Oh my goodness, you have to try these air fryer cherry cream cheese croissants! I stumbled upon this recipe one lazy Sunday morning when I wanted something sweet but didn’t feel like turning on the oven. Let me tell you – these little pockets of joy are life-changing! The flaky crescent dough gets perfectly golden in the air fryer while the sweet-tangy cherry and creamy cheese filling oozes out just right. Best part? They’re ready in under 20 minutes from start to finish. My family goes crazy for them – my kids beg for them as after-school snacks, and they’re fancy enough to serve at brunch. Trust me, once you try these, you’ll be making them on repeat!
Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Cherry Cream Cheese Croissants
These little pastries are my go-to when I need something delicious FAST. They check all the boxes – simple, quick, and downright addictive. Let me tell you why they never last long in my house!
Quick and Easy
I’m all about recipes that don’t make me work too hard, and this one is a dream. Five ingredients (most you probably have already), ten minutes of prep, and your air fryer does the rest. No fancy skills needed – just roll, fill, and air fry. Perfect for those mornings when you wake up craving something sweet but don’t want the hassle.
Irresistible Flavor
The magic happens when that creamy, vanilla-kissed cheese filling meets the tart cherry jam inside the buttery, flaky layers. It’s like having a mini cherry cheesecake wrapped in the most perfect croissant. The first bite always makes me close my eyes and sigh – it’s that good. And the way the filling peeks out golden brown from the layers? Absolute perfection.
Ingredients for Air Fryer Cherry Cream Cheese Croissants
Gather these simple ingredients – I bet you have most already! The beauty of this recipe is how everyday items transform into something magical. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 1 can (8 oz) refrigerated crescent roll dough (the kind that pops open – you know the one!)
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened (leave it out for 30 minutes – trust me, it mixes way better)
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar (sifted if yours is lumpy)
- 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract (the good stuff makes a difference)
- 1/4 cup cherry pie filling (I use the canned kind, but homemade works too)
That’s it! Five simple ingredients for the most delicious little pastries you’ll ever make in your air fryer. If you enjoy quick baking, you might also like these easy air fryer cinnamon rolls recipe.
How to Make Air Fryer Cherry Cream Cheese Croissants
Okay, let’s get to the fun part! I’ll walk you through each step so your croissants turn out perfect. The first time I made these, I was shocked at how easy they were – and how professional they looked! Here’s exactly how I do it:
Step 1: Prepare the Cream Cheese Filling
First, grab that softened cream cheese (if you forgot to take it out, 15 seconds in the microwave works in a pinch – just don’t let it melt!). In a small bowl, beat it with the powdered sugar and vanilla until it’s completely smooth. I use a fork because I’m lazy about washing dishes, but a hand mixer works great too. You want it creamy but not runny – like thick frosting. Taste it (I always do!) and add a tiny bit more vanilla if you want that extra flavor punch.
Step 2: Assemble the Croissants
Now for the satisfying part! Unroll your crescent dough and separate the triangles. Spread about a teaspoon of the cream cheese mixture on each one, leaving just a little space at the edges. Then add about a teaspoon of cherry pie filling right on top – I like to make a little well in the cream cheese to hold the cherries. Roll them up starting at the wide end, tucking the pointy end underneath so they don’t unravel. Don’t worry if they’re not perfect – mine never are, and they always taste amazing!
Step 3: Air Fry to Perfection
Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C) – this helps them cook evenly. Place the croissants in the basket with some space between them (they’ll puff up!). I usually cook 4 at a time to avoid crowding. Air fry for 8-10 minutes until they’re golden brown and flaky. The smell will drive you crazy! Let them cool for just a minute or two – the filling is lava-hot right out of the fryer. Then dig in and try not to eat them all yourself! For more quick air fryer desserts, check out these air fryer pecan pie bars recipe in just 20 minutes.
Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Cherry Cream Cheese Croissants
After making these dozens of times (okay, maybe hundreds), I’ve picked up some tricks for absolute croissant perfection. First, don’t skip preheating your air fryer – those extra 2-3 minutes make all the difference for even browning! Leave space between each croissant in the basket; I learned the hard way that overcrowding leads to sad, pale spots. Check at 8 minutes – they’re done when golden with flaky layers peeling up. And here’s my secret: let them rest 2 minutes before eating. That molten filling needs time to set so it doesn’t burn your tongue (though I never wait long enough!).
Variations for Air Fryer Cherry Cream Cheese Croissants
Oh, the possibilities! Once you master the basic recipe, the fun begins. I love switching up the fillings depending on my mood or what’s in my pantry. Try blueberry pie filling instead of cherry for a different fruity twist – my neighbor swears by the blueberry version! Chocolate chips mixed into the cream cheese filling? Absolute heaven. For a fancy touch, drizzle melted white chocolate over the warm croissants. My husband begs for the apple cinnamon version – just swap the cherries for apple pie filling and add a pinch of cinnamon to the cream cheese. Get creative – that’s half the fun!
Serving Suggestions for Air Fryer Cherry Cream Cheese Croissants
These croissants shine all by themselves, but oh, how they love company! I adore them warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream melting over the top – instant dessert magic. For breakfast, pair them with strong coffee (the sweet-tangy flavors are perfect together). Or try them with fresh berries on the side for a pretty brunch plate. Honestly though? They rarely last long enough to make it to a plate in my house!
Storage and Reheating Instructions
These croissants are best fresh, but if you miraculously have leftovers (I never do!), store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. To reheat, pop them back in the air fryer at 300°F for 2-3 minutes – they’ll taste just-baked again!
Nutritional Information
Here’s the nutritional breakdown per croissant (based on my exact ingredients – yours might vary slightly): about 180 calories, 10g fat, and 20g carbs. Remember, these are estimates – actual values change depending on your specific brands and measurements. I don’t stress about the numbers with treats this delicious! If you are tracking macros, you can find general guidelines on food science websites like the FDA website.
Frequently Asked Questions
I get so many questions about these air fryer cherry cream cheese croissants – here are the ones that come up most often!
Can I Use Fresh Cherries Instead of Pie Filling?
Absolutely! Fresh cherries work beautifully – just pit and chop about 1/4 cup, then mix with a teaspoon of sugar and let them sit for 10 minutes to release juices. The texture will be different (less gooey than pie filling), but the fresh fruit taste is amazing. Just don’t overfill – fresh fruit releases more liquid as it cooks.
How Do I Prevent the Croissants from Sticking?
I’ve found parchment paper liners cut to fit your air fryer basket work wonders! If you don’t have those, a quick spritz of cooking spray on the basket does the trick. The key is making sure any exposed dough isn’t touching bare metal – those flaky layers love to cling! For more air fryer tips, see our guide on easy air fryer biscuits recipe.
Can I Make These Ahead of Time?
You can assemble them up to 2 hours before cooking – just keep them covered in the fridge. The dough might not puff quite as much, but they’ll still taste delicious. I don’t recommend freezing them assembled – the dough gets soggy. Better to freeze the baked ones and reheat!
Share Your Experience
I’d love to hear how your air fryer cherry cream cheese croissants turn out! Did you try any fun variations? Snap a photo and tag me – nothing makes me happier than seeing your creations. Leave a comment below with your favorite filling combos or tips you discovered. Happy air frying! For another quick dessert idea, check out these air fryer brie and cranberry bonbons recipe.
Print
20-Minute Air Fryer Cherry Cream Cheese Croissants Perfection
- Total Time: 20 mins
- Yield: 8 croissants 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A simple and delicious air fryer recipe for cherry cream cheese croissants, perfect for a quick snack or dessert.
Ingredients
- 1 can refrigerated crescent roll dough
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup cherry pie filling
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
- In a bowl, mix cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth.
- Unroll crescent dough and separate into triangles.
- Spread 1 tsp of cream cheese mixture on each triangle.
- Add 1 tsp cherry pie filling on top of the cream cheese.
- Roll up croissants from the wide end to the tip.
- Place in air fryer basket, leaving space between each.
- Air fry for 8-10 minutes until golden brown.
- Let cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- Let cream cheese soften at room temperature for easier mixing.
- Adjust cooking time based on your air fryer model.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 10 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 croissant
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 280mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Keywords: air fryer, cherry, cream cheese, croissants, dessert