Blooming Quesadilla Ring Appetizer (Printable Version)

Mini cheese quesadillas arranged in a stunning blooming ring, baked golden and perfect for party dipping.

# What You Need:

→ Quesadillas

01 - 16 small flour tortillas, 5-6 inches diameter
02 - 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
03 - 2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
04 - 1 cup cooked black beans, drained and rinsed
05 - 1 small red bell pepper, finely diced
06 - 1 small green onion, thinly sliced
07 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
08 - 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
09 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
10 - Salt and black pepper to taste
11 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

→ Garnish and Dipping

12 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
13 - 1 cup prepared salsa
14 - 1/2 cup sour cream
15 - 1 avocado, sliced (optional)
16 - Lime wedges (optional)

# How-To Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - In a large bowl, combine cheddar, Monterey Jack, black beans, bell pepper, green onion, cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly.
03 - Cut each tortilla in half to create 32 semicircles.
04 - Place 1 tablespoon of cheese mixture on each semicircle. Fold the straight edge over the filling to form a triangle, pressing gently to seal.
05 - Arrange quesadilla triangles with points facing inward and slightly overlapping in a tight ring on the baking sheet to create a blooming flower shape.
06 - Brush the tops of all quesadilla triangles with melted butter.
07 - Bake for 18-20 minutes until tortillas are golden brown and cheese is melted.
08 - Slide onto a serving platter and sprinkle with fresh cilantro.
09 - Place salsa, sour cream, and avocado slices in small bowls in the center of the ring. Serve with lime wedges.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It looks like you spent hours on it, but it takes less than an hour from start to finish.
  • Everyone can grab their own piece and dip without needing plates or forks.
  • You can customize every single triangle with different fillings to please every guest.
  • The visual impact makes you look like a total kitchen genius even though it's incredibly simple.
02 -
  • Do not overfill the tortillas or the cheese will ooze out and make them stick together during baking.
  • Arrange the triangles tightly and overlapping, or the ring will fall apart when you try to move it.
  • Brush the butter on generously, it's the difference between pale and beautifully crispy quesadillas.
  • Serve immediately after baking, they lose their crunch quickly once they cool down.
03 -
  • Use a round cake pan or bowl in the center while arranging the triangles to keep the ring shape even and tight.
  • Mix a little melted butter with garlic powder or lime zest before brushing for an extra flavor boost.
  • If you're serving a crowd, make two rings on separate sheets and bake them at the same time.
  • Let the ring rest for two minutes after baking so the cheese sets slightly and the pieces hold together better.
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