January 12, 2024
Review RecipeAir Fryer Quesadilla
Table of Contents
Our air fryer quesadilla recipe is a game-changer for all food enthusiasts. With its crispy tortillas, melty cheese, and the convenience of an air fryer, this dish is a perfect blend of taste and simplicity.
Air Fryer Quesadilla Ingredients
Flour tortillas form the base of the quesadilla. They crisp up beautifully in the air fryer, providing a crunchy exterior to contrast with the gooey cheese and fillings.
The mild chunky salsa adds a tangy kick to the quesadilla. It’s mixed with the taco seasoning and added to the savory chicken and hearty beans for a burst of flavor.
Finally, the shredded Colby jack cheese melts beautifully, providing a creamy filling that binds all the other ingredients together.
Let’s take a look at everything you’ll need for this delicious dish:
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- 8 flour tortillas (8-inch soft taco sized)
- 1 cup of mild chunky salsa
- 1 tablespoon of taco seasoning
- 2 cups of diced rotisserie chicken breast (½ inch-sized dice)
- 15-ounce can of seasoned black beans, liquids drained
- 8-ounce block of Colby jack cheese, shredded
Substitutions And Additions
FLOUR TORTILLAS: If you’re gluten-intolerant, you can substitute these with gluten-free tortillas. For a different flavor, try using corn tortillas.
ROTISSERIE CHICKEN: If you’re vegetarian, you can replace the chicken with sautéed vegetables, tofu, or even a meat substitute in this simple recipe.
CHEESE: Feel free to use your favorite shredded cheese. Mexican blend, cheddar cheese, or Monterey jack pepper jack would all work well.
VEGETABLES: The veggie possibilities are endless. Try adding sautéed bell peppers and onions for a fajita-style quesadilla.
For a bit of crunch, toss in some fresh spinach, sliced mushrooms, or diced tomatoes. Don’t be afraid to get creative with your veggie choices!
How To Make This Air Fryer Quesadilla Recipe
Making air fryer quesadillas is a breeze. Here’s a detailed guide to help you through the process:
OUR RECIPE DEVELOPER SAYS
Make sure to check your air fryer manual for cooking time guidelines for your specific model, as times and temperatures vary depending on the type of air fryer you have.
STEP ONE: Using a pastry brush, lightly brush one side of each of the flour tortillas with olive oil.
You can stack them on top of each other and place them on a plate. Set aside.
STEP TWO: In a small bowl, stir the mild chunky salsa and taco seasoning. Set aside.
STEP THREE: In a large bowl, add the rotisserie chicken breast, drained seasoned black beans, and the reserved bowl of chunky mild salsa and taco seasoning.
Using a large spoon, gently combine all the ingredients, being careful not to break up the diced chicken too much.
PRO TIP:
Stir gently to avoid breaking up the chicken too much.
STEP FOUR: Place one flour tortilla into the tray of the air fryer oiled side down.
STEP FIVE: Spoon a quarter (approximately ¾ cup) of the chicken mixture onto the tortilla and gently spread it out to cover the entire surface of the flour tortilla.
STEP SIX: Sprinkle a quarter (approximately ¾ cup) of the shredded Colby jack cheese evenly over the layer of chicken mixture.
STEP SEVEN: Place a second flour tortilla onto the top, keeping the oiled side facing up.
STEP EIGHT: Set your air fryer to 360°F and cook for ten minutes.
You want to flip your quesadilla after five minutes, then finish cooking.
This helps to ensure that your flour tortillas get evenly browned and crisp on both sides.
PRO TIP:
If the edges of your flour tortilla are lifting up too much when air frying, you can place a metal rack (like the one that comes with your air fryer or instant pot) on top of the quesadilla to help hold the flour tortilla down.
I like to use the one that came with my instant pot as it is round and perfectly covers my 8-inch tortillas. Be sure you are using a wire rack meant to handle high heat.
STEP NINE: Carefully remove your air fryer quesadilla and allow it to rest on a plate for two to three minutes before cutting it into four pieces.
PRO TIP:
A pizza cutter works great to cut the cooked quesadillas.
STEP TEN: Repeat steps 4-9 to cook the remaining three quesadillas.
How To Serve
Our air fryer quesadillas are delicious on their own, making an easy meal, but they can also be paired with a variety of sides and dips.
The cool, creamy texture of sour cream complements the spicy, cheesy quesadillas perfectly.
Flavorful guacamole adds a fresh, zesty element that pairs well with the quesadillas.
Salsa is a classic pairing for any Mexican dish and adds a tangy, spicy kick.
For something extra on the side, our Spanish rice complements the quesadillas and makes the meal more filling.
For even more delicious recipes that come in the form of quesadillas, check out our spinach artichoke quesadillas and steak quesadillas.
MORE QUESADILLA RECIPES
Storage
Our quesadilla air fryer recipe is best enjoyed fresh but can also be stored and reheated later.
MAKE AHEAD: If you want to prepare the quesadillas in advance, you can assemble them and store them in the refrigerator for up to a day before air frying.
IN THE FRIDGE: Leftover quesadillas can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two days. Store them in an airtight container to keep them fresh.
IN THE FREEZER: For longer storage, you can freeze the quesadillas. Wrap each one individually in aluminum foil and store them in a freezer bag.
They can be kept in the freezer for up to two months.
REHEATING: To reheat the quesadillas, place them in the air fryer at 360°F for five to seven minutes or until they’re heated through and crispy.
If you’re reheating frozen quesadillas, you don’t need to thaw them first – just add a few extra minutes to the reheating time.
Why We Love This Recipe
There are many reasons to love our air fryer chicken quesadillas.
EASY TO MAKE: This recipe is straightforward and requires minimal prep work, making it perfect for busy weeknights or last-minute meals.
DELICIOUS: The combination of crispy tortillas, gooey cheese, and flavorful fillings makes these quesadillas irresistibly delicious.
FUN TO EAT: These handheld quesadillas are fun to eat, whether you’re enjoying a casual meal at home or serving them at a party.
Our air fryer quesadilla recipe is a versatile and delicious dish that’s perfect for any occasion. Its crispy tortilla, melted cheese filling, and flavorful salsa and chicken combination make it a crowd-pleaser.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can use corn tortillas if you prefer in this easy recipe. However, they may not be as flexible or hold as much filling as flour tortillas.
Feel free to add sautéed peppers, onions, or any other vegetables you like for more tasty fillings.
This depends on the size of your air fryer. If you can fit more than one quesadilla without overlapping them, then go ahead. Just make sure they cook evenly.
Store-bought taco seasoning works great in this recipe. You can also make your own if you prefer.
More Recipes You’ll Love
- Steak Rolls
- Cheeseburger Quesadilla
- Pineapple Salsa
- Chicken Tortilla Roll-Ups
- Ranch Seasoning
- Simple Sauteed Vegetables
- Pizza Casserole with Biscuits
- Creamed Corn
- Chicken Taco Casserole
- Corn Salad
- Honey Butter Skilled Corn
- Taco Pie
- Pizza Muffins
- Taco Bake
- Sheet Pan Nachos
- Taco Ring
- Mexican Corn Salad
- Baked Burritos
- Taco Macaroni
- 7 Can Chicken Taco Soup
- Bundt Pan Nachos
- Air Fryer Pizza
- Taco Bites
Air Fryer Quesadilla
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 8 inches flour tortillas, 8 tortillas soft taco sized
- 1 cup mild chunky salsa
- 1 tablespoon taco seasoning
- 2 cups diced rotisserie chicken breast, ½ inch-sized dice
- 15 ounces seasoned black beans, liquids drained
- 8 ounces Colby jack cheese, shredded
Instructions
- Using a pastry brush, lightly brush one side of each of the flour tortillas with olive oil. You can stack them on top of each other and place them on a plate. Set aside.
- In a small bowl, stir the mild chunky salsa and taco seasoning. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, add the diced rotisserie chicken breast, drained seasoned black beans, and the reserved bowl of chunky mild salsa and taco seasoning. Using a large spoon, gently combine all the ingredients, being careful not to break up the diced chicken too much.
- Place one flour tortilla into the tray of the air fryer oiled side down.
- Spoon a fourth (approximately ¾ cup) of the chicken mixture onto the flour tortilla and gently spread it out to cover the entire surface of the flour tortilla.
- Sprinkle a fourth (approximately ¾ cup) of the shredded Colby jack cheese evenly over the layer of chicken mixture.
- Place a second flour tortilla onto the top, keeping the oiled side facing up.
- Set your air fryer to 360°F and cook for 10 minutes. You will want to flip your quesadilla after 5 minutes, then finish cooking. This helps to ensure that your flour tortillas get evenly browned and crisp on both sides.
- Carefully remove your air fryer quesadilla and allow it to rest on a plate for 2-3 minutes before cutting it into four pieces. A pizza cutter works great.
- Repeat steps 4 to 9 to cook the remaining three quesadillas.
Notes
- Make sure to check your air fryer manual for cooking time guidelines for your specific model, as times and temperatures vary depending on the type of air fryer you have.
- Stir gently to avoid breaking up the chicken too much.
- If you find that the edges of your flour tortilla are lifting up too much when air frying, you can place a metal rack (like the one that comes with your air fryer or instant pot) on top of the quesadilla to help hold the flour tortilla down. I like to use the one that came with my instant pot as it is round and perfectly covers my 8-inch tortillas. Be sure you are using a wire rack meant to handle high heat.
- A pizza cutter works great to cut the cooked quesadillas.
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