Gluten Free Quesadilla Recipe Inspiration
A gluten free quesadilla recipe is only limited by your imagination! Quesadillas are perfect for experimenting with and customizing to your individual preferences.
A quesadilla is the wonderful gluten free alternative to a grilled cheese sandwich. A grilled cheese is a comfort food that when switching to a gluten free diet can seem like a long-lost memory, a cheese quesadilla with its crisp tortilla and gooey cheesy filling can provide that same comfort to those of us who eat gluten free.
Where Do Quesadillas Come From?
Quesadillas seem to be on menus everywhere but where do quesadillas come from? Is a quesadilla traditional Mexican food or are the various derivatives of quesadilla a modern twist on a traditional food?
Historically, quesadillas originated from southern and central Mexico. They are traditionally made with just cheese as a filling. Quesadillas with additional fillings such as the list of ideas below have become common in modern Americanized versions of gluten free quesadilla recipes. While these filings may be a departure from the traditional quesadilla, they can be used to spice up your menu and add variety when beginning to eat gluten free.
Eating Out
Unfortunately, for those of us who eat gluten free, when eating out, the quesadilla is not gluten free most of the time! The majority of restaurants use flour tortillas that are not gluten free. Unless the menu says corn tortilla or gluten free assume that the quesadilla is made with a flour tortilla. In our experience, the more authentic to Mexico the restaurant is the more likely to have corn tortillas to make a gluten free quesadilla.
Gluten Free Quesadilla Recipe Ideas
The basic quesadilla recipe is simply to place cheese in a tortilla fold in half over the cheese and warm in a hot frying pan to melt the cheese. An alternative is to use two tortillas placing the cheese between the tortilla shells. Use the idea for additions to the basic recipe below to spark your imagination and creativity to build your own signature gluten free quesadilla.
- Plain Cheese
This is the traditional quesadilla filling! Perhaps kids have it right in wanting just a simple cheese quesadilla. This is about as simple as it can get for filling your gluten free quesadilla. Traditionally made with Oaxaca cheese a wide variety of cheese can be used when making a quesadilla. For a list and description of different cheese to use in gluten free quesadilla recipes see the section below, the best cheese for quesadillas.
- Chicken (Leftover or Fresh Grilled)
North of the border chicken is a common addition to Americanized quesadillas. Leftover chicken can be used to make a quick chicken quesadilla. This is also a great way to use leftover Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner turkey, chop up the poultry, heat in a pan with a taco seasoning or Tex-Mex spice blend to dress up your quesadilla.
- Corn and Black Beans
If you are looking for a vegetarian option, corn and black beans make a tasty addition to the basic gluten free quesadilla recipe. Simply add drained canned corn and black beans to the cheese filling as you prepare the quesadilla. This super low effort high protein and fiber option that is sure to satisfy even the pickiest of eaters.
- Steak and Peppers
In a cross between a fajita and a quesadilla. Slivers of steak and peppers are a wonderful addition to a quesadilla. To make a steak and pepper quesadilla sear thin strips of steak and peppers with spices in a frying pan. Place the filling and shredded cheese between tortilla shells before toasting in a hot pan to melt the cheese.
- Chorizo
Thin slices of chorizo sausage or browned chorizo sausage meat can add a fun flare to the humble quesadilla.
- Mushroom
While it may not be a traditional quesadilla filling, grilled slices of portabella mushrooms make a unique and hearty quesadilla. Grill or fry the portabella mushroom with chilli powder and cumin for extra flavor.
- Carnitas (Pulled Pork)
Bits of slow smoked pulled pork pair very well with the creamy gooeyness of the cheese in a quesadilla. The smokiness of leftover shredded pulled pork makes it taste like the quesadilla was grilled over an open fire.
- Pizzadilla
A Pizzadilla is about as far as you can get from the traditional quesadilla. This modern take on Mexican-Italian fusion can be easily prepared at home by using your favourite pizza toppings as filling between tortillas. A pizzadilla is a simple to prepare gluten free alternative to pizza pops.
- Mix and match different fillings
Quesadillas are so adaptable that you can really mix and match your favorite fillings customizing the meal to your family’s preferences. This adaptability along with the easy preparation make gluten free quesadillas an ideal food for beginning to eat gluten free.
Corn Tortillas
Corn tortillas are widely available in most major grocery stores chains. Corn tortillas can be used in so many ways beyond quesadillas, they are a gluten free pantry staple. Even though gluten free corn tortillas are easy to find the best tortillas can be found in small Mexican or Latin American specialty markets. Not only do the tortillas from Mexican markets taste better they also tend to be much more economical, often only costing a few pennies each.
It may seem like buying a sleeve of 100 tortillas will have you eating nothing but tortillas for weeks on end. But, corn tortillas freeze very well and can be quickly heated directly from frozen in a hot pan.
Corn tortillas generally smaller than flour tortillas but can be used in a wide variety of ways. Apple Tacos, as a wrap, hot dog bun, nacho chips in an air fryer are just a few examples of ways this gluten free essential can be used.
Best Cheese for Quesadillas
- Oaxaca cheese is the traditional cheese used in preparing a simple cheese quesadilla. This Mexican cheese is a stringy melting cheese similar to mozzarella but with a slightly stronger flavor similar to Monterey Jack.
- Monterey Jack is a great alternative cheese to use in preparing a quesadilla. This cheese with origins in California is a white semi-hard cheese is a good melting cheese. Pepper Jack, a Monterey Jack cheese spiced with red chili peppers is especially well suited for use in quesadillas.
- Mozzarella is a white mild cheese of Italian origin. As a good melting cheese commonly used on pizza makes a great alternative cheese for quesadillas. Consider using mozzarella cheese if you are making a pizzadilla quesadilla.
- Cheddar is a hard off-white or orange cheese originally produced in England, but now produced all over the world. This common cheese melts well with a sharper flavor.
- Colby is an orange semi-hard cheese Colby is softer and milder than cheddar. This cheese is often marbled with Monterey Jack to produce a Colby-Jack
Sides to Serve With Quesadillas
Traditionally quesadillas are served with salsa, but just as with the quesadilla fillings there are a wide variety of sides that go well and can be served with quesadilla.
- Salsa
Salsa of your favorite variety is the ideal and traditional accompaniment for quesadillas.
- Hot sauce
If you enjoy spicy food serving quesadillas with your favorite hot sauce is sure to be a hit.
- Refried beans
A side of refried beans is a great way to add additional protein and fiber to the meal. The refried beans can be used as a dip, spread, or eating separately as a side dish.
- Avocado
Slices of avocado pair well with a quesadilla and can help to tone down the spice level if the filling or salsa are high heat.
- Cilantro
In addition to being a nice garnish with the quesadilla, some fresh cilantro served on the quesadilla provides a touch of brightness to the dish.
- Guacamole
Just as avocado goes well on its own, some fresh guacamole goes perfectly with a quesadilla.
- Sour cream
Sour cream can also be used as a dip for the quesadilla wedges. The creamy acidity of the sour cream cuts through the richness of the gooey cheese making all the flavors pop.
Final Thoughts on These Gluten Free Quesadilla Recipe Ideas.
I hope that these gluten free quesadilla recipe ideas have inspired you to add quesadillas to you list of gluten free favorites as you begin to eat gluten free. Quesadillas are not only a great gluten free option, but they are also a hit with kids as well.
[…] a grilled cheese sandwich using a tortilla in place of bread. Quesadillas are a favorite with kids both young and old. When making a quesadilla at home the options for […]