These simple and delicious cheesy chicken quesadillas are “fried” in the air fryer to a crispy perfection in just 10 minutes! They’re quick and easy, and are a great snack or lunch for the whole family.
Tortillas air fry really well and I love using them in different recipes, like these air fryer beef taquitos or even for making homemade tortilla chips! I’m loving the healthier options from this awesome kitchen appliance – you get that scrumptious crunch without all the oily greasiness.
This is a simple recipe to make with your kiddos, it teaches them how to follow instructions and for little ones to practice their coordination and fine motor skills. My kids feel a great sense of accomplishment when they make their own quesadillas!
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Ingredients
Chicken – Use pre-cooked chicken for the quesadillas. To make this recipe super simple and convenient, I recommend using store-bought rotisserie chicken or leftover roasted chicken!
Cheese – I use a Mexican cheese blend consisting of sharp cheddar, monterey jack and colby.
Tortillas – I’m using two 8 inch flour tortillas. Flour tortillas work best as they’re flexible and crisp up nicely. However, you can also use corn tortillas.
Equipment
Air Fryer – I am using a Philips XXL.
Trivet – This came with my Instant Pot. You need something heavy to weigh down the tortillas, or else they’ll come flying through the fan! If you don’t have a trivet, try using a (non plastic!) spoon or fork.
Instructions
Add cheese and chicken to one half side of the tortilla.
Fold the quesadilla in half, place it in the basket, then add the trivet on top of it. Cook at 350 Fahrenheit for 8 to 9 minutes or until crispy and cooked through.
Pro Tips
- Serve these cheesy quesadillas with guacamole, salsa or sour cream.
- You do not need to add oil to the basket or tortillas.
- If you have a smaller air fryer, cook in batches as needed.
- If using corn tortillas, I recommend layering one whole tortilla on top of the other. Corn tortillas are not as flexible and will break if you try to fold them.
- There is no need to flip the quesadillas, the air flow of the air fryer will crisp it up.
- Fill up your quesadillas with other delicious ingredients like beef, beans or mushrooms!
Frequently Asked Questions
These are American-style quesadillas, the cheeses that melt well are cheddar, colby and monterey jack.
To reheat leftovers, preheat the air fryer at 350 for 5 minutes, then heat the quesadilla for 5 to 8 minutes.
Corn tortillas are great for quesadillas, however they are less pliable then flour tortillas. If you want to fold them into a moon shape, then stick with flour tortillas.
More Air Fryer recipes to enjoy!
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Crispy Air Fryer Chicken and Cheese Quesadillas
Ingredients
- 2 flour tortillas, 8 inch
- 1 cup Mexican 3 cheese blend sharp cheddar, monterey jack and colby
- 1 cup chicken, cut into small pieces
Instructions
- Add cheese and chicken to one half side of the tortilla.
- Fold the quesadilla in half (in a half moon shape), place it in the Air fryer, add the trivet on top of it. Air fry at 350 Fahrenheit for 8-9 minutes or until crispy and cooked through.
- Serve with guacamole, salsa, or sour cream.
Notes
- You do not need to add oil to the air fryer basket or tortillas.
- If you have a smaller air fryer, cook in batches as needed.
- If using corn tortillas, I recommend layering one whole tortilla on top of the other. Corn tortillas are not as flexible and will break if you try to fold them.
- There is no need to flip the quesadillas, the air flow of the air fryer will crisp it up.
- If you don’t have a trivet, try using a (non plastic!) spoon or fork.