Nachos de Mariscos (Camarones)

A traditional-style Mexican seafood twist on beef nachos, piled with warm spiced shrimp, melty cheese, and bright limey toppings for an irresistible snack.

Ingredients

• 200g (7 oz) tortilla chips
• 300g (10 oz) raw shrimp (prawns), peeled and deveined
• 1 1/2 cups shredded melting cheese (Oaxaca, Monterey Jack, or mozzarella)
• 1/2 small red onion, finely sliced
• 1 small tomato, diced
• 1 small avocado, diced (or 1/3 cup guacamole)
• 1 jalapeño, thinly sliced (optional)
• 2 tbsp chopped cilantro (coriander)
• 1 lime, cut into wedges (plus 1 tsp zest optional)
• 1 tbsp oil
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp smoked paprika (or regular paprika)
• 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp chili powder (or cayenne to taste)
• 1/2 tsp salt, plus more to taste
• Black pepper

Method

• 1

  Step 1: Heat the oven / prep tray

  Preheat oven to **220°C / 425°F (200°C fan)**. Line a tray with baking paper (optional, for easy cleanup).

• 2

  Step 2: Season the shrimp

  Pat shrimp dry (helps them sear instead of steaming). Toss with **oil, cumin, paprika, oregano, chili powder, salt, and pepper** until evenly coated.

• 3

  Step 3: Quick-sear the shrimp

  Heat a large skillet on **high**. Add shrimp in a single layer and cook **60–90 seconds per side**, just until **pink and curled**. Don’t overcook (they should be juicy, not rubbery). Squeeze in a little **lime** at the end if you like.

• 4

  Step 4: Build the nachos

  Spread half the **chips** on the tray. Sprinkle with half the **cheese**, then scatter over half the **shrimp**. Repeat layers with remaining chips, cheese, and shrimp.

• 5

  Step 5: Melt & blister

  Bake **3–5 minutes** until the cheese is **fully melted** and bubbling at the edges (watch closely—chips can brown fast).

• 6

  Step 6: Finish fresh

  Top with **red onion, tomato, avocado, jalapeño (if using), and cilantro**. Serve immediately with **lime wedges** for squeezing.

Tips

• **Most “traditional” seafood choice:** shrimp is the classic, but this same method works with **flaked cooked fish** (fold through the spices quickly in the pan) or **scallops** (very quick sear).
• **No oven?** Cover the skillet of layered chips/cheese/shrimp with a lid on **low heat** for **2–3 minutes** until melted.
• **Make it brighter:** toss the onion with a squeeze of lime and a pinch of salt for **2 minutes** to lightly “pickle” it.
• **Serve with:** a quick **salsa** or **hot sauce**, and extra lime—these nachos shine with acidity.

Nutrition (per serving, estimate)