Refried Bean Quesadillas (just 5 ingredients!)

These Refried Bean Quesadillas are super tasty, easy to make and require just 5 ingredients!

Wondering what you can do with a can of refried beans? Look no further. These could well be the easiest quesadillas you’ll ever make! Follow me…

Preparing Refried Bean Quesadillas

Cheese and beans are a match made in heaven, and this recipe celebrates that fact in all its glory. Wondering if refried beans can go in quesadillas? Heck, we’re making them the star of the show! Here’s what you’ll need:

• Wraps – Flour tortillas work best. I don’t recommend using corn tortillas because they tear more easily when folded.
• Refried Beans – A can of store-bought refried beans will do the trick!
• Salsa – You can make my Homemade Fresh Salsa or grab some from the store. If you’re getting store-bought try and get it fresh, just because it’s usually less watery than the jarred stuff. Not a deal-breaker though, just don’t go too overboard or the quesadillas will come out soggy! Serve with more salsa on the side if you want extra 🙂
• Cheese – I use a nice strong/sharp cheddar, just to pack some more flavour into these simple quesadillas. Mexican cheese blend or Monterey Jack will both work great.
• Tortilla Chips – The other fillings are all fairly soft, so these add a bit of texture to the quesadillas.

What else could I add to these quesadillas?

Corn and Cotija/Feta both make great additions. You could also add Taco Beef or even rotisserie chicken too!

Process shots: add tortilla wrap to chopping board (photo 1), spread half with refried beans (photo 2), add salsa (photo 3), add tortilla chips (photo 4), add cheese (photo 5), fold over (photo 6).

Cooking Refried Bean Quesadillas

I highly recommend frying these. I have tried baking them in the past, but the filling seeps out quite a bit. The longer cooking time also softens the chips a little more. I usually spray them with a little oil, but it’s not a deal-breaker if you don’t have oil, they still come out pretty crisp in a dry pan!

I recommend frying in batches, just to give the quesadillas room to properly crisp up and have direct contact with the pan.

Can I make these ahead of time?

I wouldn’t go out of your way to make them ahead of time, just because the chips soften quite a lot. Luckily they only need a few mins each side, so they’re quick to whip up fresh! Having said that if you do have leftovers, just allow them to cool and tightly store in the fridge for a couple of days. Reheat on low heat to ensure the centre heats all the way through.

Process shots: add to lightly oiled pan (photo 1), fry both sides until crisp/golden (photo 2).

Serving Refried Bean Quesadillas

These are awesome by themselves, so don’t feel like you have to add anything to serve. But dip-wise, Guacamole, Creamy Avocado Dip or even just Sour Cream works perfectly! You could also whip up some Wedges, Spicy Potatoes or even Jalapeño Poppers to go alongside too.

Alrighty, let’s tuck into the full recipe for these refried bean quesadillas shall we?!

How to make Refried Bean Quesadillas (Full Recipe & Video)

5 from 4 votes

Refried Bean Quesadillas (just 5 ingredients!)

By: Chris Collins

These Refried Bean Quesadillas are super tasty, easy to make and require just 5 ingredients!

Prep: 5 minutes mins

Cook: 15 minutes mins

Total: 20 minutes mins

Servings: 6 quesadillas

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Equipment

• Large Pan & Spatula/Turner
• Cheese Grater

Ingredients 

1x2x3x

• ▢ 6 small Flour Tortillas (around 7")
• ▢ 1x 14oz/400g can of Refried Beans
• ▢ 2 cups / 200g Cheese (see notes)
• ▢ 3/4 cup / 180g Salsa, or as needed (homemade or store-bought, hot or mild)
• ▢ 3oz / 90g Tortilla Chips (around 6 per quesadilla)
• ▢ Oil Spray (optional - see notes)

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Instructions 

• Spread refried beans over one half of each wrap. Dot over salsa, then top with tortilla chips and cheese. Fold each wrap over and gently press down to secure.
• Lightly spray a pan over medium heat, then add two quesadillas. Spray the top, then fry for a couple of mins until golden and crisp on the bottom. Flip them over add cook for another 2-3mins until golden and crisp on the other side. Remove from pan and repeat batches.
• Slice quesadillas in half then serve up and enjoy!

Video

Notes

a) Cheese - I love using cheddar, just for a good punch of flavour. Mexican cheese blend also works nicely, as does Monterey Jack. You could even add in some Cotija or Feta if you fancied!

b) Salsa - My Homemade Salsa works well because it's fresh and not too sloppy. If you're using store-bought salsa try and find some fresh salsa from the refrigerated section. Jarred salsa will work, but just don't go over board or the filling will be too sloppy. I recommend hot salsa if you like spice, just to pack in more flavour, but mild works just fine if you'd prefer that.

c) Tortilla Chips - I typically use plain tortilla chips. These are more so for the texture than the flavour, but you could go wild and add in flavoured chips (or even Doritos!). 

d) Oil - Oil will help the quesadillas crisp up, but I've made these in a dry pan before and they come out just fine. I find oil spray easiest, but you could lightly brush the quesadillas with olive or vegetable oil before frying.

e) Serving - These are awesome by themselves, so don't feel like you have to add anything to serve. But dip-wise, Guacamole, Creamy Avocado Dip or even just Sour Cream works perfectly! You could also whip up some Wedges, Spicy Potatoes or even Jalapeño Poppers to go alongside too.

f) Calories - Per quesadilla with no sides or oil.

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Nutrition

Calories: 436kcal | Carbohydrates: 46.35g | Protein: 17.7g | Fat: 20.18g | Saturated Fat: 8.819g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2.829g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6.246g | Trans Fat: 0.464g | Cholesterol: 38mg | Sodium: 1109mg | Potassium: 434mg | Fiber: 4.9g | Sugar: 3.55g | Vitamin A: 552IU | Vitamin C: 4.6mg | Calcium: 360mg | Iron: 2.94mg

Looking for more?

You’ll find plenty more delicious comfort food like this in my Debut Cookbook ‘Comfy’

For another delicious recipe using refried beans check out my Baby Burrito Bowls, Beef Enchiladas and Chicken Tostadas!

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