Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Quesadillas

If you have leftover cooked chicken sitting in your fridge, this is the perfect way to use it. Just toss it with some bbq sauce, stuff it in a tortilla with cheese, and let the air fryer do the rest.

I make these air fryer bbq chicken quesadillas all the time because they are so easy and always hit the spot. The whole thing takes just a few minutes from start to finish.

The combination of tangy bbq sauce, melted cheddar, and a bit of red onion and cilantro really works well together. It’s simple but the flavors are on point.

Top them off with some sour cream on the side and you have a meal that the whole family will enjoy.

Here is everything you need to know to make them at home.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Ready in Minutes – These BBQ chicken quesadillas come together super fast because the air fryer crisps them up in just a few minutes. From start to finish, you can have these on the table in about 15 minutes.

Perfectly Crispy Every Time – The air fryer gives these quesadillas an incredibly crispy, golden tortilla shell without needing to stand over a hot skillet flipping them. You get that satisfying crunch on the outside with zero babysitting required.

No Greasy Pan Mess – Traditional quesadillas usually need butter or oil in a skillet, which leaves you with a greasy pan to scrub. With the air fryer, a quick spray of cooking spray is all you need, and cleanup is a breeze.

BBQ and Cheese is an Unbeatable Combo – Sweet and smoky BBQ sauce paired with melty cheddar cheese creates a flavor combo that’s honestly hard to beat. Every single bite is packed with that tangy, cheesy goodness that kids and adults both love.

Ingredients

• 2 cups Cooked Chicken, shredded
• 1/2 cup BBQ Sauce
• 4 Large Flour Tortillas
• 2 cups Cheddar Cheese, shredded
• 1/2 cup Red Onion, diced
• 1/4 cup Cilantro, chopped
• Cooking Spray
• 1/2 cup Sour Cream, for serving

How to Make

Step 1

In a bowl, mix shredded chicken with BBQ sauce until well coated. Set aside.

Step 2

Lay out tortillas and sprinkle half of each with 1/2 cup cheddar cheese. Top cheese with BBQ chicken mixture, red onion, and cilantro.

Step 3

Fold tortillas in half to create half-moon shapes. Press down gently to seal.

Step 4

Preheat air fryer to 375°F. Spray both sides of quesadillas lightly with cooking spray. Place in air fryer basket without overlapping, working in batches if needed.

Step 5

Cook for 6-8 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and cheese is melted. Cut into wedges and serve with sour cream.

Tips

Use Rotisserie Chicken for the Best Results

If you don’t have leftover chicken on hand, grab a rotisserie chicken from the store. It’s already seasoned and super easy to shred, and the flavor works perfectly with BBQ sauce.

Shred it while it’s still a little warm because the meat pulls apart way easier that way. Use two forks and it takes about five minutes.

You want smaller, thinner shreds rather than big chunks. Smaller pieces spread more evenly across the tortilla, so every bite has chicken in it.

Don’t Use Too Much BBQ Sauce

Stick to the 1/2 cup of BBQ sauce listed in the recipe. It might not look like a lot when you’re mixing it in, but once the quesadilla cooks, any extra moisture from the sauce will make the tortilla soggy.

You want the chicken to be coated but not swimming in sauce. If your chicken looks wet or there’s sauce pooling at the bottom of the bowl, you’ve added too much.

You can always drizzle a little extra BBQ sauce on top when you serve them. That way you get more flavor without ruining the crunch.

Spread the Fillings Evenly

When you’re loading up the tortilla, make sure you only fill one half and leave about a half-inch gap around the edge. This makes it easier to fold and seal, and keeps the filling from spilling out in the air fryer.

Put the cheese down first, directly on the tortilla, then the chicken mixture on top. The melted cheese acts like glue and holds everything together so the quesadilla doesn’t fall apart when you flip it.

Spread the red onion and cilantro out instead of dumping them in one spot. You want a little bit of everything in each bite.

Related Recipes

• Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Jalapeño Poppers
• Air Fryer Cheesy Taco Stuffed Peppers
• Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
• Air Fryer Chicken Wings
• Air Fryer Loaded Potato Skins

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to preheat my air fryer before making these quesadillas?

It’s a good idea to preheat your air fryer for about 2-3 minutes at 375°F before cooking. Preheating helps the tortilla start crisping right away, which gives you that perfectly golden and crunchy outside.

If you skip preheating, the quesadilla may take a little longer to cook and might not get as evenly crispy on the first side.