Mexican Sincronizada Recipe (Ham and Cheese “Quesadilla”)

Last Updated on June 6, 2023 by Catrina

I love a good sincronizada! These fast little snacks are perfect for hungry kids or for a quick, portable meal. You are literally 5 minutes away from Mexico’s version of grilled ham and cheese. Ready to get started?

Sincronizadas (say it like “seen-crow-nee-SA-dahs”) are basically Mexico’s version of a grilled ham and cheese sandwich. Instead of using bread, flour tortillas are layered with ham and cheese and heated until the cheese is ooey gooey and the outside of the tortillas are crispy! You can think of a sincronizada as a ham and cheese “quesadilla”, although quesadillas and sincronizadas have some subtle differences. 

Here in central Mexico, the sincronizada is a delicious snack available at most taquerias. And they often make an appearance in our house too!

Served with salsa, these warm, melty, tortilla stacks are perfect for satisfying an antojo or craving.  I love to make these for a quick kid-friendly breakfast, snack, or dinner. And with only 3 ingredients and 5 minutes, these sincronizadas are easy to make and fast to get on your table. 

What’s in a sincronizada?

• Flour tortillas
• Ham
• Cheese

Yep, that’s it! Check the recipe card for quantities!

Substitutions or variations

Tortillas

The recipe that I make uses regular white flour tortillas. These are the most common type of flour tortillas available where I live, although whole wheat and flavored tortillas are starting to pop up in my local grocery store. You can substitute whole wheat tortillas without any problem. You could even use corn if you are gluten-free, but usually, sincronizadas are made with flour tortillas. 

I typically use smaller flour tortillas, with a diameter of around 7 inches. If you have larger tortillas on hand, increase the amount of ham and cheese so that the tortilla surface is sufficiently covered with the filling ingredients. This will make a larger sincronizada, perfect for sharing!

Cheese

The photo above shows slices of manchego cheese. I sometimes use slices of gouda. I have also made these with Oaxaca cheese, a melty, mild-flavored Mexican cheese often compared to mozzarella. 

If I make these in the US, I typically use a shredded cheese blend (like cheddar or Monterrey jack) or whatever sandwich cheese slices I have on hand.

The point is, use what you have or what you like! As long as it is a cheese that melts, you are good to go!

Ham

Use your deli ham of choice! I typically have sliced deli turkey on hand, so that is what we use.

How to make a sincronizada step-by-step

If you can make a grilled ham and cheese sandwich, then you can make a sincronizada!

Heat your skillet and gather the ingredients

Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat. While your skillet is heating up, gather your ingredients. It’s best to have everything ready to go because these move fast once you start cooking!

Stack your layers

Once the skillet is hot, place one flour tortilla in your pan. Heat on one side for about 15 seconds or until warm. Flip over and start layering your ingredients. 

I layer my cheese on the warm tortilla, then the ham, and finally, top the stack with the second tortilla. 

Melt the cheese and warm it through

Let the cheese start melting and allow the tortilla on the bottom to develop some golden spots. Check the bottom to make sure your tortilla isn’t burning and adjust the heat if necessary!

Flip after about 1 minute to let the other side heat through. 

Ensure that the cheese is fully melted and both sides of your tortilla have golden spots, about another minute more. I like my tortillas a bit crispy, but you can let these cook a bit less if you prefer your sincronizadas to be softer. 

Serve your sincronizada!

Turn off the heat and place the sincronizada on a cutting board. I like to cut mine up in triangles to make them easy for little hands to hold onto. Serve as-is or with your favorite salsa or guacamole!

Tips for making sincronizadas

Watch the pan!

A flour tortilla can go from warm to burnt quickly. So, one of my main tips is to make sure that you watch the pan. Adjust the heat as necessary and flip the sincronizada as needed to keep the tortillas from burning.

Make sure to use cheese that melts

While this may be self-explanatory, it is worth mentioning again! One of the beauties of this dish is the melty, pull of the warm cheese as you bite into the slightly crunchy tortilla.

Some cheeses have a higher melting point than others, meaning that they don’t melt as easily. Cheeses like queso fresco, cotija, or cincho are three types of Mexican cheeses that don’t melt as easily and won’t work well for sincronizadas.

FAQs

What does sincronizada mean in English?

Sincronizada is the Spanish word for synchronized.

How do you say “sincronizada”?

Sincronizada is pronounced like “seen-crow-nee-SA-dah”.

What is the difference between a sincronizada and a quesadilla?

A sincronizada is made with 2 flour tortillas, layered with cheese and ham. It is cooked on a skillet or griddle until the tortilla is a bit crispy and the cheese is melted. 

A quesadilla is typically made with corn tortillas here in central Mexico. Flour tortillas are sometimes used in northern Mexico states or in the US. The filling can include cheese, meat, or vegetables. A quesadilla is made with just 1 tortilla, that is folded in half over the filling ingredients. It is cooked either on a griddle or it can be deep-fried. 

What should I serve with sincronizadas?

Sincronizadas are typically served with salsa on the side. Pico de gallo salsa, fresh green salsa, or even guacamole are good options!

My kids love to eat these on their own as part of a quick breakfast, snack, or dinner. If you wanted to use these as part of a more filling meal, you could serve them with sopa de fideo (a Mexican-style noodle soup), lentil soup, or creamy Peruvian beans!

Related recipes

These warm ham and melted cheese tortilla sandwiches hit the spot! I hope you love sincronizadas as much as we do! Did you make this recipe? Let me know in the comments and leave a star rating!

(The below nutrition label is included as a courtesy. Our terms and conditions explain our nutrition policy.)