Blooming Quesadilla Ring Appetizer (Printable)

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

# 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 your 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, diced bell pepper, sliced 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 the 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 the blooming ring 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 Suggestions:

01 -
  • It looks like you spent hours, but it comes together in less than half that time.
  • Every piece is a handheld, cheesy bite with perfectly crisp edges.
  • You can stuff them with whatever's in your fridge and they still turn out beautiful.
  • The center becomes a dip station, so there's no juggling bowls around the table.
02 -
  • Don't overfill the tortillas or they'll split open during baking, a tablespoon is really all you need.
  • Press the edges firmly but gently so the filling stays put, but the tortilla doesn't tear.
  • Arrange the triangles tightly, gaps will make the ring look loose and less impressive.
  • Serve this hot from the oven, the cheese gets gummy and the tortillas lose their crispness once it cools.
03 -
  • Use a round pizza pan or cake pan as a guide to keep your ring perfectly circular while you arrange the triangles.
  • Brush the butter on generously, it's the difference between pale and beautifully golden.
  • If your tortillas are stiff, warm them for a few seconds in the microwave so they fold without cracking.
  • Set out the dips in small, shallow bowls so they're easy to reach and the ring stays the focal point.
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