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    the Best Air Fryer Quesadilla

    Published: May 16, 2021 · Modified: Aug 12, 2021 by Elise Shivamber · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Quick, melty, perfectly cooked air fryer quesadilla. These quesadillas made in the air fryer are easy, taking only 3-minutes each with little-to-no clean up! Sprinkle with chili lime seasoning on top for the best quesadilla!

    air fryer quesadilla

    I love quesadillas so much. They are my go-to “cheat meal.” This lightened up version keeps the essential melty cheesiness and fresh tortilla. BUT I added a chili lime seasoning to spice it up!

    Eating clean for the past five years, my favorite recipes were those that use simple, fresh ingredients.  I’m a huge proponent of making easy dishes that don’t skimp out on taste. For lunch & dinner recipes like this one, I prefer only a few ingredients that pack a huge flavor. For other simple, delicious Mexican dishes try Carne Asada Quesadillas, The Best Sheet Pan Halloumi Fajitas or Vegan Cauliflower Tacos Al Pastor.

    Jump to:
    • Highlights of this Recipe
    • Ingredients & Substitutions
    • Diet Substitutions
    • Step-By-Step Instructions
    • Air Fryer Tips & Tricks
    • Toppings for a Quesadilla
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • What to Serve with Air Fryer Quesadillas
    • 📖 Recipe

    Highlights of this Recipe

    This recipe is:

    • Quick
    • Easy
    • Few Ingredients

    Ingredients & Substitutions

    air fryer quesadilla
    • Corn or Flour Tortillas. Substitute for any grain free tortillas.
    • Shredded Cheese. Dairy free or regular shredded cheese is great.
    • Chili Powder. (optional)
    • Salt. (optional)
    • Lime Zest. (optional)

    Substitute Tajin or Chili Lime Seasoning for homemade seasoning.

    What Kind of Cheese to Use in a Quesadilla

    Use any type of shredded cheese for a quesadilla. Whatever is your preference is typically the best bet. I prefer a Mexican blend or something that is cheddar and a white cheese.

    For dairy free / vegan cheese: I highly recommend Chao Shredded Cheese, Vevan Shredded cheese, or Miyoko’s Vegan Pepper Jack Cheese. I haven’t tried Chao’s cheese, but found that Miyoko’s or Vevan's vegan cheese made for a great dairy free quesadilla!

    Diet Substitutions

    Gluten Free. Make sure to use gluten-free corn tortillas or grain free tortillas.

    Dairy Free. Substitute cheese for vegan shredded cheese. 

    Vegan. Substitute cheese for vegan shredded cheese. I highly recommend Chao Shredded Cheese, Vevan cheese, or Daiya Shredded Cheese.

    Paleo / Whole30 Compliant. Substitute the cheese for dairy-free and use a grain free tortilla.

    Step-By-Step Instructions

    • air fryer quesadilla
      Tortilla
    • air fryer quesadilla
      + Cheese
    • air fryer quesadilla
      + Top Tortilla
    • air fryer quesadilla
      + Toothpicks + Rack

    STEP ONE: Preheat your air fryer for 3 minutes.

    STEP TWO: Spray neutral oil on one side of the corn tortilla. Place that tortilla oil side down in the air fryer.

    STEP THREE: Add cheese.

    STEP FOUR: Spray neutral oil on one side of the second corn tortilla. Place that tortilla oil side up on top of the cheese. 

    STEP FIVE: Skewer toothpicks evenly around the tortilla towards the edge. Add the air fryer rack upside down on top of the quesadilla.

    STEP SIX: Air fry the quesadilla for 3-minutes for soft tortilla, or flip and air fry an additional 3-minutes for a crispier tortilla.

    STEP SEVEN: Remove from the air fryer and repeat for additional quesadillas.

    TIP! Air Fryers aren’t actually frying, they blow hot air on the food and will cook like a convection oven. Because of that, the shredded cheese in the quesadilla will most definitely blow all over the place and end up on the bottom or sides of the air fryer basket instead of the tortilla. Using toothpicks to secure the two tortillas and the cheese inside help a lot.

    Air Fryer Tips & Tricks

    • Make sure to preheat the air fryer to allow for the crispiest quesadillas! My Ninja Air Fryer suggests 3 minutes of preheating so that is what I typically do.
    • Don’t overcrowd the air fryer. Do it in batches rather than overcrowd your air fryer.
    • For a crunchier quesadilla, it’s best to flip halfway through the frying time. This helps make sure all sides are evenly crisped. You can use tongs or a spatula.
    • Don’t skip out on the toothpicks or the air fryer rack. The toothpicks hold the cheese inside the two tortillas, and the rack helps prevent the quesadilla from flying around inside the air fryer.
    air fryer quesadilla

    Toppings for a Quesadilla

    Some great quesadilla toppings ideas are:

    • Avocado Lime Sauce
    • Queso Fresco
    • Pico de Gallo
    • Sour Cream
    • Fresh Cilantro
    • Fresh Lime Juice

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How do you store air fryer quesadillas?

    If you don’t plan on eating the quesadilla right away, immediately place the cooked quesadillas into an airtight container or airtight ziplock bag. Place in the fridge and eat within 3-days.

    What can you put inside a quesadilla?

    You can always have a quesadilla plain, however it’s a great way to use any leftover meat, chicken, vegetables, or even greens like spinach and kale.

    How do I reheat quesadillas in an air fryer?

    1) Preheat the air fryer at 350ºF for 3-minutes.
    2) Air fry the quesadilla for 2-minutes at 350ºF for warm or 3-minutes for warm and crispy.
    3) Remove from air fryer and eat immediately.

    What size tortillas should I use for a quesadilla?

    It depends on what your goal is. I typically prefer 6-8” corn tortillas if using two corn tortillas. If you’re using one flour tortilla to fold in half like a moon, use a larger burrito sized tortilla.

    What to Serve with Air Fryer Quesadillas

    • air fryer quesadilla
      Fajita Veggies (Chipotle Copycat)
    • air fryer quesadilla
      Gluten Free Sweet Potato Fries
    • air fryer quesadilla
      Simple Arugula and Spinach Salad
    • air fryer quesadilla
      Gluten Free Mashed Potatoes

    📖 Recipe

    square image of overhead of complete quesadilla on a white plate with a bowl of pico de gallo and limes on top. lime wedges in the corner and a spoon of pico de gallo on the side.

    the Best Air Fryer Quesadilla

    Elise Shivamber
    Quick, melty, perfectly cooked air fryer quesadilla. These quesadillas made in the air fryer are easy, taking only 3-minutes each with little-to-no clean up! Sprinkle with homemade chili lime seasoning on top for the best quesadilla!
    No ratings yet
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 3 mins
    Total Time 8 mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American, Mexican
    Servings 2 quesadilla
    Calories 281 kcal

    Equipment

    • Air Fryer
    • 3-4 Toothpicks
    • Air Fryer Rack

    Ingredients
      

    • 4 Corn Tortillas (or flour if not gluten free)
    • 1 Cup Shredded Cheese

    Chili Lime Seasoning

    • ½ TSP Chili Powder
    • ¼ TSP Salt
    • 1 Lime zested

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat your air fryer for 3-minutes at 350ºF.
    • Spray neutral oil on one side of the tortilla. Place that tortilla oil side down in the air fryer.
    • Add the cheese on top of the tortilla.
    • Spray neutral oil on one side of the second corn tortilla. Place that tortilla oil side up on top of the cheese.
    • Skewer the toothpicks evenly around the tortilla towards the edge. The toothpicks should go halfway through the tortillas so they stick out a little. (This will be what holds the quesadilla together.)
    • Add the air fryer rack upside down on top of the quesadilla.
    • For a Soft Quesadilla: Air fry the quesadilla for 3-minutes on 350ºF. Remove with tongs and cut in half and eat immediately.
    • For a Crispy Quesadilla: Air fry the quesadilla for 3-minutes at 350ºF. Remove the basket, flip the quesadilla, place the air fryer basket on top, and air fry an additional 3-minutes at 350ºF. Remove immediately with tongs, cut in half and eat immediately.
    • Repeat steps 2-7 for the second quesadilla.

    Notes

    Substitute homemade chili lime seasoning with Tajín or Chili Lime Seasoning.
    Make sure to preheat the air fryer to allow for the crispiest quesadillas! My Ninja Air Fryer suggests 3 minutes of preheating so that is what I typically do.
    Don’t overcrowd the air fryer. Do it in batches rather than overcrowd your air fryer.
    For a crunchier quesadilla, it’s best to flip halfway through the frying time. This helps make sure all sides are evenly crisped. You can use tongs or a spatula.
    Don’t skip out on the toothpicks or the air fryer rack. The toothpicks hold the cheese inside the two tortillas, and the rack helps prevent the quesadilla from flying around inside the air fryer.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1quesadillaCalories: 281kcalCarbohydrates: 24gProtein: 15gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 44mgSodium: 375mgPotassium: 139mgFiber: 3gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 380IUCalcium: 325mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword air fryer, air fryer quesadilla, gluten free, quesadilla
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