Air Fryer Cherry Cream Cheese Hand Pies Recipe

Oh my goodness, you have to try these air fryer cherry cream cheese hand pies! I stumbled upon this recipe when I needed a quick dessert for unexpected guests, and let me tell you—they disappeared faster than I could say "seconds please!" The best part? You probably have most of these ingredients in your pantry right now. Canned biscuits make the perfect shortcut dough, while that dreamy combination of tart cherries and sweet cream cheese filling will have everyone begging for your secret.

What I love most (besides how insanely delicious they are) is how foolproof these little hand pies are. Even if you're new to air frying, this recipe works like magic. In less than 30 minutes, you'll have golden, flaky pockets of joy that taste like you spent hours in the kitchen. Trust me, once you taste that warm cherry cream cheese goodness with just the right amount of buttery crunch, you'll be making these on repeat!

Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Cherry Cream Cheese Hand Pies

Oh, where do I even begin? These little pies are basically happiness wrapped in flaky dough. Here’s why they’re a total game-changer:

• Crazy quick – From pantry to plate in under 30 minutes (yes, really!)
• Pantry staples – No fancy ingredients needed
• That perfect bite – Tart cherries and sweet cream cheese balance each other magically
• Air fryer magic – Gets them golden and crisp without turning on the oven
• Portable perfection – No plates needed, just grab and go!

Seriously, they’re so good, I’ve started keeping extra cans of biscuits just for emergency pie cravings. Don’t say I didn’t warn you!

Ingredients for Air Fryer Cherry Cream Cheese Hand Pies

You won't believe how simple the ingredient list is for these little miracles! Here's what you'll need (and yes, I've learned a few tricks about each one the hard way, so you don't have to):

• 1 can Grands canned biscuits (8 count) - The flaky kind works best, not the buttermilk ones (they're too soft)
• 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened - This is KEY! Leave it out for at least 30 minutes - cold cream cheese will leave lumps in your filling
• 1 cup powdered sugar (packed) - Pack it gently into your measuring cup for the perfect sweetness
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract - The good stuff makes a difference here!
• 1 can cherry pie filling - I like to chop the cherries slightly so they're easier to fold into the pies
• Oil spray - Any neutral oil works; I keep a dedicated air fryer spray bottle filled with avocado oil
• 2 tablespoons melted butter - For that gorgeous golden finish
• Granulated sugar - Just a light sprinkle after baking makes them sparkle

See? Nothing weird or hard-to-find. Now let's make some magic happen!

How to Make Air Fryer Cherry Cream Cheese Hand Pies

Okay, let's get down to the fun part! I promise these come together so easily, you'll be amazed. Just follow these steps, and you'll have perfect little hand pies that look like they came from a fancy bakery.

Step 1: Prepare the Cream Cheese Filling

First things first - that luscious cream cheese filling! Grab your softened cream cheese (seriously, don't skip the softening - I learned that lesson the lumpy way). Beat it with the powdered sugar and vanilla until it's completely smooth and dreamy. You want it creamy enough to spread but thick enough to hold its shape - think frosting consistency. A few tiny lumps are okay, but take an extra minute to get it as smooth as you can. This is the "glue" that holds everything together!

Step 2: Assemble the Hand Pies

Now for the fun part! Roll out each biscuit on a lightly floured surface until it's about ¼ inch thick - no need to be perfect here. Spoon about a tablespoon of your cream cheese mixture in the center, then top with a teaspoon of cherry pie filling (drain off excess syrup if it looks too liquidy). Fold the dough over to make a half-moon shape, and here's my secret: crimp the edges REALLY well with a fork. Like, press hard enough to see clear fork marks. This keeps all that delicious filling from bubbling out in the air fryer (trust me, a blowout is heartbreaking!).

Step 3: Air Fry to Perfection

Preheat your air fryer to 350°F - this helps get that perfect golden crust. Lightly spray both sides of each pie with oil (helps with browning) and don't overcrowd - I do 3-4 at a time depending on my air fryer size. Cook for 6 minutes, then peek - they should be puffed and golden. If they need another minute, go for it! As soon as they come out, brush with melted butter and sprinkle with sugar while still warm. That buttery, sugary crust is what dreams are made of!

Tips for the Best Air Fryer Cherry Cream Cheese Hand Pies

After making way too many batches of these pies (all in the name of research, of course!), I’ve picked up some foolproof tricks:

• Double-check those seals! Press the edges with a fork until you see clear indentations—this keeps the filling from oozing out mid-air fry.
• Watch your air fryer’s personality. Some models run hotter—if your first batch browns too fast, drop the temp to 325°F and add an extra minute.
• Drain those cherries. A quick strain prevents sogginess—save the syrup for drizzling over ice cream later!
• Let them cool just a bit. The filling is lava-hot right out of the air fryer (ask my burnt tongue how I know).

Follow these, and you’ll get perfect pies every single time!

Ingredient Substitutions and Variations

One of the best things about this recipe? It’s crazy adaptable! Here’s how I’ve mixed it up over the years (sometimes out of necessity when I realize I’m out of something!):

• No biscuits? Puff pastry sheets work beautifully – just cut into squares and reduce air fry time by a minute.
• Not a cherry fan? Blueberry or apple pie filling are equally delicious (my husband swears by the apple version).
• Want extra flavor? Swap vanilla for almond extract – just use half the amount since it’s stronger.
• Dairy-free? Vegan cream cheese substitutes surprisingly well here.

The possibilities are endless – once you master the basic method, you can get creative with whatever you’ve got in the pantry!

Serving and Storing Air Fryer Cherry Cream Cheese Hand Pies

Oh, you absolutely must serve these hand pies warm - that's when the cream cheese is gloriously gooey and the cherries are at their juiciest! I like to pile them on a cute plate with a dusting of powdered sugar for that "bakery fresh" look. If (and that's a big IF) you have leftovers, just pop them in an airtight container - they'll keep for about 2 days on the counter. To bring back that just-made magic, air fry at 300°F for 2 minutes and they'll taste like new!

Nutritional Information

Now, I'm no nutritionist, but here's the scoop on what's in these delicious little pies (because let's be real - we all want to know how much extra walking we'll need to do!):

• Calories: 280 per hand pie
• Sugar: 20g
• Fat: 12g
• Protein: 4g

*Remember, these are estimates - your exact numbers might vary depending on your ingredient brands and how generous you are with that cherry filling!

FAQs About Air Fryer Cherry Cream Cheese Hand Pies

I get so many questions about these little pies - here are the ones that pop up most often (and all the answers I've learned through trial and error!):

Can I use homemade dough instead of canned biscuits?
Absolutely! My grandma's pie crust recipe works beautifully if you've got the time - just roll it slightly thicker than usual. Puff pastry is another great option if you're feeling fancy.

How do I prevent soggy bottoms?
Two tricks: First, don't overfill them (that cherry juice will seep out). Second, make sure your air fryer is fully preheated - that initial blast of heat crisps the bottom perfectly.

Why do some of my pies burst open?
Nine times out of ten, it's because the edges weren't sealed tightly enough. Press hard with that fork! If filling still escapes, try using slightly less - about 2 teaspoons total per pie is the sweet spot.

Can I freeze these before cooking?
You bet! Assemble them, then freeze on a baking sheet before transferring to a bag. No need to thaw - just add an extra 2-3 minutes to the cook time straight from frozen.

What's the best way to reheat leftovers?
The air fryer is your friend here! 300°F for 2-3 minutes brings back that fresh-baked magic. Microwave will work in a pinch, but you'll lose that perfect crispy texture.

Final Thoughts

Honestly? Just make them. These little pies are pure joy in every bite, and I can't wait to hear how yours turn out! Tag me when you make them - I want to see your delicious creations!

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