Microwaving Cheesy Quesadillas: Best Time And Temperature

Microwave quesadillas are a quick and easy meal or snack. While they may not be as crispy as pan-fried quesadillas, they are still delicious and can be made in a fraction of the time. The key to a good microwave quesadilla is avoiding the build-up of steam, which can make the tortilla soggy. One way to do this is to use a bacon crisper or a perforated plastic surface when cooking. In this article, we will explore the best methods for microwaving flour tortillas with cheese for quesadillas, ensuring that you end up with a tasty, crispy treat.

Microwave on high for 30-60 seconds

How to Make a Quick and Easy Quesadilla in the Microwave

Ingredients:

• 2 flour tortillas
• 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar, Colby, or Monterey Jack)
• Butter or olive oil (optional)
• Desired fillings (e.g. chicken, beef, shrimp, veggies)

Method:

• Place one flour tortilla on a microwave-safe plate.
• Sprinkle shredded cheese over the tortilla. You can also add other fillings of your choice.
• Top with the second tortilla.
• Microwave on high for 30-60 seconds: The cooking time may vary depending on your microwave's power, so adjust accordingly. Stop the microwave if you notice the tortilla puffing up or looking distressed.
• Remove the quesadilla from the microwave and let it rest for a minute before cutting and serving.
• Cut the quesadilla into triangles or slices and serve with your favorite dipping sauce, such as salsa, guacamole, or ketchup.

Tips:

• For a crispier texture, you can lightly brush or spray the tortillas with butter or olive oil before microwaving.
• To prevent sogginess, avoid using moist fillings like salsa or tomatoes.
• If you want to add more flavor, you can season the cheese with chili powder, Za'atar, taco seasoning, or smoked paprika.
• For a gluten-free option, use corn tortillas instead of flour tortillas.

Use any cheese

How to Make a Cheese Quesadilla in the Microwave

Microwaving a quesadilla is a quick and easy way to make a tasty snack or lunch. You can use any type of cheese, and you can also add other ingredients such as salsa, chillies, salt, and pepper, or even leftover chicken or veggies.

Ingredients:

• 2 flour tortillas (10 inches each)
• Your choice of shredded cheese
• Butter or olive oil (optional)

Method:

• Place one flour tortilla onto a large microwave-safe plate.
• Sprinkle cheese over the tortilla. You can add other ingredients at this stage, such as salsa, chillies, salt, and pepper, or any other fillings of your choice.
• Top with the remaining tortilla.
• Microwave on high until the cheese is melted. This should take around 30-60 seconds, depending on your microwave. Keep an eye on it, as you don't want the tortilla to turn to cardboard!
• Remove from the microwave and leave to rest for a minute before cutting and serving.

Tips:

• To get a crispy texture, you can brush the tortillas with a little butter or olive oil before adding the cheese.
• If you want to avoid a soggy quesadilla, try using a bacon crisper or a plastic surface with perforations to allow the steam to escape.
• If you want to add extra fillings, be mindful not to overfill the quesadilla, and leave a small border around the edges to prevent spillage.
• If you're making a single serving, you can fold one tortilla in half, add the cheese and other fillings, and then microwave.

Enjoy your delicious, cheesy quesadilla!

Oil the tortilla

The tortilla is the foundation of your quesadilla, so it's important to get it right. While you can use a flour tortilla, a corn tortilla is more traditional and will give your quesadilla a wonderful aroma and texture. If you do opt for flour, a larger size (9 or 10 inches) will be easier to handle and less likely to split or crumble when folded.

When it comes to cooking your tortilla, oil is the way to go. Butter is often used, but it contains water, which can make your quesadilla damp and floppy. Oil, on the other hand, will give your tortilla a pleasingly crispy texture. Use a small amount of oil—just enough to coat the bottom of your pan. If you're using a cast-iron pan, you may not need any oil at all.

To oil your tortilla, simply add a small amount of oil to a pan and spread it around with a spatula. Alternatively, you can brush the oil directly onto the tortilla. Either way, make sure both sides of the tortilla are coated.

Once your tortilla is oiled, it's time to cook it. Place it in a hot pan and let it cook until it's lightly browned, which should only take a few minutes. If you're using a microwave, cook the tortillas individually on high heat for around 50 seconds each. This will give them a deep-fried texture.

After cooking, be sure to drain any excess oil from the tortillas using kitchen paper towels. No one likes a greasy quesadilla!

Now that your tortilla is cooked and drained, it's time to add the fillings. But remember, too much filling can lead to a soggy quesadilla. Stick to a thin layer of cheese and a modest amount of other ingredients.

Avoid soggy tortillas

Microwaving quesadillas can be a quick and easy way to make a tasty snack, but it can be tricky to get the texture right. The main problem is that the microwave turns the moisture in the tortilla into steam, which makes the tortilla soggy and wet. This is especially true if your filling includes extra moisture in the form of salsa or tomatoes.

Trapped Steam

The key to avoiding soggy tortillas is to prevent steam from becoming trapped. When microwaving a quesadilla, the tortilla must not lie flat on the plate, as the steam will build up and return to the tortilla. Instead, invest in a bacon crisper or a similar plastic surface that is perforated, which will allow the steam to escape.

Oil the Tortilla

Another way to avoid sogginess is to oil the tortilla before microwaving it. This will change the texture of the tortilla and help to create a crispy, rather than soggy, finish. Simply oil both sides of two tortillas and microwave them individually for around 50 seconds each on high heat. The tortilla may puff up or look like it is under duress, but this is normal. After microwaving, drain the tortillas by placing them between kitchen paper towels and patting off the excess oil.

Fillings

When it comes to fillings, it's best to avoid extra moisture. So, instead of salsa or tomatoes, opt for shredded cheese, jalapeño chillies, and salt and pepper. You can also try adding red chili flakes and black pepper to the cheese before placing the second tortilla on top.

Cooking Time

To cook your quesadilla, microwave it for 50 seconds, but stop the microwave at 20 seconds and turn the tortilla over. This will help distribute the steam and allow the cheese to melt evenly. Then, return the quesadilla to the microwave for the remaining 30 seconds.

Flour Tortillas

Finally, when it comes to the type of tortilla, some people recommend using flour tortillas instead of corn tortillas to avoid sogginess when microwaving.

By following these tips, you can enjoy crispy, cheesy quesadillas straight from the microwave without the sogginess.

Cut into triangles

Once your quesadilla is cooked, it's time to cut it into triangles. This is a simple yet important step, as it makes the quesadilla easier to serve and eat as it can be picked up and dipped into sauces. You can use a pizza cutter or a sharp knife to cut the quesadilla.

If you are making multiple quesadillas, it is best to let them cool down before cutting and serving. This will allow the cheese to set, making the quesadillas less messy to eat. You can also use this time to prepare any dips or sides to go with your quesadillas.

When cutting your quesadilla, be sure to leave a small border around the edges. This will help ensure that the filling doesn't spill out when you're eating. You can also cut the quesadilla into smaller triangles if you're serving them as an appetizer or snack.

If you're packing quesadillas for a picnic or lunch on the go, cutting them into triangles and packing them in an airtight container will help them stay fresh and tasty for several hours.

Frequently asked questions