Nachos with a Surprise Inside

This simple sheet pan nachos recipe includes a tasty surprise hidden under the cheese and salsa! Each bite-sized tortilla scoop contains a clove of sweet roasted garlic.

This isn’t your typical sheet pan nachos recipe. It’s a fancier foodie version that is still simple to make for the Super Bowl, March Madness and any parties where chips and salsa are expected on the menu.

We used individual scoop-shaped tortilla chips, filled them with pepper jack cheese, chunky salsa and sweet roasted garlic, covered with another layer of cheese. Then they’re broiled until everything is toasty.

They’re Nachos with a Suprise Inside, and they’re so good!

Need more game day party food ideas? These pork fried wontons are always a hit, or try one of these crowd-pleasing chicken wing recipes or game day favorites.

When your party guests see these on the appetizer table, they’ll be expecting standard chips and salsa. But this little amuse bouche, as the French would say, is more than it seems. It will definitely amuse your tastebuds with its combo of spicy and carmelized garlic flavors.

The recipe is courtesy of a foodie friend, who sent me photos and told me I had to feature the sheet pan nachos appetizer on the blog.

One bite, and I was sold!

Coming up with a name for this appetizer was harder than making them. Which name do you prefer? Nachos with a Surprise Inside? Or Garlic in a Basket?

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To Make Nachos with a Suprise Inside, You Will Need:

• Sheet pan – This is useful for roasting the garlic and for making the appetizer.
• Garlic – You’ll need an entire head of garlic, separated and peeled, for this recipe. This simple tool is helpful for peeling garlic.
• Olive oil – Choose a good quality extra virgin olive oil for this recipe.
• Scoop-style tortilla chips – I like using blue corn chips for this recipe, but you can use white corn chips, as well.
• Salsa – I prefer a chunky salsa, but you can use any type you like.
• Pepper Jack cheese – Spicy, shredded pepper jack cheese is a must for this recipe since it’s flavor contrasts with the sweetness of the roasted garlic.

Easy Roasted Garlic Sheet Pan Nachos recipe

1. Prepare the garlic by roasting it with olive oil in the oven or in oil in a small saucepan on the stovetop. See below for instructions for how to roast garlic.
2. Arrange scoops tortilla chips on a sheet pan. Place a layer of shredded pepper jack cheese in each chip.
3. Put a garlic clove on top of the cheese.
4. Add a small amount of your favorite salsa. 
5. Top with shredded cheese.
6. Broil until cheese the is melted. Serve.

How to Roast Garlic in the Oven

Toss peeled cloves in olive oil.

Roast at 350 degrees until the garlic cloves are nice and brown and really soft. Garlic turns sweet when you roast it. You’re aiming for a spreadable, caramelized consistency.

How to Roast Garlic on the Stove

Lately, I’ve been using Vivian Howard’s stovetop method for roasting garlic, from her book, This Will Make It Taste Good.

This method makes a delicious garlic confit that you can use for this appetizer and to flavor many other recipes that call for garlic. Unless you’re making a big batch of sheet pan nachos, you’ll have leftover roasted garlic using this method.

To make the roasted garlic confit, combine peeled cloves from 2 heads of garlic with 2/3 cup of extra virgin olive oil.

Bring to a simmer over low heat, being careful not to boil. Allow the garlic to poach in the oil for about 20 minutes, until the cloves soften and turn lightly brown.

Transfer the garlic and oil to a jar and store in the refrigerator for up to a month until you’re ready to use. When storing garlic confit, make sure the cloves are submerged in oil. Always store in the refrigerator.

You’ll use only the cloves for this recipe, but the garlic-infused oil can be used in viniagrette or as a dipping sauce for bread. It’s too good to be thrown away.

More Nacho Recipes

If you enjoyed this garlic surprise sheet pan nachos recipe, try these other tortilla chip snacks and appetizers.

• Homemade Tortilla Chips
• Pulled Pork Nachos with Pickled Onions
• Vegetarian Nachos

If you try Nachos With a Surprise Inside or any recipe on Atta Girl Says, please come back and share your 5-star rating in the comments below! I appreciate it, and my readers do, too!

PIN THIS! Roasted Garlic Sheet Pan Nachos Recipe