How many calories are in 2 quesadillas? A detailed guide

December 3, 2025 •

3 min read

The calorie count in a quesadilla varies significantly, with a single cheese quesadilla ranging from 300 to over 700 calories. The total for two quesadillas relies entirely on preparation and ingredients.

Quick Summary

This nutritional analysis explores the wide range of calories in two quesadillas. The guide examines how tortilla type, cheese amount, and protein affect the total calorie count. It provides practical advice for lowering calories while still enjoying quesadillas.

Key Points

Varying Calorie Counts: A two-quesadilla serving can range from approximately 500 to over 1,200 calories depending on ingredients and portion size.
Tortilla Type Matters: Using smaller, corn, or low-carb tortillas helps lower the carbohydrate and calorie count.
Cheese is a Major Factor: The amount and type of cheese are primary calorie contributors; use less cheese or reduced-fat versions to help cut calories.
Lean Protein is Best: Choosing lean protein like chicken breast or beans instead of high-fat steak can reduce the calorie and saturated fat content.
Cooking Methods and Toppings Matter: Pan-frying in oil or adding high-fat toppings increases calories; healthier methods include using cooking spray and fresh salsa.
Customize for Control: You can manage quesadilla calories by choosing lower-calorie ingredients and portion sizes.

Factors that Influence Quesadilla Calories

The Tortilla Choice

The tortilla is the base of a quesadilla. The type of tortilla is the first factor to consider when controlling calories. A standard large flour tortilla (8-10 inches) has about 150-200 calories without any additions. Smaller, corn-based, or low-carb tortillas help to reduce calories. Whole-wheat tortillas offer more fiber and nutrients.

Cheese as a Major Calorie Contributor

Cheese is a key ingredient in quesadillas and a significant source of calories and saturated fat. While a small amount provides flavor and protein, adding too much cheese can make the dish calorie-dense. Some restaurant cheese quesadillas can contain over 700 calories for a single quesadilla because of the large amount of cheese. Reduced-fat shredded cheese or using less cheese can lower the total count.

Protein Fillings: Lean vs. Fatty

The type of protein, like chicken, steak, or beans, also affects the nutritional profile. A grilled chicken breast is a lean protein source, while steak and other preparations, particularly those cooked with oil, have more fat and calories. Adding lean protein like chicken or black beans increases satiety without a large increase in calories.

Additional Ingredients and Toppings

Sauces, oils, and toppings all add up. Many restaurants cook quesadillas in oil or butter, which increases calories. Toppings like sour cream, guacamole, and high-fat sauces can also increase calories. On the other hand, adding vegetables such as onions, peppers, and spinach can boost nutritional value without many calories.

Calorie Comparison: Two Quesadilla Examples

The following table shows the approximate calorie difference between different types of two-quesadilla servings. Values may vary based on ingredients, serving size, and cooking method.


Quesadilla Type (for 2)	Approximate Calories	Macronutrient Breakdown	Notes
Basic Cheese	650-800	High in fat, moderate carbs	Standard tortillas and full-fat cheese are used.
Fast-Food Chicken	1000-1100	Balanced macros, high sodium	Restaurant nutrition data, including sauces is the basis.
Lean Chicken & Veggie	550-650	High in protein, lower fat	Lean chicken breast, reduced-fat cheese, and whole-wheat tortillas are used.
Beef & Extra Cheese	1200+	Very high in fat and calories	Larger portion sizes, higher-fat meat, and extra cheese are used.
Low-Carb with Veggies	450-550	Higher protein, low carbs	Low-carb tortillas, reduced-fat cheese, and non-starchy vegetables are used.

How to Prepare Healthier, Lower-Calorie Quesadillas

Consider these tips for those who want to enjoy quesadillas with fewer calories:

Choose your tortilla wisely: Select smaller, whole-wheat, or low-carb tortillas.
Use less cheese: A small amount of reduced-fat cheese provides good flavor.
Focus on lean protein: Incorporate chicken breast, beans, or turkey instead of fattier meats.
Add lots of vegetables: Fill the quesadilla with sautéed onions, bell peppers, spinach, or mushrooms to add nutrients and volume without significant calories.
Use healthy cooking methods: Use a non-stick pan with a minimal amount of cooking spray instead of frying in oil. Baking is also an option for a crispy finish without added fat.
Substitute toppings: Swap high-fat sour cream for plain Greek yogurt, and use fresh salsa instead of calorie-dense sauces.

Conclusion: Making a Healthier Choice

The calorie count of two quesadillas can be controlled by making informed choices about ingredients. Restaurant versions with a lot of cheese can exceed 1,000 calories, while homemade versions with lean protein and vegetables can be half that amount. Customizing your quesadilla with mindful ingredient choices and cooking methods is the most effective way to manage your calorie intake. For nutritional guidance and recipes, resources like Slender Kitchen provide good information.

Frequently Asked Questions

Two standard cheese quesadillas can range from 650 to over 800 calories, depending on the tortilla size and the amount of cheese.

Chicken quesadillas can be healthier if they use lean, grilled chicken and a moderate amount of cheese. However, if they contain a large amount of fatty meat and cheese, they can be as high in calories as a cheese-only version.

To reduce calories, use smaller or whole-wheat tortillas, reduced-fat cheese, lean proteins like chicken breast or black beans, and load up on vegetables. Cook with a non-stick spray instead of oil and use salsa instead of sour cream.

Yes, fast-food quesadillas often have more calories due to larger portions, more cheese, high-fat sauces, and being cooked in a lot of oil. A single fast-food chicken quesadilla can be over 500 calories, meaning two would exceed 1000.

Healthy toppings include fresh salsa, pico de gallo, Greek yogurt, sautéed vegetables, and a modest amount of guacamole. These add flavor and nutrients without excessive fat and calories.

The size of the tortilla has a significant impact on calories. A large (8-10 inch) flour tortilla has about 150-200 calories, while a smaller, corn, or low-carb option will be much lower.

Yes, you can make a low-carb quesadilla by using low-carb or zero-carb tortillas, lean protein and vegetables, and a moderate amount of reduced-fat cheese.