5 Best Quesadilla Makers of 2024, Tested and Reviewed
We made piles of crispy, cheesy quesadillas to find the best electric quesadilla makers.
Joelle Battista
Our Top Quesadilla Maker Picks
- Best Overall: Bella 8-Inch Quesadilla Maker
- Another Top Pick: Elite Gourmet 8-Inch Quesadilla Maker
- Best Griddle: Breville Press & Sear Griddle
- Best Compact: Dash 8-inch Round Griddle
- Best Value: Betty Crocker Countertop Pizza Maker
Tested by Joelle Battista for Food Network Kitchen
If you've been tirelessly searching for the best countertop appliance to whip up stacks of crisp-on-the-outside, melty-on-the-inside quesadillas, then you've come to the right place. While quesadilla makers may seem like one-trick ponies in the kitchen, we tested both quesadilla makers and griddles to find which are the best additions to your kitchen countertop appliance line-up.
Electric quesadilla makers generally fall into two categories: those that specialize in making quesadillas, and those that, while they are not specifically quesadilla-focused, make a delicious quesadilla. Taking the combination of these two groups into consideration, the makers on the market encompass a wide range of sizes, materials, functionalities and prices. All of these characteristics, including user experience, material quality, and most importantly, cooking performance, led us to our list of winners. Whether you're a classic, just-cheese quesadilla purist or stuffed-quesadilla lover, we've found the best quesadilla maker or griddle for you.
Joelle Battista
How We Tested
We started by researching the market for the top-rated quesadilla makers and our top-rated electric griddles/grills that could be used to make quesadillas. Once we had our diverse line-up of contenders, we researched each product, evaluated its materials, read through all the instructions and recipes and finally, made a lot of quesadillas, both plain and stuffed with chicken. Based on our in-depth research and the resulting quesadillas, we selected our winners.
Coming in at the top spot as a solo quesadilla maker, the Bella 8-Inch Quesadilla Maker is the perfect combination of fun and function. The nonstick cooking plates and heating element system work together to create even browning across both the top and bottom tortillas while perfectly cooking the cheese and fillings inside. Plus, the grooves in the plates come together while cooking to press the quesadilla into six break-apart slices. We loved that this maker didn’t require extra large tortillas, which can sometimes be difficult to find; our 8-inch tortillas stuffed with chicken and cheese worked beautifully, test after test. Between the wipe-clean cooking plates, dishwasher-safe drip tray, heat-safe handle and 2-year limited warranty, this quesadilla maker really stacks up!
Very similar to the winning quesadilla maker, this maker doesn’t require the extra large tortillas to work well and pumped out a whole stack of beautifully-browned quesadillas.The easy-clean nonstick plates create even browning on all six segments, sealing in the gooey cheese and delicious fillings. The drip tray pulls out and is dishwasher-safe (in the case of a little cheesy overflow) and the entire unit can be stored on its side, minimizing its footprint (whether in your cabinet or on your counter) even more! With both power- and ready-indicator lights, this quesadilla maker is super easy to use to make picture-perfect quesadillas every time.
If you’re looking for a griddle that makes awesome quesadillas but doesn’t stop there, the Breville Press & Sear Griddle may be one of the most impressive countertop appliances, ever. It’s a griddle, a grill, a panini press, and so much more. At first glance, you may think that this beast works only as a press, but move the hinge lock to the open position and the two sides of cooking plates open up 180°, doubling the cooking surface area. The ceramic, nonstick cooking plates are removable and top-rack dishwasher safe, making cleaning them as easy as creating incredible meals with them. There’s truly no limit to the gourmet possibilities with this multi-functional Breville Press & Sear.
When you’re low on storage space, counter space, or you’re traveling, a compact appliance is key! This Dash 8-inch Round Griddle packs a lot of functionality into a deceptively small package, and can be a great option if you’re cooking for only 1 or 2 people. The nonstick plates are big enough to cook eggs, burgers, pancakes and (of course) quesadillas, while the overall unit maintains a small footprint for maximum efficiency. The unit heats up quickly and couldn’t be easier to operate. Convenient and speedy, this Dash griddle is as great to have as it is to give as a gift!
When you’re looking for a large cooking surface at a great value, the classic Betty Crocker Countertop Pizza Maker is the easy choice. Known for its versatility at a great price, this “pizza maker” makes some knock-out quesadillas! The clamshell design speeds up cooking by creating an oven-like environment, while also quickly creating a great sear on the bottom of the food. We loved that you can easily cook multiple quesadillas at the same time by using 8-inch tortillas folded in half, so feeding a few kids at once is no problem! With such a large cooking surface area, this maker is a great appliance to have to cook for a group or while traveling.
What to Consider When Buying a Quesadilla Maker
- Consider your tortilla size: If you love extra-large quesadillas made with tortillas 10-inches wide or larger, it’s best to pick an appliance that caters to tortillas that size. If you go with a quesadilla maker that notes the requirement of 10-inch tortillas to work the best, know that using smaller tortillas could result in the plates pressing the filling out while cooking. If you’re unsure, go with a smaller maker, like our top two picks!
- Pick a quesadilla maker or griddle: Quesadilla makers are one of those items that are really meant to do just one thing well: make endless rounds of flawless quesadillas. If quesadillas are part of your weekly dinner line-up, investing in a true quesadilla maker could be a great way to make your favorite quesadillas that much more easily. If you’re open to a cooker that makes great quesadillas but has the capability to do more, look into griddles. While making quesadillas may require a little more attention than using a quesadilla maker, the added functionality and versatility brings value that justifies the appliance’s space in your kitchen.
- Don't overstuff the fillings: There’s one ingredient that’s essential for a quesadilla…cheese! Beyond cheese, you can add cooked meats, vegetables, beans, etc. If your favorite quesadillas are bursting with delicious fillings, a true quesadilla maker may not be the best option for you. The quesadilla makers had more trouble browning thick quesadillas without applying a lot of pressure to the tops of the machines, which sometimes resulted in fillings being squeezed out! To have the flexibility to cook thick or thin quesadillas, choose any of the griddle-style options on our list!
