An efficient electrochemical assay for the highly sensitive nanomolar detection of nitrite ions in food samples has been developed around the simple one-step synthesis and fabrication of beta-Cyclodextrin capped gold nano particles (beta-CD@AuNPs). The synthesized nanocompositewas characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV-visible absorption spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and cyclic voltammetry. The GCE modified with a beta-CD-AuNPs film exhibits excellent electrocatalytic activity toward the oxidation of nitrite (NO2-) ions with a high sensitivity of 1.2116 mu A(-1) mu M cm(-2) and a lower limit of detection of 14 nMwith a wide working range of 0.04-1470 mu M. The electrocatalytic excellence of the constructed beta-CD-AuNPs/GCE has been employed for the successful detection of nitrite ions in food samples. The electrode has superior storage stability and displays good reproducibility. Moreover, the practical application of the beta-CD-AuNPs/GCE in food samples was studied by the examination of tap water, packaged drinking water and meat samples with acceptable recovery rates. (c) 2017 The Electrochemical Society. All rights reserved.