These easy jack ‘o lantern quesadillas are a 5 minute meal that puts a fun, spooky spin on the classic cheese quesadilla recipe. Serve them as an appetizer, a snack, or as part of dinner- these cute pumpkin quesadillas will be a hit for any Halloween themed occasion.
When Halloween rolls around, I love making fun little treats for my kids.
Nothing complicated, because I just don’t have time for that- but simple things that embrace the fun and spooky without being overly time consuming.
These easy cheese quesadillas made to look like carved pumpkins were a huge hit the first year I made them.
Now, even years later, these Jack ‘O Lantern Quesadillas are a staple on our Halloween menu.
Ingredients Needed
Like all the best holiday recipes, you don’t need anything complicated to get in on the fun!
To make these cheesy pumpkin quesadillas, you’ll need:
- Tortillas – You’ll need fajita sized flour tortillas for this recipe. You could use corn if you prefer, but they can be harder to work with.
- Cheese – Shredded cheese- normally I use a Mexican or fiesta blend in quesadillas, but I wanted the orange to really since through the ‘face’ so went with a classic cheddar.
Now you’re ready to get your spooky on making a batch of our fun and festive jack ‘o lantern quesadillas.
How To Make
These quesadillas are quick and easy to prepare, so much so that it’s a fun activity I usually always let the kids help with.
To start, use a sharp pairing knife to cut a face out of three of the tortillas.
If making these with kids, you can do this part for them. I’d let the sons poke out/outline their faces with toothpicks, then I’d do the actual cutting for them.
Heat a nonstick skillet over medium low heat.
You don’t want your tortilla to go from toasted to burnt before the cheesy filling has melted, so low and slow is the ticket.
Once the skillet’s hot, place one of the uncut tortillas in the center. Be careful not to actually touch the skillet, especially if the kids are doing this bit themselves.
Sprinkle 1/3 of the cheese out overtop, then add one of the cut face tortillas to top it off.
Let the quesadilla cook, watching carefully to prevent burning, while the cheese melts. This should take about 2-3 minutes until the bottom tortilla’s golden brown and toasted.
Carefully flip the quesadilla over continuing to cook until the cheese is finished melting and the other side is also golden brown and toasty.
Transfer the cooked quesadilla to a waiting plate, and continue until all three jack ‘o lantern quesadillas are done.
Serve the pumpkin quesadillas warm with sour cream and/or salsa for dipping.
Storing
Leftovers can be stored in a ziplocking bag in the refrigerator and reheated in a pan on the skillet, for up to 3 days.
However, these jack ‘o lantern quesadillas definitely taste the best freshly made.
Reheated leftovers just never quite crisp up like they do when first cooked.
Can These Be Made In The Air Fryer?
Yes! While I prefer pan frying my cheesy pumpkin quesadillas- making them in the air fryer is not only an option, but one that makes them even more convenient.
Assemble the quesadilla, as instructed.
Lightly spray the air fryer basket with non stick cooking spray, then carefully lay the assembled quesadilla down flat in the center.
Spray the top of the quesadilla, again lightly, with non stick cooking spray.
Air fry them at 350F for 6-8 minutes, just until the cheese has melted and the tortillas are crispy and lightly toasted.
TIPS & TRICKS
- You can use a piece of a green bell pepper or some cilantro leaves for an edible ‘stem’.
- The recipe can easily be doubled, or even tripled, to feed a larger crowd.
- Use pre-shredded cheese, and make this recipe even quicker than it already is.
Other Easy Halloween Recipes
Jack ‘O Lantern Quesadillas are quick and easy, spooky spin on a classic 5 minute meal.
They make perfect party food, or just a fun dinner to get in the spirit of the season!
Looking for other spooky snacks to make for your next Halloween party spread? Try one of these:
If you’ve tried these JACK ‘O LANTERN QUESADILLAS, or any other recipe on the site, let me know in the comment section how it turned out, we love hearing from our readers! You can also follow along with me on PINTEREST, FACEBOOK, and INSTAGRAM to see more amazing recipes and whatever else we’ve got going on!
Jack 'O Lantern Quesadillas
Instructions
- Using a sharp pairing knife, carefully cut a face out of three of the tortillas.
- Heat a non stick skillet over medium heat. When hot, add one of the uncut tortillas to the center of the skillet. Top with 1/3 of the shredded cheese. Place one of the face tortillas on top.
- Cook, watching to prevent burning, until the cheese begins to melt- about 2-3 minutes. Carefully flip the quesadilla and cook until the other side is a toasty golden brown and the cheese has finished melting.
- Repeat until all the quesadillas have been cooked.
- Serve warm with salsa & sour cream for dipping.
Notes
- You can use a piece of a green bell pepper or some cilantro leaves for an edible 'stem'.
- The recipe can easily be doubled, or even tripled, to feed a larger crowd.
- Use pre-shredded cheese, and make this recipe even quicker than it already is.
Nutrition
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