Go Back
Smoked queso scooped on to a tortilla chip with cheese pulling.

Air Fryer Smoked Queso

Tangy, cheesy and super savory- this air fryer smoked queso is sure to be a total hit at your house party or gathering!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 6 Servings
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 522

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound Ground Beef
  • 1 pound Velveeta Cheese cubed, room temp
  • 1 cup Mexican Blend Cheese shredded
  • 10 ounce Rotel
  • 1 tsp Onion Powder
  • 1 tsp Garlic Powder
  • 1/2 tsp Liquid Smoke
  • 8 ounces Diced Green Chilies undrained
  • 4 ounces Cream Cheese softened

Equipment

  • 1 Air Fryer
  • 1 Wooden Spoon
  • 1 Foil Pan 8X8 inch

Method
 

  1. First we will brown the 1 pound of ground beef in the air fryer.  Crumble the ground beef into the basket of the air fryer.  Break up any chunks with a wooden spoon.
  2. Cook the beef at 400 degrees for 5 minutes.  Open the air fryer and break it up again, using the wooden spoon.
  3. Cook the beef at 400 degrees for another 3-4 minutes.  If there is any pink left, you will need to cook it for another minute or 2, make sure that it is completely browned.
  4. Put the cooked meat in a small bowl and set it aside for later. Clean the grease that is on the bottom of the air fryer basket and find a foil pan that fits into the basket.  (If you don’t have one, use a large piece of thick foil that covers the bottom and comes up the sides as well, to form a sort of pan.) An 8X8 inch pan works in a square 6.8 Qt basket / If you have a 5.8 Qt basket, you will have to fold up the sides to make it fit.
  5. Put the meat back into the pan.  Stir in the 1 pound of cubed velveeta cheese, 1 cup of mexican cheese, 1 can of rotel, 1 teaspoon onion powder, and 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon of liquid smoke, 8 oz of green chilies and 4 oz of softened cream cheese.  
  6. Cook this at 350 degrees for 5 minutes.  Stir the mixture and cook for another 5 minutes
  7. This is delicious served with tortilla or corn chips.

Video

Notes

Storage Instructions:
  • Place leftover dip into an airtight container and keep it in the fridge for up to 3 days. 
Other FAQ Suggestions:
  1. I like a smoky flavor to my queso - how can I do that? You could add ½ to 1 teaspoon of liquid smoke.
  2. I can’t find Rotel - what could I substitute?  Use a small can of diced tomatoes, 1 Tablespoon of chopped green chilies, a sprinkle of salt, and a sprinkle of pepper.
  3. How should I reheat the leftovers ? Use the foil pan to reheat the leftovers.  You will cook it for 5 minutes at 300 degrees or until heated through.