In need of an exceedingly quick lunch that is cheesy and crispy in the best ways possible? The search is over. With the help of this Air Fryer Quesadilla recipe, the already great dish gets enhanced with the goodness of golden-brown perfection in a couple of minutes.
The tortilla using the air fryer makes it insanely crispy without using too much oil. It is also the perfect answer to a fast one, a full fledged snack, or an easy dinner on a weeknight. This will soon be your favorite new method of making a quesadilla.
Why This Recipe Works
You are going to love this way to make an Air Fryer Quesadilla. This flow of hot air cooks the quesadilla evenly so the cheese is fluently melted but the outside is extremely crispy.
Furthermore, cleanup is a breeze. Forget scrubbing a greasy pan. The air fryer basket traps all the mess so that your after-lunch routine is as easy as the cooking process itself. It is a game-changer for busy days.
Ingredients
Big Flour Tortillas: Two 8 inch or 10 inch tortillas are best.
Shredded Cheese: 1 cup of a melting cheese such as Mexican blend, Monterey Jack or sharp cheddar.
Cooked Protein: ½ cup of cooked, shredded chicken. Cooked ground beef or black beans also work well.
Optional Fillings: a quarter cup of any bell pepper, onion or corn.
Cooking Spray: A spray of olive Oil or spray of avocado oil.
Optional Toppings: You can use sour cream, salsa, guacamole or some jalape nos to serve.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for about 3 minutes. This ensures the tortilla starts crisping immediately.
- Assemble the quesadilla on a cutting board. Spray one side of the tortilla lightly with a cooking oil and lay it oil-side down.
- Top one half of the tortilla with the cheese, cooked chicken, and any other fillings you want. Avoid overfilling to prevent the contents from spilling out.
- Carefully fold the other half of the tortilla on top of the fillings and press ever so slightly to create a half-moon shape.
- Use a little cooking oil and spray it on top of the folded tortilla. This is the stage to get a perfect celestial brown crispy finish.
- Put some cooking spray on the preheated air fryer basket and cook quesadilla at 370 degrees Fahrenheit 5 to 7 minutes. Turn it half way through the cooking to have both sides equally crispy.
- Remove the Air Fryer Quesadilla very carefully, allow a minute cooling, cut it in wedges and serve immediately with your favorite toppings.
Time & Servings
| Type | Time |
|---|---|
| Prep Time | 5 minutes |
| Cook Time | 7 minutes |
| Total Time | 12 minutes |
| Servings | 1 Quesadilla |
Tips and Tricks for Success
Making a great Air Fryer Quesadilla is all about details These are some of the tips to make sure yours always is perfect.
Prevent the “Flying Tortilla”
Sometimes, the air fryer’s fan can cause the top tortilla to lift. To prevent this, you can secure the quesadilla with a metal trivet or even a couple of toothpicks (just remember to remove them before serving).
The Best Cheese for Melting
To achieve the classic cheese pull, it is always best to use freshly shredded cheese rather than the store bought varieties. Pre-shredded types may have anti caking components that can interfere with the smooth melting. Monterey Jack and low-moisture mozzarella are excellent choices.
Don’t Overcrowd the Basket
To get the crispiest quesadillas, just make them one at a time. This will enable the hot air to get maximum circulation on the surface to make sure that there are no soaked areas. In case you require preparing more, they will take little time they will be very easy to prepare back-to-back.
Conclusion
This Air Fryer Quesadilla recipe is a super easy and delicious recipe you can make in an air fryer that you can customize to your liking in so many ways. And it just shows exactly how a simple modern day kitchen product is able to take an otherwise ordinary meal and turn it into a fantastic meal with very little work.
You should also consider this simple recipe next time you go to lunch. Pin one! In case you did, it would be good to come and rate it or leave a comment as to how it went. We love hearing from you!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it possible to prepare more than one quesadilla at once?
When cooking quesadillas, it is usually a better idea to cook them one at a time, thus achieving the maximum crispness. Crowding the air fryer basket may inhibit the flow of air, thus resulting in an inconsistent cook and a less crunchy effect. Although the process of making each of them takes a few minutes, the system is still quite fast as they are made one after another.
Do I have to turn the quesadilla in the air fryer?
It is, as we would suggest that you flip the quesadilla halfway through the cooking period to get the best results. This will help to make the top and bottom of the tortilla as golden and crispy as the one in the middle.
What is the best way to save and reheat an Air Fryer Quesadilla?
Place any leftovers in a crisper container in the fridge to save a maximum of 2 days. To reheat, simply place the quesadilla back in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 2-3 minutes until it is warmed through and crispy again. This is because using the microwave makes the tortilla soft.
Ingredients
- Two 8-inch or 10-inch big flour tortillas
- 1 cup of shredded melting cheese (Mexican blend, Monterey Jack, or sharp cheddar)
- ½ cup of cooked, shredded chicken (or cooked ground beef/black beans)
- ¼ cup of optional fillings (bell pepper, onion, or corn)
- Cooking spray (olive oil or avocado oil)
- Optional toppings for serving (sour cream, salsa, guacamole, or jalapeños)
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for about 3 minutes.
- On a cutting board, lightly spray one side of a tortilla with cooking oil and place it oil-side down.
- Add cheese, cooked chicken, and other fillings to one half of the tortilla, avoiding overfilling.
- Fold the other half of the tortilla over the fillings and press down slightly.
- Spray the top of the folded tortilla with cooking oil.
- Place the quesadilla in the preheated air fryer basket (sprayed with cooking oil) and cook at 370°F for 5 to 7 minutes, flipping it halfway through.
- Carefully remove the quesadilla, let it cool for a minute, cut it into wedges, and serve with your favorite toppings.
Notes
- To prevent the top tortilla from lifting due to the air fryer's fan, you can secure it with a metal trivet or toothpicks.
- For the best melting results, use freshly shredded cheese like Monterey Jack or low-moisture mozzarella.
- Cook only one quesadilla at a time to ensure it gets crispy and doesn't steam.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 2-3 minutes to restore crispiness.