge-worthy meal for football nights, parties, or anytime you crave comfort food.
Ingredients
Beef Mixture
Nacho Base
Toppings
Instructions
How to Make Keto Nachos
-
Cook Beef
In a skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef until browned. Drain excess fat. -
Season Beef
Stir in chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Cook 2–3 minutes to blend flavors.
-
Assemble Base
Spread Quest chips evenly on a small sheet pan.
-
Layer
Add cooked beef over the chips, then top with shredded cheese, celery, and jalapeño slices.
-
Broil
Place under the oven broiler for 2–3 minutes, until cheese is melted and bubbly.
-
Serve
Remove from oven and enjoy warm with sour cream on the side.
Nutrition Facts
Servings 2
Serving Size ~1/2 sheet
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 640kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 47g73%
- Saturated Fat 20g100%
- Cholesterol 100mg34%
- Sodium 1250mg53%
- Potassium 1170mg34%
- Total Carbohydrate 15g5%
- Dietary Fiber 5g20%
- Sugars 2g
- Protein 40g80%
- Net Carbs 10g
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Note
For a lighter version, use 90% lean ground beef and reduce cheese to about ¾ cup. This cuts each serving by roughly 150–180 calories and 10–12 g fat, while still keeping plenty of flavor.
Add avocado, guacamole, or extra toppings to customize to your taste.
