Blooming Quesadilla Ring Appetizer (Printable)

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

# What You'll Need:

→ Quesadillas

01 - 16 small flour tortillas, 5 to 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 Make It:

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 well.
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 the quesadilla triangles with points facing inward and slightly overlapping in a tight ring on the baking sheet to form a blooming flower shape.
06 - Brush the tops of all quesadilla triangles with melted butter.
07 - Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, or until tortillas are golden and cheese is melted.
08 - Slide onto a serving platter. Sprinkle with fresh cilantro.
09 - Place salsa, sour cream, and avocado slices in small bowls in the center of the ring for dipping. Serve with lime wedges.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks like you spent hours arranging it, but really you just folded triangles in a circle.
  • Everyone pulls their own piece, so there's no awkward slicing or serving.
  • You can make it mild or spicy depending on who's coming over.
  • It stays warm long enough that people can graze without you reheating anything.
02 -
  • Don't overfill the tortillas or the cheese will leak out and glue them to the pan.
  • Press the edges firmly after folding so they don't pop open in the oven.
  • If your tortillas are stiff, warm them for a few seconds in the microwave so they fold without cracking.
  • Arrange them tightly in the ring so they support each other and bake evenly.
03 -
  • Use parchment paper instead of greasing the pan, it makes transferring the ring so much easier.
  • Let the ring cool for two or three minutes before moving it so the cheese sets slightly and holds together.
  • If you want extra crispy edges, brush the tops with a little olive oil mixed with the butter.
  • Make the filling a few hours ahead and keep it in the fridge, then assemble and bake right before serving.
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