About the Recipe
Some of the best desserts are the ones that bring a little fun to the kitchen and give everyone something warm to gather around. These Air Fryer Cherry Chimichangas do exactly that, taking inspiration from classic cheesecake-filled pastries while adding a crisp, cinnamon-sugar finish that makes them perfect for sharing after dinner or serving at weekend gatherings.
The flaky pastry is wrapped around a creamy cherry cheesecake filling that is cooked to a golden brown in an air fryer before being rolled in cinnamon sugar for the finishing touch. It’s a warm, comforting treat that makes it easy to create moments around the table with the people you love most.
Recipe originally posted on butterbraid.com
Ingredients
Cheesecake Filling:
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
2 tbsp. sour cream
2 tbsp. sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tsp. lemon zest
1 1/2 c. chopped cherries
Filling from Butter Braid® Cherry Pastry
Chimichangas:
1 Butter Braid® Cherry Pastry, thawed
Flour
Melted butter
1/2 c. sugar
1 tbsp. cinnamon
Preparation
Prepare the Pastry
Step 1: Remove the Cherry pastry from its packaging and set it out on a greased baking sheet to rise for about 2 hours, or until fully thawed.
Step 2: Carefully, deconstruct the pastry and remove the filling. Place the filling into a medium-sized mixing bowl. Set the dough aside.
Make the Cheesecake Filling
Step 3: In the medium-sized mixing bowl with the cherry filling, add the cream cheese, sour cream, sugar, vanilla, and lemon zest. Mix until smooth and creamy.
Step 4: Fold in the chopped cherries. Set the mixture aside.
Prepare the Chimichangas
Step 5: Dust your counters with flour. Move the pastry dough onto the floured surface. Gently roll out the pastry dough using your rolling pin.
Step 6: Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, cut the pastry dough into rectangles or squares large enough to wrap around the filling.
Step 7: Spoon the cheesecake filling into the center of each piece of dough.
Step 8: Fold in the sides of the dough and roll up gently like a burrito or turnover, sealing the edges by pinching the dough together.
Air Fry the Chimichangas
Step 9: Preheat the air fryer to 375°F.
Step 10: Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray.
Step 11: Place the chimichangas in the basket seam-side down, leaving space between each one.
Step 12: Air fry for 7-9 minutes, flipping halfway through. The chimichangas should be golden brown and flaky.
Cinnamon Sugar Finish
Step 13: Mix together the cinnamon and sugar in a shallow bowl.
Step 14: Lightly brush the warm chimichangas with the melted butter using a pastry brush or similar tool.
Step 15: Roll the chimichangas in the cinnamon-sugar mixture until fully coated.
Step 16: Serve warm.
Tips for Making Air Fryer Cherry Chimichangas
Don’t overfill your chimichangas. Too much filling can cause leaking during the air frying process. A few tablespoons per pastry works best.
Pinch the seams of your chimichangas tightly to ensure the cheesecake filling stays inside the pastry while cooking.
If your filling feels too soft, chill for about 15-20 minutes before assembling.
Storage Information: Store your Air Fryer Cherry Chimichangas in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in your air fryer at 350°F for 5-10 minutes, or until warmed through.