This Air Fryer Quesadilla Recipe is a quick lunch or appetizer the whole family will enjoy! It’s made with simple ingredients and is on the table in 15 minutes!
I love finding new ways to prepare my favorite foods. I’ve made many things in my air fryer, from pizza rolls and dumplings to hash browns, but when I first made this recipe I was struck by how easy it is to make air fryer quesadillas.
Think corn tortillas stuffed with refried beans and melty cheese, cooked to crispy perfection. You can always change it up and add your favorite fillings and spices.
This easy recipe takes just 15 minutes to make, so perfect for when you’re busy and don’t have time to cook an entire meal. Serve with your favorite dips and enjoy!
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ingredients you need
Check out the recipe card at the bottom of the post for all the details on these simple ingredients.
- Tortillas: I like to use corn tortillas, but flour tortillas or gluten-free tortillas will work, too.
- Cheese: Be sure to use freshly grated cheese for best results. Sometimes store-bought shredded cheese has cellulose added to keep the shreds from clumping together. This keeps the cheese from melting properly, so I try to buy a block of cheese and grate it myself.
- Fried beans: You can buy beans from the store or make your own. For the homemade version, you’ll need pinto beans (or black beans), onions, garlic, spices, and oil.
- Olive oil: You’ll need it to cook the beans and coat the quesadillas.
How to make Air Fryer Quesadillas
- Heat a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Once hot, add 1 tablespoon oil and let heat until sizzling. Add the onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes. Then add the garlic, cumin and smoked paprika and cook for 30 seconds.
- Add the pinto beans along with salt and black pepper and stir. Cover with a lid and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the beans are tender.
3. Puree the bean mixture with an immersion blender and stir in the lime juice.
4. Place the tortillas on a flat surface and spread a few tablespoons of the refried beans over them. Sprinkle half of the tortilla with grated cheese and fold the tortilla in half. Press flat with the palm of your hand.
5. Preheat the hot air fryer to 180 °C. Spray the basket with cooking spray to prevent sticking. Add the quesadillas and brush one side of the tortilla with olive oil.
6. Fry for 3 minutes, then turn and cook for another 3 minutes, or until tortilla is golden brown and cheese melts. Serve the crispy tortillas right away!
Best Tips
- Calso in a single layer. Make sure the air fryer basket is not overcrowded for best results.
- Brush the quesadillas with oil. I’ve noticed that air fryer quesadillas can get dry without an oil brush. It also helps them get a nice tan.
- Turn around halfway. This will ensure the quesadillas get crispy on both sides.
- Add your favorite fillings. The best part about this recipe is that it’s super versatile. You can add anything you would like to spice up the diet like chopped red peppers, crumbled tofu, etc. If you want to take this recipe to the next level I suggest adding my ground tofu.
- Serve fresh. Most air fryer recipes, including this one, are best served immediately while still warm and crispy. The quesadillas will soften as they cool.
frequently asked Questions
Leftover quesadillas can be quickly reheated in the air fryer. Preheat air fryer to 350 degrees and add the quesadillas. Cook for 3-4 minutes or until warmed through.
Yes! When cooking frozen products, the cooking time will increase depending on how powerful your air fryer is. But I would say you need to cook them for 10-13 minutes.
Yes, but make sure you freeze them before cooking for best results. Transfer quesadillas to an airtight container and place parchment paper between each layer of quesadillas to prevent them from sticking. Freeze up to 3 months.
I like to use cheddar cheese, but you can use any cheese that melts well, like Mexican cheese blend, Cheddar Jack, or Monterey Jack cheese. Other cheeses like Brie, Colby Jack, and Provolone can also be used in this recipe.
portion
Serve air fryer quesadillas with your favorite toppings and dips like guacamole, salsa, or sour cream! Top tortilla with fresh coriander or pickled jalapenos for more flavor.
storage
Allow to cool to room temperature, then transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for 3-4 days.
More Easy Air Fryer Recipes
Tater Tots Air Fryer
Air Fryer Bagel Bites
Frozen spring rolls from the air fryer
Air Fryer Tofu Nuggets Recipe
Air Fryer Frozen Mozzarella Sticks
And for even more ideas, check out my 55 Best Vegan Air Fryer Recipes.
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Air Fryer Quesadillas
This Air Fryer Quesadilla Recipe is a quick lunch or appetizer the whole family will enjoy! It’s made with simple ingredients and is on the table in 15 minutes!
ingredients
Quesadillas
- 4 Corn tortillas
- 1 Cup grated cheddar cheese (or other type of cheese; use vegan cheese if needed)
- ½ teaspoon Olive oil, for brushing
instructions
Refreshed Beans
-
Heat a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Once hot, add 1 tablespoon oil and let heat until sizzling. Add the onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes. Then add the garlic, cumin and smoked paprika and cook for 30 seconds.
-
Add the pinto beans along with salt and black pepper and stir. Cover with a lid and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the beans are tender. Using a hand blender, puree the bean mixture and stir in the lime juice.
Quesadillas
-
Lay the tortillas on a flat surface and spread a few tablespoons of the refried beans over them. Sprinkle half of the tortilla with grated cheese and fold the tortilla in half. Press flat with the palm of your hand.
-
Preheat the air fryer to 180°C. Spray the basket with cooking spray to prevent sticking. Add the quesadillas and brush one side of the tortilla with olive oil.
-
Fry for 3 minutes, then flip and broil an additional 3 minutes, or until tortilla is golden brown and cheese melts. Serve the crispy tortillas right away!
(Please see the post above for instructional photos and other helpful information for this recipe)
Suggested Equipment/Tools
Remarks
- Cook in a single layer. Make sure the air fryer basket is not overcrowded for best results.
- Brush the quesadillas with oil. I’ve noticed that air fryer quesadillas can get dry without an oil brush. It also helps them get a nice tan.
- Turn around halfway. This will ensure the quesadillas get crispy on both sides.
- Add your favorite fillings. The best part about this recipe is that it’s super versatile. You can add anything you would like to spice up the diet like chopped red peppers, crumbled tofu, etc. If you want to take this recipe to the next level I suggest adding my ground tofu.
- Serve fresh. Most air fryer recipes, including this one, are best served immediately while still warm and crispy. The quesadillas will soften as they cool.
*Remember, the recipe yields a little more refried beans than you can use.
The nutritional information shown is an estimate from an online nutrition calculator. Accuracy is not guaranteed. The information displayed should not be taken as a substitute for the advice of a professional nutritionist.
nutrition
Calories: 310kcal | Carbohydrates: 30G | Protein: 18G | Fat: 14G | Saturated Fatty Acids: 3G | Fiber: 5G
Feature photography by: Petranka Atanasova.
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