Despite its name, a quesadilla maker doesn’t have to be a unitasker. There are many models that can be useful for other dishes, and we’ve included one option that is so versatile you could use it for all your meals for days without once turning on the stove. That said, deciding on what type of quesadilla maker to buy, its versatility is only one aspect. You should also consider the size of the final quesadilla and how you will store the maker when not in use. When taking all of this into account, the George Foreman Electric Quesadilla Maker is our clear favorite. We looked at quesadilla makers in various sizes with different options, functions, and features. To help you narrow down your choices, here are the best quesadilla makers to have in your kitchen. What We Don’t Love: Plates aren’t removable for cleaning The George Foreman Electric Quesadilla Maker is my best overall choice for several reasons. It has lots of useful features for easy preparation, for cooking filled quesadillas, and best of all, it has an easy cleanup. Smartly designed, this quesadilla maker has an outer ridge that helps seal the tortillas together and prevents the cheese from becoming a mess. Speaking of messes, the nonstick surface easily wipes clean after each use. Just wait for it to cool down first. With six deep dish pockets, there’s plenty of room to add vegetables and protein. The pockets also create lines, making final cutting a whole lot easier. Best of all, this makes a fully-melted 10-inch quesadilla in under 4 minutes. Price at Time of Publish: $35 Dimensions (LxWxH): 10 x 10 x 3 inches | Weight: 2.5 pounds | Wattage: 900 W What We Don’t Love: Filled quesadillas can take a while to cook Are you looking for a great quesadilla maker that won’t break the bank? Go with the Nostalgia Electrics Quesadilla Maker. It has a lot of useful features that rival more expensive options, including a nonstick interior and a removable drip tray to catch grease. But the best feature of this 8-inch quesadilla maker is its two-position locking lid which gives you multiple thickness options. So, it’s ideal for larger chunks of chicken, meat, and delicious veggies like a squash blossom. Cooking time can vary on this machine. Thinner quesadillas can take as little as 3 minutes to cook, while thicker ones can take up to 7 minutes. Still, considering the price, 7 minutes isn’t too long to wait. Price at Time of Publish: $24 Dimensions (LxWxH): 10.5 x 9.5 x 4.5 inches | Weight: 3.8 pounds | Wattage: 900 W What We Don’t Love: Expensive, needs a lot of space for storage The Cuisinart Griddler Five is the most versatile appliance on this list and can make so much more than quesadillas. First, it comes with two interchangeable, removable plates that allow for five cooking options. There’s a grill plate side, griddle plate side, contact grill, and panini press (which is what you use to cook quesadillas), as well as a half-grill/half-griddle. So while you might want it for great quesadillas, it can also be used for grilling burgers, making panini, and frying up bacon to stuff inside a grilled cheese. With an LCD screen that shows the function, temperature, and timer, this is also one of the easiest appliances to control. The temperature ranges from 175 degrees to 450 degrees, adjusting in 25-degree increments. The cast-aluminum nonstick plates are easy to use and even easier to clean. After you finish cooking, just wait 30 minutes to remove the plates. You can even safely wash them in the dishwasher. How convenient! Since this appliance has a sleek, contemporary aesthetic, you may even want to leave it on your countertop in between uses. After all, with so many features, you can practically cook anything with it. Price at Time of Publish: $120 Dimensions (LxWxH): 13.25 x 12.5 x 8 inches | Weight: 9.4 pounds | Wattage: 1500 W What We Don’t Love: Doesn’t have removable plates If you prefer smaller quesadillas and want a maker that takes up the least amount of space, opt for the Elite Gourmet Mexican Taco Tuesday Quesadilla Maker. It has an 8-inch nonstick cooking surface and makes your quesadilla in 5 minutes or less. There’s even a locking latch assuring it is perfectly cooked, scored, and easily sliced into six wedges. So, this appliance is useful for making snacks for the kids, appetizers for dinner parties, or even to make game day extra special. One of the best features is the drip tray, which prevents grease from getting onto your countertop. Another convenient feature is the indicator light which lets you know the machine has properly preheated and is ready to go. With just a little bit of a drip rim between the quesadilla and the edge, this 9.5-inch maker will fit into the smallest of storage spaces. Price at Time of Publish: $27 Dimensions (LxWxH): 10 x 9.5 x 5 inches | Wattage: 900 W What We Don’t Love: No on/off switch, plates aren’t removable The Dash DMG8100AQ 8-inch Express Electric Round Griddle is one of the few griddles with a round shape, making it perfect for quesadillas as well as burgers, eggs, and pancakes. Since it has a compact size, it’s also a great choice for smaller kitchens, apartments, dorm rooms, or even to keep in an RV. Most of all, this model also wins points for aesthetics. Available in both red and aqua, it adds a little pop of color to your kitchen and makes a thoughtful housewarming present. It’s also one of the easiest quesadilla makers to use since you just plug it in and it automatically turns on. Just don’t forget to unplug it when you’re finished. The surface is nonstick and PFOA-free, making it safe and easy to clean. There’s even a 1-year manufacturer’s warranty. Price at Time of Publish: $25 Dimensions (LxWxH): 10 x 8 x 4 inches | Weight: 3.2 pounds | Wattage: 760 W
What to Look for in a Quesadilla Maker
Quesadilla Size
Most quesadilla makers fit 8-inch, 10-inch, or 11-inch tortillas. It is best to check the size of your favorite tortilla and use it as a guide when purchasing a quesadilla maker. If you end up with an appliance that’s too small, it won’t entirely fit in the machine. If you prefer a tortilla that’s quite a bit smaller than the quesadilla maker, it may not seal properly and could end up making a mess.
Weight
While people who frequently make quesadillas or use their quesadilla maker for other foods may opt to leave it out on the countertop, those with smaller kitchens or who use their appliance less frequently may want to store it away. If that is the case, the weight of the machine is very important and you should look for a model that isn’t too heavy. Just note that lighter models may offer fewer features.
Maintenance
First and foremost, never soak electric appliances in water. Most quesadilla makers have nonstick plates that are easy to clean. Just unplug the machine, wait for it to cool down, and then clean with a damp cloth or sponge. The easiest makers to clean will have removable plates that may even be dishwasher safe.
Should you use corn or flour tortillas for quesadillas?
According to Saul Montiel, chef at Cantina Rooftop in New York City, you can use either. “I prefer corn because I grew up eating corn tortillas, and that’s what people from central Mexico usually eat. People from the north of Mexico typically prefer to eat flour tortillas,” he says.
What else can you make in a quesadilla maker?
Depending on the model, you can make sandwiches, paninis, eggs, burgers, and even vegetables in a quesadilla maker. Montiel also likes using a tortilla press. “I typically use a tortilla press to make my quesadillas or huaraches, sopes, or empanadas,” he says.
Why Trust Simply Recipes?
This article is written by Amanda Lauren, an ongoing contributor to Simply Recipes, Forbes, The Balance, Investopedia, Reader’s Digest, and A Sweat Life. Amanda has written hundreds of articles about interior design and lifestyle. While she loves to cook, she prefers to grill because it’s easier to clean up. One day, Amanda hopes to have a kitchen large enough for an island, but would easily settle for a peninsula. Read Next: The Best Nonstick Pans
