Easy & Delicious Breakfast Quesadilla Recipe: Your Go-To Morning Meal
Craving a breakfast that’s both incredibly easy to make and bursting with flavor? Look no further than this ultimate **Breakfast Quesadilla recipe**! Imagine a warm, crispy tortilla generously filled with fluffy eggs, savory bacon pieces, and gooey melted cheese, all toasted to perfection on each side. It’s truly the best way to elevate your morning meal with minimal effort.
This particular egg and cheese quesadilla recipe has been a staple in my kitchen for years, and anyone who tries it instantly gets hooked. It’s a game-changer for busy mornings, offering the perfect individual serving size, cooked and heated all in one convenient pan. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a beginner in the kitchen, these breakfast quesadillas are designed to be simple, satisfying, and utterly delicious.
This quick and easy **Breakfast Quesadilla Recipe** originated from a friend’s casual morning creation. I’ve adapted it into a go-to breakfast solution, especially for parents seeking simple and delicious ideas. It’s a family favorite, particularly our bacon, egg, and cheese quesadillas, which are perfect for preparing in advance and freezing for those extra hectic mornings!
Quesadilla recipes are a true lifesaver for simplifying meal times. If you love the versatility of quesadillas, be sure to explore our other fantastic recipes, including a Taco Bell Chicken Quesadilla Copycat, Super Easy Chicken Fajita Quesadilla, Shrimp Quesadilla, and even our famous Taco Bell Quesadilla Sauce to complete your experience!
Why This Breakfast Quesadilla is a Must-Try
I genuinely fell in love with this breakfast quesadilla recipe long before “food hacks” took over social media. It’s simply the kind of easy breakfast that everyone enjoys, including even the pickiest eaters. The idea for this incredible quesadilla recipe came from a friend who whipped up a similar taco-style quesadilla while we were chatting. It might seem too simple to share, but the truth is, its straightforwardness is precisely what makes it the absolute best!
What makes these **egg and bacon quesadillas** so special? They’re incredibly customizable, cooked in a single pan for minimal cleanup, and offer a hearty, satisfying start to your day. This isn’t just a quick meal; it’s a breakfast experience that will have everyone asking for seconds. Its versatility means you can adapt it to whatever ingredients you have on hand, making it a truly flexible and reliable option for any morning.
My friend, the original inspiration for this dish, often makes a big batch of these **easy breakfast quesadillas** in advance and freezes them. She then reheats them in the oven, a brilliant tip I’ll share in detail below. I particularly appreciate that this recipe calls for a whole fried egg in each quesadilla, ensuring maximum nutrition per serving. The smaller, individual size is ideal for a single serving of egg and makes these cheesy tortillas quick to cook and even quicker to enjoy!
Choosing the Best Cheese for Your Quesadillas
The right cheese is crucial for a perfectly gooey and delicious quesadilla. For breakfast quesadillas, Cheddar is a universally popular choice, known for its sharp flavor and excellent melting properties. Another fantastic option is a Mexican blend, which typically combines Monterey Jack, cheddar, Queso Quesadilla, and Asadero for a complex yet balanced flavor profile and superior melt.
However, we generally prefer a mild-flavored cheese that melts easily to avoid overpowering the other breakfast ingredients. Monterey Jack and Colby cheese are excellent choices, or even mozzarella if your options are limited. The key is to select a cheese that melts beautifully and doesn’t have an overly strong or aged flavor, allowing the eggs and bacon to shine through while providing that irresistible cheesy goodness.
Essential Quesadilla Ingredients: Simple & Flavorful
A truly satisfying breakfast quesadilla isn’t complete without the perfect combination of cheese and a fresh tortilla! Using fully cooked, ready-to-serve bacon pieces makes preparation incredibly easy, saving you valuable time on chopping or cooking protein. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll need for a single, delightful serving of our egg quesadilla:
- 6-inch Flour Tortilla: These smaller tortillas are often found in family packs and are the ideal size for wrapping a single fried egg and other fillings, creating a perfect individual portion.
- Egg: One large egg per quesadilla, cooked in a pan to your preferred doneness. You can fry it sunny-side up, over-easy, or even scramble it.
- Bacon: You can cook and chop fresh bacon, or for ultimate convenience, use pre-cooked bacon bits or pieces. This significantly speeds up assembly.
- Cheese: We love grating a block of sharp or mild cheddar cheese for the best melt and flavor. Pre-shredded cheese works too, but block cheese often melts more smoothly.
- Oil For Crispy Quesadillas (Optional): I typically use sunflower oil, but any mild-flavored oil will work beautifully, including vegetable oil, canola oil, or even leftover bacon grease for an extra layer of flavor and a wonderfully crisp exterior.
Note: While bacon is a fantastic choice, it’s entirely optional! Feel free to customize your quesadilla with any protein you desire, or go vegetarian by sautéing a colorful mixture of your favorite veggies. Popular additions include cooked breakfast sausage, deli ham, spicy chorizo, or even leftover steak for a gourmet touch!
If you’re feeling adventurous and want to take your quesadillas to the next level, why not try making your own tortillas? This recipe for Homemade Flour Tortillas will guide you through the process, adding an authentic touch to your breakfast!
Simple Steps: How To Make a Breakfast Quesadilla
Making a delicious egg quesadilla on the stovetop is incredibly straightforward and quick. You’ll need a good non-stick pan – an 8-inch pan is perfect for two eggs, or a 12-inch pan if you’re cooking two or more eggs at once. Any frying pan or griddle will do the trick. I absolutely love the minimal prep and fast cooking time this one-pan quesadilla method offers!
- Prepare Your Eggs: Heat a 12-inch frying pan with about 2 tablespoons of oil over medium-high heat. Crack in your eggs and fry them to your desired doneness, usually about 1 minute per side for a runny yolk or longer for a firmer one. Remove the cooked eggs with a spatula and set them aside.
- Warm the Tortillas: In the same pan, add another 1-2 tablespoons of oil (optional, for crispiness). Place your tortillas in the pan. Heat one side briefly, then flip.
- Assemble the Quesadilla: Immediately after flipping, top the toasted side of each tortilla with a generous layer of cheese, your cooked egg, and the bacon pieces.
- Fold and Toast: Fold each tortilla in half, creating a half-moon shape. Cook on each side until it’s golden brown and the cheese is perfectly melted and gooey. Adding a little extra oil here will help the outside of the tortilla crisp up beautifully.
Repeat the process for remaining quesadillas, and you’ll have a stack of warm, cheesy, and satisfying breakfast quesadillas ready in minutes!
What To Serve with Breakfast Quesadillas
Elevate your breakfast quesadillas with the perfect accompaniments! A delicious quesadilla sauce can truly make any taco or burrito, and certainly any quesadilla, stand out. For a creamy, zesty kick, try our Chipotle Southwest Sauce to create a fantastic chipotle quesadilla. Alternatively, our Creamy Jalapeno Sauce, reminiscent of your favorite Taco Bell quesadilla sauce, is always a winner!
Beyond sauces, consider serving your quesadillas with fresh, vibrant sides like a homemade Pico De Gallo, a simple and creamy Guacamole, or just plain sour cream. We especially love pairing our quesadillas with a spoonful of canned salsa and a dollop of cool sour cream. For those who enjoy a little extra heat, a dash of your favorite hot sauce, like Cholula or Tabasco, adds a wonderful kick!
Breakfast Quesadilla Ideas and Variations: Get Creative!
The beauty of a homemade quesadilla lies in its endless possibilities for customization! You can easily transform a basic cheese quesadilla with your favorite breakfast meats, or boost its protein content with additions like black beans. Here are some fantastic breakfast ideas to make your meal prep fun, healthy, or simply more exciting:
- Breakfast Black Bean Quesadilla: For a hearty and fiber-rich option, add 2 tablespoons of cooked and well-drained black beans to each tortilla.
- Scrambled Egg Quesadilla: If you prefer scrambled eggs, whisk 2 eggs with 1 tablespoon of milk, salt, and pepper to taste. Cook until fluffy and use this instead of a whole fried egg.
- Breakfast Potato Quesadilla: Add 1/4 cup of baked and seasoned potatoes, like our Taco Bell Fiesta Potatoes copycat, for a wonderfully filling and flavorful addition.
- Spicy Chipotle Avocado and Egg Quesadilla: Drizzle 1 ½ teaspoons of chipotle sauce onto the tortilla, then add 1/4 of a sliced avocado and one fried egg. A burst of fresh flavor and healthy fats!
- Chorizo Quesadilla: For a Spanish-inspired twist, sauté 8 ounces of your favorite ground chorizo (casings removed) until cooked through. Divide and add to your quesadillas.
- Mushroom Quesadilla: Incorporate savory mushrooms by adding 4 ounces of drained and cooked mushrooms for every four tortillas.
Pro Tip: Don’t be afraid to experiment! Virtually any combination of your favorite cooked veggies, meats, or cheeses can be incorporated into these versatile quesadillas.
Make-Ahead and Freezing Quesadillas for Busy Days
One of the best features of this breakfast quesadilla recipe is how perfectly it lends itself to meal prep and freezing. To freeze quesadillas, prepare and assemble them as instructed, but skip the final toasting step in the skillet. Once assembled, wrap each breakfast quesadilla individually and tightly with aluminum foil. Place the wrapped quesadillas into a gallon freezer bag, ensuring they are sealed well, and store them in the freezer for up to 3 months.
When you’re ready to enjoy a frozen quesadilla, simply place the frozen, foil-wrapped quesadilla into a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven for 10-15 minutes. If you’ve thawed your quesadillas in the fridge beforehand, they will only need about 7-8 minutes at 350°F (175°C).
Note: To regain that delightful crispiness in the tortilla after reheating, you have a couple of options. After baking in the oven, briefly toast the quesadilla in a lightly buttered skillet for a minute or two per side. Alternatively, remove the foil for the last few minutes of baking and allow them to crisp up uncovered in the oven.
Q&A: Your Breakfast Quesadilla Questions Answered
What Exactly Is A Quesadilla?
At its core, a quesadilla is a Mexican dish consisting of a tortilla filled primarily with cheese, and often other ingredients like meat or vegetables, then heated until the cheese melts and the tortilla is warm and sometimes crispy.
While this recipe focuses on a single-tortilla quesadilla, folded in half to create a half-moon shape, you might also encounter “full quesadillas” made with two tortillas, sandwiching the delicious filling between them. The main distinction between a single and a full quesadilla is serving size: a single quesadilla is typically made with one tortilla and is meant for one person, whereas a full quesadilla (often made with two tortillas) can be cut into 4 triangle wedges and serves multiple people.
How Many Eggs to Cook For Every Size Tortilla?
The number of eggs you’ll need depends on your tortilla size and how generously you like your fillings:
- Small 6-inch flour or corn tortillas: Use 1 egg for every small tortilla.
- Medium 8-inch flour tortilla: Cook 2 eggs for every medium-sized tortilla.
- Large 10-inch flour tortilla: Opt for 3-4 eggs for every 10-inch tortilla.
- Extra Large Tortillas (Grande): These larger tortillas can accommodate up to 6 cooked eggs.
Note: Keep in mind that if you’re adding many other fillings (like beans, potatoes, or extra meat), you might need to slightly reduce the number of eggs to prevent overstuffing.
How To Make Breakfast Quesadillas: Step-by-Step Guide
Wondering how to make a delicious breakfast quesadilla easily and efficiently? This recipe is designed for minimal prep and uses just one pan! If you’re cooking for a crowd, simply use a large griddle to cook multiple quesadillas at once. Here’s a detailed guide on how to cook these amazing breakfast quesadillas:
Each quesadilla typically serves one person. For smaller appetites or kid-friendly portions, simply cut each quesadilla in half to create two convenient wedges.
- Heat Skillet & Fry Eggs: Pre-heat 4 tablespoons of oil in a 12-inch non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Crack open 4 eggs and fry them on both sides to your preferred doneness (approximately 1 minute per side for a soft yolk). Remove the cooked eggs and set them aside.
- Prepare Tortillas: In the same skillet, add another 2-4 tablespoons of oil. Place two flour tortillas in the pan and heat for about 30 seconds over medium heat.
- Assemble Fillings: Flip the tortillas. On the freshly toasted side, evenly distribute 1/4 cup of shredded cheese, 1 heaping tablespoon of bacon bits, and place one cooked egg on each.
- Fold & Toast: Fold each tortilla in half, gently pressing down. Toast on each side until the cheese is beautifully melted and the tortilla is golden brown and crispy (about 30 seconds per side).
- Repeat & Serve: Repeat steps 2-4 with the remaining two tortillas. Serve immediately with your favorite salsa and sour cream for a perfect Mexican-inspired breakfast!
Can I Bake Breakfast Quesadillas?
Absolutely! While I prefer a fried quesadilla for its quick cooking time and crisp texture, baked quesadillas are an excellent option, especially when feeding a crowd. Just like chimichangas, breakfast quesadillas can be baked in the oven or even cooked in an air fryer for perfectly crisp results. Sheet pan quesadillas are a fantastic solution for large gatherings.
- To Bake Egg Quesadillas: Once your tortillas are filled and folded, arrange them on a large silicone-lined baking sheet. Lightly brush the tops of the quesadillas with oil or melted butter to ensure a golden finish. Bake in a preheated oven at 425°F (220°C) for 8-10 minutes, flipping them once halfway through.
For an air fryer, place your assembled quesadillas into the air fryer basket in a single layer (you may need to work in batches). Cook at 350°F (180°C) for about 8 minutes, or until they are deliciously crispy and golden. Remember to flip them once during cooking for even browning.
Storing Leftover Quesadillas?
Leftover breakfast quesadillas can be stored conveniently in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. It’s important to note that if you’ve already spread dipping sauces or added salsa directly into the filling, the tortillas might become soggy more quickly. To keep your quesadillas at their best, always try to serve any sauces on the side. This simple tip prevents sogginess and maintains the desired texture of your delicious breakfast.
Can I Make Gluten-Free Quesadillas?
Yes, absolutely! Making gluten-free breakfast quesadillas is simple. Just substitute traditional flour tortillas with your favorite grain-free or gluten-free tortillas. There are many excellent options available on the market today, including corn tortillas or various gluten-free flour blends, which will work perfectly with this recipe.
Best Quesadilla Tips for Perfection:
- Layer with Cheese First: To help the tortilla adhere to the egg and other fillings, always start by layering cheese directly onto the warm tortilla. The melted cheese acts as a delicious glue!
- Prevent Soggy Quesadillas: For the best texture, always serve dipping sauces like sour cream, salsa, and hot sauce on the side. Incorporating wet sauces directly into the filling will cause the tortillas to soften much faster.
- Achieve Extra Crispiness: For a wonderfully crispy exterior, fry your quesadillas in a little extra oil or butter in the skillet until golden brown. This creates an irresistible crunch.
- Breakfast for Dinner?: These hearty breakfast quesadillas are filling and satisfying enough to be enjoyed for lunch or even dinner meals. They’re a fantastic “brinner” option!
- Egg Preference: While you can make Scrambled Eggs, leaving the eggs whole (fried) is often much easier and quicker for assembling breakfast quesadillas.
- Bacon Time-Saver: Pre-cooked bacon bits are a massive time-saver for a quick breakfast. I also keep a stash of my Freezer Bacon, which I can quickly dice from frozen for recipes like this – no thawing needed!
- Freeze Tortillas: Tortillas freeze exceptionally well. Don’t hesitate to freeze a family pack until you’re ready to make quesadillas. Refer to my make-ahead and freezing instructions to assemble and freeze entire quesadillas for future breakfasts.
- Optimal Filling for Gooey Goodness: For the best, most satisfyingly gooey and cheesy quesadillas, load your tortillas with about 1 ounce of cheese, 2 heaping tablespoons of bacon bits, and 1 fried egg.
- Reheating Options: You can reheat a quesadilla in the oven, microwave, or skillet. For the crispiest results, always opt for the oven or a frying pan.
More Delicious Breakfast Recipes You’ll Love:
- Hearty Breakfast Pizza Recipe with Sausage Gravy
- Easy Sausage Breakfast Casserole with Cheese Sauce
- Sheet-Pan Breakfast Pizza – an incredibly easy breakfast idea with eggs that don’t even need to be cooked before assembly!
- Freezer Breakfast Sandwich (McDonald’s Egg McMuffin Copycat)
- Chick-Fil-A Chicken Sandwich (Copycat) – Transform it into a Chick-fil-A Breakfast Chicken Biscuit Sandwich by using homemade biscuits instead of hamburger buns.
Explore More Incredible Quesadilla Recipes:
Forget the quesadilla maker and discover how easy it is to create delicious quesadillas using just a simple pan and this straightforward cooking technique! All you need are a few basic ingredients to whip up amazing homemade quesadillas. Beyond classic steak quesadillas, Birria quesadillas (a wonderfully tasty beef quesadilla), or a simple cheese quesadilla, there’s a whole world of flavors to explore. Did you know you can even make an air-fryer quesadilla or a zesty buffalo chicken quesadilla? The Mexican quesadilla just got a whole lot better and more versatile!
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How To Make A Breakfast Quesadilla: Full Recipe Card
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Breakfast Quesadilla Recipe
Equipment
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1 12-inch non-stick skillet
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1 spatula turner
Ingredients
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4 eggs
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4 small flour tortillas (6-inch)
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4 slices bacon (or 4 Tbsp Bacon Bits, divided)
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1 cup cheddar cheese (grated)
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8 TBSP canola oil (divided)
Instructions
How to make Breakfast Quesadillas:
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Heat 4 TBSP of oil in a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Crack in 4 eggs and fry eggs for about 1 minute on each side or until done to your preference. Remove and set aside. -
In the same skillet, add 2-4 Tbsp of oil and heat two of the flour tortillas. -
Flip and top each toasted side with 1/4 cup cheese, 1 heaping Tbsp of bacon bits, and 1 egg. -
Fold the tortilla in half and toast on each side until cheese melts (about 30 seconds per side). Repeat with 2 more tortillas. -
Serve with salsa and sour cream.
Notes
- You can cut this recipe in half and fry two eggs in a small 8-inch skillet. Then cook each tortilla one at a time.
- Cut each quesadilla in half to make 2 wedges.
Nutrition per serving