When you’re in the mood for something salty, cheesy, and just plain delicious, few dishes can match the comfort of a well-made quesadilla. Originating from Sinaloa, Mexico, this simple yet satisfying treat usually consists of cheese melted inside a crisp tortilla. Yet, despite its enormous potential, the frozen business hasn’t fully embraced the quesadilla in the same way it has for other frozen favorites. We’ve previously explored frozen empanadas and sliders, leading us to this taste test of frozen quesadillas. With options currently limited in the market, we set out to determine which frozen varieties are worth your time and appetite.
Before we jump into the rankings, let’s clarify: this list isn’t comprehensive. Due to availability constraints, several popular brands didn’t make it into our taste test. We even reached out to some manufacturers, hoping to sample more products, but only one responded. So, chances are good that you might find other brands or flavors that we didn’t cover. Honestly, what this ranking emphasizes is just how much untapped potential lies within the frozen quesadilla aisle. The good news? Even if our taste test revealed some outstanding options, there’s always room for improvement. For the nitty-gritty details of how we conducted this taste test, check out the methodology at the article’s end.
Rise & Puff Ham, Egg & Cheese
Let’s be honest: breakfast quesadillas should be a quick and delicious way to start your day. But Rise & Puff’s Ham, Egg & Cheese fell short. The ingredients—including Black Forest ham, cage-free egg whites, and a blend of Swiss cheese—sounded promising, but the overall experience didn’t quite deliver. The ham had a pleasingly mild flavor, which is always a plus, but the other components turned our first taste into a mushy affair. With each bite, we found ourselves confronting a texture issue that resembled more of a watery mix than a hearty quesadilla. By the end of our tasting session, we were left with puddles of liquid sitting in our dish—a far from ideal outcome.
To make things worse, the tortilla felt great on the edges but became a soggy mess in the middle—definitely not the crispy bite you crave when indulging in a quesadilla. This unfortunate texture combo led us to give Rise & Puff’s breakfast option the last spot in our rankings.
Rise & Puff Turkey Bacon & Sausage, Egg Whites With Cheese
In a similar fashion, the Turkey Bacon & Sausage, Egg Whites with Cheese quesadilla from Rise & Puff hardly garnered any rave reviews. Despite our hopes, it ended up following closely behind its breakfast counterpart. While the combination of turkey bacon and sausage had the potential to shine, the flavor profile oddly hinted more toward ham, leaving us scratching our heads. It’s not that turkey is tasteless—far from it—but the ingredient mix seemed decidedly off.
The flavors of the other fillings were decent enough, and we even enjoyed a satisfying cheese pull from the reduced-fat sharp cheddar. The tortilla, crisped to perfection, was a plus, holding its own beautifully when lifted. Yet, this quesadilla also suffered from a common issue we encountered in our rankings: an all-too-lean cheese presence. It seems that “less is more” doesn’t hold up when it comes to cheesy goodness.
Rise & Puff BBQ Chicken
For barbecue aficionados, a BBQ chicken quesadilla seems like a natural hit, calling to mind the beloved barbecue chicken pizza classic. While inviting layers of chicken, barbecue sauce, and cheese are usual staples, Rise & Puff’s version left us with empty expectations. With no elaborate toppings like red onions or cilantro, the quesadilla felt one-dimensional and lacking any exciting contrasts.
While the flavor was pleasant enough—it simply did its job— it failed to create any lasting impressions. Much like the Turkey Bacon & Sausage, this quesadilla also struggled with sogginess at the center, making it a chore to eat. The chicken seemed to cling together like a large clump, making it challenging to enjoy the dish as a whole.
Overall, while some frozen quesadillas showed promise, there’s still a long way to go in making this cherished snack more accessible in frozen form. If you’re someone who appreciates the comforting simplicity of a quesadilla, it might be worth keeping an eye out for some of these options—or perhaps patiently waiting for a few new and better creations to hit the freezer aisle.
Our culinary adventures kicked off with a promise — every single quesadilla had potential waiting to be explored. But as we sank our teeth into the crisp exterior of one quesadilla, we couldn’t help but feel a wave of disappointment wash over us. Although it was a noble attempt, this one still required fine-tuning in both flavor and texture before it could earn a place among the best.
Delimex Crispy Char-Grilled Chicken
Among the sea of store-bought quesadillas, the Delimex Crispy Char-Grilled Chicken stands out as the only one we consistently spotted in supermarkets. Of course, availability varies by location, but it’s worth noting this option frequently finds its way into carts during grocery runs. It appears to be a favorite among those looking to satisfy a quesadilla craving.
Hailed as a “char-grilled chicken quesadilla” on the packaging, we had high hopes, especially given Taco Bell’s success with a similar flavor. While it wasn’t a complete letdown, it left us wanting a bit more — particularly when it came to size. Many competing quesadillas we sampled stretched to 8 inches, but this Delimex version came in at just 6.5 inches. At $8.49 for a box of two, it felt like we were paying a premium for a smaller portion, translating to $4.25 per quesadilla.
In terms of taste, this quesadilla was decent but not particularly memorable. The filling was composed of chicken rib meat, Monterey Jack, and cheddar cheeses, all enveloped in a flour tortilla. While the ingredient list hinted at a blend of spices including garlic and soy sauce, these flavors barely made an appearance. The crisping sleeve — reminiscent of a Hot Pocket’s — did imbue the tortilla with a satisfying crunch, but the underwhelming filling left us feeling unsatisfied.
Rise & Puff Pesto & Goat Cheese
This entry caught us off guard with its creativity. The Rise & Puff Pesto & Goat Cheese quesadilla offered a wonderful twist amidst our otherwise chicken-centered lineup. It combined pesto and goat cheese with part-skim mozzarella and aged Parmesan, creating a refreshing change of pace.
The pesto flavor was bold and delightful, though the goat cheese was somewhat overshadowed. If you’re someone who’s hesitant about the tangy profile of goat cheese, this quesadilla might serve as a gentle introduction. Just a heads-up — while the taste was pleasing, we wished for a heftier filling since this option relied solely on cheese and pesto, leaving us a bit hungry, especially considering its $5 price tag.
Rise & Puff Pizza Margherita
The Pizza Margherita variant from Rise & Puff proved to be another delightful surprise, though we found it lacking in substance. However, when it comes to a classic blend of tomatoes and cheese, this one easily topped its pesto-based counterpart.
The bright and zesty tomato sauce packed a flavorful punch that almost compensated for the absence of substantial fillings. The smooth cheese was satisfying, but it found itself somewhat muted behind the tangy sauce. Biting into it felt reminiscent of a tortilla dipped in delicious marinara rather than enjoying a fully loaded quesadilla. Still, if you can’t find this in stores, we recommend trying our ultimate Margherita pizza toast recipe — just as tasty, and far less frustrating!
Rise & Puff Chipotle Chicken
The Rise & Puff Chipotle Chicken quesadilla is a standout choice, comparable in many ways to the Delimex version. This quesadilla developed a wonderful crispiness when cooked, yet its moist interior balanced out the texture beautifully. The filling had just the right amount of kick, intensifying with every bite. With a trio of cheeses—cheddar, Monterey Jack, and part-skim mozzarella—this wasn’t just a quesadilla; it was an experience.
While the ingredient list featured only a handful of seasonings, it resulted in a delicious smoky flavor that added a welcome depth. This option proved to be more flavorful than its Delimex rival, plus its bigger size made it a more satisfying snack — just what you need for a mid-afternoon pick-me-up.
Puff’s offerings, especially their quesadillas, are often hailed as a solid value for their $5 retail price. With a hefty 20 grams of protein packed in each one, it’s hard not to appreciate that nutritional boost. But what really wins over taste buds is the generous helping of gooey, melty cheese that fills the tortilla, bringing a satisfying richness to every bite.
When we tried Rise & Puff’s Ooey Gooey Cheese quesadilla, our expectations were low, given its straightforward ingredient list of aged cheddar, Monterey Jack, and Oaxaca cheeses. Yet, once we fried it up, we were pleasantly surprised. This quesadilla delivered not just on flavor but also on satisfaction. The tortilla crisped up beautifully and the cheese inside was hot and stretchy, creating a delightful contrast. Unlike some quesadillas that leave you feeling like you’re just snacking, this one felt substantial. Despite its simplicity, it managed to hit the spot. The only drawback? Its texture could have been more exciting. While it was outright tasty, we felt that at $5, there might be other options that offer a bit more complexity in terms of flavor or texture. Still, we found ourselves reaching for more of this one than any other we’ve tried.
Now, let’s talk about the Rise & Puff Turkey Sausage & Cheese quesadilla, which takes the runner-up position. This one was an unexpected delight. After a disappointing encounter with their Turkey Bacon & Sausage quesadilla—where the flavors felt a bit off—we were relieved to find this version better executed. The turkey flavor was savory and delicious, paired with reduced-fat cheddar that lent a creamy quality to each bite. What set it apart from the Ooey Gooey Cheese option was its texture. The addition of the turkey sausage gave it a sturdy, satisfying chew, making it feel like a heartier meal. Of course, a tiny nitpick is that we would have loved just a tad more cheese. After all, is there such a thing as too much cheese in a quesadilla? While we enjoyed the pull of cheese we got, there’s always room for more cheese goodness.
Finally, we’ve got the top contender, the Rise & Puff Pizza Uncured Pepperoni quesadilla. Now, it might sound simplistic, but there’s nothing quite like a well-made pepperoni pizza to hit that comfort food craving. This quesadilla comes with part-skim mozzarella and a rich pizza sauce, setting it apart from the rest. The tortilla crisps up perfectly when cooked on the stove, holding together like a champion without becoming overly greasy.
What really impressed us was the pepperoni—a perfect zing, providing a chewy texture that enhanced the overall experience. Its blend of tomatoes, spices, and the flavorful sausage made each bite satisfying. Sure, we might crave just a bit more cheese, but the balance it achieved was impressive. At $5, this quesadilla earns its price tag with ample meat and flavor, making it the worthy winner in our quesadilla rankings.
To determine the best of the best among these frozen quesadillas, we evaluated them based on taste, texture, and construction. We found ourselves particularly focused on how crispy and well-browned the exterior was and whether the inside offered that blissfully hot and creamy charm. Each quesadilla needed to maintain its shape, even after slicing. Although preparation ease was also considered, all brands pretty much matched expectations there.
We opted to heat up the Rise & Puff quesadillas in a skillet for that perfect crispiness, cooking them for about five minutes on each side. They also provided alternative cooking methods like microwaving and air frying, but we knew that pan-frying would give us the best results. Delimex quesadillas, on the other hand, only had microwave instructions but came equipped with a crisping sleeve that worked wonders.
Finally, we kept an eye on pricing as well, because value isn’t just about the quality of the ingredients. It also has to align with what you’re paying. Though Rise & Puff offered samples for our review, rest assured that our evaluations were unbiased. Other quesadillas were judged strictly on their retail price alongside their merits, ensuring our assessments are both fair and thorough.
Image Source: Metamore Studio / Shutterstock
