Let’s face it - we can all get stuck in a rut at mealtime sometimes. In fact, according to some statistics, the general population tends to stick to the same 6 meals in rotation throughout the week. If you’re getting bored of the same ‘ol meals every single day, quesadillas are a great Mexican food that will definitely deviate from the norm. Of course, if you aren’t very well versed in the kitchen department, you may find it a little difficult to make quesadillas.
There is a very easy solution to this issue, however: a quesadilla maker! When making a quesadilla, the only thing you need to do is choose what fillings you plan on using, load the machine up and then just wait for your perfect quesadillas to be cooked. Of course, you need to find the perfect quesadilla maker - that’s where we come in!
Read on to find out about some of the best quesadilla makers out there. We’ve also written a handy buyer’s guide below to help you to know what to look for when making your decision.
Best Quesadilla Makers
OUR TOP PICK
Summary
Have you just come home from work? Do you want to be able to whip up a scrumptious meal in five minutes? Look no further than the Hamilton Beach 25409 Quesadilla Maker. This device is ideal for people that are always on the move - it heats up quickly thanks to the 900 watts of power, and will provide you with thorough and even cooking.
While the device is designed to accommodate six to eight inch tortillas, it is actually possible to make a 10 inch quesadilla with a ½ to 1 inch hangover. It’s perfect for crispy and thin quesadillas, and you could even make pizzas with it if you want to! The device is very portable and compact, so it’s perfect if you don’t have a lot of kitchen space.
The device is really simple to use, and all you need to do is put a tortilla in the middle, add in the ingredients, put another tortilla on top before you close it and then lock the lid shut. It only takes around five minutes for it to cook, and you will be left with tasty and crisp quesadillas that are easy to cut. It also comes with green and red indicator lights on the top lid that will let the user know when the device is on or when it is preheating.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Cooks quickly
- Indicator lights
Cons
- Not ideal for thick quesadillas
EDITORS CHOICE
Summary
For simple quesadillas in minutes, look no further than the Nostalgia EQM200 6-Wedge Electric Quesadilla maker. This is a very simple device that is capable of making some pretty delicious quesadillas!
This device comes with a cool plate design that has scoring guides for you to divide the quesadilla into six neat little sections. It also has a two position latch which means you can make both thick and thin quesadillas. It doesn’t take up a lot of space in your house either, so it’s perfect if you have limited space in your kitchen. It’s also lightweight too.
The device as whole heats up quite quickly but you may need to monitor it a little bit to make sure that the crust is crisping properly. This is by no means a high end device but it’s great for the beginner looking to make some delicious quesadillas with an easy to use machine.
Pros
- Compact design
- Can be stored upright
- Two position latch
Cons
- Doesn’t always crisp the outside effectively
BEST VALUE
Summary
Whether you want thick or thin delectable quesadillas, you are sure to find something to love about the Elite Cuisine EQD-118 Maxi Matic 11 Inch Non Stick Quesadilla Maker. This tortilla maker can work with a lot of fillings and can even be used with tortillas measuring 10 to 11 inches, possibly more.
The device comes with scoring guides to divide the quesadilla into six evenly sized individual wedges so you can serve them easily. It’s a little bit bulky but you can store it vertically if you do need to save some space. It’s very easy to clean too as a result of the non stick cooking surface. All you need it to wipe it down with a paper towel or a damp cloth and you’re good to go.
The device comes with a sturdy build as a whole, though there are some durability concerns with the locking latch. It is able to heat up quickly and it runs on 900 watts of power, so it’s ideal for busy people that want a tasty meal in a flash.
Pros
- Quick cooking
- Nonstick
- Can be stored vertically
Cons
- Locking latch isn’t very durable
RUNNER UP
Summary
The Bella 13506 8 Inch Quesadilla Maker is the perfect way to get the kids involved with you in the cooking process! Indeed, this device is certainly safe enough to be used with little kids so long as there is an adult supervising. It’s fairly compact so it can fit eight inch tortillas, ideal for a snack on the go.
The device is easy to use, just put ingredients in between your tortillas and put the lid down. It is certainly made with storage space in mind, as this device can be stood up vertically so you can store it easily. It is a little bit heavy but it consists of a strong and sturdy construction.
In addition to these aspects, the Bella device also heats up in a flash and can cook any quesadillas in mere minutes. In order to get the ideal results, just wipe the device with a little bit of cooking oil before you use it. It also comes with handy indicator lights that will give the user an indication of the device’s heating status. It even comes with a few recipes!
Pros
- Compact for storage
- Indicator lights
- Durable construction
Cons
- The latch isn’t the best
RUNNER UP
Summary
To fix yourself a quick and easy snack, why not give the Black and Decker Quesadilla Maker a go? This is a simple to use device that even a child could use! It comes with large 8 inch plates so you can make decently sized tortillas inside.
Of course, this device is best suited to creating crispy tortillas that are thin, and it’s not ideal for tortillas with a lot of fillings. It’s a fairly large device that comes with six quesadilla pockets, and these create marks so you can cut the tortilla easily when it’s done. The device is made with a nonstick coating that you are able to clean by wiping it down with a soapy, wet sponge or a paper towel. Is also has an outer ridge that will help to catch any escaping ingredients.
The device is very easy to control and you can create quesadillas in less than five minutes. It even has power on and ready indicator lights that will let you know when your quesadilla maker has been adequately heated up. It’s also possible to store it vertically if you are limited on storage space, and it has a retractable cord.
Pros
- Grease tray can be removed
- Warms up quickly
- Slip resistant grip
Cons
- Cannot make thick quesadillas
Best Quesadilla Makers Buying Guide
What is a Quesadilla Maker?
So, we’ve covered the best quesadilla makers, but what exactly are they? Well, quesadilla makers are specialized machines made to make quesadillas, to put it in the simplest terms. Of course, it is also possible to use it as a warmer for bread and pizza slices. They are very easy to operate and generally all you need to do is sandwich two tortilla shells and then fill in between the device. Once you have done this, the top and bottom cooking plates get pressed together so that you can cook the quesadilla. You operate the device usually just by plugging the cord into a power source.
Main Features to Consider
Size
Of course, this can largely depend on the type of quesadilla that you plan to make, but the size of the machine is pretty important. The vast majority of quesadilla makers are able to work with tortilla shells around eight inches and above long. On the other hand, there are certainly smaller models on the market that are designed to be used with shells six inches or less in size.
Generally slightly larger dimensions are ideal for dinner sized quesadilla, but if you want a small snack then you will be better suited with a smaller machine. You should use a little tortilla shell on a large cooking plate as this will mean you have less spillage and mess. You should think about this before you buy your quesadilla maker.
Deep Dish
A lot of quesadilla makers come with a latch that allows you to lock the top lid into place, and because of this they aren’t able to accommodate quesadillas that are stuffed too much without the ingredients all being squeezed out. Of course, these kinds of quesadilla makers are much better for making thin and crispy quesadillas. A lot of manufacturers even make their machines have deeper dish pockets for people that do prefer to have thicker and meatier quesadillas.
Heating
The main purpose of a quesadilla maker is so that you are able to prepare easy and fast meals, so you should be able to get a unit that can heat up in mere minutes. The device should give you even cooking that is thorough, you shouldn’t have any hot spots.
Scoring Guides
You should look out for quesadilla makers that have handy scoring guides. These will create little indents in the quesadilla so you can cut it easily, and they also add pressure to seal the backs and sides of the tortilla shell, which reduces the amount of spillage.
Outer Ring Catchment
When you’re making a quesadilla, you should expect a little bit of grease and oozing. Of course, a decent quesadilla maker should also come with a deep outer ring that will stop ingredients from spilling out of the machine, and will keep the grease within the ring so you can clean it easily.
Durability
One big issue that you may find with a lot of quesadilla makers is the construction of the locking latch, as they can often break. Of course, if your quesadilla maker is well built then it should be able to deal with the kind of stresses that happen as a result of everyday use. You should also check the quality of the non stick coating because some can flake off after a couple of uses.
Ease of Use
There is nothing quite so annoying as being desperate for a tasty meal and then having to get to grips with how to control the machine for hours on end. It should be that even beginners are able to understand the controls of a quesadilla maker with ease.
Materials
Just like a lot of other kitchen appliances, quesadilla makers have to be durable and tough so that they are able to deal with the rigors of everyday use. As far as strength is concerned, steel tends to be the best option, but regardless of what material it is made out of it should be able to conduct heat effectively. It’s also important that it is safe to use.
Weight
You don’t want the quesadilla maker to be too heavy, but it should also be durable. Naturally, it will be a lot more easy to handle a lightweight model and they are usually portable too. If you do choose a model that is too heavy it may cause you some issues.
Cleaning
Foods like melted cheese can easily ooze out of the pockets, so they can be pretty messy. Of course, this can also mean that they are tricky to clean sometimes. If you’re not a big lover of spending hours scrubbing down a quesadilla maker, then having a device that has durable non stick surfaces and drip trays can make it a lot easier for you.
Versatility
A lot of quesadilla makers are quite versatile, and act almost like small ovens. You should think about the kinds of meals that you want to make in the future. For example, you could make a homemade pizza with a bigger quesadilla maker, so consider whether that’s more important to you than portability.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main benefits of a quesadilla maker?
There are a few reasons why you should invest in a good quesadilla maker. To start with, quesadilla makers don’t cost a lot of money - they’re usually affordably priced, and don’t tend to cost much more than what you would spend on a meal out at a good restaurant. If you do enjoy Mexican food then it can save you a lot of money in the long run to get a quesadilla, as opposed to constantly going out and buying them at your local Mexican restaurant.
Secondly, they are very convenient. If you were going to prepare a quesadilla in the typical traditional way, you would need to do a lot of cleaning up and washing after you cook, which can be irritating. If you get a quesadilla maker you won’t need to spend half as much time cleaning up, because a lot of the devices come with non stick surfaces that you can wipe down in a flash with a damp cloth or paper towels.
Finally, these devices are also portable! They are so compact that they can be stored easily, and they are also quite lightweight so you could bring them along to your next road trip or camping expedition!
What are some easy ways to make tasty quesadillas?
Once you have got your quesadilla maker, it’s time to make some delicious meals for you and the family. There are a few little things you can do to make truly delectable quesadillas.
First of all, try and mix together a few different kinds of cheese. For example, you could use cheddar and mozzarella together as these cheeses complement eachother. You could look online at a couple of good cheese combinations or experiment as you see fit!
You should also think about using flour tortillas. You’re not going to get the same effect from a corn tortillas, but flour tortillas are pretty flexible and will let you mold the quesadilla to the filling shape. A corn tortilla will not give you that same flexibility which means you will lose out. Of course, it’s still your choice!
Choose your ingredients well, too! Like with cheeses you should try to ensure that the fillings complement eachother.
Make sure that you add some butter in too for extra crunchiness, and don’t overfill your quesadilla. This is a fairly common mistake made by beginners, but you need to understand how to properly portion the ingredients in your quesadilla as this will let you control the experience and flavor of every bite.