Quesadillas in the Air Fryer
A quesadilla should be crisp on the outside and properly melted inside, and the air fryer manages both in about 6 minutes without any pan-flipping. The only trick is stopping the light tortilla from flying around in the fan. Fold it in half, weigh it down and you have a hot lunch from a few cupboard ingredients.
- Temperature
- 190°C
- Total time
- 24min
- Prep
- 10min
- Servings
- 4
- Per serving
- 340kcal
Why the air fryer works for quesadillas
Air fryer quesadillas cook faster and with more even colour than the frying pan version. In a pan, you have to flip a floppy, loaded tortilla without losing the filling. In the basket the hot air crisps both sides at once, and you only turn the quesadilla once. The cheese melts and bubbles out at the edges, and it makes much less mess than a pan.
The main issue is that tortillas are light, and the fan can lift the top layer. Folding the tortilla in half and pressing the edges firmly together solves most of it, and a small trivet on top does the rest. A 4–6 litre basket fits two folded quesadillas side by side, so for four you cook in two batches, which still takes under 15 minutes in total.
How to make quesadillas in the air fryer
Tap a time to start a timer.
- Prepare the filling Mix the cheese, red pepper, sweetcorn, spring onions and smoked paprika in a bowl. Dice the pepper small so that it softens quickly.
- Fill the tortillas Lay a tortilla flat. Spread a quarter of the filling over one half, leaving a 1 cm border, then fold the other half over to make a half-moon. Press down firmly.
- Brush with oil Lightly brush both sides with the olive oil. This is what turns the tortilla golden and crisp.
- Preheat and cook Preheat the air fryer to 190 °C for . Place 2 quesadillas in the basket, side by side, and cook for , turning them over after . If the top lifts in the airflow, rest a small oven-safe rack or metal trivet on it.
- Rest and cut The quesadillas are ready when both sides are golden and the cheese is melted and bubbling at the edges. Rest for , then cut each into 3 wedges. Cook the second batch the same way.
Cooking times and temperatures
| Quesadillas | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Cheese and vegetable quesadillaTurn halfway | 190 °C | 5–6 min |
| Chicken quesadillaCooked chicken, steaming hot, 75 °C | 190 °C | 6–7 min |
| Corn tortilla quesadillaWarm the tortillas first | 180 °C | 4–5 min |
| Reheating cooked quesadillasSteaming hot, 75 °C | 170 °C | 3–4 min |
| Large 25 cm tortilla, folded | 180 °C | 7–8 min |
Times are a guide and depend on the size of the food and the power of your air fryer. See also cooking times and temperatures for all dishes.
Tips
- Grate the cheese yourself. Pre-grated cheese is coated in starch and melts less smoothly. A mix of mature cheddar for flavour and mozzarella for stretch works well.
- Keep the filling dry. Drain tinned vegetables, and pat cooked chicken and peppers dry, or the tortilla goes soggy from the inside.
- Do not overfill. A thin, even layer cooks through quickly and keeps the crisp crust.
Serving
Cut the quesadillas into wedges and serve with soured cream, salsa and guacamole. For a bigger meal, add a green salad or some nachos and a few stuffed peppers. They are also good alongside rice and beans.
Storing and reheating
Quesadillas are best eaten fresh, but leftovers keep for up to 2 days in the fridge in an airtight container. Reheat them in the air fryer at 170 °C for 3–4 minutes, turning once, until crisp and steaming hot all the way through (75 °C). Air fryer quesadillas reheat better than in the microwave, which makes the tortilla soft and chewy.
Variations
- Chicken: Add 100 g of shredded cooked chicken to the filling. Make sure the chicken is cooked through, and the quesadilla is steaming hot in the middle (75 °C) before you eat it.
- Black bean: Replace the sweetcorn with 100 g of drained, rinsed black beans and add a pinch of ground cumin.
- Breakfast: Fill with scrambled egg, a little grated cheese and chopped spring onion for a quick weekend brunch.
Troubleshooting
- The tortilla lifts and the filling spills out
- Do not overfill, and leave a clear border before folding. Press the edges firmly and rest a small oven-safe rack or trivet on top to hold it down.
- The cheese has not melted
- The filling was cold and clumped, or the quesadilla was too thick. Grate the cheese finely and cook for another 1–2 minutes at 180 °C.
- The edges are burnt but the middle is cold
- Too much heat, or too much filling. Reduce to 180 °C and use no more than 60 g of filling for each 20 cm tortilla.
Frequently asked questions
Can you make quesadillas in an air fryer?
Yes. Fold a filled flour tortilla in half, brush with oil and cook at 190 °C for 5–6 minutes, turning halfway. They come out crisp and evenly browned.
What temperature and how long for air fryer quesadillas?
190 °C for 5–6 minutes. Large or heavily filled ones can take up to 8 minutes at 180 °C.
Can you use corn tortillas?
Yes, but they crack more easily. Warm them first for 20 seconds in the microwave, fill lightly and cook at 180 °C for 4–5 minutes.
How do you reheat quesadillas in the air fryer?
Heat at 170 °C for 3–4 minutes, turning once, until the cheese is melted and the filling is steaming hot all the way through (75 °C).
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