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Keto Quesadilla Recipe

Dom Lorenzo
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This Keto Quesadilla Recipe is the perfect low-carb twist on a classic favorite. Using keto-friendly tortillas, melty cheese, and your choice of protein or veggies, this dish is satisfying, quick, and easy to customize. Whether you’re craving a cheesy snack or need a fast lunch, this recipe will hit the spot while keeping you on track with your keto goals.

Keto quesadilla stacked and served on a plate.
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Preparation and Cooking Overview

Start by preparing the filling by mixing shredded chicken with spices. Assemble the quesadillas by layering cheese and the filling, then fold them in half. Cook the quesadillas in a skillet until golden and crispy on both sides. Slice and serve with sour cream or salsa for dipping. This recipe is quick and takes only 30 minutes.

Chef's note

Quesadillas are highly adaptable! Use this recipe as a base and personalize it with your favorite keto-friendly ingredients. If you’re short on time, pre-cooked shredded chicken or store-bought sautéed vegetables can make preparation even faster. Adjust the spices to your liking, or add a pinch of smoked paprika for extra flavor. 

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cooking Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 30 Minutes
  • Difficulty Level: Easy
  • Recipe Makes 4 Servings
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Ingredients for this Keto Quesadilla Recipe

  • 4 low-carb tortillas
  • 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup cooked shredded chicken
  • ½ cup sautéed bell peppers and onions
  • 2 tablespoon butter
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ teaspoon cumin powder
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Fresh cilantro, chopped (optional, for garnish)
  • Sour cream and salsa (optional, for serving)

Ingredient Substitutions

  • Low-carb tortillas: You can substitute them with cheese-based tortillas or almond flour tortillas for a keto-friendly alternative.
  • Cheddar cheese: Swap it with Monterey Jack, mozzarella, or Colby-Jack to add variety to the flavor.
  • Chicken: Replace it with ground beef, pulled pork, or shrimp for protein variety.

Additional Ingredients

  • Taco seasoning: Add taco seasoning to your protein for an extra burst of flavor.
  • Hot sauce: Drizzle hot sauce over the quesadilla for a spicy kick.
  • Green onions or diced tomatoes: Use these as fresh and flavorful toppings.

Cooking Tools Required

  • Cast iron skillet
  • Spatula
  • Knife
  • Cutting board
  • Cheese grater

How to Make Keto Quesadilla: Step-by-Step Guide

Cooking methods

  • Pan-frying 

Preparation steps

  1. Gather all ingredients and prepare your workstation.
  2. If using fresh vegetables, sauté them in olive oil or butter before assembling.

Cooking instructions

  1. Prepare the filling: In a bowl, mix the shredded chicken with garlic powder, cumin, salt, and pepper.
  2. Assemble the quesadilla: Lay a low-carb tortilla flat. On one side, layer cheese, the prepared filling, and more cheese, and fold the tortilla in half.
  3. Cook the quesadilla: Heat butter or oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the quesadilla and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until crispy and golden.
  4. Slice and serve: Remove the quesadilla, slice into wedges, and serve with sour cream or salsa.

Chef's pro tip

Avoid overstuffing quesadillas to prevent spilling and tricky flipping. Use a moderate amount of filling and cook on medium heat for even cooking and a crispy texture. For maximum crispiness, press down on the quesadilla with a spatula while cooking. This ensures even browning and melty cheese.

What to Serve with Keto Quesadilla

You can pair your quesadilla with:

  • Guacamole: Pair your quesadilla with guacamole for added creaminess.
  • Cauliflower rice: Serve it with cauliflower rice for a satisfying and low-carb side.
  • Fresh keto salad: Enjoy a fresh keto salad made with greens, avocado, and a light vinaigrette as a refreshing complement.

How to make it healthier

  • Use homemade keto tortillas made from almond or coconut flour to minimize processed ingredients.
  • Add more fiber by incorporating sautéed spinach, kale, or mushrooms into the filling.

Time-saving tips

  • Use pre-cooked, shredded rotisserie chicken or leftover proteins.
  • Opt for pre-shredded cheese for quicker assembly.

What can I prepare ahead of time?

  • Filling: Prepare fillings like sautéed vegetables in advance to save prep time. Pre-cook proteins or sauté veggies up to 3 days ahead.
  • Tortillas: Homemade keto tortillas can be made in advance and stored in the fridge or freezer.

Storage and reheating instructions

Storage Instructions

You can store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Best Reheating Instructions

  • Skillet: Reheat on low heat for 2-3 minutes per side to maintain crispiness.
  • Microwave: Heat in 30-second intervals but note that the tortilla may soften.
  • Oven: Preheat to 350°F and warm for 5-7 minutes for best results.

Recipe Wrap-Up and Conclusion

This Keto Quesadilla Recipe is a delicious, low-carb twist on a classic. It’s cheesy, crispy, and endlessly customizable, making it perfect for busy weeknights or satisfying snacks. With easy prep, minimal cooking time, and plenty of flavor, this dish will quickly become a keto favorite. Try it out and let us know what fillings you experimented with!

Frequently asked questions

You can eat low-carb tortillas made from almond flour, coconut flour, or other keto-friendly ingredients. Cheese-based tortillas are also an option for those following a strict keto diet.

Yes, but only keto-friendly tortillas that are low in carbs and made from alternatives like almond or coconut flour. Traditional wheat or corn tortillas are too high in carbs for a keto diet.

Fill your keto quesadilla with options like shredded chicken, sautéed bell peppers and onions, cheese, and keto-friendly toppings like spinach, mushrooms, or hot sauce. You can also add taco seasoning for extra flavor.

Yes, as long as the tortillas are low in net carbs and your daily carb intake stays within your ketogenic limits, typically 20–50 grams of net carbs per day.

Traditional quesadillas made with flour or corn tortillas are high in carbs, but keto quesadillas using low-carb tortillas are a great low-carb alternative, especially when paired with keto-friendly fillings.

Pair your quesadillas with guacamole, cauliflower rice, or a fresh keto salad made with greens, avocado, and a light vinaigrette. You can also serve them with sour cream or salsa for dipping.

Upgrade your quesadilla by adding taco seasoning to the filling, using a mix of different cheeses for flavor, or including extras like sautéed spinach, kale, or mushrooms. For a spicy kick, add hot sauce or chopped jalapeños.

To achieve maximum crispiness, cook the quesadilla in a hot skillet with butter or oil and press it down lightly with a spatula. This ensures even browning and melted cheese.

📖 Recipe

Keto quesadilla stacked and served on a plate.

Keto Quesadilla Recipe

This is a quick and customizable low-carb dish made with keto-friendly tortillas, cheese, and your choice of protein or veggies. It’s a cheesy, crispy option perfect for lunch, dinner, or snacks.
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Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: 30-minute
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 285kcal

Ingredients

  • 4 low-carb tortillas
  • 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup cooked shredded chicken
  • ½ cup sautéed bell peppers and onions
  • 2 tablespoon butter
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ teaspoon cumin powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh cilantro chopped (optional, for garnish)
  • Sour cream and salsa optional, for serving
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Preparation steps

  • Gather all ingredients and prepare your workstation.
  • If using fresh vegetables, sauté them in olive oil or butter before assembling.

Cooking instructions

  • Prepare the filling: In a bowl, mix the shredded chicken with garlic powder, cumin, salt, and pepper.
  • Assemble the quesadilla: Lay a low-carb tortilla flat. On one side, layer cheese, the prepared filling, and more cheese, and fold the tortilla in half.
  • Cook the quesadilla: Heat butter or oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the quesadilla and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until crispy and golden.
  • Slice and serve: Remove the quesadilla, slice into wedges, and serve with sour cream or salsa.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Keto Quesadilla Recipe
Amount Per Serving
Calories 285 Calories from Fat 207
% Daily Value*
Fat 23g35%
Saturated Fat 12g75%
Trans Fat 0.2g
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
Monounsaturated Fat 6g
Cholesterol 84mg28%
Sodium 355mg15%
Potassium 119mg3%
Carbohydrates 2g1%
Fiber 0.3g1%
Sugar 0.2g0%
Protein 19g38%
Vitamin A 615IU12%
Vitamin C 0.01mg0%
Calcium 308mg31%
Iron 1mg6%
*

Nutritional values are estimates only and do not include carbs from sugar alcohols.

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