5 Best Quesadilla Makers
Best quesadilla makers
A quesadilla is an incredibly versatile food that makes a good lunch, dinner, snack, or even breakfast. It’s tasty, filling, and easy to assemble. Whether you fill your quesadillas with shredded chicken for a Mexican-flavored fiesta or choose nontraditional ingredients to create a delicious, cheap snack, a quesadilla maker helps streamline the cooking process.
This appliance is easy to use, requires minimal cleanup, and can even be put into service to make other yummy edibles. Why not use a skillet or pan to cook quesadillas? The toughest part is flipping the food to evenly brown both sides. Manual flipping often results in a broken mess of scattered filling. With a quesadilla maker, there’s no need to flip since the quesadillas are cooked on both sides simultaneously.
A quesadilla maker is useful for preparing the occasional Mexican-inspired meal, and if you frequently find yourself cooking between two tortillas, this compact appliance is a necessity. Our shopping guide is intended to help you pick your next specialty kitchen appliance and includes advice for which features to pay attention to, cooking tips to please the whole family, and a few of our favorite quesadilla makers.
How does a quesadilla maker differ from other appliances?
The shape and size are the most significant differences between a quesadilla maker, waffle maker, and panini press.
- Waffle makers can be squarish or round and have indentations to form a traditional waffle pattern.
- Panini presses are more rectangular and usually have indentations that create notable grill marks.
- Quesadilla makers are round and may have indentations to separate the food into bite-size triangles.
Before buying any kitchen appliance, consider your available storage space. If you’re cramming gadgets and appliances into already full cupboards, we don’t recommend investing in a specialty appliance. If you have limited room, think about your favorite meals and pick a press-type device that fits your cooking habits. Know that there are quesadilla makers that include interchangeable plates for making paninis and other foods.
Key considerations
Your eating habits
Are you wondering if a quesadilla maker is a worthwhile investment? If you frequently enjoy Mexican dinners, this appliance is a valuable kitchen addition. You can create simple meals without dirtying multiple pots and pans using a quesadilla maker. Use it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner by filling tortillas with different ingredients from eggs to chicken. You can even make vegetarian or vegan quesadillas, and most supermarkets carry gluten-free tortillas.
Versatility
You can use a quesadilla maker to make more than just tortilla-based sandwiches. Here are a few ideas for turning your single-use appliance into a versatile kitchen machine:
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Pancakes
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Toast
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French toast
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Grilled sandwiches (tuna melt, grilled cheese)
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Burgers
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Hash browns
Ease of use
Thankfully, making quesadillas is quick and easy, so the cooking time is minimal. You’ll need a filling (which you can cook separately or buy already made), a few toppings, such as cheese, onions, and hot sauce, and tortillas. Simply place the tortillas on the hot surface of the quesadilla maker, spoon filling onto the tortilla and put another one on top. It’s simple as that! Quesadillas are a great meal for busy weeknights, and they can be customized to fit a variety of tastes and dietary restrictions.
Quesadilla maker features
Size
If you have the room, a larger quesadilla maker allows you to use tortillas of different sizes. If you opt for a smaller machine (eight inches or less), you’ll be limited to using small tortillas. Large tortillas speed up meal preparation since you won’t need to cook as many batches to feed multiple mouths.
Plates
Units with indentations in the plates automatically portion out your quesadilla, so they’re easy to slice for serving. Models with deep pockets allow more room for filling, but the cheese inside thicker slices may not melt as easily. Nonstick plates help keep food from sticking to your appliance. They’re infinitely easier to clean than regular plates.
Latch
Some units have a special dual-setting latch that allows you to pack your quesadillas with more filling. If you’re still learning how to add the perfect amount of filling, you can also press your quesadillas manually. Pressing too hard when trying to use an appliance with a tight latch is likely to squish out the filling. Choose a unit with a lockable latch to prevent it from opening in storage.
Light
Most quesadilla makers have an indicator light to alert you to when the plates are hot enough for cooking.
Quesadilla maker prices
On average, quesadilla makers cost between $25 and $60. Small portable units may cost less than $10. On the lower end of the price range you’ll find eight-inch quesadilla makers with basic features. Pricier units either accommodate larger tortillas (ten inches or more) or may include interchangeable plates designed to cook other types of foods like waffles and paninis.
Tips
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Don’t overfill your quesadillas. Adding too much filling will cause the quesadillas to overflow, leaving you with a big mess to clean up.
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Avoid fillings that are too liquid. Soggy quesadillas are hard to eat with your hands.
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Use one tortilla instead of two. If you have a tiny appetite or you’re cooking for one, fold a single tortilla in half instead of layering one on top of another.
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Be liberal with the cheese. Whether you add sharp cheddar or vegan options, don’t skimp on the cheese. It’s the glue that holds everything together.
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Keep an eye on your quesadilla while it cooks. Quesadilla makers don’t take long to heat up and brown the tortillas. Don’t walk away during the process or your food is likely to burn.
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Eat quesadillas fresh. They’re fine reheated, too, but freshly cooked ones are unbeatable.
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Never submerge your quesadilla maker in water. Instead, wipe it down with a damp cloth and dry it thoroughly before storing it away.
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Use homemade tortillas. Make your own tortillas with a tortilla press if you can’t find store-bought options that suit your taste buds.
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Use sour cream instead of cheese. Unsweetened yogurt also works in a pinch as a substitute for sour cream.
- Don’t forget the dipping sauces. Dip your quesadillas in salsa, queso, hot sauce, or sour cream.
Quesadilla filling ideas
Not sure how to fill your quesadillas? We’ve got you covered with plenty of tasty ideas:
Breakfast
Eggs, salsa, beans, breakfast sausage, hash browns.
Lunch and dinner
Cheese, beans, chicken, shredded pork, ground beef, tofu, tempeh, meat replacements, grilled or sautéed vegetables, peanut butter and jelly, pizza toppings, cheese.
Dessert
S’mores, banana, hazelnut and chocolate spread, peanut butter, apples, caramel.
FAQ
Q. Fillings keep spilling out the sides. What am I doing wrong?
A. You’re overfilling! It’s best to underestimate the amount of filling needed to prevent ingredients from getting squeezed out. Start with a small spoonful for each “pocket.” You might need to experiment to achieve the right filling-to-tortilla ratio. Keep extra filling to cook with or use it for lunches throughout the week.
Q. Are quesadillas good for you?
A. Foods aren’t inherently bad or good. Eaten in moderation, quesadillas are an excellent breakfast, lunch, or dinner option. You can also switch up ingredient ratios depending on your dietary goals. Use less cheese to limit fat consumption, or swap beans for beef to reduce your intake of cholesterol. There are also a variety of store-bought tortilla options like whole wheat, protein-packed, and low-fat choices. The larger the tortilla, the more calories it contains.
Q. Can I make vegan or gluten-free quesadillas?
A. Absolutely! There are plenty of grocery store tortilla options that are suitable for vegans or those suffering from celiac disease. You can also make your own homemade tortillas using a tortilla press.
Q. I’m lactose intolerant. Can I still enjoy quesadillas?
A. Yes! Over-the-counter pills that contain lactase may help reduce unpleasant gastrointestinal symptoms that result from eating dairy products. If your symptoms are too severe and aren’t helped by OTC medications, lactose-free cheeses are available at most grocery stores.