These easy cheese quesadilla for kids are a brilliant lunch, snack or weeknight dinner that the whole family can enjoy. They take just minutes to make and can be easily adapted. Can be vegetarian or vegan.
I love Mexican food. In fact there was a time in the past when I even had a loyalty card at our local restaurant, that's how many burritos I bought.
But since having kids I haven't been able to indulge my burrito obsession quite so much. That particular place makes them really spicy.
So in order to introduce my kiddos to Mexican flavours I needed a different idea.
Enter these cheesy quesadilla for kids.
What is a quesadilla?
A quesadilla is simply a tortilla (flatbread or wrap), stuffed with fillings such as tomatoes, beans and cheese, that is folded in half and griddled.
In Mexico a corn tortilla would usually be used. Here in the UK wheat tortillas are easier to find but you can make this recipe with either kind.
Quesadilla is one of my go-to lunches
When my kids were small quesadilla was one of my go-to lunch options.
They’re just so quick to prepare and you can chop and change the ingredients - both for variety and to deal with picky eating.
Easy to adapt
My kids prefer a simple quesadilla - with just cheese and tomatoes. It’s not a million miles from pizza - and that’s why they like it so much.
You could even make them with passata or blended tomato sauce if chopped up tomatoes aren’t your kid’s favourite thing.
Or if you're lucky enough to have a little vegetable-lover in the family pack in their favourite veggies and watch them devour their quesadilla.
In the version in the photos I've included coriander, corn and red onions as well as cheese and tomatoes. This makes it lovely and colourful.
Another favourite quesadilla recipe of mine is roasted sweet potatoes, black beans, chopped coriander and chillies.
Great to get kids cooking
Quesadilla are a great recipe to try if you want to get kids involved in preparing their own lunch.
When I was working as a cookery teacher I ran a whole series of classes for parents and children under four. We had a brilliant time making quesadilla and they were actually perfect for little hands to put together.
I took them to the kitchen to cook each one but older kids can manage the cooking part as well.
Make a vegan quesadilla
All the ingredients are vegan - as long as you use dairy free cheese. I used Bute Island Sheese mozzarella.
What to serve with cheesy quesadilla
Quesadilla is a great lunch on it's own. However, if you're after something extra for the side you may like one of the following dishes:
Some of these recipes appear on my vegan blog, Cook Veggielicious.
More recipes you might like
If you like this cheesy quesadilla for kids you might also like:
How to make easy cheesy quesadilla
For full recipe, ingredients and quantities go to the printable recipe card at the end of this post.
1. Prepare your ingredients. Preheat a non-stick frying pan or griddle pan. Put one tortilla on the pan.
2. Put your chosen filling ingredients on one half of the tortilla.
3. Fold in half and press down.
4. Carefully turn over - keeping the open side at the top so the fillings don't fall out - and cook the other side. When the cheese has melted cut into triangles, allow to cool a little and serve.
Please do not reproduce this recipe without permission.
If you have made this recipe I would love it if you’d leave a comment and rating below. Thank you!
Easy cheesy quesadilla
Ingredients
- 2 tortillas*
- ¼ red onion very finely chopped or two spring onions, finely chopped
- 3-4 baby plum tomatoes finely chopped
- Small handful sweetcorn
- ½ teaspoon mixed herbs
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- 30 g grated cheddar cheese or vegan alternative
Optional extras
- Coriander
- Black beans
- Chopped red pepper
- Chillies for the adults
Instructions
- Place the finely chopped red onion or spring onions in a bowl with 3-4 chopped baby plum tomatoes, a small handful of sweetcorn, some mixed herbs and ½ teaspoon ground cumin. Mix well.
- Preheat a non-stick frying pan or griddle pan over a medium heat.
- Put one tortilla on the pan and cover one half with your chosen filling ingredients and some grated cheese. Fold in half and press down.
- Cook for 1-2 minutes then carefully turn over with a spatula - keeping the open side at the top so the fillings don't fall out.
- Cook the other side until the cheese is melted and bubbling. If the wrap looks like it will burn before the cheese is ready turn the heat down.
Notes
- Nutritional information is approximate and is intended as a guide only. It does not include the optional extras.
Nutrition
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Jo Thomas
Me and my 3 year old got stuck in a rut of cheese sandwiches every day for lunch, so when I saw this I thought it could make a nice change. She loved helping me chop, grate and mix everything and we cooked it on our new toastie/panini maker. She's normally a bit wary of trying new things but there were enough familiar ingredients in this to help her eat it all up with gusto! It was a hit!
Mandy Mazliah
Great shout to get her helping you to make it Jo - so pleased that she liked it!