Blooming Quesadilla Ring Appetizer (Print View)

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

# Components:

→ 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)

# Directions:

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 until well incorporated.
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 create 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 fully 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 immediately with lime wedges.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks restaurant-fancy but comes together faster than you'd think, making you look like a kitchen genius without the stress.
  • Everyone eats from the center outward like you've orchestrated the perfect party moment.
  • The cheese blend creates pockets of melted richness that hold up beautifully for dunking.
02 -
  • Don't overfill—a tablespoon might seem small, but more than that and the triangles won't fold cleanly or seal properly, leaking cheese onto your pan.
  • The butter brush makes all the difference between soggy and crispy; don't skip it thinking the cheese will provide enough fat.
03 -
  • Mix your filling right before assembly so the spices stay vibrant and nothing gets watery from sitting.
  • If you're making these ahead, assemble everything on the baking sheet, cover it loosely with plastic, refrigerate for up to four hours, then bake straight from cold—add just two minutes to your cooking time.
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