The Quesadilla Hack That Will Have You Reaching For Your Toaster

Making a quesadilla isn't exactly complicated, but let's be honest, sometimes you don't feel like dirtying another pan just for one simple meal. That's where your toaster can come in handy. While you're probably accustomed to using the appliance only for slices of bread, TikTokers are discovering that you can actually use it to make a quesadilla too.

The main difference between making a quesadilla on the stove versus in a toaster is the folding. The process starts off the same way, by sprinkling shredded cheese on a tortilla. However, instead of topping your creation with another tortilla, you fold down both sides so their edges meet in the middle, and then you fold up the bottom, creating a little tortilla pocket of cheese. You put this straight into the toaster like a piece of bread, and once you take it out, you'll be left with a perfectly cooked quesadilla. It may look different than your standard quesadilla, but it'll be just as tasty with a lot less cleanup.

Remember that a toaster isn't designed for cooking quesadillas, so while this hack is pretty game-changing, it isn't foolproof. For best results, you'll want to make sure to use a flour tortilla rather than a corn tortilla. If you've ever made enchiladas or taquitos with corn tortillas, you know that they rip and crack easily when you roll them. The lack of flexibility might be fine for a quesadilla made in a pan, but if you try to fold them and put them in a toaster, they'll definitely break. Flour tortillas have the pliability to bend and fold, which is necessary for this hack.

Your toaster's heat setting can also make a big difference. Many of the cooking fails shared to TikTok involve burnt quesadillas, so make sure to keep the heat low to prevent this from happening. It also helps to preheat your toaster before putting your tortilla in. This will ensure it heats evenly and all the cheese gets melted.

Cooking quesadillas in the toaster is generally safe, but there is still some risk involved, mainly due to the melted cheese. If any were to drip out of your tortilla, it could easily cause a toaster fire. But as long as you check your tortilla for rips beforehand and avoid overstuffing it with too much cheese, this shouldn't be an issue.

You might be tempted to wrap your quesadilla in parchment paper or aluminum foil before putting it in the toaster to avoid any cheese drippage, but this is actually more unsafe. Perfect for Home says that any time foil has prolonged contact with the hot metal coils, it becomes a fire hazard, and the same can be said for parchment paper which becomes flammable at 400 degrees Fahrenheit, according to Better Homes and Gardens.

The safest approach is the simplest one — just fold up your tortilla so none of the cheese is exposed, and put it directly in the toaster. Make sure you keep your eye on it and don't leave it in the toaster for more than a few minutes, and you'll have a perfectly made quesadilla.