Blooming Quesadilla Ring Appetizer (Print Version)

Mini cheese quesadillas arranged in a blooming ring, baked golden and perfect for dipping at your next gathering.

# 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)

# How To Make:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - In a large bowl, combine shredded cheddar, Monterey Jack, black beans, diced bell pepper, green onion, cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Blend 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 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 quesadillas with melted butter.
07 - Bake for 18-20 minutes until tortillas are golden brown and cheese is melted.
08 - Slide onto 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 when really you just folded tortillas into triangles and made a circle.
  • Everyone pulls their own piece, so no one hovers near the cutting board waiting.
  • You can prep the filling ahead and assemble right before guests arrive.
  • Its warm, cheesy, and has built in dipping bowls in the center.
02 -
  • Do not overfill the tortillas or they will burst open in the oven and leave you with a cheesy mess on the parchment.
  • Overlapping the triangles tightly is what holds the ring together, loose arrangement means it falls apart when someone pulls a piece.
  • Serve this immediately after baking because tortillas get soggy if they sit too long.
03 -
  • Press the edges of each triangle firmly after folding so the cheese does not leak out and glue them to the pan.
  • Rotate the baking sheet halfway through so the ring browns evenly, especially if your oven has hot spots.
  • Brush the butter on generously, it is the difference between pale and golden.
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