Air Fryer Cherry Cream Cheese Croissants: A Quick & Delicious Treat

Craving a warm, flaky, and utterly irresistible breakfast or dessert? Look no further! These Air Fryer Cherry Cream Cheese Croissants are your answer. They’re incredibly easy to make, requiring minimal ingredients and effort, and the air fryer delivers a perfectly crispy exterior and a gooey, flavorful interior in a fraction of the time compared to traditional baking. This recipe is perfect for busy mornings, impromptu gatherings, or simply when you need a little something sweet to brighten your day. Forget store-bought pastries; these homemade croissants are a game-changer.

## Why Air Fryer Croissants Are a Must-Try

* **Speed:** Air frying significantly reduces the cooking time. You’ll have warm croissants ready in minutes, not hours.
* **Crispiness:** The air fryer creates a beautifully crisp and flaky exterior that rivals bakery-style croissants.
* **Ease:** This recipe is beginner-friendly. No complicated techniques or special equipment are required.
* **Flavor:** The combination of flaky croissant dough, creamy filling, and sweet cherries is simply divine.
* **Customization:** Easily adapt the filling to your preferences with different fruits, cheeses, or even chocolate!

## Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe calls for minimal ingredients, most of which you probably already have on hand.

* **1 can (8 ounces) refrigerated crescent roll dough sheets:** These are the key to achieving that flaky croissant texture. Look for seamless dough sheets for the best results, but regular crescent roll dough will work too; you’ll just need to pinch the seams together.
* **4 ounces cream cheese, softened:** Softened cream cheese is essential for a smooth and creamy filling. Make sure it’s at room temperature for easier mixing.
* **1/4 cup granulated sugar:** Adds sweetness to the cream cheese filling.
* **1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract:** Enhances the flavor of the cream cheese filling.
* **1/2 cup cherry pie filling:** Provides a delicious cherry flavor and a beautiful color contrast. You can use canned cherry pie filling or homemade if you prefer.
* **1 tablespoon milk or egg wash (optional):** For a golden brown and shiny crust. Milk works great, but an egg wash will give you an even richer color.
* **Powdered sugar, for dusting (optional):** Adds a touch of sweetness and elegance.

## Equipment

* **Air Fryer:** The star of the show! Any air fryer will work, but cooking times may vary slightly depending on the model.
* **Mixing Bowl:** For preparing the cream cheese filling.
* **Spoon or Electric Mixer:** For mixing the cream cheese filling.
* **Cutting Board:** For rolling and cutting the croissant dough.
* **Knife or Pizza Cutter:** For cutting the dough into triangles.
* **Measuring Cups and Spoons:** For accurate ingredient measurements.
* **Parchment Paper (optional):** To line the air fryer basket for easier cleanup.

## Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these detailed instructions to create perfect Air Fryer Cherry Cream Cheese Croissants every time.

**1. Prepare the Cream Cheese Filling:**

* In a mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract.
* Use a spoon or electric mixer to beat the ingredients together until smooth and creamy. Make sure there are no lumps.
* Gently fold in the cherry pie filling. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the filling too runny. You want to maintain some distinct cherry pieces.

**2. Assemble the Croissants:**

* Unroll the crescent roll dough sheet on a clean cutting board.
* If using regular crescent roll dough, pinch the seams together to create a solid sheet.
* Use a knife or pizza cutter to cut the dough into triangles. The number of triangles will depend on the size of your dough sheet, but typically you’ll get around 8 triangles.
* Spoon a generous tablespoon of the cherry cream cheese filling onto the wide end of each triangle.
* Starting at the wide end, roll up each triangle towards the point. Make sure the point is tucked underneath the croissant to prevent it from unrolling during cooking.

**3. Air Fry the Croissants:**

* Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C) for 3-5 minutes. This helps ensure even cooking.
* Line the air fryer basket with parchment paper (optional) for easier cleanup.
* Place the assembled croissants in the air fryer basket, leaving some space between each one to allow for proper air circulation. Avoid overcrowding the basket, as this can result in uneven cooking. You may need to cook the croissants in batches.
* Brush the tops of the croissants with milk or egg wash (optional) for a golden brown and shiny crust.
* Air fry for 8-12 minutes, or until the croissants are golden brown and the filling is heated through. Cooking times may vary depending on your air fryer model, so keep a close eye on them. Check for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center of a croissant; it should come out clean.

**4. Cool and Serve:**

* Carefully remove the croissants from the air fryer basket and place them on a wire rack to cool slightly.
* Dust with powdered sugar (optional) for a touch of sweetness and elegance.
* Serve warm and enjoy!

## Tips and Variations

* **Don’t overfill the croissants:** Too much filling can cause them to leak and become soggy.
* **Adjust the cooking time:** Air fryers vary, so keep an eye on the croissants and adjust the cooking time as needed.
* **Use different fillings:** Experiment with other fruits, such as blueberries, raspberries, or peaches. You can also use different types of cheese, such as brie or mascarpone. For a chocolatey twist, add chocolate chips or Nutella to the filling.
* **Add nuts:** Sprinkle chopped nuts, such as almonds or pecans, on top of the croissants before air frying for added flavor and texture.
* **Make mini croissants:** Cut the dough into smaller triangles for bite-sized treats.
* **Glaze them:** After air frying, drizzle the croissants with a simple glaze made from powdered sugar and milk.
* **For a richer flavor:** Use butter instead of oil on the parchment paper, or brush the croissants with melted butter before air frying.

## Serving Suggestions

These Air Fryer Cherry Cream Cheese Croissants are delicious on their own, but here are some serving suggestions to elevate your experience:

* **Breakfast:** Serve with a cup of coffee or tea for a quick and satisfying breakfast.
* **Brunch:** Include them as part of a brunch spread alongside other pastries, fruits, and savory dishes.
* **Dessert:** Enjoy them as a sweet treat after dinner.
* **Snack:** Perfect for a mid-afternoon snack or a late-night craving.
* **Special Occasions:** These croissants are a great addition to holiday gatherings, parties, and other special occasions.
* **Pair with Ice Cream:** Serve warm croissants with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra indulgent dessert.
* **With Fresh Fruit:** Arrange croissants on a platter with fresh berries, sliced bananas, and other fruits for a beautiful and healthy presentation.

## Storage Instructions

* **Store:** Leftover croissants can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
* **Reheat:** To reheat, air fry for 1-2 minutes at 300°F (150°C) or microwave for a few seconds until warmed through. Be careful not to overheat, as this can make them tough.
* **Freeze:** For longer storage, freeze the croissants in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Thaw them in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

## Nutritional Information (Approximate)

*Note: Nutritional information can vary depending on the specific ingredients used.*

* **Calories:** Approximately 250-300 per croissant
* **Fat:** 15-20 grams
* **Saturated Fat:** 8-12 grams
* **Cholesterol:** 40-60 mg
* **Sodium:** 200-300 mg
* **Carbohydrates:** 25-35 grams
* **Sugar:** 15-20 grams
* **Protein:** 3-5 grams

## Recipe Card

**Air Fryer Cherry Cream Cheese Croissants**

**Prep Time:** 10 minutes
**Cook Time:** 8-12 minutes
**Total Time:** 18-22 minutes
**Servings:** 8 croissants

**Ingredients:**

* 1 can (8 ounces) refrigerated crescent roll dough sheets
* 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
* 1/4 cup granulated sugar
* 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 1/2 cup cherry pie filling
* 1 tablespoon milk or egg wash (optional)
* Powdered sugar, for dusting (optional)

**Instructions:**

1. In a mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract. Beat until smooth.
2. Gently fold in the cherry pie filling.
3. Unroll the crescent roll dough sheet and cut into triangles.
4. Spoon a tablespoon of filling onto the wide end of each triangle.
5. Roll up each triangle from the wide end to the point.
6. Preheat air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
7. Place croissants in the air fryer basket, leaving space between them.
8. Brush with milk or egg wash (optional).
9. Air fry for 8-12 minutes, or until golden brown.
10. Cool slightly and dust with powdered sugar (optional).
11. Serve warm and enjoy!

## Conclusion

These Air Fryer Cherry Cream Cheese Croissants are a delightful treat that’s perfect for any occasion. They’re quick, easy, and incredibly delicious. With just a few simple ingredients and your trusty air fryer, you can create a bakery-worthy pastry in minutes. So, go ahead and give this recipe a try – you won’t be disappointed! Enjoy the warm, flaky goodness of homemade croissants without spending hours in the kitchen. Happy baking (or rather, air frying)!