Blooming Quesadilla Ring Appetizer (Printable)

Golden cheese quesadillas arranged in a beautiful blooming ring, perfect for parties and gatherings.

# 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 mixing bowl, combine shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses, black beans, diced red bell pepper, sliced green onion, ground cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly until well distributed.
03 - Cut each flour tortilla in half to create 32 semicircles.
04 - Place 1 tablespoon of cheese mixture on each tortilla semicircle. Fold the straight edge over the filling to form a triangle, pressing gently to seal.
05 - Arrange quesadilla triangles on the prepared baking sheet with points facing inward and slightly overlapping to form a tight ring that resembles a blooming flower.
06 - Brush the tops of all quesadilla triangles with melted unsalted butter.
07 - Bake for 18-20 minutes until tortillas are golden brown and cheese is fully melted.
08 - Slide the blooming ring onto a serving platter. Sprinkle fresh chopped cilantro over the arrangement.
09 - Place salsa, sour cream, and avocado slices in small bowls positioned in the center of the ring. Serve with lime wedges.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • It looks ridiculously impressive but uses pantry staples and comes together in less than an hour.
  • Every bite is crispy, cheesy, and scoopable, which means no one fights over the last chip.
  • You can customize the filling with whatever you have on hand, from leftover chicken to roasted veggies.
02 -
  • Press the edges of each triangle gently but firmly, or the cheese will ooze out during baking and make the ring fall apart.
  • Arrange the triangles as tightly as possible so they support each other in the oven and hold their shape when you transfer them to the platter.
  • Don't skip the butter, it's the difference between pale tortillas and that restaurant-quality golden crust.
03 -
  • Use a round cake pan or bowl as a guide to trace a circle on the parchment paper before arranging the triangles, it keeps the shape even and tight.
  • If the tortillas are a little dry or cracking, warm them in the microwave for 10 seconds wrapped in a damp towel to make them easier to fold.
  • Add a pinch of cayenne or a spoonful of pickled jalapeños to the filling if you like things spicy, the heat plays beautifully with the cool sour cream.
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