Air Fryer Quesadilla: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Air fryer quesadillas are a quick and easy meal option that can be made in a matter of minutes. They are versatile, nutritious, and customisable, making them a perfect choice for busy weeknights or last-minute lunches. The air fryer ensures a perfectly crispy tortilla and melted cheese without the need for butter or oil. This recipe allows for creativity, as you can fill your quesadilla with various ingredients like meat, vegetables, or beans, making it a well-balanced and satisfying meal.

Choosing your fillings

When it comes to choosing your fillings, the sky's the limit! You can fill your quesadillas with just about anything. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Proteins

If you're looking for some protein-packed options, consider using shredded chicken, beef, tofu, beans, or even leftover meat such as rotisserie chicken or taco meat. You can also add eggs for a breakfast-inspired twist.

Vegetables

For veggie lovers, the options are endless. Try fajita veggies, diced tomatoes, black olives, jalapenos, onions, bell peppers, corn, sauteed mushrooms, spinach, or any other vegetables of your choice.

Cheeses

While you can use any type of cheese you like, shredded cheese tends to melt better and create that gooey texture we all love in a quesadilla. You can use a Mexican blend, cheddar, Monterey Jack, Mozzarella, Swiss, or even pepper jack for a spicy kick.

Other Fillings

In addition to the standard proteins, veggies, and cheeses, you can also add some unique ingredients to your quesadillas. Try salsa, sour cream, guacamole, black beans, or even barbecue sauce for a delicious twist.

Remember, the beauty of making quesadillas in an air fryer is the customizability. So feel free to get creative and experiment with different combinations of fillings to find your favourite!

Assembly

To assemble your air fryer quesadilla, you'll first need to choose your fillings. The beauty of quesadillas is that they are highly customisable, so you can fill them with whatever you like. Popular options include:

• Meat: shredded chicken, leftover rotisserie chicken, ground beef, shredded beef, pulled pork, shrimp, or tofu
• Beans: black beans, refried beans, or smashed white beans
• Vegetables: diced bell peppers, corn, sautéed mushrooms, spinach, fajita veggies, diced tomatoes, black olives, jalapenos, onions
• Other: salsa, cheese, sour cream, guacamole, or Greek yoghurt

Once you've chosen your fillings, it's time to assemble the quesadilla. Here's a step-by-step guide:

• Place a tortilla on a flat surface.
• Spread your chosen fillings (except for any sauces) over half of the tortilla, leaving a small border around the edge to prevent the filling from oozing out during cooking. You can also sprinkle cheese on top of the fillings to help the tortilla stick together.
• Fold the tortilla in half, creating a half-moon shape.
• Brush the outside of the tortilla with a small amount of oil. This will help it get crispy and golden in the air fryer.
• Repeat the above steps with any remaining tortillas and fillings.
• Place the folded quesadillas in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they have enough room and are not overcrowded. You may need to cook them in batches.
• Cook the quesadillas at 350°F-400°F for 8-10 minutes, or until they are golden and crispy. Be sure to flip them halfway through cooking to ensure even cooking.
• Remove the quesadillas from the air fryer and let them cool for a minute before serving.

Note: If your quesadillas are opening up during cooking due to the air fryer fan, you can secure them with toothpicks or place a rack, metal trivet, or other suitable object on top to weigh them down.

Cooking

Air fryer quesadillas are a quick and easy meal option that can be made in just a few minutes. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make delicious air fryer quesadillas:

Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients

Firstly, gather your desired ingredients. Quesadillas are highly customisable, but you will typically need tortillas, cheese, and fillings of your choice. For the tortillas, you can use flour or corn varieties, ensuring they fit your air fryer basket with a little room to spare. For the cheese, shredded varieties work best, and you can use cheddar, Monterey Jack, Mozzarella, or a Mexican blend, to name a few options. As for fillings, popular choices include cooked meats such as shredded chicken, beef, or pork, as well as vegetables like bell peppers, onions, tomatoes, and jalapenos. You can also add beans, salsa, or spinach for extra flavour and nutrition.

Step 2: Assemble the Quesadillas

Place a tortilla on a flat surface and add your desired fillings. Start with a layer of cheese, then add your chosen fillings, and finish with another layer of cheese. This helps the tortilla stick together. Be careful not to overfill the tortilla, as this can cause the filling to ooze out during cooking. Once filled, fold the tortilla in half, creating a quesadilla.

Step 3: Cook the Quesadillas

Preheat your air fryer to between 350°F and 400°F. Lightly brush one side of the quesadilla with olive oil or cooking spray. Place the quesadilla, oil side down, in the air fryer basket. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may be able to cook two quesadillas at once. Cook for around 8 minutes, flipping the quesadillas halfway through to ensure even cooking. Keep an eye on them, as the air fryer's powerful fan can sometimes cause the quesadillas to open up during cooking. If this happens, simply press them closed again or secure them with a toothpick.

Step 4: Serve and Enjoy

Once the quesadillas are golden brown and the cheese has melted, remove them from the air fryer and let them cool for a minute. Cut them into wedges or halves and serve while still hot. They can be enjoyed as is or with a variety of dips and sides, such as guacamole, salsa, sour cream, or Greek yoghurt.

Serving suggestions

Air fryer quesadillas are a versatile dish that can be served as a main course or appetiser. They can be served with a variety of dips and sides, such as:

• Guacamole
• Sour cream
• Greek yoghurt
• Salsa
• Hot sauce
• Mexican rice
• Refried beans
• Salad
• Air fryer broccoli

For a more substantial meal, air fryer quesadillas can be served with a protein source such as chicken, beef, or shrimp. They can also be loaded with vegetables like bell peppers, corn, sautéed mushrooms, or spinach.

If serving air fryer quesadillas as an appetiser, they can be cut into thinner triangles. They can also be served alongside other Mexican dishes such as enchiladas, tacos, taquitos, or burritos.

Storage and reheating

Quesadillas are best enjoyed hot and crispy. However, if you have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days or freeze them for up to three months.

To reheat a refrigerated quesadilla, preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Place the quesadilla in the air fryer basket, ensuring it doesn't overlap or touch any other part of the air fryer. Air fry for 2-4 minutes or until the inside is warmed through and the outside is crispy. You can also reheat quesadillas in the oven, toaster oven, or microwave.

If you're reheating a frozen quesadilla, let it defrost on the counter for 15 minutes before placing it in the air fryer. Air fry at 350°F (175°C) for 2-3 minutes, adding more time in 1-2 minute increments as needed. Alternatively, you can air fry frozen quesadillas at 400°F for 8-10 minutes, flipping them halfway through.

Frequently asked questions