Pizza-dilla (Pizza Quesadilla) [+Video]

a photo of a slice of a tortilla pizza that is golden and crispy with melty cheese coming out and topped with sprinkled cotija cheese and garlic butter with a small bowl of pizza sauce next to it

Have you ever had a pizza quesadilla (or tortilla pizza)? It is such a quick and easy way to enjoy those classic pizza flavors! We have named them “pizza-dillas” in our house!

It’s always the random recipes that turn out the best. We held a quesadilla throw down one Sunday evening and things got a little delicious. At first we had planned to make original quesadillas using anything, but the kids decided to have us all pick a meat then create any kind of quesadilla you want.

I ended up with pepperoni and at first was a little bummed. But it turned out to be the best quesadilla ever!! The secret? Oh my goodness, it’s so random and I don’t even know why it works, but a little lime honey drizzle inside of the quesadilla, wow!!! It’s absolutely delicious!!! The buttery, garlic topping and that touch of salt from the cotija cheese, it’s just so good! Always use vista tortillas, my favorite, and Volpi pepperoni is hands down the best!

We make them in the air fryer which makes them extra crispy and delicious, and dinner is on the table in 10 minutes!

Ingredients for Tortilla Pizzas

The ingredients for pizzadillas are simple with a couple of key items that take the flavor profile to the next level! Here is what you will need:

Flour Tortillas: Our favorite brand is Vista, but you can use whatever flour tortillas your family loves.
Mozzarella: Buy a brick of good quality mozzarella cheese and shred it yourself for the best flavor and melt factor.
Pepperoni: Volpi is the best brand ever. I find it here in Utah at Trader Joe’s and Harmons. If you can’t find Volpi, then ask the deli counter worker for a good quality pepperoni.
Butter: I use unsalted butter just to keep the saltiness down, and it’s used to create the garlic butter spread for the outside of the tortilla pizza.
Johnny’s Garlic Spread: I always buy Johnny’s at Costco, but you can find it at most grocery stores or online. Any garlic seasoning would work to mix with the butter for the garlic butter spread.
Honey: A little drizzle inside of the pizzadilla adds a little touch of sweetness that makes all the other flavors burst. You could use hot honey instead if you want a little heat!
Lime Juice: The acidity combined with the honey is the pop of flavor you never knew you were missing in a pizza!
Cotija Cheese: A little sprinkle on top adds another layer of flavor and salty goodness.
- TIP: You could also sprinkle the top with parmesan cheese.
Cilantro: Chopped and sprinkled on top, this adds an herby freshness to the pizza.
Pizza Sauce: You can make your own homemade pizza sauce or buy your favorite store-bought brand.

The measurements for each ingredients can be found by scrolling down to the recipe card at the end of this post.

How to Make Pizza-dillas

If you don’t have time to make pizza dough and do the full scale homemade pizza thing, then quesadilla pizza is the way to go! You get all the flavors of pizza with all the time and effort of traditional homemade pizza. Here are the basic steps:

Prep: Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F.
Air Fry: Sprinkle some mozzarella cheese on one tortilla and top the cheese with pepperoni. Place in the air fryer for 2 minutes.
Create: Stir the butter and Johnny’s Garlic Seasoning together to create the garlic butter.
Drizzle: Remove the pizzadilla from the air fryer and sprinkle with a little more mozzarella and drizzle the honey and lime juice over the whole pizza.
Top: Place another tortilla on top of the pizza and place it back in the air fryer for 2 more minutes. If it doesn’t look crispy and golden, let it cook another minute or two.
Flip: Pull the tortilla pizza out of the air fryer and flip over and stick it back in the air fryer for another couple of minutes to get the other side golden and crispy.
Brush: Remove the pizza quesadilla from the air fryer and brush both sides with the garlic butter.
Sprinkle: Add a sprinkle of cotija cheese and chopped cilantro over the top. Slice and serve with a cup of pizza sauce for dipping!

All of these instructions can also be found in the recipe card down below so keep scrolling for the complete recipe. I am also including instructions for making this recipe on the stove top or in the oven below.

Other Toppings

One of the most loveable things about pizza is that you can personalize it with your favorite pizza toppings. You can totally do that with this tortilla pizza recipe. You can add toppings, swap toppings, make it vegetarian, make it a meat lovers, anything you want! Here are some ideas for additional toppings:

Red Onions
Bell Peppers
Mushrooms
Olives
Sausage
Spinach
Ham
Bacon
Tomatoes
Fresh Basil

Can I Make Tortilla Pizzas on the Stove Top?

If you don’t have an air fryer, or you want to cook more than one crispy tortilla pizza at once, you can totally make them on the stove top.

Place a griddle or a large skillet on the stove over medium high heat. Spread the garlic butter over one side of two tortillas. Place one tortilla in the large skillet, butter side down, and then sprinkle mozzarella over the tortilla. Add the pepperoni (and other toppings if adding more). Drizzle the honey and lime juice over the top and another sprinkle of mozzarella cheese.

Add the other tortilla, butter side up, and let it cook until the cheese is melting and the under side is golden brown and crispy. Carefully flip with a spatula and let the other side cook until golden brown. Remove from the skillet and top it with cotija cheese and chopped cilantro. Slice and serve!

Can I Make a Pizza Quesadilla in the Oven?

Yes! Pizzadillas can also be made in the oven. This is a great option for making 2 or 3 tortilla pizzas at the same time. Set your oven to broil and use a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Add the garlic butter to one side of all the tortillas. Place the tortillas butter side down. Sprinkle them all with mozzarella, add the pepperoni, then stick them in the oven to broil for a minute or two. Keep a close eye on them! You don’t want them to burn!

When the cheese has melted, pull the pan out of the oven and drizzle with the lime juice and honey and another sprinkle of cheese. Place the top tortilla on butter side up and stick in the oven for another minute or two until crispy and golden. Pull the pan out and flip the pizzadillas over. Stick them back in the broiler and cook for another minute until the top is crispy and golden.

If the cheese isn’t quite melted yet, change the oven to bake at 350 degrees, lower the oven rack so it’s in one of the bottom slots and let them back until melted and cooked through. Pull the pan out and top the pizzadillas with cotija cheese and chopped cilantro. Slice and serve!

Storing and Reheating Tips

Pepperoni quesadillas do not store super well. They should be eaten hot and fresh. They will get soggy as they cool and won’t hold up well. If you really need to store leftovers, let them cool completely and store in an airtight container. Reheat in an air fryer or on the stove top.

Pizzadillas are healthier than traditional pizza because you don’t have all the carbs and calories that come with that thick and delicious pizza dough. You also reduce the prep time and baking time when you use flour tortillas instead of dough.

If you are looking for a quick and easy dinner or lunch recipe that satisfies your pizza cravings, then try a pizza quesadilla! They are so simple and delicious, and they only take about 10 minutes to make in the air fryer.

More Quesadilla Recipes to Try: