Air Fryer Quesadilla: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Air fryers are a convenient way to make a quesadilla, as they can make the tortilla perfectly crisp and the cheese melted. The air fryer also allows you to reheat your quesadilla and enjoy it warm and gooey on the inside and crispy on the outside. It takes between 6-8 minutes to air fry a quesadilla, but you may need to adjust the timing depending on your desired level of crispiness and the fillings you use.

How to make quesadillas in an air fryer

Ingredients

Quesadillas are a great, quick and easy meal that can be made in an air fryer. They are versatile, and you can fill them with whatever you like. For a simple quesadilla, you will need tortillas and cheese. For a more complex quesadilla, you can add cooked meats, vegetables, and beans. Here is a list of possible ingredients:

• Soft taco-size tortillas (corn or flour)
• Cheese (shredded or grated)
• Spinach
• Chicken (shredded or rotisserie)
• Olive oil
• Black beans
• Sweet potatoes
• Bell peppers
• Guacamole
• Sour cream
• Greek yoghurt
• Salsa
• Hot sauce

Method

• Preheat your air fryer to 350°F.
• Place your tortilla on a flat surface. If using olive oil, brush one side of the tortilla with it, or spray with olive oil cooking spray.
• Add your fillings to half of the tortilla. Start with cheese, then add your other fillings, and finish with another layer of cheese. This will help the tortilla stick together.
• Fold the tortilla in half, creating a quesadilla.
• Place the uncooked quesadilla into the air fryer basket, ensuring there is enough room for it to fit without overlapping or touching the sides of the basket. You may need to trim the edges of the tortilla with kitchen scissors.
• Cook the quesadilla for 3-8 minutes at 350°F. Flip the quesadilla halfway through the cooking time to ensure even cooking.
• Remove the quesadilla from the air fryer and serve. You may want to cut it into halves or quarters before serving.

Tips

• Don't overfill your air fryer basket or your tortillas, as this will result in oozing cheese all over the basket.
• If the tortilla lifts away from the fillings during cooking, simply push it back down with a spatula.
• If the quesadilla opens up during cooking due to the fan, secure it with a toothpick.
• If the top of the quesadilla gets too crispy during cooking, cover it with foil to prevent burning.

Reheating quesadillas in an air fryer

• Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175-180°C). This will usually take around 3-5 minutes.
• While the air fryer is preheating, prepare your quesadilla. Place a single layer of quesadilla in the air fryer basket. Make sure it doesn't overlap or touch the sides of the air fryer.
• Air fry your quesadilla for 3-4 minutes. You may need to adjust the time depending on the thickness and size of your quesadilla. Keep an eye on it to make sure it doesn't burn.
• Once the inside is warmed through and the outside is crispy, remove the quesadilla from the air fryer using tongs.
• Enjoy your freshly reheated quesadilla with your favourite toppings and condiments!

Some additional tips for reheating quesadillas in an air fryer:

• If the top of your quesadilla starts to get too crispy, cover it with foil to prevent burning.
• While the air fryer cooks the quesadilla on all sides, you can flip it after about 2 minutes for more even cooking.
• If your quesadilla has dry fillings or not a lot of cheese, you can secure the top tortilla with a toothpick to prevent it from coming loose in the air fryer.

Best fillings for air fryer quesadillas

Air fryer quesadillas are a quick and easy meal option, and the best part is that you can fill them with just about anything! The classic combination of refried beans and cheese is always a good choice, but you can also get creative with your fillings. Here are some ideas for the best fillings to elevate your air fryer quesadillas:

Meat Options:

• Chicken: Use shredded chicken, or the meat from a rotisserie chicken, for a hearty and protein-filled quesadilla.
• Beef: Shredded beef, ground beef, or turkey are all great options to add some extra flavour and texture.
• Pork: Try adding some shredded cooked pork, maybe even with a little barbecue sauce, for a tasty twist.
• Seafood: Cooked shrimp can be a delicious and unique filling option.

Vegetarian Options:

• Vegetables: Diced onions, tomatoes, bell peppers, spinach, and roasted veggies can add a healthy and colourful boost to your quesadilla.
• Beans: Black beans, refried beans, or smashed white beans are excellent sources of plant-based protein and fibre.
• Tofu or Tempeh: For a high-protein, vegetarian option, try crumbled tofu or tempeh in your quesadilla.

Extras:

• Cheese: Of course, you can't forget the cheese! Use your favourite variety, or go for a classic Mexican blend. Freshly grated cheese will give you the best melt.
• Spices: Jalapenos can add a nice kick to your quesadilla, or you can sprinkle in some smoked paprika for a smoky flavour.
• Salsa: A spoonful of salsa inside your quesadilla can add some extra flavour and moisture.
• Guacamole: Avocado or guacamole can add a creamy texture and healthy fats to your quesadilla.
• Sour Cream: Top your quesadilla with a dollop of sour cream or plain Greek yoghurt for a tangy and cooling contrast.

Remember, the beauty of quesadillas is their customizability, so feel free to mix and match any of these fillings to create your perfect air fryer quesadilla!

How long to heat up a quesadilla in an air fryer

Air fryers are a great way to heat up your quesadillas, keeping the tortilla perfectly crisp and the cheese melted. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to heat up a quesadilla in an air fryer:

Step 1: Prepare the Quesadilla

Firstly, you will need to place your quesadilla on a flat surface. If you are making a fresh quesadilla, you can spread refried beans over half of the tortilla and sprinkle cheese on top. You can also add other fillings of your choice, such as cooked meats or vegetables. Then, fold the tortilla in half. Repeat this process for any additional quesadillas.

Step 2: Preheat the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. This will ensure that your quesadilla heats up evenly and efficiently.

Step 3: Place the Quesadilla in the Air Fryer

Place the quesadilla(s) in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer and not overlapping or touching each other. Make sure there is enough space around each quesadilla for the hot air to circulate properly. You may need to trim the edges of the tortillas if they are too large for the air fryer.

Step 4: Air Fry the Quesadilla

Cook the quesadilla(s) for 3-8 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. The cooking time will depend on the thickness and size of your quesadilla, so keep an eye on it to avoid overcooking. If the tortilla lifts away from the fillings during cooking, simply push it back down with a spatula. For even cooking, you may want to flip the quesadilla halfway through.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Once your quesadilla is heated through and crispy, remove it from the air fryer using tongs and serve it with your favourite toppings and condiments, such as guacamole, salsa, or sour cream.

Tips:

• Don't overfill your tortillas with too much cheese or other fillings, as it may ooze out into the air fryer.
• If the top of your quesadilla starts to get too crispy during cooking, you can cover it with foil to prevent burning.
• If you are making a fresh quesadilla, you can lightly brush olive oil onto one side of the tortilla or spray it with olive oil cooking spray before adding the fillings. This will give it an extra crispy texture.

Oil vs butter for air fryer quesadillas

Air fryer quesadillas are a quick and easy meal option that can be made in just a few minutes. The cooking time for air fryer quesadillas is generally between 6 and 10 minutes, depending on the recipe and the desired level of crispness.

Now, when it comes to oil vs butter for air fryer quesadillas, there are a few things to consider. Some recipes for air fryer quesadillas do not call for any oil or butter at all. The quesadillas can be placed directly into the air fryer without any additional fat, and the cheese will melt and the tortilla will crisp up nicely. This is a good option if you are looking for a lower-fat option or if you are short on time and ingredients.

However, if you are looking for a crispier, more golden quesadilla, adding a small amount of oil or butter can help achieve that. Oil will give you a crispier result, while butter will give a buttery taste and a slightly different texture. If using oil, you can spray it directly onto the air fryer basket or brush it onto the outside of the quesadilla before placing it in the basket. If using butter, you can thinly coat the outside of the quesadilla before frying. It is important not to overdo it with the oil or butter, as this can make the quesadilla greasy rather than crispy.

In terms of flavour, butter will impart a richer, more indulgent taste to the quesadilla. Oil, on the other hand, can be more neutral in flavour, allowing the other ingredients to shine through. That being said, you can also use flavoured oils or oils with a higher smoke point, like avocado oil, to add a different dimension to your quesadilla.

Ultimately, the decision of whether to use oil or butter comes down to personal preference. Some people prefer the taste and texture of butter, while others find that oil gives them the crispiness they are looking for. Some even prefer to use a dry pan with no added fat at all. Experiment with different options and see which method you prefer.

Frequently asked questions