Blooming Quesadilla Ring Appetizer (Printable)

Golden quesadilla triangles arranged in a stunning blooming ring, filled with cheese, beans, and peppers.

# 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
16 - Lime wedges

# How To Make:

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, cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly until evenly distributed.
03 - Cut each flour tortilla in half to create 32 semicircles.
04 - Place approximately 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 the quesadilla triangles on the prepared baking sheet with points facing inward and slightly overlapping to create a blooming flower formation.
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 melted throughout.
08 - Transfer to a serving platter and sprinkle fresh cilantro over the blooming ring. Place salsa, sour cream, and avocado slices in small bowls positioned in the center for dipping. Serve with lime wedges.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks impressive but uses pantry staples and takes less than an hour from start to finish.
  • Everyone pulls their own triangle, which means no awkward slicing or serving.
  • You can swap in whatever fillings you have on hand and it still works beautifully.
02 -
  • If you overfill the tortillas, they will burst open in the oven, so stick to one tablespoon per triangle.
  • Arrange the ring tightly, if there are gaps, the shape will loosen and lose its blooming effect.
  • Brush the butter on right before baking, not earlier, or the tortillas will get soggy.
03 -
  • Use a pizza cutter to slice the tortillas quickly and evenly, it's faster and cleaner than a knife.
  • If you want extra color, add a handful of corn kernels or diced jalapeños to the filling.
  • Let the ring rest for 2 minutes after baking so the cheese sets slightly, making it easier to transfer without falling apart.
Go Back