Are you looking for a fun quesadilla recipe that strikes the perfect balance between sweet and savory? Then check out this recipe for plantain quesadillas! These tasty quesadillas are loaded with fried sweet plantain, pineapple, and lots of creamy monterey jack cheese.
In this recipe we use gluten free tortillas so that our quesadillas will be gluten free. If you are looking for durable, flexible gluten free tortillas that will not crack when folded, Toufayan gluten free tortillas are the best of the best. If you do not have a gluten intolerance then you can make these quesadillas with regular flour tortillas – no other substitutions are necessary!
What is in these plantain quesadillas
What is in these plantain quesadillas? Here are the main ingredients that are used to make these plantain quesadillas.
- Tortillas. In order to make these plantain quesadillas, you will need some large burrito-style tortillas. If you want to make your quesadillas with gluten free tortillas, then we highly recommend using Toufayan gluten free tortillas. They are more flexible and durable than any other gluten free tortillas we have found.
- Plantains. You will also need plantains to make these plantain quesadillas. The plantains in these quesadillas are supposed to be tender and sweet so you should look for plantains that are nice and ripe. This means you should pick out plantains that feel somewhat soft and have a lot of brown or black on their skins.
- Pineapple. Some pineapple is also used in this recipe for plantain quesadillas. You can use fresh pineapple or canned pineapple depending on your preference. For this recipe, using fresh pineapple will not make much of a difference.
- Jalapeño. Fresh jalapeño is added to these quesadillas. The spiciness of the jalapenos balances out the sweetness of the plantains and pineapple. If you do not like spicy food, then you can omit the jalapeños or substitute them for a less spicy pepper.
- Red onions. Some red onions are also added to this recipe for plantain quesadillas. The fresh, zesty flavor of the red onions perfectly complements the sweet flavor of the plantains and pineapple.
- Monterey jack cheese. Monterey jack cheese is the main cheese that is used in the quesadilla recipe. If you do not have monterey jack cheese, then you can use another mild, creamy cheese such as pepper jack or colby jack.
- Cream cheese. In addition to the monterey jack cheese, some cream cheese is also used in this recipe for plantain quesadillas. The cream cheese adds an extra creamy element to balance out the sweetness of the sweet plantains and pineapple.
How to make plantain quesadillas
How do you make plantain quesadillas? Here are the steps you need to take in order to make these plantain quesadillas.
- Chop the vegetables. The first step in making these plantain quesadillas is to chop all of the vegetables. The plantains should be sliced into slices that are 1 – 1 1/2 inches wide. The jalapenos and red onions should also be sliced into thin slices. If you are using fresh pineapple, you should also chop the pineapple into spices that are 1/4 inch thick.
- Cook the plantains and pineapples. After the plantains and pineapples are sliced, it is time to cook the plantains and pineapples. The plantains and pineapples should be cooked over medium heat for around 10 – 15 minutes until they are lightly browned on each side.
- Assemble the quesadillas. After the pineapple and plantains are done cooking, it is time to assemble the quesadillas. Add the cream cheese and monterey jack cheese on one half of a tortilla then add the vegetables on top of the cheese. Fold the other side of the tortilla over the toppings to finish assembling the quesadillas.
- Cook the quesadillas. After the quesadillas have been assembled, it is time to cook the quesadillas. The quesadillas should be fried in oil over medium heat. They should be cooked on each side until they turn a light golden brown color.
- Salt the quesadillas. Finally, remove the quesadillas from the stove and salt them. If you used a lot of oil to fry your quesadillas, you can put them on a paper towel as you salt them to absorb excess oil.
How to store plantain quesadillas
How do you store plantain quesadillas? For best results, we recommend storing the components of the quesadillas separately and waiting to assemble the leftover quesadillas until you are ready to eat them. If you assemble the quesadillas ahead of time, the moisture from the vegetables will soak into the tortillas and make them soggy.
If you do assemble the quesadillas ahead of time, we recommend storing the quesadillas in an airtight container or storage bag with a paper towel. The paper towel will absorb excess water and prevent the tortillas from getting too soggy.
How to reheat plantain quesadillas
How do you reheat these plantain quesadillas? You have a few options when it comes to reheating these plantain quesadillas.
- On the stove. The best way to reheat these quesadillas is to heat them the way they were originally cooked. That means heating them over medium heat on the stove. The quesadillas should be reheated for a few minutes until the cheese melts and the plantains feel warm.
- In the microwave. If you do not have the time to reheat these quesadillas on the stove, you can also reheat them on the microwave. Quesadillas that are reheated in the microwave will not be as crispy as quesadillas that are reheated on the stove, but they will still be tasty.
Plantain quesadillas
Ingredients
- 4 gluten free tortillas
- 2 cups monterey jack cheese
- 1/4 cup cream cheese
- 2 ripe plantains
- 4 slices pineapple (or canned pineapple rings)
- 1/4 red onion
- 2 jalapeños
- coconut oil
- salt
Instructions
- Chop the plantains into slices that are around 1 inch thick. Slice the pineapple into slices that are about 1 inch wide and 1/4 inch thick. Slice the red onion and jalapeño into thin slices.
- Heat a pan over medium low heat and melt some coconut oil. Add the plantains and pineapples to the pan and sprinkle a little salt over them. Cook the plantains and pineapples over medium low heat for 10 - 15 minutes. When the plantains and pineapples are done cooking, they should be soft and lightly browned on both sides.
- When the plantains and pineapples are done cooking, assemble the quesadillas. Take a tortilla and spread some cream cheese over half of it. Top the cream cheese with monterey jack cheese then plantains, pineapples, red onions, and jalapenos. Fold the other half of the tortilla over the top of the toppings.
- Heat a pan over medium heat then add some coconut oil. Cook the quesadillas over medium heat for 3 - 5 minutes per side. When the quesadillas are done cooking, they should be lightly brown on both sides. You may be able to use the pan you used to cook the plantains and pineapples to cook the assembled quesadillas as long as there is not too much residue on the pan.
- Take the quesadillas off of the heat and put them on a paper towel to absorb excess oil. Salt the quesadillas on both sides before serving.
Substitutions for plantain quesadillas
- Gluten free tortillas. If you do not have a gluten intolerance then you can use a regular tortilla in place of a gluten free tortilla.
- Jalapeños. If you do not like your quesadilla to be spicy, you can omit the jalapeños or swap the jalapeños with less spicy peppers such as poblanos or green bell peppers.
- Monterey jack cheese. If you do not have monterey jack cheese then you should use another mild cheese such as pepper jack cheese or colby jack cheese.
Other recipes you will love
Are you a fan of guacamole? Check out this easy recipe for guacamole quesadillas! These tasty quesadillas are loaded with sharp cheddar cheese and lots of creamy guacamole.
Are you looking for another sweet and savory recipe that is made with fresh pineapple? Check out this recipe for pineapple tacos with red onions, green onions, and jalapeño cream cheese.
Are you looking for another quesadilla recipe that walks the line between sweet and savory? Check out this recipe for apple cinnamon quesadillas with spiced apples and creamy monterey jack cheese.
