Blooming Quesadilla Ring Appetizer (Printable Version)

Mini cheese quesadillas arranged in a stunning blooming ring, baked golden and served with salsa for dipping.

# Ingredient List:

→ 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)

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - In a large bowl, combine cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, black beans, bell pepper, green onion, cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix until evenly distributed.
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 on baking sheet with points facing inward and slightly overlapping in a tight ring to form 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 quesadillas 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 the whole thing comes together in about 40 minutes from start to finish.
  • Everyone can grab their own piece without a plate, which makes it perfect for standing-room parties or game nights.
  • You can sneak in whatever leftovers you have in the fridge and call it a creative filling.
  • The ring shape turns a simple quesadilla into something people want to photograph before they eat it.
02 -
  • Don't overfill the triangles or the cheese will ooze out and glue them to the pan, making it impossible to lift the ring cleanly.
  • Overlapping the triangles tightly is what holds the ring together, so don't leave big gaps or it'll fall apart when you try to move it.
  • Serve this within about 20 minutes of baking because the tortillas lose their crisp if they sit too long.
03 -
  • Use a pizza cutter to slice the tortillas in half, it's faster and cleaner than a knife.
  • If the ring feels wobbly when you try to move it, slide a large spatula underneath to support it while transferring to the platter.
  • Add a pinch of cayenne or diced jalapeños to the filling if your crowd likes heat.
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