No one can match the taste of Applebee’s Quesadilla, but I’ve spent months trying to crack their secret recipe! After countless attempts (and many happy taste testers), this copycat version of their quesadilla with bacon comes amazingly close to the original. I’ll never forget the first time I served these at a family gathering. My brother-in-law, who practically lives at Applebee’s, couldn’t believe I hadn’t just ordered takeout! The perfect blend of crispy bacon, melty cheese, and that signature hint of Pico de Gallo creates that authentic restaurant experience right in your kitchen.
This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Table of Contents
Why This Recipe Works
The secret to recreating Applebee’s famous quesadillas is understanding their technique and ingredient quality. You get that perfect melt and authentic flavor by combining Colby and Monterey Jack cheeses rather than a pre-shredded mix. Adding Pico de Gallo directly into the filling (not just as a topping) creates pockets of freshness that cut through the richness of the cheese and bacon. Finally, buttering the tortillas instead of cooking spray gives you that crispy, golden exterior distinctively Applebee’s.
Why You’ll Love This Copycat Recipe for Applebee’s Cheesy Quesadillas
- Restaurant-quality taste – Enjoy Applebee’s flavor without leaving home
- Budget-friendly – Make four servings for less than the price of one restaurant order
- Customizable – Easily adjust spice levels or add ingredients to suit your taste
- Perfect for entertaining – Impressive appetizer that’s simple to prepare
- Kid and adult favorite – Appeals to everyone from picky eaters to foodies
- Quick preparation – Ready in less than 30 minutes for last-minute cravings
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Picante sauce – Adds customizable heat and acidity that cuts through the richness
- Bacon – Provides savory, smoky flavor and crispy texture contrast
- Flour tortillas – Creates the perfect crispy exterior when buttered and pan-fried
- Butter – Ensures golden browning and adds rich flavor to the tortillas
- Fresh Pico de Gallo – Adds fresh, bright flavors that balance the rich cheese and bacon
- Colby Jack cheese – Delivers the perfect melt and distinctive flavor Applebee’s is known for
- Sour cream – Serves as a cooling dip that complements the warm quesadilla
- Guacamole – Provides creamy texture and contrasting flavor for dipping
How to Make Applebee’s Quesadillas
- Slice the bacon into pieces and fry it until the bacon starts to turn crisp but not hard and brittle. Drain off the grease.
- Spread butter lightly on one side of the tortillas.
- Place the buttered side of a tortilla down in the skillet that has been preheated on medium heat.
- Sprinkle bacon over the entire tortilla.
- Spread Pico de Gallo and shredded cheese over the bacon.
- Place the second tortilla on top, buttered side up.
- Cook for minute or two, long enough to heat the inside ingredients.
- Carefully flip the quesadilla on the other side until heated through but not browned.
- Transfer the quesadilla to a plate.
- Cut it into triangles and serve it with your favorite guacamole, sour cream, and salsa or picante sauce.
Applebee’s Bacon Quesadilla Copycat
Ingredients
- 2 slices bacon cut into 1/2 inch pieces
- 2 flour tortillas burrito size
- 2 teaspoons butter
- 1 tablespoon Pico de Gallo
- 1/4 cup colby jack cheese shredded
- 1 tablespoon sour cream
- 1 tablespoon guacamole
- 1 tablespoon picante sauce
Instructions
- Slice the bacon into pieces and and fry it in a non-stick skillet until the bacon starts to turn crisp but not hard and brittle.
- Transfer the bacon from the skillet to a paper towel-lined plate to drain off the grease.
- Pour off the grease from the skillet and wipe it clean. Put the skillet over medium heat.
- Spread butter lightly on one side of the tortillas.
- Place the buttered side of a tortilla down in the skillet that has been preheated on medium heat.
- Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of bacon over the entire tortilla.
- Spread 1 tablespoon Pico de Gallo and 1/4 cup shredded Colby Jack cheese over the bacon.
- Place the second tortilla on top, buttered side up.
- Cook for about one or two minutes, just long enough to heat the inside ingredients.
- Carefully flip the quesadilla on the other side and finish cooking. The quesadilla should be heated through but not browned.
- Remove the quesadilla from the skillet and place it on a plate.
- Cut the quesadilla into triangles.
- Serve quesadillas with your favorite guacamole, sour cream, and salsa or picante sauce.
Nutrition
More Applebee’s Copycat Recipes
- Applebee’s French Onion Soup
- Applebee’s Four Cheese Mac and Cheese
- Bourbon Street Steak
- Oriental Salad Dressing
- Perfect Margarita
- Quesadilla Burger
- Queso Blanco
- Triple Chocolate Meltdown
Check out my easy appetizer recipes and the best Mexican food recipes here on CopyKat!
Try draining all moisture from Pico de Gallo, then mix the Pico, bacon and cheese all together before placing on tortilla shell. It makes it much easier to evenly distribute all components.
Is the cheese in Applebees quesadillas real or is it processed ? My son is on a special diet. Thank you
I would ask Applebees, my recipe it is not processed.
Put in copycat recipes from Applebee’s and put in spinach artichoke dip and it comes right up with it I made it and it turned out really good
Applebee’s Spinach and Artichoke Dip, I am a new computer person, how can I find the recipe for this dip? thank you
I am sorry I don’t have this recipe. I will note your suggestion.
Qdoba’s Quesadilla is better than Applebee’s if I may say. *sigh But who cares if you can make your own? :3
Having worked for Applebees as a GM for 7 years, we would drain fresh-made pico and mix the cheese/bacon bits in with it & portion into 5 oz. portions for food cost control and consistency of product. We used six-inch shells for the small quesadillas (2) & 10-inch shells (1 folded over) for the large chicken & steak quesadillas. If you don’t have a kitchen scale to weigh out the filling, a large “handful” of filling is about 5 oz.
Thanks for the info. Mucho appreciated ❤️
This recipe was so close to Applebees.
If you could find a copycat recipe for Applebee’s Spinach and Artichoke Dip….that would be amazing!!! 😀 None of the spinach and artichoke dips I have made have even come CLOSE to the Applebee’s version :}
Loved these, I made these for the family they were so easy to make. And easy to.