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These easy Air Fryer Chicken Quesadillas come together in less than 10 minutes and are easy to whip up on busy weeknights! You can dress them up or down according to your personal taste and what you have on hand.
Listen, you’re just as surprised as I am.
Quesadillas in the air fryer? What is the origin story?
I was on a mission to create a quesadilla method that resulted in a perfect crisp with less troubleshooting than the skillet method. Immediately, I realized the air fryer was the answer. Let me just tell you. This method is a game changer!
Perfectly buttery crispy tortillas with gooey melted cheese and seasoned chicken, dipped in sour cream and guacamole? I can’t think of a dreamier dinner. I have included instructions for all levels of tortilla crisp, as I know folks have preferences!
This is the easiest barebones chicken quesadilla recipe that you make when you’re in a hurry to get dinner on the table fast.
I cut corners by using store-bought rotisserie chicken to save time, but I have also included options for adding sauteed peppers and onions and cooking the chicken from scratch.
As usual, the simple ingredients are available at all grocery stores and there are plenty of ways you can customize your cheesy tortilla!
Ingredient Notes:
Large Flour Tortillas: Choose your favorite brand of flour tortillas! You can use any size you prefer, but I generally go with 8-inch flour tortillas. That said, some air fryers can’t accommodate the size of large tortillas, so be sure to use a size you know fits.
Melting Cheese of Choice: I use Colby Jack cheese, but you can also use regular Monterey jack cheese, pepper jack cheese, or cheddar cheese. Fancy cheeses like gruyere and gouda work too. To get fancy, you can throw in some cotija cheese.
Rotisserie Chicken: Pick up a rotisserie chicken from the store to save time. Or, grab a package of boneless chicken thighs and follow my instructions below. Other kinds of leftover chicken work great too, such as grilled chicken.
Salsa: Because rotisserie chicken isn’t exactly teaming with flavor on its own, I use a regular tomato salsa to toss in with the shredded chicken to level up the flavor.
Recipe Adaptations:
- Add Onions and Peppers: Sauté one medium-sized onion and one green bell pepper in a large skillet using 2 tablespoons of avocado oil. Stir frequently over medium-high heat and cook until softened to your liking.
- Make Chicken from Scratch: Chop chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces and add them in with your peppers and onions (above). You can give it a sprinkle of chili powder or add in some salsa or enchilada sauce for flavor.
- Skip the Chicken: Omit the chicken to make plain cheese quesadillas.
- Mix up the Meat: Use steak (such as carne asada), ground beef taco meat, or carnitas to customize your meaty air fryer quesadillas.
- Gluten-Free Option: Use your favorite gluten-free tortillas, or make quesadillas with two corn tortillas. I’ll be straightforward with you. I haven’t had luck with gluten-free tortillas. Either they have weird taste and texture or they fall apart when you try to fold them. For this reason, I recommend sticking with corn tortillas for the best GF option.
How to Make Air Fryer Chicken Quesadillas:
In a small bowl, toss the shredded rotisserie chicken in 1 to 2 tablespoons of tomato salsa to give it some extra flavor.
Place one large tortilla on a cutting board and spread softened butter over one side of it.
Flip the tortilla over (butter side down) and sprinkle one half of it with half of the shredded cheese.
Then, spread the shredded chicken on top of the cheese. Follow it up with the rest of the grated cheese. This ensures the chicken gets glued shut between two layers of cheese. Fold the other side of the tortilla over so that the buttered side is on the outside.
Note: if you prefer using two tortillas instead of one, feel free to add a second tortilla on top. Just be sure the top tortilla has butter on the outside too. You may consider adding more cheese and chicken.
Transfer the quesadilla to the air fryer basket and repeat for more quesadillas depending on the size of your air fryer, placing them in a single layer.
Air fry at 400 degrees for 4 minutes. At this point, your quesadilla can be ready, or you can flip it and air fry for another 2-3 minutes for a crisper tortilla.
Use a spatula to carefully remove the quesadilla from the air fryer. If the tortillas has opened during air frying, simply fold it back down. Transfer the quesadilla to a cutting board and use a knife to cut it into smaller pieces. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Storage and Reheating:
Store leftover quesadillas in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat it in the air fryer at 350 degrees for 3 minutes.
Serving Suggestions:
Serve your chicken quesadillas with a side of Mexican Rice or Cilantro Lime Rice and beans and plenty of salsa, guacamole, and sour cream for dipping.
Recipe Tip
If the fan of your air fryer keeps lifting one side of the tortilla open, you can insert a toothpick or two through each quesadilla to prevent it from opening during the air frying process. If your tortilla does raise up, simply fold it back down after the quesadilla is finished cooking and it will hold together easily.
And that’s it!
The next time you’re looking for a delicious dinner in a hurry, whip out these 10-minute quesadillas! It’s a great way to satisfy the whole family and works as a quick lunch or afternoon snack too!
Let me know in the comments what additions or toppings you include!
If you love cooking in your air fryer, also try some of these classics.
More Air Fryer Recipes:
- Air Fryer Cream Cheese Stuffed Mini Peppers
- Crispy Air Fryer Salmon
- Air Fryer Chicken Breasts
- Lemon Garlic Air Fryer Boneless Chicken Thighs
- Air Fryer Steak Bites
Air Fryer Chicken Quesadillas
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 to 2 large flour tortillas
- 1 Tbsp softened butter
- ½ cup grated cheese*
- ⅓ cup shredded chicken
- 1 Tbsp salsa
For Serving:
- Sour Cream
- Guacamole
Instructions
- In a small bowl, toss the shredded rotisserie chicken in 1 to 2 tablespoons of tomato salsa to give it some extra flavor.
- Place one large tortilla on a cutting board and spread softened butter over one side of it.
- Flip the tortilla over (butter side down) and sprinkle one half of it with half of the shredded cheese.
- Then, spread the shredded chicken on top of the cheese. Follow it up with the rest of the grated cheese. This ensures the chicken gets glued shut between two layers of cheese. Fold the other side of the tortilla over so that the buttered side is on the outside. Note: if you prefer using two tortillas instead of one, feel free to add a second tortilla on top. Just be sure the top tortilla has butter on the outside too. You may consider adding more cheese and chicken.
- Transfer the quesadilla to the air fryer basket and repeat for more quesadillas depending on the size of your air fryer, placing them in a single layer.
- Air fry at 400 degrees for 4 minutes. The air fryer fan might cause the tortilla on top to lift up. This is no biggy – if it happens, you can simply use a spatula to close it back up. If you like the level of doneness after 4 minutes, the quesadilla is ready! For a crispier quesadilla, you can flip it and air fry for another 1 to 3 minutes, or until it reaches your desired level of golden brown crisp.
- Use a spatula to carefully remove the quesadilla from the air fryer. If the tortillas has opened during air frying, simply fold it back down. Transfer the quesadilla to a cutting board and use a knife to cut it into smaller pieces. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Like this recipe? Rate and comment below!
Frequently Asked Questions:
For quesadillas that are mostly soft, air fry for 4 minutes total. For a crispy tortilla, air fry for 5 to 7 minutes total, until it reaches your preferred level of golden brown deliciousness.
The process is as hands off as it can be! If you’ve struggled to get a good result in a skillet due to temperature control or difficulty flipping, the air fryer method is for you.
I also love the fact that you can make multiple quesadillas at a time without having to check on them as long as your air fryer is large enough.
It also makes for easy cleanup. In this sense, making quesadillas in the air fryer saves time, ensures you end up with a great result, and takes any guesswork out of the process.
No. In fact, I recommend you don’t because you may need to touch the sides of the air fryer in order to place the quesadillas inside. Don’t burn yourself!
How can I prevent the tortilla from blowing open during the cooking process?
Simply insert a wooden toothpick into the center (or one on each side) of the quesadilla. The cause of tortillas opening or bowing out is the air flow. Do note that if the tortilla does come open, you can simply close it back up at the end of the cooking process.
