Did you know that you can make the most delicious quesadillas in the the air fryer in a matter of minutes? These Air Fryer Quesadillas are so easy to make- they're perfect for a quick weeknight meal or snack. Your family will love them!
These easy Air Fryer Quesadillas are one of my favorite fast, family-friendly dinner recipes. It's the perfect recipe to have in your back pocket for busy weeknights when you're craving Mexican food. It's also a great appetizer to serve at parties or on game nights.
I make lots of air fryer recipes- everything from chicken drumsticks and juicy turkey burgers to vegetables like baked sweet potatoes and corn on the cob. Check out my Air Fryer Recipe Collection for more ideas!
Quesadillas, like my ultimate rotisserie chicken quesadillas, are classically cooked in hot oil in a skillet. In comparison, cooking quesadillas in an air fryer is super easy and convenient.
Air frying is also a healthy cooking method. Air fryers cook your food with circulating hot air rather than oil. It gives your food the delicious crispy texture you crave but with minimal oil. I'm such a fan, I even wrote an air fryer cookbook!
Quesadillas are one of the easiest and tastiest things you can cook in the air fryer and the whole family will love them! And the great thing is that you can customize them with your own favorite fillings. These air fryer quesadillas are the perfect clean out your fridge recipe.
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Why You'll Love This Dish
- Simple- This easy recipe is so simple and you only need 3 ingredients!
- Fast- The air fryer heats up and cooks quesadillas in just minutes.
- Crispy Perfection- You'll get the crispiest quesadillas on the outside with melted, cheesy goodness on the inside.
- Versatile- You can fill your quesadillas with just cheese or add other ingredients like chicken, vegetables, shrimp or steak; the sky's the limit!
- Family-Friendly- Both kids and adults will love these air fryer quesadillas.
On the fence about whether or not to buy an air fryer? Read my post Why You Need An Air Fryer In Your Life.
Ingredients
Use this basic recipe and customize it with your own favorite quesadilla fillings like chicken, steak, shrimp, and vegetables.
Here's what you'll need to make these air fryer quesadillas:
- Flour tortillas- you can use corn tortillas if you prefer
- Shredded cheese- I typically use Mexican cheese blend, Monterey Jack or Cheddar Jack cheese
- Shredded, cooked chicken breast (optional)- chicken is optional in this dish; you can use rotisserie chicken or any leftover, cooked chicken. You can also substitute it with other ingredients like cooked steak, shrimp or roasted vegetables.
- Salsa (optional)- salsa is optional but I like to mix the chicken or other filling ingredients with salsa to add a lot of flavor. Use your favorite jarred or homemade salsa.
Best Air Fryer
Looking for an air fryer? I love the Ninja Max XL 5.5 quart Air Fryer. The large basket is perfect for a family of four.
How To Make Air Fryer Quesadillas Step-By-Step
See recipe card at the end of the post for full recipe instructions.
- Step 1- Place each tortilla on a flat surface like a cutting board. Sprinkle shredded cheese on half of the tortilla. Mix the chicken and salsa together in a bowl. Spoon some of the chicken mixture on top of the cheese. Sprinkle some more cheese on top.
- Step 2- Fold the tortilla in half. Press down on top of the tortilla to flatten it slightly.
- Step 3- Preheat air fryer to 350°F and spray the basket of your air fryer lightly with oil spray. Place two quesadillas in the air fryer basket and spray them lightly with oil.
- Step 4- Cook for 4 minutes, then flip over and cook another 4 minutes until quesadillas are lightly crispy and golden brown and cheese is melted. As they cook, if the tortillas start to lift up from the filling, simply push down on top of them with a spatula. You can also keep them closed with toothpicks.
Remove quesadillas from the air fryer and cut each one into wedges. Serve with desired toppings like guacamole, salsa, sour cream and/or Greek yogurt.
Not sure what types of oils to use in your air fryer? Read my post on The Best Oils and Oil Sprays for the Air Fryer.
Chef's Tips
- Preheat the air fryer before putting your food in.
- I like to spray the quesadillas lightly with avocado or olive oil so that they get a nice golden color but this is optional. Read my post on the Best Oils and Oil Sprays for the Air Fryer. Don't use nonstick cooking spray in the air fryer as it can damage the coating in the basket.
- Arrange the quesadillas in a single layer in the air fryer so that they crisp up nicely. Don't overcrowd the basket. Flip them halfway through cooking so that both sides cook evenly.
- As the quesadillas cook, the air from the fan may cause the tortillas to lift up from the filling during the first few minutes until the cheese melts. If that happens, simply push down on the top with a spatula. You can also keep them closed by securing them with a toothpick.
- You may want to use an air fryer liner to make clean up easier. You can buy them online or make your own liners from parchment paper.
Recipe Variations and Substitutions
The great thing about this air fryer quesadilla recipe is that it's endlessly customizable! You can make classic cheese quesadillas, chicken quesadillas, beef, veggie, you name it! Here are some ideas:
- Tortillas- I use medium-sized flour tortillas in this recipe but you can also use corn tortillas if you prefer. You can even use Indian naan like I do in my chicken and green chile naan quesadillas.
- Cheese- the best cheese to use is one that melts well. I like to use either Mexican blend, Cheddar Jack, Cheddar cheese or Monterey Jack cheese. You can buy pre-shredded cheese to save time or you can buy a block of cheese and shred it yourself. You can even stir in a little cream cheese for extra creaminess.
- Meat- I use leftover chicken breast in this recipe but I also make tasty quesadillas with slow cooker barbecue pulled chicken. You can also use ground beef, steak or pork instead. This recipe is also a great way to use up leftover taco meat.
- Vegetables- you can leave out the meat completely and make cheese quesadillas or make vegetable quesadillas with baby spinach, sautéed mushrooms, corn, bell peppers, onions, or my perfect oven-roasted vegetables. My Sweet Potato, Kale and Black Bean Quesadillas are always a crowd-pleaser!
- Other- you can also use ingredients like refried beans, black beans, diced green chilies, taco seasoning or slices of avocado. I use avocado slices in my Ultimate Chicken Quesadillas.
What To Serve With Quesadillas
You can serve these air fryer quesadillas with a variety of delicious accompaniments. Here are a few flavorful options to complement your cheesy and crispy quesadillas:
- Salsa and Guacamole: Fresh, vibrant salsas and creamy guacamole add a burst of color and freshness. Experiment with different salsa varieties, such as pico de gallo, mango salsa, corn salsa or roasted tomato salsa.
- Sour Cream or Greek Yogurt: A dollop of cool and tangy sour cream or Greek yogurt provides a nice contrast to the warm and savory quesadillas.
- Fresh Salad: Serve a side salad with crisp lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, and a zesty vinaigrette or try my Southwest chicken salad (Santa Fe Salad).
- Refried Beans: Creamy refried beans make an excellent side dish. They add a satisfying protein boost and pair well with the cheesy goodness of the quesadillas.
- Rice: Serve these air fryer quesadillas with plain rice, cilantro lime rice or Mexican rice.
- Pickled Jalapeños: For those who enjoy a bit of heat, pickled jalapeños or other peppers can add a spicy kick to your quesadilla experience.
- Corn and Black Bean Salad: A colorful salad featuring corn, black beans, red onions, and cilantro is both tasty and visually appealing, bringing a Southwestern flair to your meal.
- Hot sauce: If you like heat, drizzle some hot sauce over your quesadillas. A smoky chipotle, tangy habanero, or classic jalapeño hot sauce will all work great.
How To Reheat Quesadillas in The Air Fryer
One of the best things about the air fryer is that it's great for heating up leftovers! It's perfect for crisping up and reviving leftovers like pizza, grilled cheese, and chicken tenders.
You can heat up leftover refrigerated quesadillas in the air fryer at 350°F for 2-3 minutes until they're warm and toasty.
Quesadillas can also be reheated in the microwave, in the oven or in a skillet on the stove.
You can also cook store-bought frozen quesadillas, like El Monterey brand, in the air fryer. Cook them at 350°F for 12-18 minutes. Adjust the time and temperature as needed.
Recommended Air Fryer Accessories
Line your air fryer basket with these reusable perforated silicone mats. You can buy square or round mats. The holes allow hot air to circulate around the food prevent it from sticking.
You can also line your air fryer basket with one-time-use perforated parchment sheets. They come in different shapes, sizes and colors- white or brown (unbleached).
This EVO oil sprayer is perfect for evenly spraying your food and air fryer basket with oil. It doesn't clog up like many other brands.
Recipe FAQs
Yes! You can make them in a skillet on the stove. Heat a little olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and cook the quesadillas for a couple of minutes on each side until crispy. You can cover the skillet with a lid during the last minute or two to melt the cheese.
You can put so many different ingredients in these quesadillas! See the "Variations and Substitutions" section above for some ideas. My kids' favorite combination is ground beef (with taco seasoning) and cheese. I like vegetarian quesadillas with spinach, mushrooms, and cheese.
Yes, you can freeze and reheat these quesadillas. You can also cook store-bought frozen quesadillas, like El Monterey brand, in the air fryer. Cook them at 350°F for 12-18 minutes. Check on them and adjust the cooking time and temperature as needed. Want to know how to adapt any recipe for your air fryer? Read my helpful Oven to Air Fryer Conversion Guide.
It takes about 8 minutes to cook these quesadillas in the air fryer. However, the final cooking time will depend on the model of your air fryer so be sure to check on them.
Any cheese that melts well will work. Some of my favorites to use are Mexican blend, Cheddar, Cheddar Jack, Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, and Mozzarella.
You can store these air fryer quesadillas in plastic wrap or an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The quesadillas can also be frozen for up to 3 months.
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More Air Fryer Recipes and Resources
- Air Fryer Corn on the Cob
- Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp
- Juicy Air Fryer Turkey Burgers
- How to Cook Frozen Chicken Tenders or Nuggets in the Air Fryer
- Best Air Fryer Safe Dishes- The Ultimate Guide
- Why You Need An Air Fryer In Your Life
- Best Oils and Oil Sprays For The Air Fryer
- Easy Oven to Air Fryer Conversion Guide
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Recipe
Air Fryer Quesadillas (Easy & Cheesy)
Ingredients
- 6 ounces (1 ½ cups) cooked, shredded chicken breast (can use rotisserie chicken) (optional)
- ¼ cup jarred salsa (optional)
- 4 medium flour tortillas
- 4 ounces (1 cup) shredded cheese like Cheddar Jack or Mexican blend
- Avocado or olive oil spray
Optional toppings
Instructions
- Mix the chicken and salsa together in a bowl.
- Lay the tortillas out on a cutting board. Sprinkle about 2 tablespoons of shredded cheese on one half of each tortilla. Spoon some of the chicken mixture on top. Sprinkle another 2 tablespoons of cheese on top. Fold the tortillas in half over the filling and press down to flatten slightly.
- Preheat the air fryer to 350°F. Spray the basket lightly with oil.
- Place two quesadillas in the air fryer basket next to each other and spray them lightly with oil. Cook for 4 minutes, then flip over and cook another 4 minutes until quesadillas are lightly crispy and golden brown and cheese is melted. As the quesadillas cook, if the tortillas lift up from the filling, push them down with a spatula. You can also secure them with a toothpick.
url says
We love Quesadillas, cheese and chicken.
Now I can do it in an air fryer!! Thx Sonali.
sonaliruder says
Thanks for your comment! Let me know how it goes if you try it out!