Easy Air Fryer Quesadilla - The Recipe Rebel

Name: Air Fryer Quesadilla
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 8 min
Total time: 13 min
Ingredients: ½ red bell pepper (finely chopped); ½ yellow or green bell pepper* (finely chopped); 1 small onion (or half medium); 1 tablespoon oil; 1 teaspoon taco seasoning; ¼ teaspoon salt; 1 teaspoon sliced green onions; 2 cups shredded cheese (any kind); 4 small to medium tortillas (flour or corn); Non-aerosol non-stick spray

These deliciously crisp and cheesy Air Fryer Quesadillas are packed with colorful air-fried vegetables, mixed with classic Mexican seasonings, and melty cheese. Ready in just 13 minutes, this simple recipe is perfect for a quick lunch or an easy weeknight meal for the whole family.

Slices of quesadilla stacked on plate with a bowl of sour cream and salsa beside it.

One of the best things about these quesadillas is that they are a great way to add more vegetables to mealtimes.

You can easily customize these easy air fryer quesadillas with your favorite fillings.

This recipe uses onions and bell peppers, but you could add tomatoes, zucchini, and loads of other veggies!

Ready in just minutes, this easy recipe is great as a quick snack, lunch or light dinner for adults and little kids too.

In my opinion, the best part of quesadillas is the melted cheese oozing from inside the crispy tortillas. I tend to use either shredded cheddar cheese or a Mexican cheese blend in mine because they go with just about any filling, but you can get as creative as you like.

No air fryer? Try my stovetop Cheese Quesadilla!

Close up photo of cheesy quesadillas slices on a plate on a grey plate.

Experiment with different proteins by adding in refried beans, or black beans. Using a combination of Mexican flavors with ground beef is a creative way to enjoy tacos, like in my amazing Taco Pizza.

Quesadillas are so handy and versatile, we love them in our house for all sorts of meals and snacks. Juicy Chicken Quesadillas are great for dinnertime, as are these Honey & Lime Chicken Quesadillas.

Try an Easy Breakfast Quesadilla recipe that is perfect for a quick and filling start to the day. My Strawberry Cheesecake Quesadillas are delicious and make a sweet and simple dessert.

Ingredients Needed:

Overhead view of ingredients in glass bowls for air fryer quesadillas.

Vegetables: we’re using bell peppers and onion in this Mexican quesadilla.
Green Onions: finely chopped green onions will add a fresh tang to the cheese and veggies.
Cheese: shredded cheese of any kind is good. I tend to use cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, or a Mexican cheese mix.
Tortillas: use flour or corn tortillas, whichever you prefer.
Oil: use canola oil or another neutral-flavored oil for seasoning the veggies, and a non-aerosol non-stick spray will work well for the Air Fryer as it will coat the basket evenly with a thin layer of oil.
Seasoning: taco seasoning contains classic Mexican flavors which are perfect for these cheesy veggie quesadillas.
Salt: enhances all the savory flavors.

How to Make Quesadillas in the Air Fryer

These homemade quesadillas are ready in just a few simple steps. Full instructions are included in the recipe card below.

Cook the vegetables: Cook seasoned vegetables in a foil “bowl” at the bottom of the air fryer.
Prepare air fryer and put tortilla in: Spray non-stick oil into the air fryer basket and place one tortilla in.
Add fillings: Put some cheese on the tortilla, then add veggies, and the chopped spring onion on top.
Top with cheese: Add more cheese on top of the fillings, then top with the second tortilla. The cheese layers will bind everything together.

Sauteed red and yellow peppers on tinfoil in air fryer basket. — Cook the vegetables.

One tortilla laying flat in air fryer basket beside air fryer. — Cook the vegetables.

Then you simply cook them until perfectly crisp, and repeat for the second quesadilla!

Top view of quesadillas slices on a plate with glass bowls of sour cream and salsa.

Air Fryer Quesadillas FAQs

How long does it take to Air Fry quesadillas?

It takes between 6-8 minutes to air fry a quesadilla, turning it over halfway through the cooking time to get full crispy perfection!

Are quesadillas better with oil or butter?

Cooking with oil will make the crispiest quesadillas, but you can cook with butter if you prefer a buttery taste.
To cook with oil in an Air Fryer, spray the Air Fryer basket with non-stick cooking oil and put the quesadilla in the basket. Alternatively, you can brush the outside of the quesadilla with oil before putting it in the basket to cook. Similarly, you can thinly coat the outsides of the quesadilla with butter before frying or air frying it.

How do I store quesadillas?

Ensure your quesadillas have completely cooled to room temperature before storing them. You can put them in an airtight container, or wrap them tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for up to 3 days.

How do I reheat a quesadilla?

It’s best to reheat leftover quesadillas in a preheated Air Fryer (350 degrees). If your quesadilla is wrapped in foil, it’ll take about 3-5 minutes to reheat. Unwrapped, it will take around 2-3 minutes to heat through.

Tips and Notes

Secure the top. You can secure the top tortilla to the rest of the quesadilla with a toothpick or two if you need it, as it can sometimes come loose in the air fryer as the hot air circulates quickly. You may want to do this if you are using dry fillings or not a lot of cheese.
Flip your quesadilla. Make sure to flip your quesadilla halfway through cooking so that it cooks evenly and gets crispy on both sides.

Air Fryer Quesadilla Variations

Mix up the veggies. Use your favorite vegetables in these quesadillas, like zucchini, black olives, tomatoes, sweetcorn, etc.
Add some heat. Add some red pepper flakes, hot sauce, or cayenne pepper to your veggies before putting them in the tortillas.
Try different seasonings. Try a different seasoning like Italian herbs with oregano, basil, rosemary, thyme, and marjoram.
Change the cheese. Serve topped with some parmesan or mozzarella cheese.
Add protein. I love quesadillas with meats. Try this Instant Pot Shredded Chicken, Alfredo Chicken Quesadillas, or use this Instant Pot Taco Ground Beef recipe. They also taste great with refried beans!

Serving Suggestions

You can serve these air fryer quesadillas with my Easy Homemade Salsa, or this Fresh Taco Dip for a fuller meal. Sometimes I make quesadillas and slice them up to serve with sour cream as a snack or as part of a party table spread.