Salvadoran Quesadilla with Fresh Cheese and Anise

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A warm, soft Salvadoran quesadilla made with rice flour and fresh cheese, lightly sweetened and flavored with a hint of anise for a comforting afternoon treat. This latin american-inspired snacks ready in about 25 minutes pairs rice flour, granulated sugar, baking powder for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 180 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart.

★ 4.2 (15 ratings) Prep: 10 min Cook: 15 min Serves 6 Latin American cuisine 180 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 2 cups rice flour, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon ground anise seed until evenly combined.
  2. Step 2: Add 1 cup crumbled fresh farmer's cheese, 1 1/4 cups whole milk, and 3 tablespoons melted unsalted butter to the dry ingredients. Stir with a wooden spoon until a smooth, thick batter forms.
  3. Step 3: Heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Once hot, pour 1/4 cup batter per quesadilla, spreading gently to form 5-inch rounds.
  4. Step 4: Cook quesadillas for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown edges develop and the center is set.
  5. Step 5: Transfer cooked quesadillas to a wire rack to cool slightly. Serve warm alongside a cup of coffee or hot chocolate.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Salvadoran Quesadilla with Fresh Cheese and Anise take to make?

Total time is about 25 minutes (10 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Salvadoran Quesadilla with Fresh Cheese and Anise?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep rice flour from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Salvadoran Quesadilla with Fresh Cheese and Anise?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Salvadoran Quesadilla with Fresh Cheese and Anise for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Salvadoran Quesadilla with Fresh Cheese and Anise?

Latin American snacks like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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