In an air fryer, quesadillas cook in a mere 10 minutes, which makes them a quick, easy meal. This quesadilla recipe is wonderful for busy days as it requires minimal preparation and always delivers crispy, delicious results.
Air fryer quesadillas have a balanced nutritional profile and can be customized to suit your tastes, making them an excellent lunchtime choice. Besides being delicious and healthy, it is convenient and nourishing as well. Also, it’s a tasty and convenient option for kids as an afternoon snack.
I love this recipe for air fryer quesadillas! By using an air fryer, you’ll do less work and get crispier results. It’s a quick and easy way to enjoy perfectly crispy quesadillas with minimal effort. During the process of air-frying quesadillas, In this time you can clean your kitchen as well.
You can also enjoy quesadillas alongside Chili Chicken Enchiladas for a delicious and satisfying meal combination. It’s great to have you here on the cooking action page. Below I will show you how to make quesadilla in the air fryer properly at home kitchen so you never miss any steps. Let’s start with it.
Ingredients For This Recipe
- Whole grain tortilla (10-inch /taco size tortillas)
- Shredded cheese
- Olive oil (1 tbsp)
- Spinach
- Shredded chicken
Optional add-ins
- Smashed black beans
- Sweet potatoes
- Bell peppers (Diced)
- Corn
Equipment Required
- Air fryer
- Knife
- Kitchen scissors
Instructions for making air fryer cheese quesadillas in air fryer:
Preheat Your Air Fryer
First you have to preheat your air fryer to 350 F. Lightly brush olive oil on all sides of the tortilla. You can also use olive oil cooking spray such as PAM Cooking Spray for this purpose.
Topping and Cheese Time
In an air fryer basket, you have to place a tortilla and put the side that has been oiled directly onto the surface. Now, take half of the shredded cheese you have and evenly spread it over the surface of the tortilla. After the cheese layer, add a layer of spinach and cooked chicken on top of it.
Other half of the cheese
Now you need to add the remaining half of the shredded cheese on top of the spinach and chicken layer. This top layer of cheese will help bind the ingredients together as it melts, making the tortilla stick together when cooked.
Fold the tortilla in half
After layering the cheese, spinach, and chicken on one half of the tortilla, you must carefully fold the other half of the tortilla over the filling to create a half-moon shape.
Cook the Quesadilla
The folded quesadilla should be placed in a pre-heated skillet or on a grill. Cook for about 8 minutes, flipping the quesadilla halfway through (around the 4-minute mark) to ensure that it cooks evenly on both sides.
In this manner, the exterior will be crispy and golden brown while the interior will be warm and melted. You can then serve the quesadilla by cutting it into wedges.
Serving Suggestion
With quesadillas, you can make salsa and guacamole from edamame seeds (the seeds contain yummy nutrients).
You may want to serve the quesadilla with roasted veggies (I would love air fryer broccoli), pickled jalapenos, a fresh salad, or grilled corn. By including these vegetables, you can enhance your dining experience and make your meal more nutritious and flavorful.
For instance, a crisp cucumber and tomato salad with a light vinaigrette or some sautéed bell peppers and onions would pair beautifully with the quesadilla. You can also add pickled jalapenos and onions, or cilantro if you prefer.
Avoid Overloading the Air Fryer Basket
It is important not to overcrowd the air fryer basket in order to ensure even cooking and crispy results. You should leave sufficient space between the quesadillas or other items to allow the hot air to circulate around them. The result is uniform cooking and less sogginess. The best results can be achieved by cooking multiple quesadillas or items in batches.
Nutritious Information
| Calories | 260 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 16g |
| Protein | 15g |
| Fat | 15g |
| Saturated Fat | 8g |
| Fat | 4g |
| Cholesterol | 44mg |
| Fiber | 1g |
| Sugar | 2g |
| Vitamin A | 379 IU |
| Iron | 1mg |
| Calcium | 327 mg |
In A Nutshell
As a whole, air fryers cook quesadillas quickly and evenly, resulting in crispy tortillas and melted cheese. By layering your favorite ingredients, folding the tortilla, and cooking it at the right temperature, perfect cheese and a golden brown exterior become possible.
Air fryers ensure an even cook, reducing the need for extra oil, making them a healthier and more convenient choice during busy times. Take a break from your busy schedule and try out different fillings to find the perfect combination for your tasty quesadilla. It is my hope that you have now learned how to make quesadillas in an air fryer correctly. I’d be glad to assist you anywhere you need in the comments section below.
Additional Air Fryer Recipes
- Cook Dehydrated Banana Chips in Air Fryer
- Cook Waffle Fries In Air Fryer
FAQs
If you’re preparing this quesadilla for someone with gluten sensitivity or if you prefer a gluten-free option, substitute the regular tortilla with a gluten-free one. There are many brands of gluten-free tortillas available, made from corn, rice, or a blend of gluten-free flours.
To make this quesadilla dairy-free, leave out the regular cheese and replace it with dairy-free cheese. You will find many other options such as cheese made from almond, coconut, or cashew milk.
As with regular cheese, dairy-free cheese melts similarly, so you can layer, fold, cook, and serve it as you would regular cheese. With this adjustment, the dish can be enjoyed by those who are lactose intolerant, vegan, or simply avoiding dairy, retaining its flavor and texture.
It’s best to enjoy quesadillas fresh, as refrigerating them may result in soggy tortillas. Crispy tortillas are one of the highlights of this dish, but refrigerating them can diminish their crunch. If you do have leftovers, consider reheating them in the oven or skillet to help them regain their crispiness.
No, I recommend you use taco size tortillas for making quesadillas in your air fryer. If your tortillas are too large, trim them with kitchen scissors (edges).
It is possible to reheat quesadillas in the air fryer. In the basket of the air fryer, you have to place the quesadillas, and preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Heat for about 3-5 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they’re warmed through and crispy again. As a result of this method, some of the original crispiness is restored and sogginess is avoided.
