Blooming Quesadilla Ring Appetizer (Printable)

Mini cheese quesadillas arranged in a blooming ring, baked golden and served with salsa and sour cream 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)

# How-To Steps:

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 thoroughly.
03 - Cut each tortilla in half to create 32 semicircles.
04 - Place 1 tablespoon of filling on each semicircle. Fold the straight edge over the filling to form a triangle and press gently to seal.
05 - Arrange quesadilla triangles in a tight ring on the baking sheet with points facing inward and slightly overlapping to create a blooming flower shape.
06 - Brush the tops of quesadillas 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 for dipping. Serve with lime wedges.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks like you spent hours on it but the whole thing comes together in under 45 minutes.
  • Everyone pulls their own piece so theres no awkward cutting or serving, just happy grabbing.
  • You can stuff it with whatever you have on hand and it still looks like a showstopper.
  • The crispy edges and gooey center make every bite feel like a tiny celebration.
02 -
  • Dont skip the parchment paper or youll spend twenty minutes scraping cheese off your pan and regretting everything.
  • If your tortillas are cold from the fridge they might crack when you fold them, let them sit at room temperature for a few minutes first.
  • Overlapping the triangles tightly is crucial, otherwise the ring falls apart when you try to move it and you end up with a sad pile of quesadilla pieces.
03 -
  • Use a pizza cutter to slice the tortillas in half, its faster and cleaner than a knife.
  • If your baking sheet isnt big enough, make two smaller rings instead of crowding them or they wont crisp up properly.
  • A little squeeze of lime over the top right before serving brightens everything and makes it taste even fresher.
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