Blooming Quesadilla Ring Appetizer (Printable Version)

Golden cheese quesadillas arranged in a stunning ring formation with black beans, peppers, and spices. Perfect for entertaining.

# 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)

# Step-by-Step Guide:

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, diced bell pepper, sliced green onion, ground cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly.
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 and press gently to seal.
05 - Arrange quesadilla triangles on the prepared baking sheet with points facing inward and slightly overlapping to form a blooming flower shape.
06 - Brush the tops of all quesadilla triangles with melted butter.
07 - Bake for 18-20 minutes or until tortillas are golden brown and cheese is fully melted.
08 - Slide the entire quesadilla ring onto a serving platter. Sprinkle fresh cilantro over the arrangement.
09 - Place salsa, sour cream, and avocado slices in small bowls positioned in the center of the ring for dipping. Serve with lime wedges.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • It looks like you spent hours arranging it, but the whole thing comes together in under forty minutes with zero fancy technique.
  • Everyone can grab their own piece without awkward cutting or serving, and the center becomes a natural spot for all your favorite dips.
  • You can prep the filling in advance and assemble it right before guests arrive, so you're not stuck in the kitchen while everyone else is having fun.
02 -
  • If you arrange the triangles too loosely, the ring falls apart when you try to move it, so press them close together and overlap the edges slightly for structure.
  • Don't skip the butter brush, because dry baked tortillas taste like cardboard no matter how good the filling is.
  • Let the ring cool for two or three minutes before serving or the cheese will be molten lava and someone will definitely burn their mouth.
03 -
  • Press the folded edges firmly with your fingers or a fork to seal them, especially if your filling is chunky, or the beans and peppers will try to escape during baking.
  • If your tortillas are stiff or cold from the fridge, warm them in the microwave for ten seconds so they fold without cracking.
  • Use parchment paper instead of foil because the butter can make foil stick, and you'll lose half the crispy bottom trying to peel it off.
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