Significance The upper respiratory tract (URT) is the first contact site for inhaled pathogens and intranasal vaccines, and is serviced by a network of lymphoid-tissues, including draining lymph nodes and nasal-associated lymphoid tissues (NALTs). Whether these lymphoid structures have distinct roles in facilitating T-cell immunity to inhaled antigens is unclear. We show, following antigen delivery into the URT, NALTs failed to support naïve T-cell priming; however, they supported the recall expansion of memory T cells. Although antigen delivery to the URT may not induce effective T-cell priming, it would be an effective means of boosting responses in the context of preexisting T-cell immunity. These results have significant implications for intranasal vaccines that deliver antigen to NALTs and aim to elicit protective T-cell immunity.