Description
These mini ham and cheese quesadillas are a perfect freezer-friendly lunch solution that reheats in under two minutes. Crispy on the outside, melty on the inside, and easy to assemble, they are ideal for busy school mornings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 flour tortillas (6-inch / 15cm diameter)
- 2 cups (200g) shredded cheese (Cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Mexican blend)
- 1 cup (150g) diced ham
- 2 tablespoons (30g) butter, melted
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Optional: 1/2 cup sautéed diced yellow onion
- Optional: 1 teaspoon finely diced pickled jalapeños
Instructions
- Prep ingredients: Dice the ham into small cubes. Shred the cheese and mix it with garlic powder and smoked paprika in a bowl. Melt the butter in a small bowl.
- Assemble: Lay a tortilla flat. Sprinkle cheese over half, then add diced ham (and optional onions/jalapeños). Fold the tortilla over to create a half-moon shape and press gently.
- Cook: Heat a large non-stick skillet over medium heat. Place a quesadilla in the dry skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes until golden brown. Flip, brush the cooked side with melted butter, flip again, and cook for another 2-3 minutes until the second side is golden and cheese is melted.
- Cool: Transfer cooked quesadillas to a wire cooling rack and let them cool completely (about 15 minutes) to prevent condensation.
- Flash Freeze: Place cooled quesadillas in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze for 30 minutes to prevent sticking.
- Store: Transfer flash-frozen quesadillas to freezer-safe bags or containers, squeezing out excess air. Label with the date. They last up to 3 months.
- Reheat: Microwave for 60-90 seconds with a cup of water to keep the tortilla soft, or air fry at 350°F for 3-4 minutes for extra crispiness.
Notes
Shred your own cheese to ensure proper melting; pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that prevent a gooey texture. Flash freezing is crucial to prevent quesadillas from sticking together. When reheating in the microwave, always include a cup of water to maintain moisture and prevent the tortilla from becoming chewy.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 mini quesadilla
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 1
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 8
- Saturated Fat: 4
- Carbohydrates: 18
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 10
Keywords: freezer lunch, mini quesadillas, ham and cheese, meal prep, kid-friendly lunch, easy lunch, microwave lunch