Air Fryer Cherry Cream Cheese Croissants Recipe

Refrigerated crescent roll dough: This is the base for our croissants, providing a flaky and buttery texture.

Cream cheese: Softened to ensure it mixes well with the cherry pie filling, adding a creamy richness.

Cherry pie filling: Adds a sweet and fruity flavor to the croissants.

Powdered sugar: Optional, for dusting on top to add a touch of sweetness and a decorative finish.

When working with crescent roll dough, ensure it remains cold until you're ready to use it. This helps maintain its structure and makes it easier to handle. If the dough becomes too warm, it can become sticky and difficult to work with. For a smoother filling, make sure the cream cheese is fully softened before mixing it with the cherry pie filling. This will create a more uniform and creamy texture, ensuring an even distribution of flavors in each croissant.

• refrigerated crescent roll dough - Substitute with puff pastry sheets: Puff pastry sheets provide a similar flaky texture and can be used to wrap the filling just like crescent roll dough.

• cream cheese - Substitute with mascarpone cheese: Mascarpone cheese has a similar creamy texture and mild flavor, making it a good alternative to cream cheese.

• cherry pie filling - Substitute with strawberry jam: Strawberry jam offers a sweet and fruity flavor that complements the cream cheese, similar to cherry pie filling.

• powdered sugar - Substitute with granulated sugar: Granulated sugar can be used for dusting, though it will provide a slightly different texture and appearance compared to powdered sugar.

• Allow the croissants to cool completely before storing. This prevents condensation, which can make them soggy.
• Place the croissants in an airtight container or a resealable plastic bag. If stacking, separate layers with parchment paper to avoid sticking.
• Store the container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The cream cheese filling requires refrigeration to stay fresh.
• For longer storage, you can freeze the croissants. Wrap each croissant individually in plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn.
• Place the wrapped croissants in a freezer-safe bag or container. Label with the date to keep track of freshness.
• Freeze for up to 2 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
• To reheat, preheat your air fryer to 300°F (150°C). Place the croissants in the basket and heat for 3-5 minutes or until warmed through.
• Alternatively, you can reheat in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes.
• Dust with powdered sugar after reheating, if desired, to restore their fresh-baked appearance.

• Preheat your air fryer to 300°F (150°C). Place the leftover croissants in the basket, ensuring they are not touching. Heat for 3-4 minutes or until warmed through and crispy.

• For a quick microwave method, place the croissants on a microwave-safe plate. Cover with a damp paper towel to prevent drying out. Microwave on medium power for 20-30 seconds. Be cautious, as the cream cheese filling can get very hot.

• If you prefer the oven, preheat it to 350°F (175°C). Place the croissants on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cover loosely with aluminum foil to prevent over-browning. Bake for 5-7 minutes or until heated through.

• For a stovetop method, heat a non-stick skillet over medium-low heat. Place the croissants in the skillet and cover with a lid. Heat for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until warmed through and the exterior is crispy.

• If you have a toaster oven, preheat it to 325°F (160°C). Place the croissants on the rack or a baking sheet. Heat for 4-5 minutes or until warmed through and crispy.

• Air fryer: Used to cook the croissants to a golden brown finish without the need for deep frying.

• Mixing bowl: Used to combine the softened cream cheese and cherry pie filling.

• Spoon: Used to place a spoonful of the cream cheese and cherry mixture onto the crescent roll dough.

• Can opener: Used to open the can of refrigerated crescent roll dough.

• Spatula: Used to help spread the cream cheese and cherry mixture evenly if needed.

• Measuring cup: Used to measure out the cherry pie filling.

• Knife: Used to separate the crescent roll dough into triangles if they are not pre-cut.

• Cooling rack: Used to let the croissants cool slightly before dusting with powdered sugar.

• Sifter: Used to dust the croissants with powdered sugar evenly.

• Plate: Used to serve the finished croissants.

Prepare the filling ahead: Mix the cream cheese and cherry pie filling the night before and store in the fridge.

Use parchment paper: Line the air fryer basket with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.

Pre-cut the dough: Separate the crescent roll dough triangles in advance to save time during assembly.

Batch cooking: If your air fryer is large enough, cook multiple croissants at once to reduce overall cooking time.

Quick cooling: Place the cooked croissants on a wire rack to cool faster, allowing you to dust with powdered sugar sooner.