Description
Celebrate Halloween with these fun and festive Jack o’ Lantern Quesadillas, featuring a spicy, cheesy filling of sharp cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses mixed with pickled jalapeños and warm spices. Crispy on the outside and gooey inside, these quesadillas are perfect for a spooky party snack or appetizer.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese Mixture
- 1 pound extra-sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/2 pound Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
- 1/4 cup chopped pickled jalapeños
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Tortillas & Cooking
- 10 large flour tortillas (12-inch diameter recommended)
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil or butter
To Serve
- Sour cream
- Salsa
- Guacamole
Instructions
- Prepare the Cheese Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the shredded cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, chopped pickled jalapeños, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper if using. Mix well to evenly distribute the spices and jalapeños.
- Season the Mixture: Generously season the cheese mixture with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Taste a small amount and adjust the seasonings as needed to suit your preference.
- Arrange Tortillas: Lay out 5 tortillas flat on a clean surface or work area, ready to be filled.
- Fill Tortillas: Spoon about 1 1/2 cups of the cheese mixture onto the center of each tortilla, leaving about a 2-inch border around the edges to allow for folding.
- Fold and Seal: Fold each tortilla in half over the filling, gently pressing to seal the edges. Use a fork to crimp the edges securely to help prevent cheese from leaking out during cooking.
- Heat the Skillet: Place a large skillet over medium heat and add 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil or butter, allowing it to melt and coat the pan evenly.
- Cook Quesadillas: Cook 2 to 3 quesadillas at a time for 3 to 4 minutes per side, or until they are golden brown and the cheese inside has melted. Press gently with a spatula to ensure even contact with the skillet.
- Drain and Cool: Remove the cooked quesadillas and place them on a wire rack to cool slightly. This prevents them from becoming soggy. Repeat the cooking process with the remaining quesadillas.
- Cut Out Jack-o’-Lantern Faces: Once the quesadillas have cooled enough to handle, use a sharp knife or cookie cutters to cut out jack-o’-lantern faces on the quesadillas. Enhance details with a toothpick if desired.
- Serve: Arrange the decorated jack-o’-lantern quesadillas on a platter and serve immediately accompanied by sour cream, salsa, and guacamole for dipping.
Notes
- Use a sharp knife or themed cookie cutters to create intricate jack-o’-lantern designs for a festive look.
- Be careful when flipping quesadillas to prevent the filling from spilling out.
- Letting the cooked quesadillas cool slightly on a wire rack keeps them crisp instead of soggy.
- You can substitute pickled jalapeños with fresh jalapeños if you want a fresher, spicier flavor.
- Butter will provide a richer flavor than vegetable oil but both work well for crisping.
- To make the quesadillas ahead, fully cook and then reheat in the oven or skillet to maintain crispiness.
