Blooming Quesadilla Ring Appetizer (Printable)

Mini cheese quesadillas arranged in a blooming ring, baked until golden and perfect for dipping at parties.

# 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)

# Directions:

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 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 Tips:

01 -
  • It looks like you spent hours but actually takes less time than arguing over what to order for delivery.
  • Everyone can grab their own piece without awkward serving spoon negotiations.
  • The crispy edges and gooey center hit that perfect texture contrast that makes people reach for seconds.
  • You can customize each triangle if your guests have strong opinions about beans.
02 -
  • Don't overfill the triangles or they'll burst open in the oven and you'll have a cheesy mess instead of a showstopper.
  • Press the ring tightly together before baking so the pieces support each other and don't fall apart when you transfer to the platter.
  • Serve this immediately because the tortillas lose their crispness as they sit, and nobody wants a soggy quesadilla ring.
03 -
  • Use two different cheeses because the mix of sharp and creamy makes each bite more interesting than a single variety ever could.
  • Brush butter on the tops right before baking, not earlier, or the tortillas will absorb it and turn greasy instead of crispy.
  • Arrange the ring on parchment and slide the whole sheet of paper onto your serving platter to avoid breaking the circle during transfer.
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