Air Fryer Cherry Cream Cheese Croissants – Easy Flaky Pastry with Creamy Fruit Filling

Introduction to Air Fryer Cherry Cream Cheese Croissants

There’s something undeniably cozy about biting into a warm, golden croissant filled with creamy, fruity goodness. These Air Fryer Cherry Cream Cheese Croissants are everything you crave in a sweet treat: flaky, creamy, fruity, and perfectly golden. They’re the kind of pastry that feels indulgent but takes just minutes to make.

What makes this recipe a game-changer? It’s the perfect blend of minimal effort and maximum flavor. With just a few ingredients and an air fryer, you can whip up a batch of bakery-style pastries in under 15 minutes—no oven, no fuss.

Whether you’re hosting brunch, need a quick dessert, or want a sweet snack with your coffee, these croissants deliver. They’re easy to customize, fun to make, and guaranteed to impress with their crisp exterior and luscious filling.

What Are Air Fryer Cherry Cream Cheese Croissants?

Air Fryer Cherry Cream Cheese Croissants are a quick and delicious pastry made by wrapping crescent roll dough around a filling of sweetened cream cheese and cherry pie filling, then air-frying until golden and crisp.

They combine the decadence of a cherry cheese Danish with the ease of a crescent roll hack, all made faster and crispier thanks to the air fryer. The result is a warm, flaky croissant with a creamy, fruity center that oozes with flavor.

This recipe is trending for good reason: it’s quick, customizable, and crowd-pleasing. You can swap in different fruits, add chocolate chips, or drizzle with icing for a personal touch. Plus, the air fryer ensures even browning and a crisp texture without the need for preheating or baking sheets.

Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned home cook, these croissants are a fun and foolproof way to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Origins & Rise in Popularity

This recipe draws inspiration from classic cherry cheese Danishes and the internet’s love for crescent roll hacks. The idea of stuffing crescent dough with sweet fillings isn’t new, but the air fryer has taken it to the next level.

Thanks to platforms like TikTok, Pinterest, and food blogs, these croissants have become a viral favorite. Home cooks love how easy they are to make, and the results are consistently impressive—crispy on the outside, gooey on the inside, and ready in minutes.

The air fryer is the real star here. It delivers even browning, fast cooking, and eliminates the need for preheating or turning on the oven. That makes this recipe perfect for hot days, small kitchens, or anyone short on time.

As more people discover the magic of air fryer pastries, this croissant recipe continues to rise in popularity—proving that you don’t need a bakery to enjoy a truly delightful treat.

Choosing the Right Ingredients

Dough: The base of this recipe is refrigerated crescent roll dough, which is easy to work with and bakes up beautifully in the air fryer. You can also use puff pastry for a flakier, more layered texture—just cut into triangles and roll like croissants.

Cream Cheese: Use full-fat cream cheese for the richest flavor and creamiest texture. Make sure it’s softened to room temperature so it mixes easily with sugar and vanilla.

Cherry Filling: You can use canned cherry pie filling for convenience, or make a homemade cherry compote if you prefer. Fresh cherries work too—just cook them down with a bit of sugar and lemon juice.

Optional Add-Ins:

• Vanilla extract for warmth
• Lemon zest for brightness
• Powdered sugar for dusting

Glaze Options:

• A simple icing made with powdered sugar and milk
• An egg wash for a glossy finish
• A dusting of sugar before air frying for a caramelized top

These ingredients come together to create a pastry that’s sweet, creamy, and perfectly crisp.

Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions

1. Prepare the Filling In a small bowl, mix 4 oz softened cream cheese, 2 tbsp granulated sugar, and ½ tsp vanilla extract until smooth. Add lemon zest if desired.

2. Assemble the Croissants Unroll 1 can of crescent roll dough and separate into 8 triangles. On the wide end of each triangle, spoon about 1 tsp of cream cheese mixture and 1 tsp of cherry filling. Roll up gently, starting from the wide end, and tuck in the sides to help seal the filling.

3. Preheat and Prep the Air Fryer Lightly spray the air fryer basket or line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Preheat if your model requires it (typically to 325–350°F / 160–175°C).

4. Air Fry Place croissants in a single layer, leaving space between each for air circulation. Air fry at 330°F (165°C) for 8–10 minutes, or until golden brown and crisp.

5. Glaze and Garnish Let croissants cool slightly. Drizzle with icing glaze or dust with powdered sugar before serving.

Pro Tip: Don’t overcrowd the basket—air circulation is key to getting that perfect golden crisp on all sides.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Overfilling the croissants can cause the filling to leak out and burn during cooking. Use about 1 tsp each of cream cheese and cherry filling per croissant.
• Using cold dough makes it harder to seal and roll. Let the dough sit at room temperature for a few minutes before assembling.
• Skipping parchment paper or nonstick spray can cause the croissants to stick to the basket, making cleanup harder and damaging the pastry.

Avoid these pitfalls and your croissants will come out flaky, golden, and bakery-worthy every time.