These Apple Cinnamon Breakfast Quesadillas are a sweet and satisfying twist on a savory classic, bringing the flavors of apple pie to the breakfast table. Crispy, butter-toasted tortillas are stuffed with warm spiced apples and an optional sweetened cream cheese filling that melts into pure deliciousness.
Whether served as a quick morning treat or a fun dessert, these handheld bites are crispy on the outside, gooey on the inside, and ready in just 15 minutes.
Recipe Details
- Flavor Profile: A comforting blend of sweet apples, warm cinnamon, and nutmeg, balanced by a tangy vanilla cream cheese layer and a buttery toasted crust.
- Texture: The golden-brown tortilla provides a satisfying crunch that contrasts perfectly with the soft apple chunks and creamy filling.
- Time: 10 minutes prep, 6 minutes cook time.
- Difficulty: Very Easy. It involves simple mixing and pan-frying.
What You’ll Need
To make this recipe, you will need a large skillet for frying the quesadillas and a couple of small bowls for mixing the fillings. A knife is needed to chop the apple pie filling into smaller, spreadable pieces. The ingredients rely on convenient staples like flour tortillas and prepared apple filling, elevated by fresh dairy and spices.
Ingredient Notes
- Flour Tortillas – Use 4 large flour tortillas. They crisp up beautifully in butter and remain pliable enough to fold over the generous filling.
- Apple Pie Filling – You can use canned apple pie filling or homemade cooked cinnamon apples. Chopping them finely ensures they heat through evenly and don’t spill out when you flip the quesadilla.
- Cream Cheese – Softened cream cheese forms the base of the optional (but highly recommended) cheesecake-like layer. It adds richness and tang.
- Brown Sugar – Adds a deep molasses flavor that caramelizes slightly with the apples.
- Spices – Ground cinnamon and nutmeg enhance the apple flavor, making it taste like autumn in every bite.
- Butter – Unsalted butter is used for frying. It gives the tortillas a golden color and a rich, savory finish that oil can’t match.
Add-ins and Substitutions
- Nuts – Chopped pecans or walnuts added to the apple mixture provide a wonderful crunch.
- Caramel – Drizzling salted caramel sauce inside or on top takes this to a decadent dessert level.
- Tortillas – Whole wheat tortillas can be used for a slightly healthier, nuttier version.
- Filling – If you don’t have cream cheese, a layer of peanut butter or almond butter is a delicious, protein-packed alternative.
How to Make Apple Cinnamon Breakfast Quesadillas
- Make Cream Cheese Spread: In a small bowl, mix the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until completely smooth and combined.
- Prep Tortillas: Evenly spread a thin layer of the cream cheese mixture over one entire side of each tortilla (if using). This acts as a delicious glue for the apples.
- Prepare Apples: Chop the apple pie filling (or cooked apples) into small pieces for easy spreading. In a bowl, combine the chopped apples with the brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg, stirring until evenly mixed.
- Assemble: Spread the apple mixture evenly onto half of each tortilla (on top of the cream cheese layer). Fold the tortillas in half to form half-moon shapes, enclosing the filling.
- Cook: Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Place the quesadillas in the skillet (you may need to do this in batches). Cook for 2 to 3 minutes per side, or until both sides are golden brown and crisp and the filling is warm.
- Serve: Transfer the cooked quesadillas to a cutting board and allow them to cool slightly. Slice into wedges. Serve warm with a dusting of powdered sugar or toppings like honey, caramel sauce, or whipped cream.
Pro Tip: Finely chopping the apple filling is key. Large chunks of apple make the quesadilla lumpy and hard to flip, often resulting in the filling sliding out. Small pieces ensure a flat, even quesadilla that crisps up perfectly.
Recipe Tips
- Heat Control: Keep your heat at medium. If the pan is too hot, the tortilla will burn before the cream cheese melts and the apples heat through.
- Butter Swirl: If cooking in batches, add a little fresh butter to the pan for the second round so every quesadilla gets that golden, buttery crust.
- Press Down: Use a spatula to gently press down on the quesadillas while they cook. This helps seal the layers together.
FAQs
- Can I use fresh apples? Yes, but you need to cook them first. Sauté diced apples in a little butter and cinnamon until soft before adding them to the quesadilla. Raw apples won’t cook in the short time it takes to toast the tortilla.
- Can I make this ahead? These are best eaten fresh while crispy. If you make them ahead, the tortilla may soften. Reheat in a dry skillet or toaster oven to crisp them back up.
- Is the cream cheese necessary? It is optional, but it adds a wonderful creamy contrast to the sweet apples and helps hold the quesadilla together.
Serving Suggestions
- Breakfast: Serve with a side of yogurt or scrambled eggs for a balanced meal.
- Dessert: Top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and caramel drizzle for an “apple pie a la mode” experience.
- Drink: Pair with hot coffee or chai tea.
Make This Recipe in Advance
- Filling Prep: You can mix the cream cheese spread and the spiced apple mixture a few days in advance. Store them in separate containers in the fridge until you are ready to assemble and cook.
Apple Cinnamon Breakfast Quesadillas
- Total Time: 16 minutes
- Yield: 4 Quesadillas 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Apple Cinnamon Breakfast Quesadillas are a sweet and satisfying twist on a savory classic, bringing the flavors of apple pie to the breakfast table. Crispy, butter-toasted tortillas are stuffed with warm spiced apples and an optional sweetened cream cheese filling that melts into pure deliciousness. Whether served as a quick morning treat or a fun dessert, these handheld bites are crispy on the outside, gooey on the inside, and ready in just 15 minutes.
Ingredients
The Base & Cooking
- 4 large flour tortillas
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (for frying)
The Apple Cinnamon Filling
- 2 cups prepared apple pie filling (or cooked cinnamon apples), finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
The Cream Cheese Layer (Optional but Recommended)
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Optional Toppings
- Powdered sugar, for dusting
- Honey or Caramel sauce
- Whipped cream
Instructions
Make Cream Cheese Spread
In a small bowl, whisk together the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until completely smooth.
Prep Apples
Finely chop the apple pie filling into small pieces (this prevents lumps).
Mix
In a separate bowl, combine the chopped apples with the brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Stir until evenly mixed.
Assemble
Spread: Apply a thin layer of the cream cheese mixture over one entire side of each tortilla. This acts as a delicious “glue.” Fill: Spread the apple mixture evenly onto one half of each tortilla (on top of the cream cheese). Fold: Fold the tortillas in half to form half-moons, enclosing the filling.
Cook
Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Fry: Place the quesadillas in the skillet (work in batches if needed). Toast: Cook for 2–3 minutes per side, pressing down gently with a spatula, until the tortillas are golden brown and crisp and the filling is warm.
Serve
Transfer to a cutting board and let cool for a minute. Slice: Cut into wedges. Top: Dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with caramel/honey. Serve warm.
Notes
The “Chop” Factor: Finely chopping the apple filling is the most important step. Large chunks of apple make the quesadilla lumpy and hard to flip, often resulting in the filling sliding out. Small pieces ensure a flat, crisp quesadilla.
Heat Control: Keep your heat at medium. If the pan is too hot, the tortilla will burn before the cream cheese melts and the apples heat through.
Fresh Apple Sub: If using fresh apples instead of pie filling, you must cook them first. Sauté diced apples in butter and cinnamon until soft before adding them to the quesadilla. Raw apples won’t cook in the short time it takes to toast the tortilla.
Batch Cooking: If cooking in batches, add a little fresh butter to the pan for the second round so every quesadilla gets that golden, buttery crust.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 minutes
- Category: Breakfast / Dessert
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Quesadilla
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 24g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 58g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
Keywords: apple pie quesadillas, breakfast quesadilla recipe, cinnamon apple recipes, sweet quesadillas, easy breakfast ideas, dessert quesadillas, kids breakfast
