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    Home » Recipes » Vegan Appetizer Recipes

    Easy Vegan Quesadillas

    Updated Feb 3, 2023 by Lori · THIS POST CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS.

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    Make delicious vegan quesadillas at home in no time! They're cheesy, crisp, comforting, and made with simple ingredients. All you need are tortillas, meltable mozzarella cheese, and a few veggies. Easily customize your vegan quesadilla with a variety of veggies, herbs, and more. Enjoyed by kids and adults alike!

    close up view of crisp vegan quesadilla stacked on a cutting board.

    This recipe was originally published in October 2019 and has been updated with new photos and content.

    Why We Love this Recipe

    These vegan quesadillas use a simple and light, meltable homemade vegan cheese that I adapted from the mozzarella recipe in my favorite Stuffed Crust Pizza. The fat in this cheese comes from just ⅓ cup raw cashews. You can make it richer and include oil in the cheese if you like, but it's totally optional.

    Not only does this homemade cashew cheese taste better than store-bought, it only takes a few minutes to make. Oh, and there's a nut-free option, too! Imagine, an oil-free, allergy-friendly, low-calorie vegan cheese.... who would've thought?!

    Lemon, salt, and nutritional yeast bring the cheesy vibes. And water + tapioca flour make it creamy and meltable. Honestly, if you haven't made a vegan cheese similar to this before, I think you'll be amazed how good it is.

    Vegan quesadillas are super versatile, too! See the Ingredient Notes below for ideas.

    Jump to:
    • Why We Love this Recipe
    • Ingredient Notes
    • How to Make a Vegan Quesadilla
    • Tips for Using Gluten-Free or Whole-Wheat Tortillas
    • Variation: Oil-Free Quesadilla
    • Equipment
    • Storage
    • Top Tip for Melting Vegan Cheese
    • More vegan comfort food:
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments
    hand holding a triangle of vegan quesadilla showing the melted cheese and warm spinach.
    Look at that gorgeous, melted vegan cheese!

    Ingredient Notes

    • Meltable Vegan Cheese - because this cashew cheese is so easy to make and healthier than store-bought vegan cheeses, I choose it nearly every time over store-bought. But you can definitely use store-bought vegan cheese for these, too.
      NOTE: for quesadillas there's no need to include the optional agar mentioned.
    • Tortillas - for the most classic flavor I prefer a plain white flour tortilla, but gluten-free or whole-wheat tortillas are also great.
    • Veggies/Additions - a pop of color from spinach is always fun and an easy way to add nutrition. I also included garlic and mushrooms because we're huge fans! But keep in mind that any ingredient you might add to a burrito, taco, nachos, or salad can also be added to vegan quesadillas!

    Other possible additions:

    • any variety of onion
    • bell peppers
    • olives
    • pickled veggies like jalapeno and red onion
    • riced broccoli or cauliflower
    • cubed and cooked sweet potato or butternut squash
    • fresh herbs
    • refried beans
    • hummus
    • pre-cooked tofu, finely chopped or ground
    • vegan ground beef crumbles or seitan chorizo
    • crumbled homemade seitan or sliced vegan pepperoni!

    See what I mean? Quesadillas don't have to be just another form of grilled cheese sandwich.

    The only thing to consider when selecting your fillings is whether they need to be pre-cooked. A simple sauté only takes a few minutes, so this mushroom, spinach and garlic mixture really hits the spot!

    How to Make a Vegan Quesadilla

    First, prepare the cheese, which takes about 15 minutes. You'll need a blender and small saucepan. Next...

    2 photos showing how to arrange cheese and veggies on tortilla and fold over.

    If you're including veggies in your quesadillas, you'll want to sauté them briefly. I chose cremini mushrooms, garlic, and spinach because I was in the mood for something super savory and full of umami.

    Once your veggies are sauteed and any other ingredients are prepped, preheat a large skillet over medium-low heat.

    Spread the hot cashew cheese on one side of a tortilla, spreading it almost all the way to the edges (see photo above). Place the tortilla in the pan, cheese-side up, and arrange sautéed veggies on one half.

    Fold the other side of the tortilla over to cover the veggies. Continue to cook until the underside is nicely toasted. Flip and cook the other side until equally done.

    Let the quesadilla cool for a few minutes, then slice into triangles. Garnish as desired and dig in!

    Quesadillas are best eaten right out of the skillet when the tortillas are crisp and fragrant. There's really nothing better. I mean, just take a look at that cheese and the flaky tortillas!

    Related: love cheese and mushrooms? Check out these Easy Vegan Stuffed Mushrooms.

    Tips for Using Gluten-Free or Whole-Wheat Tortillas

    Since gluten-free and whole-grain tortillas tend to be less flexible than traditional white flour tortillas, it's best to stack two tortillas instead of doing the fold over method. Like this:

    1. Arrange the filling ingredients over the entire surface of the first tortilla.
    2. Spread cheese on a second tortilla and place it on top, cheese-side down.
    3. Lightly press down so the cheese holds the veggies in. When the underside is done, carefully flip the whole thing over to cook the second side. Then slice into triangles.

    Variation: Oil-Free Quesadilla

    Oh! And one more thing.... as you probably know, quesadillas are usually fried in oil, but honestly, you don't need it.

    The tortillas get nice and toasty in a dry pan. I like to use a cast iron skillet, but a standard non-stick pan also works.

    Using a tablespoon of oil to sauté the veggies and garlic does enhance the flavor (of the garlic especially). But I've also made this entire recipe without any oil at all, and they're still beyond delicious!

    a stack of vegan quesadillas with easy homemade cashew cheese.

    Equipment

    • Blender - a high-speed blender comes in handy for blending nuts and seeds. I've been using the same Vitamix blender for about 9 years now, and it has definitely been worth the initial investment. If you're working with a standard blender, don't worry! Soaking the cashews overnight or in hot water for an hour or two will soften them for blending.
    • Skillet or griddle - as mentioned above, I use a large cast iron skillet to cook quesadillas, but any other heavy-bottomed, non-stick pan works, too. A non-stick griddle is also great.

    Storage

    Here's the catch with quesadillas... they're not exactly make-ahead friendly. I mean, you can store leftovers in the fridge (IF you have any leftover that is), but just like pizza, grilled cheese, or biscuits, these vegan quesadillas are best enjoyed hot from the pan.

    Reheat leftovers by microwaving for a few seconds to remove the chill, then place the quesadillas in a preheated pan. This will crisp up the tortillas and fully reheat the cheese.

    Top Tip for Melting Vegan Cheese

    Scoot the quesadilla to one side of the pan, and add a small splash of water to the other side. Quickly cover the pan, and allow the steam to assist with melting the cheese. Then remove the lid so that the tortillas can get crispy.

    This trick is especially helpful when melting store-bought vegan cheese.

    melted cashew cheese, spinach and mushrooms inside vegan quesadillas.

    If you've never made quesadillas before, think of this as a basic guide, and have fun with different fillings, herbs and spices!

    These healthy vegan quesadillas come together quickly and without much fuss, making them perfect for a cozy night in when you're in the mood for some comfort food. They're also an impressive vegan appetizer when entertaining friends!

    I hope you enjoy the recipe as much as we do. If you try it I would love to hear from you! Be sure to comment below and tell us all about your scrumptious vegan quesadillas.

    Happy cooking!

    More vegan comfort food:

    • BEST Vegan Mac and Cheese
    • White Wine Pasta Sauce
    • The BEST Vegan Chili
    • The Perfect Vegan Tuna Melt

    📖 Recipe

    close up side view of sliced quesadillas with spinach. and homemade vegan cheese.

    Easy Vegan Quesadilla Recipe

    Author: Lori Rasmussen, My Quiet Kitchen
    Healthy, easy, and amazingly delicious vegan quesadillas made with a simple 6-ingredient cashew cheese! Use your favorite fillings or follow the recipe exactly for mushroom-spinach quesadillas.
    Yield: makes 12 triangles; serves 4 as an appetizer or 2 as a main dish
    Servings: 4 servings
    5 from 19 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time: 15 mins
    Cook Time: 20 mins
    Total Time: 35 mins

    Equipment

    • high-speed blender
    • large saute pan

    Ingredients 

    • 1 batch Homemade Meltable Mozzarella (tap for recipe) - *Don't include the optional agar
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil, optional
    • 10 ounces cremini mushrooms, thinly sliced
    • 3 cloves garlic, minced
    • 4 ounces raw spinach (about 5 huge handfuls)
    • generous pinch of salt
    • 4 large flour tortillas, "burrito size" - Use gluten-free or whole-grain, if desired. See NOTES for tips.
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions
     

    • First, tap this link to make the cheese (takes about 15 minutes; no need to include the optional agar). Then set aside.
    • To saute the vegetables, preheat a large saute pan over medium heat. Add the oil, if using, and cook the mushrooms until the moisture has released and evaporated, 6 to 7 minutes. Add the minced garlic, and cook for 1 minute. Add spinach and cook until wilted, about 1 minute. Season with a pinch of salt and set aside.
    • Heat a large clean skillet over medium heat. Spread cashew cheese over one entire side of a tortilla, almost to the edges. Place the tortilla in the hot skillet cheese-side up. Arrange about ¼ of the sauteed veggies on one half of the tortilla. Fold the other half over to cover the vegetables. Cook until the underside is nicely toasted, then flip and toast the second side. Transfer to a plate, and repeat with the other 3 tortillas.
    • Cut each one into 3 triangles and serve immediately.

    Notes

    If using whole-grain or gluten-free tortillas:
    Since these are less flexible than traditional flour tortillas, instead of doing the fold over method, spread a layer of cheese and the filling ingredients over the entire surface of one tortilla. Then spread cheese on another tortilla and place it on top of the veggies, cheese-side down. Press it down so that the cheese holds the veggies in, and carefully flip to cook the second side. Then cut into six triangles.
    Serving and Storage:
    Quesadillas are best eaten immediately while the tortillas are crisp.
    Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat for about 15 to 20 seconds in a microwave, then transfer to a hot skillet to re-crisp and heat the outside of the tortillas.
    The cheese can be made in advance and refrigerated for up to 3 days.

    Estimated Nutrition (per serving)

    Calories: 262kcalCarbohydrates: 33gProtein: 10gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 670mgFiber: 4gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 2660IUVitamin C: 12mgCalcium: 117mgIron: 3.4mg

    Nutrition information is an estimate and will vary depending on the exact amounts and specific products and ingredients used. We calculate this information using the online calculator cronometer.com.

    Tried the recipe?I love hearing from you! Share your feedback below!

    More Vegan Appetizers

    • Vegan Buffalo Cauliflower Dip
    • Cheesy Refried Bean Dip
    • Bagel Croutons
    • Fresh Cranberry Salsa
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      Recipe Rating




    1. Jenniffer

      October 26, 2021 at 6:59 am

      These Quesadillas are fantastic! So easy to make and delicious - everyone loved them! Thank you so much for the tip on melting vegan cheese I used store bought https://violifefoods.com/ which melted perfectly. I will definitely make these Quesadillas again!

      Reply
    2. Marianne

      October 25, 2021 at 8:30 pm

      Hello! Quick question, did you change the cheese sauce recipe. I made this again and the cheese texture and flavor wasn’t quite the same. I think the other recipe had less Tapioca? Not sure what else changed? Thank you!

      Reply
      • Lori

        October 26, 2021 at 6:58 am

        Hi Marianne,
        You're right! I tested it with a bit more tapioca starch but have decided to roll back to the original amount. The old version of this recipe also had the option to include 1 teaspoon of chickpea or white miso. That definitely adds flavor and more saltiness. I omitted it to try to make the cheese recipe more accessible, with common ingredients. So you may prefer to include miso or a bit more salt. I really appreciate the feedback. That's super helpful!

        Reply
        • Marianne

          November 02, 2021 at 3:41 pm

          Thank you for telling me the old recipe!

          Reply
    3. Amanda

      July 25, 2020 at 6:45 am

      These sound great! Is it possible to use fresh garlic in the cheese instead of garlic powder, and if so, how much? Garlic powder is hard to get where I live. 🙁

      Reply
      • Lori

        July 25, 2020 at 8:30 am

        Thanks, Amanda! Yes, definitely. Add one small clove or maybe half of a larger one into the blender with the other ingredients. Hope you enjoy them!

        Reply
    4. Marianne

      November 16, 2019 at 7:02 pm

      Ok, so these are delicious!!! I didn’t use the nutritional yeast or the miso but still amazing! I used red peppers, onions and spinach and just baked them in the oven. So easy and a great comfort food. Thank you!

      Reply
      • Lori

        November 16, 2019 at 7:18 pm

        With red peppers sounds delicious! So glad you enjoyed them, and thank you for the feedback, Marianna!

        Reply
    5. Asha

      October 09, 2019 at 10:52 pm

      I admit I used a slightly different cheese recipe that I had in the fridge from making pizza but it’s very similar to this one. I had not thought to make quesadillas with it but it is GENIUS! I’ve not made quesadillas since I stopped buying cheese for the house and now they’re back. Every bit as good as a traditional quesadilla, and healthier! Love love love it! Will be in the regular rotation. My 10 year old and 14 year old also loved them. The garlic, mushroom, spinach filling is perfect!

      Reply
      • Lori

        October 10, 2019 at 6:21 am

        Yes! So glad you're excited about quesadillas! 😀 Thanks for the feedback, Asha.

        Reply
    6. susan

      October 01, 2019 at 7:40 pm

      Your husband must love coming home to dinner... These quesadillas look delicious!

      Reply
      • Lori

        October 02, 2019 at 10:55 am

        Haha thanks, Susan. He is very well fed most days! Although, sometimes he hears the "I'm tired from being in the kitchen all day and don't feel like making dinner" complaint. 😀

        Reply

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    Lori Rasmussen, Owner/Creator

    Hi, I'm Lori. Welcome to My Quiet Kitchen where I share easy vegan recipes with a healthier twist. Many are special diet-friendly or easily adapted. I also have a passion for veganizing classic desserts, and sometimes even those get a healthy-ish makeover.

    Learn more about me →

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