Jack O’ Lantern Quesadillas
These easy jack o’ lantern quesadillas are a fun lunch, dinner, or snack for Halloween! Filled with cheese and chicken, they’re filling, kid-approved, and ready to eat in about ten minutes.
Love quesadillas? Try our chicken quesadillas with pico and sloppy joe quesadillas, too!
We always try to bring a little magic to every holiday, and these jack o’ lantern quesadillas are a fun way to do just that for Halloween! Plus, they’re a good source of protein to offset all the treats, like pumpkin chocolate chip cookies and candy.
Just cut out the face, cook, and serve! Super versatile and a great way to use up leftovers, they’re pretty foolproof and so quick to make. Add your favorite toppings, and you really can’t go wrong.
Ingredients and Notes
Please be sure to scroll down to the recipe card below for the complete details!
- Tortillas – We use taco-sized tortillas, but any size will work. Just make sure they’re flour tortillas! Corn tortillas will crumble and fall apart when you try to cut out the face.
- Cheese – We use shredded cheddar cheese, but monterrey jack cheese, mozzarella, or pepper jack all taste great.
- Chicken – We use leftover shredded chicken, but have also substituted shredded rotisserie chicken to make things super easy.
- Taco Seasoning – Optional but highly recommended, this adds extra depth and just a touch of spice.
Possible Variations
- Protein – Swap the chicken with taco meat, ground turkey, or black beans or refried beans for a a vegetarian option.
- Breakfast – Use scrambled eggs, bacon, and cheddar cheese for a breakfast quesadilla.
- Veggies – Add sautéed onions, peppers, mushrooms, or spinach to the filling.
How to Make Jack O Lantern Quesadillas
- Create the tortilla faces. Use a sharp knife or triangle cookie cutters to cut a jack o’ lantern face into a tortilla.
2. Layer. Place a whole tortilla in a skillet over medium heat. Sprinkle cheese on top. Then, add chicken and taco seasoning. Place the tortilla with the sliced face on top.
3. Cook. Let the quesadilla rest until the cheese starts to melt and the bottom browns. Flip, and cook to brown the second side and melt the cheese completely.
4. Serve. Let the quesadilla cool slightly. Then, slice and serve warm. Enjoy!
Common Questions
We always serve our quesadillas with salsa, pico de gallo, sour cream, and guacamole. Then, add a side of Mexican rice, refried beans, roasted corn salsa, or roasted veggies!
Make sure to allow plenty of time for your skillet to heat, and let the quesadilla rest and brown before flipping. Also, avoid overstuffing the tortilla, or the fillings will ooze out and prevent the tortilla from becoming soggy.
More Kid-Approved Recipes
Jack O’ Lantern Quesadillas Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 taco-sized tortillas
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup shredded chicken (optional)
- 1 teaspoon taco seasoning (optional)
Instructions
- Heat a griddle pan over medium heat.
- Using a knife or triangle cookie cutters for the eyes, cut a jack-o’-lantern face out of one of the tortillas. Set aside.2 taco-sized tortillas
- Place the intact tortilla (not the jack o lantern tortilla) on the warm griddle. Evenly spread the cheese on top. If using, layer the shredded chicken over the cheese and sprinkle the chicken with taco seasoning.1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, ½ cup shredded chicken, 1 teaspoon taco seasoning
- Place the jack o lantern tortilla on top and cook the quesadilla until the cheese starts to melt. Flip the quesadilla to allow both sides to brown and the cheese to melt.2 taco-sized tortillas
- Turn off the griddle and place the quesadilla on a plate or cutting board. If desired, cut into quarters and dip in salsa, sour cream or guacamole. Serve immediately!
Notes
Nutrition
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The kids love these fun and festive quesadillas! Festive and tasty!