If you’re looking for a pastry that’s showstopping, delicious, and easy enough to whip up any morning of the week, look no further than Air Fryer Cherry Cream Cheese Croissants. This recipe is the ideal balance of creamy, tart, and golden crispiness, made effortless with the magic of your air fryer. Each bite explodes with the rich tang of sweetened cream cheese and juicy cherries wrapped in a warm, buttery crescent—trust me, these croissants are as irresistible as they sound. Whether you’re serving them for brunch, dessert, or a special treat alongside your morning coffee, these Air Fryer Cherry Cream Cheese Croissants are bound to become your new favorite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
What I truly love about this recipe is how it transforms just a handful of straightforward ingredients into bakery-worthy croissants. Each one is essential, contributing a unique element to the irresistible taste, texture, or striking color of the finished treat.
- Crescent roll dough: This refrigerated dough serves as your quick shortcut to flaky, buttery pastry with minimal fuss.
- Cream cheese (softened): The backbone of the creamy filling—make sure it’s at room temperature for easy blending!
- Powdered sugar: Adds sweetness and that velvety texture to the rich cream cheese layer.
- Vanilla extract: Just a splash brightens the whole filling, giving it that classic bakery flavor.
- Cherry pie filling: For a burst of fruity, tangy sweetness and deep ruby-red color; opt for whole cherries in sauce for best texture.
- Milk (for brushing): Brushing a little on top helps the croissants bake up extra golden and glossy.
- Coarse or granulated sugar (optional): A sprinkle on top gives beautiful sparkle and satisfying crunch with every bite.
How to Make Air Fryer Cherry Cream Cheese Croissants
Step 1: Make the Cream Cheese Filling
In a small bowl, combine your softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. Give it a good mix until it’s luxuriously smooth and free of lumps—you want every swirl of filling to taste perfectly sweet and creamy. Don’t rush this part! The smoother the filling, the more luscious your Air Fryer Cherry Cream Cheese Croissants will be inside.
Step 2: Prepare the Crescent Dough
Unroll the crescent roll dough onto a clean surface, and gently separate it into 8 neat triangles. If the seams are a little sticky, a light dusting of flour on your hands or rolling pin will help. Crescent roll dough makes these croissants delightfully simple, delivering a flaky pastry texture in no time.
Step 3: Fill the Croissants
Spoon about 1 teaspoon of your cream cheese filling onto each triangle, aiming for the wider end. Follow with roughly 1 tablespoon of cherry pie filling—go for a generous chunk of cherry in each for maximum flavor. Be careful not to overfill; you want the goodies snug inside, not oozing out. This step makes all the difference in the signature taste of Air Fryer Cherry Cream Cheese Croissants.
Step 4: Roll and Shape the Croissants
With gentle hands, roll each triangle up from the wide end toward the tip, tucking in the filling as best you can. Don’t worry if a bit escapes here or there—croissants are meant to have a little character! Arrange your filled pastries seam-side down so they hold their shape during cooking.
Step 5: Brush and Sprinkle
Carefully transfer your croissants to the air fryer basket, giving them a little room to puff up. Lightly brush the tops with milk for a glossy, golden finish. If you like a little extra sweetness and texture, scatter some coarse or granulated sugar over each one for a sparkling, bakery-worthy look.
Step 6: Air Fry to Golden Perfection
Air fry the croissants at 320°F (160°C) for 8 to 10 minutes. Keep an eye on them toward the end—the goal is beautifully golden, puffed pastries that are cooked through. Once done, let them cool for a minute or two before serving; the filling will be piping hot and absolutely scrumptious.
How to Serve Air Fryer Cherry Cream Cheese Croissants
Garnishes
Enhance your Air Fryer Cherry Cream Cheese Croissants with a dusting of powdered sugar, a drizzle of melted white chocolate, or a few fresh cherries on the side. These garnishes add a lovely touch that’s both pretty and delicious, making your croissants truly feel special.
Side Dishes
For a sunny brunch, pair these croissants with fresh fruit salad, a scoop of Greek yogurt, or a light green salad to round out the richness. If you’re serving them as a dessert, a scoop of vanilla ice cream alongside each warm croissant is simply divine.
Creative Ways to Present
Stack your Air Fryer Cherry Cream Cheese Croissants on a tiered cake stand, plate them with edible flowers, or serve in parchment-lined baskets for a cozy, rustic look. You can even slice them in half and stack with extra cherry filling for a “croissant sandwich” presentation that’ll wow your guests.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, let the croissants cool completely before storing. Place them in an airtight container in the refrigerator; they’ll stay fresh and tasty for up to three days. The flavors meld beautifully overnight, so don’t be surprised if they taste even richer the next day.
Freezing
To freeze your Air Fryer Cherry Cream Cheese Croissants, wrap each one individually in plastic wrap and then place in a freezer-safe zip bag. They’ll keep well for up to two months. Just be sure to let them thaw at room temperature or gently reheat from frozen for the best texture.
Reheating
For the flakiest results, pop croissants back in your air fryer for two to three minutes at 300°F, or until the filling is bubbly and the outside is crisp. You can also reheat in the oven at 325°F, but skip the microwave if possible—it can make the pastry a little chewy.
FAQs
Can I use a different pie filling instead of cherry?
Absolutely! Blueberry, apple, or even peach pie filling work wonderfully here. Just keep the measurements the same and enjoy experimenting with new flavors.
Can these be made ahead of time?
Yes, you can assemble and fill the croissants a few hours before air frying. Store them, covered, in the fridge, and air fry just before serving for that fresh-from-the-oven crispness.
Do I really need to use milk for brushing?
While brushing with milk helps achieve that golden brown finish and adds a tempting gloss, you can skip it in a pinch—or use a little heavy cream instead for an even richer look.
What if I don’t have an air fryer?
You can bake these in a traditional oven at 350°F on a parchment-lined baking sheet for 12 to 15 minutes. The texture is slightly different, but they’ll still turn out delicious.
Is it possible to make mini croissants with this recipe?
Yes! Simply cut the crescent dough into smaller triangles and follow the same process. Adjust the air frying time down by a couple of minutes, keeping an eye so they don’t over-brown.
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend these Air Fryer Cherry Cream Cheese Croissants enough—they’re speedy, crowd-pleasing, and truly addictive. Whether you’re baking for family, friends, or just treating yourself, give this recipe a try and prepare to fall in love with every bite. Happy air frying!
Print
Air Fryer Cherry Cream Cheese Croissants Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 8 croissants
- Category: Breakfast, Dessert
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Air Fryer Cherry Cream Cheese Croissants are a delightful treat perfect for breakfast or dessert. Flaky crescent roll dough filled with a sweet cream cheese mixture and cherry pie filling, all cooked to golden perfection in the air fryer. A simple and quick recipe that’s sure to impress!
Ingredients
Croissants:
- 1 can (8 oz) refrigerated crescent roll dough
- 4 oz cream cheese (softened)
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup cherry pie filling
- 1 tablespoon milk (for brushing)
- 1 tablespoon coarse sugar or granulated sugar (optional, for topping)
Instructions
- Mix Cream Cheese Filling: In a small bowl, mix the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Prepare Croissants: Unroll the crescent dough and separate into 8 triangles. Spread about 1 teaspoon of the cream cheese mixture on each triangle, then add about 1 tablespoon of cherry pie filling near the wide end.
- Roll Croissants: Carefully roll each triangle from the wide end to the point, enclosing the filling as much as possible.
- Air Fry: Place croissants in the air fryer basket, leaving space between each. Lightly brush the tops with milk and sprinkle with coarse sugar if using. Air fry at 320°F (160°C) for 8 to 10 minutes, or until golden brown and puffed.
- Serve: Let cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- You can substitute other fruit fillings like blueberry or apple.
- These are best enjoyed warm but can be stored in the fridge and reheated in the air fryer for a few minutes.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 croissant
- Calories: 190
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 210mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
