Air Fryer Quesadillas

WRITER BYCassie

POSTEDJune 16, 2020

Air fryer quesadillas are super quick and easy to customize for busy weeknights. Stick with the classic refried beans and cheese, or choose your own filling combination. The air fryer makes the tortilla perfectly crispy on the outside, and the cheese melts to perfection.

Love quesadillas? You HAVE to try making them in the air fryer. The outer tortilla becomes perfectly crisp, and the cheese melts nicely every time.

I generally "cheat" when it comes to making quesadillas and pop them in the sandwich press for a low-effort dinner. But once I tried them in the air fryer, there was no going back. It's so much better!

You can fill tortillas with whatever you please. I always keep a can of my favourite refried beans on hand so I can make quesadillas on those busy nights when the last thing I want to do is cook. But don't think you're limited to beans and cheese.

Be creative with your fillings: leftover rotisserie chicken, roasted veggies, or even just cheese on its own would all work well.

A PERSONAL FAVORITE FOR YEARS

I've been making quesadillas since I was a teenager. It started as a survival meal during uni (whatever was left in the fridge got stuffed in a tortilla). These days, I still make them at least once a week, but the air fryer has completely changed the game.

Once, after a hectic workday and zero motivation to cook, I threw a bean and cheese quesadilla into the air fryer out of desperation. I was shocked. Perfectly crisp edges, melty middle, zero babysitting. Now, even my kids ask, "Can we have air fryer cheesy tacos?"—their version of quesadillas.

I've since shared this with my neighbour and even my picky-eater cousin, and everyone raves about it. My friend said, "I didn't even know the air fryer could do this. Game-changer!"

WHY YOU'LL LOVE THIS RECIPE

Ready in minutes
Low-effort dinner or snack
You get to choose your own filling based on what you have on hand

A LITTLE BACKGROUND

Quesadillas have roots in Mexican cuisine, dating back to the 16th century. Traditionally made on a comal, they were filled with Oaxaca cheese, beans, and squash blossoms. Today, they're a flexible staple across many households and cultures.

Want to learn more about quesadillas' origins? Check out this article from TasteAtlas for a deep dive into regional variations and history.

INGREDIENTS FOR COOKING QUESADILLAS IN AN AIR FRYER

If you want to make classic bean and cheese quesadillas in the air fryer, here's what you'll need (full measurements listed in the printable recipe card below):

Refried Beans
Flour Tortillas
Cheddar Cheese

HOW TO MAKE AIR FRYER QUESADILLAS (STEP BY STEP)

Place a tortilla on a flat surface and spread refried beans over half of it. Sprinkle cheese on top of the beans, then fold the tortilla in half. Repeat with the remaining tortilla.

Place the tortillas in the air fryer basket and cook at 180°C/350°F for 8 minutes, or until the quesadillas are crisp and golden and the cheese is melted, flipping halfway through.

You'll want to check on your quesadillas in the first few minutes of cooking, and if the tortilla has lifted slightly away from the fillings, push it back down with a spatula.

Serve immediately as is, or with guacamole, sour cream, and Greek yoghurt.

TROUBLESHOOTING TIPS FOR 5-MINUTE AIR FRYER QUESADILLA

After making these quesadillas dozens (honestly, probably hundreds) of times, I've run into every little hiccup you can imagine. From tortillas puffing up like balloons to cheese that stubbornly refuses to melt (been there, fixed that). These are the most common issues people ask me about, plus the exact solutions that work every time.

Tortilla flapping open?
This often happens in the first couple of minutes. Just open the air fryer and press the tortilla back down gently with a spatula. It'll stay in place after that.
Cheese not melting properly?
Make sure you're using a cheese that melts easily. Cheddar, Monterey Jack, and mozzarella all work great. Pre-shredded cheese is fine, but freshly grated cheese melts more evenly.
Edges too crispy or burnt?
Every air fryer runs a bit differently. If yours runs hot, lower the temp slightly or cut the cook time by 1–2 minutes. Flipping halfway really helps even things out.
Filling leaking out?
Overfilling is usually the reason. Stick to a moderate amount, about 2 tablespoons of filling for a medium tortilla. It spreads more than you think once the cheese melts.

HOW TO STORE & REHEAT CRISPY QUESADILLAS

Proper storage and reheating make a big difference, especially when you want a quick weeknight meal later on. Getting this right means your leftovers taste almost as good as fresh, and it saves you time on busy days:

Storing: Ensure your quesadilla is fully cooled before storage. Transfer it to a sealed container and refrigerate for no more than 5 days.
Freezing: To freeze your quesadillas, tuck them into a ziploc bag and keep them in the freezer for a maximum of 3 months.
Reheating: To reheat, air fry the quesadillas for 2-3 minutes at 350°F (175°C). Add extra time in 1-2 minute increments if needed to ensure they're warmed through and crispy.

MORE TIPS FOR MAKING THIS EASY RECIPE

Here are a few tricks I've picked up along the way for this quick and easy dinner:

Sometimes the tortilla lifts away from the filling at the start of cooking. When that happens, just press it back down gently with a spatula and keep going.
Flip the quesadilla halfway through cooking. This helps both sides get evenly crisp and golden.
The quesadilla is done when the tortilla is crisp and golden and the cheese inside has melted completely.
Use whatever fillings you like, but keep in mind cooking times might need slight adjustments depending on what you add.
The amount of filling depends on your tortilla size. Don't overload, or it might not cook well.
You can easily double or triple this recipe, but cook in batches so everything cooks evenly.

HOW TO SERVE AIR FRYER QUESADILLAS

I've found that serving quesadillas with the right sides can really lift the whole meal. Whether it's a quick appetizer or a family-friendly dinner, these ideas add flavor and balance without much fuss:

Serve with guacamole for a creamy, fresh contrast.
Add sour cream or Greek yogurt to cool down any heat from spicy fillings.
Salsa or pico de gallo brings brightness and a little zing.
Pair with a simple side salad or steamed veggies for something light and healthy.
For extra texture, sprinkle chopped fresh cilantro or green onions on top.

Want to know what to dip quesadillas in? Guacamole, salsa, and sour cream are classic choices that never disappoint.

FILLING SUGGESTIONS FOR AIR FRYER QUESADILLAS

One reason I love this recipe is how flexible it is. You can mix and match fillings based on what you have or what you're craving. Here are some of my favorite combos to try:

Classic refried beans and melty cheese (simple and satisfying).
Leftover shredded rotisserie chicken with black beans and pepper jack cheese.
Roasted vegetables like bell peppers, onions, and zucchini with mozzarella.
Sautéed mushrooms and spinach with a bit of feta cheese.
Spicy ground beef or turkey with cheddar and a dash of taco seasoning.

NUTRITION INFORMATION (PER SERVING, ESTIMATE)

I always double-check nutrition estimates using USDA FoodData Central and similar trusted sources to give you the most accurate info possible. While exact values can vary based on your ingredients, here's a general breakdown for a classic 5-minute air fryer quesadilla:

Calories: 320
Protein: 12g
Fat: 15g
Saturated Fat: 6g
Carbohydrates: 32g
Fiber: 5g
Sugar: 2g
Sodium: 520mg

FAQs

MORE AIR FRYER RECIPES

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RECIPE

Air Fryer Quesadillas

Prep Time

2 minutes

Cook Time

8 minutes

Total Time

10 minutes

Air Fryer Quesadillas are a super quick and easy dinner option for busy weeknights. Stick with the classic refried beans and cheese, or choose your own filling combination. The air fryer makes the tortilla perfectly crisp and the cheese melted to perfection.

5 Stars (138 Reviews)

servings

2

Scale

Ingredients

2 Flour Tortillas

4 tbsp Refried Beans

1/2 cup Cheese

OPTIONAL TOPPINGS

Guacamole

Sour Cream

Greek Yoghurt

Salsa

Instructions

Place tortilla on a flat surface, then spread refried beans over half of the tortilla. Sprinkle cheese on top of the beans, then fold the tortilla in half. Repeat with the remaining tortilla.

Place the tortillas in the air fryer basket and cook on 180C / 350F for 8 minutes, or until the quesadillas are crisp and golden and the cheese is melted, flipping halfway. You'll want to check on your quesadillas in the first few minutes of cooking and if the tortilla has lifted slightly away from the fillings, push it back down with a spatula.

Serve immediately as is, or with guacamole and sour cream or greek yoghurt.

Notes

I find that at times the tortilla can lift away from the fillings as it's cooking at the very beginning. If this happens, simply push it back down with a spatula and continue cooking.

Make sure you flip halfway. This ensures the entire quesadilla gets crispy.
The quesadilla is ready when it's crisp and golden and the cheese is melted.
Feel free to use your own choice of fillings for this recipe. You may need to adjust the cooking time accordingly.
The amount of your fillings may be more or less depending on how big your tortillas are.
Feel free to double or triple the recipe. You'll just need to cook in batches.