California Roll Nacho Recipe · i am a food blog (2024)

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California Roll Nacho Recipe · i am a food blog (1)

I have this thing for combining my favourite foods into one dish. Mapo tofu and waffles? Done. Banh mi and fries? Been there. Mac and cheese withshepherd’s pie? It’s delicious! It seems wrong, but it’s oh-so-right. I’m constantly thinking about what food mash-ups (for lack of a better term) will taste good. Hence, these California roll nachos.

California Roll Nacho Recipe · i am a food blog (2)

I love nachos. I love California rolls. Of course I LOVE California roll nachos. Sure, they’re essentiallythe illegitimate child of Japanese and Mexican cuisine, but considering the fact that California rolls are by no means traditional Japanese food (same with nachos and Mexican food), then it was inevitable that they would come together in a glorious deliciouspile of flavours covered in melted cheese.

California Roll Nacho Recipe
serves 2

  • 1/2 cup crab meat*, chopped
  • 1/4 cup kewpie mayo, or to taste
  • 1/2 cup sliced green onions, divided
  • salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
  • tortilla chips, as needed
  • 1/2 -3/4 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 avocado, diced
  • seaweed strips, to garnish
  • sriracha, if desired

Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper.

In a bowl, mix together the crab, mayo, and 1/4 cup sliced green onions. Taste and season with salt and pepper.

Place a single layer of chips on your lined baking sheet. Top with the crab mix and a generous sprinkling of cheddar. Bake for 5-7 minutes or until cheese is gooey and melted. Remove from the oven and top with the remaining sliced green onions, diced avocado and seaweed strips. Drizzle with sriracha, if using. Enjoy hot!

* You can go all fancy here and get real crab meat or you can just go the route of imitation crab meat, which is what I used.

California Roll Nacho Recipe · i am a food blog (3)

42 Comments

  1. August 25, 2014 at 1:29 am

    Oh my god this is too good Stephanie! I am kind of obsessed with sushi (but who isn’t haha!)

    Reply

  2. August 25, 2014 at 3:39 am

    These are hands down the coolest nachos ever. LOVE!

    Reply

  3. ~amy~ says:

    August 25, 2014 at 4:46 am

    What a delish combo!

    Reply

  4. August 25, 2014 at 5:38 am

    Aha when East meets Mex, it can only be good! I am seriously craving some cheesy goodness right now because of your nachos

    Reply

  5. Tieghan says:

    August 25, 2014 at 6:03 am

    Girl, these nachos!! heck yes!

    Reply

  6. August 25, 2014 at 11:20 am

    Brilliant idea, a perfect pairing!

    Reply

  7. cynthia says:

    August 25, 2014 at 12:24 pm

    OMG Steph this is AMAZING. I just had lunch and my stomach is grumbling again — this is so genius. Love <3 <3 (P.S. You're going to get such a kick out of what I'm posting this week!!)

    Reply

  8. August 25, 2014 at 2:52 pm

    Oh my, I didn’t even know this was missing in my life…

    Reply

  9. tara says:

    August 25, 2014 at 3:03 pm

    I’m a fan of french fries dipped in milkshakes/ice cream, but I’ve never actually combined them. I’d love to try a french fry milkshake!

    Reply

  10. August 25, 2014 at 7:25 pm

    Whoa- so interesting! I am loving these food mash-ups!

    Reply

  11. August 25, 2014 at 9:22 pm

    i loooooove the idea of smashing favorite foods together to make a new awesome food (and i have a not-so-secret love of mapo tofu so i’ll have to try it in combo with waffles… or maybe fries, haha). love this!

    Reply

  12. Sophie says:

    August 26, 2014 at 10:35 am

    oh my goshYES

    Reply

  13. Shannan says:

    August 26, 2014 at 11:55 am

    This looks terrific, but I wonder… why not wonton chips? How fantastic that would be. I might add in a little wasabi powder to the kewpie mayo.

    Reply

  14. Greg says:

    August 26, 2014 at 12:29 pm

    I love the simple ingredients of this dish and it sounds so good! This sounds like the perfect future football food to add once season starts!

    Reply

  15. August 26, 2014 at 10:17 pm

    Just in time for football season!!

    Reply

  16. Erika says:

    August 27, 2014 at 11:15 am

    YOU’RE AMAZING. Like I was just telling Cynthia, I’m planning a nacho bar for a bday gathering this sat…do we share a brain?!? This is SO SO PERFECT. PHENOM!!!!!!

    Reply

  17. August 27, 2014 at 3:59 pm

    You’re crazy and that’s a compliment. But that crazy sure worked in this recipe. I must be crazy too.

    Reply

  18. AD says:

    August 28, 2014 at 4:49 am

    Nice blog

    Reply

  19. Erin says:

    August 28, 2014 at 11:16 am

    Yummm! Love your blog!:)

    Reply

  20. August 28, 2014 at 8:32 pm

    if you had a food truck it would be INSANE. like, in the best way. cali roll nachos!??? love!!!

    Reply

  21. August 30, 2014 at 11:39 am

    Oh my god this looks literally amazing. Football season is upon us… so obviously it’s nacho time! “The illegitimate child of Japanese and Mexican cuisine” made me laugh out loud :)

    Reply

  22. August 30, 2014 at 8:21 pm

    Oh gosh, I need these in my life. Extra avocado, please!!

    Reply

  23. September 2, 2014 at 8:20 pm

    Looks fantastic, definitely trying out!

    Reply

  24. Brooke says:

    May 16, 2015 at 8:32 am

    This sounds too good to be true! It’s fantastic you came up with such a great recipe!!

    Reply

  25. Shelby says:

    June 25, 2017 at 8:26 pm

    OMG This sounds amazing!!! Would this still taste good if I used regular mayo instead of the kewpie mayo?

    Reply

    1. Stephanie says:

      June 26, 2017 at 4:54 pm

      you could definitely use regular :)

      Reply

  26. Jean says:

    February 17, 2024 at 5:45 am

    I made this for superbowl and it was delicious! Yummy 😋

    Reply

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California Roll Nacho Recipe · i am a food blog (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to good homemade nachos? ›

Packaged, pre-shredded cheeses contain stabilizers which hinder their meltability. Shred your own cheese instead of chopping or tearing it: Smaller pieces will melt quicker, which means your nachos will be perfectly gooey without charred or overdone chips. One layer of chips and toppings is good.

Do you put salsa on nachos before oven? ›

Scatter your choice of shredded cheese on top and pop them into a preheated oven at about 220°C for roughly 5 minutes or until the cheese is completely melted. Next, layer on your selected toppings – drizzle your favourite salsa, sprinkle your choice of meat or vegetable fillings and scattered jalapeño peppers.

How do you assemble nachos? ›

To assemble nachos, lay half of tortilla chips in a single layer on a microwave-safe plate, then drop teaspoons of refried beans onto chips, followed by meat mixture and shredded cheese. Repeat with remaining chips, beans, meat, and cheese to make a second layer.

What year was the first time nachos appeared in an English cook book? ›

The first known appearance of the word "nachos" in English dates to 1949, from the book A Taste of Texas. According to El Cholo Spanish Cafe history, waitress Carmen Rocha is credited with making nachos in San Antonio, Texas, before introducing the dish to Los Angeles at the cafe in 1959.

What is the best melting cheese for nachos? ›

A: While you can technically use any type of cheese for nachos, some cheeses work better than others. The best options include Cheddar, Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, and Queso Blanco.

What is the secret to crispy nachos? ›

Limiting the number of ingredients baked with the chips is the key to crispiness. Top chips with no more than two or three toppings. Choose from items such as black beans, refried beans, chopped grilled chicken, seasoned ground beef (browned and drained), or chopped jalapenos.

How do you layer nachos so they don't get soggy? ›

* Bring refrigerated toppings to room temperature before piling them onto the warm chips. * To prevent the chips from getting soggy, sprinkle grated or crumbled cheese on top and bake them in the oven for a few minutes. When melted, the cheese will act as a buffer between the chips and toppings.

Do tomatoes go on nachos before or after cooking? ›

To achieve this, put one layer of chips on a baking sheet, then cover with cheese and toppings. Repeat until you've used everything up so that every bite is the same from beginning to end. Sprinkle on fresh toppings like cilantro, scallions, tomatoes, and pickled jalapenos on after the nachos come out of the oven.

What kind of cheese do you use for nachos? ›

Both American and cheddar cheeses are commonly used for nachos and can be delicious when melted. American cheese has a creamy texture and mild flavor, which can help to balance out the spiciness of the nacho toppings. It melts easily and can provide a smooth, even layer of cheese over the nachos.

What is the best thing to put on nachos? ›

If you want to stick with the classic vibes, we recommend shredded lettuce, cotija cheese, grilled corn, pinto beans, black olives, pickled red onions, or shredded chicken.

Do you put nacho toppings on before or after oven? ›

It will only take about 5 to 10 minutes, so don't go too far! Don't add the cold/fresh toppings until AFTER the nachos come out of the oven. Add the toppings RIGHT before serving so the chips don't get soggy, especially with toppings like sour cream, salsa, and tomatoes.

What is nachos called in Mexico? ›

In Mexico, nachos are called 'totopos'. The first known appearance of the word 'nachos' in English dates to 1949, from the book A Taste of Texas.

Why is nacho called nacho? ›

The story of nachos can be traced back to the year 1940 and a restaurant known as the Victory Club in Piedras Negras. At the helm of the kitchen was a creative and resourceful chef named Ignacio Anaya, who was affectionately known as “Nacho” by his friends and patrons.

What country invented nachos? ›

The common dish known today as nachos originated in Northern Mexico. Nachos are actually a relatively recent dish. So recent in fact that that researchers believe they have traced the original creator in the small Mexican city of Piedras Negras.

How can I improve my nachos? ›

15 Tips For Seriously Upgrading Your Nachos
  1. Change up your cheese. ...
  2. Layer like a pro. ...
  3. Skip the chips, and use a vegetable. ...
  4. Add some protein with chicken or chili. ...
  5. Make your nachos vegan-friendly with a cashew queso. ...
  6. Save turning your oven on by using an air fryer. ...
  7. Use different-colored corn chips. ...
  8. Try out some new pickles.
Aug 10, 2023

How do you make nachos not soggy in the oven? ›

Cook at a higher heat, limit ingredients and amounts that are loose (refried beans, chili, etc. When stacking the nachos, add ingredients to each stack watching the amount. I like to keep my nachos from getting soggy in the oven by using a preheated oven and cooking them on a high heat for a shorter amount of time.

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