Vegan Quesadillas Recipe | Mashed Avocado & Refried Bean Quesadillas (2024)

January 9, 2018 By Shannon @ Yup, it's Vegan 12 Comments

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I’ve been sharing a lot of recipes with cheese analogues the past couple of months and I thought I’d switch it up this time. I’ve made great vegan quesadillas over the years using various cheese substitutes, but how about a plant-based quesadilla that doesn’t rely on anything cheezy at all?

Consequently, the vegan quesadillas that I have for you today are of the avocado variety. Instead of making an extra component of cashew mozzarella or the like to hold the tortilla together, mashed up seasoned avocado and refried beans do that job for us today.

This no cheese version doesn’t taste the exact same as a non vegan quesadilla, but does it need to? With delicious fajita-seasoned stir-fried vegetables and creamy avocado, I certainly don’t miss the other stuff.

Browsing the other offerings for vegan quesadillas on the internet I see a whole list of interesting fillings standing in for the cheese:

Hummus – this sounds rather delicious, but distinctly Mediterranean tasting. Have any of you tried it?
Mashed sweet potato – surely tasty. I know from my sweet potato tortilla soup that this can be a great flavor combo.
Beans blended up with tomato paste and nutritional yeast – I’m very intrigued by this version and will report back here when I’ve given it a try!
Daiya – I’m sure you already know how this makes me feel.

Smashed Avocado Vegan Quesadillas

Your basic vegan quesadillas made with everyday ingredients: refried beans, mashed avocado, and stir-fried vegetables.

Course lunch

Cuisine dairy-free, Mexican, vegan, vegetarian

Ingredients

For the spice mix:

1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp paprika
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
1/4 tsp ancho chili powder (or use cayenne pepper or chili powder to taste)
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp salt

For the vegetables:

1 tbsp olive oil
1 bell pepper sliced into strips
1 small zucchini or yellow squash diced or cut into quarter-moons
1 small red onion thinly sliced

For the smashed avocado:

2 ripe avocados mashed well
1 lime juiced
salt and pepper to taste

To assemble, cook, and serve the vegan quesadillas:

6 flour tortillas (I usually use whole wheat)
1 16-oz can vegetarian refried beans (1.5 cups) (I love Trader Joe's brand)
chopped fresh cilantro (coriander)
1 tbsp vegetable oil divided
salsa for serving

Instructions

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-heat high. Get the spice mix ready by adding all of the spices to a small bowl. Once the oil is hot, add the bell pepper, zucchini, and red onion.
Cook the vegetables over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, until nicely browned and softened, about 5 minutes. Add the spices and cook for 1 minute more, or until fragrant; remove from the heat and set aside.
Stir the lime juice into the mashed avocado. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Fill your vegan quesadillas. Take a tortilla and lay it flat. Onto one half of it, spread about one sixth of the refried beans, then avocado, and vegetables, and chopped fresh cilantro if desired. Fold the tortilla in half to close it. Repeat until all of the tortillas are filled.
Clean out your skillet and heat it over medium heat. Lightly oil it and then add a folded vegan quesadilla to the pan. (Cook 2 at a time if you have enough space). Cook until lightly browned and crisped, then flip over and repeat on the other side; about 3-4 minutes per side. Repeat until all of the quesadillas are cooked. Serve with salsa of choice!

Notes

Nutrition will vary depending on the refried beans and tortillas used.

Nutrition

If you must use vegan cheese in these quesadillas, I heartily recommend my cashew mozzarella or Miyoko’s mozzarella!