Blooming Quesadilla Ring Appetizer (Printable Version)

Mini cheese quesadillas arranged in a blooming ring, baked 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 - 0.5 teaspoon ground cumin
08 - 0.5 teaspoon chili powder
09 - 0.5 teaspoon smoked paprika
10 - Salt and black pepper to taste
11 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

→ Garnish and Dipping

12 - 0.25 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
13 - 1 cup prepared salsa
14 - 0.5 cup sour cream
15 - 1 avocado, sliced, optional
16 - Lime wedges, optional

# How to Prepare:

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 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 quesadillas 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. Serve with lime wedges.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It looks like you spent hours on it, but the whole thing comes together in under 45 minutes with ingredients you probably already have.
  • Everyone can customize their own bite with the dips in the center, so picky eaters and spice lovers are both happy.
  • The crispy edges and melted cheese make it impossible to eat just one piece, which means your platter will be empty before you know it.
02 -
  • Don't overfill the tortillas or they'll leak cheese everywhere and lose their shape, a tablespoon is really all you need for each one.
  • Brush the butter on generously because that's what makes the difference between pale tortillas and the kind that crackle when you bite into them.
  • Serve this immediately while it's still warm, because once it cools down the tortillas lose their crispness and the cheese gets a little rubbery.
03 -
  • Use a mix of cheeses for the best flavor and melt, one sharp and one mild, because that balance is what makes every bite interesting.
  • Press the edges of each triangle firmly after folding so the cheese doesn't escape during baking, it only takes a second but saves you from a messy sheet pan.
  • If you want extra crispness, flip the whole ring halfway through baking, though it's a little tricky and honestly not necessary unless you're going for perfect browning on both sides.
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