Kale + Spinach with Apple Quesadilla
A filling and healthy version of your standard quesadilla – filled with a kale, spinach and apple spread and loaded with beans and cheese for a complete meal that most toddlers (and parents) can’t resist!!
Who doesn’t love a warm quesadilla that is crunchy on the outside and gooey and creamy on the inside????
((everyone except my kiddos raises their hands))
Especially if this quesadilla is perfect for dipping into some steaming tomato soup on a cold day, or used as a vehicle to get guacamole into your mouth, or to be used as a side dish to your game day beer!
It’s like quesadilla daydreams happening right now!
To say that I LOOOOOOVEEEEEE a good quesadilla is an understantment! I usually get up on Sunday morning and while drinking my second cup of coffee I start to piece together what ingredients I am going to toss into my 11 o’clock lunch quesadilla.
I mean, just because we are grown ups doesn’t mean we can’t partake and enjoy a kid favorite! Right!?!
Except when your kids don’t eat quesadillas at all! <—— not exactly sure what is wrong with them, but I am working on it! I know real life mom problems happening here! And don’t think I don’t get the irony in the fact that I am writing a kid food post for a kids blog when my kids don’t actually like the food I am writing about! I get it! The thing is I know your kids probably devour foods like quesadilla, sandwiches and grilled cheese on the regular, as they should!
Back to me – recipe is for my newest quesadilla obsession and it that also happens to be healthy.
((some hands drop))
Don’t let this fool you – these quesadillas rock!
First, we start by making a healthy kale, spinach and apple spread. Because I for one don’t like to bite into my warm quesadilla and get a mouthful of kale. And I know for sure, every toddler will back me up on this one.
So we quickly whip up a kale, spinach and apple spread.
!!!!!WARNING – this spread is good!!!!!! You should probably make a double batch of this spread so you can add some to your scrambled eggs or toss into some leftover pasta. Just saying…
Then we take some healthy whole wheat tortillas, spread the kale spread onto one piece, sprinkle a few beans on for some extra protein and the add a good layer of cheese.
You could also add some cooked chicken or beef, red peppers, chunks of apple, jalapeños (for grown ups) or even some fresh cilantro.
Now, does that sound like a tasty and healthy quesadilla that both the kiddos and you will become obsessed with??
((all hands go back up))
That’s what I thought!
Now, I just have to get my girls on the quesadilla train! But for now that means I get to eat all of these quesadillas by myself!!!!!
COOKING WITH KIDS
You can easily have your kids help you make these quesadillas.
- They can pick out and measure the ingredients.
- They can put the pesto ingredients into the blender. Teach them that the blades are sharp and to be careful.
- With help, they can help to place the toppings on the tortillas.
Get the recipe: Kale + Spinach Quesadilla
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup packed spinach
- 2 kale leaves, de-stemed
- 1/2 apple, cored and chopped
- 1 clove garlic
- salt and pepper
- 4 10-inch tortillas
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheese, seperated
- 1/4 cup white beans, washed
- 1 tbsp olive oil or coconut oil
For Spicy Lime Sauce
- 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1/2 lime juiced
- 1/4 tsp Sriracha
Instructions
- In a food processor or blender, add in spinach, kale, apple, garlic, salt, pepper and 1/4 cup of cheese and pulse until just combined, scrapping down sides as needed.
- Pre-heat large skillet over medium heat. Pour in half of the oil and let it get hot.
- Take 1 tortilla and spread half of the kale mixture onto it, sprinkle half of the beans and half of the remaining cheese. Cover with a tortilla and place into skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes per side until the tortilla is golden brown and the cheese is melted. Repeat the process with the remaining tortillas and ingredients.
- Meanwhile, in a small bowl, add the yogurt, lime juice and Sriracha (to taste) and mix until all ingredients are incorporated.
- Let quesadilla cool slightly, cut into wedges, drizzle with spicy lime sauce and serve. I also recommend serving this with a big bowl of guacamole:)
Notes
Did you make this recipe?
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12 Comments on “Kale + Spinach with Apple Quesadilla”
You keep out doing yourself! After following your website since my daughter started on solids in late 2014, buying your cookbook and getting it sent to me in New Zealand, and then making this for my 17month old today for for afternoon tea and ‘oh my’ she could not get enough of it. Thank you for all your amazing, nutritious recipes. x
Hello Adele!!!
Wow, thanks for being a long time reader! I love that your toddler couldn’t get enough of these quesadillas! So awesome!!!
xo, Michele
ps – book #2 is going to be available down under!!!:)
You keep out doing yourself! After following your website since my daughter started on solids in late 2014, buying your cookbook and getting it sent to me in New Zealand, and then making this for my 17month old today for for afternoon tea and ‘oh my’ she could not get enough of it. Thank you for all your amazing, nutritious recipes. x
Hello Adele!!!
Wow, thanks for being a long time reader! I love that your toddler couldn’t get enough of these quesadillas! So awesome!!!
xo, Michele
ps – book #2 is going to be available down under!!!:)
My boys (14 months and 40 years) went nuts for these! Neither of them is a huge kale fan and they just devoured these. The combination of apple and garlic really made them delicious!
So glad both of your both went nuts over these!!! I used this same recipes this weekend for grilled cheese and tomato soup, OMG! The girls couldn’t get enough of it!
xo, Michele
My boys (14 months and 40 years) went nuts for these! Neither of them is a huge kale fan and they just devoured these. The combination of apple and garlic really made them delicious!
So glad both of your both went nuts over these!!! I used this same recipes this weekend for grilled cheese and tomato soup, OMG! The girls couldn’t get enough of it!
xo, Michele
What’s the best wrap to hae for the quesadilla for 9 + baby?
You can use any tortilla you prefer – whole wheat, white, etc. Just make sure it’s soft enough for baby to chew.
This might be a dumb question but are the beans baked/canned? Because otherwise I don’t see how they get cooked.
I use canned (and rinsed) beans for this recipe. You can use dried beans, but you will have to cook them first. Hope that helps.