Blooming Quesadilla Ring Appetizer (Print View)

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

# What You’ll 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)

# Method:

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 well combined.
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 and press gently to seal.
05 - Arrange quesadilla triangles on prepared baking sheet with points facing inward and slightly overlapping 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 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 Advice:

01 -
  • It looks wildly impressive but uses ingredients you probably already have in your fridge.
  • You can prep the filling hours ahead and assemble it in under ten minutes when guests arrive.
  • The ring shape means everyone can grab a piece without crowding, and dipping happens right in the center.
02 -
  • Don't overfill the tortillas or the cheese will ooze out and glue the triangles together into one giant mess.
  • If your tortillas are cold from the fridge, let them sit at room temperature for a few minutes so they fold without cracking.
  • Arrange the ring tightly because loose triangles will sag and lose their petal shape during baking.
03 -
  • Use a sharp knife or pizza cutter to slice the tortillas cleanly so the edges don't tear when you fold them.
  • If the triangles start to open during baking, it means the filling was too wet or you didn't press the edges firmly enough, so adjust next time.
  • For a little extra flair, sprinkle the ring with a pinch of flaky sea salt right after it comes out of the oven.
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