👩🍳 Instructions
1. Make the Cream Cheese Filling
In a small bowl, mix together:
- Cream cheese
- Sugar
- Vanilla extract
- Lemon juice
Whisk until smooth and creamy. This forms the tangy-sweet base of your pastry.
2. Prepare the Puff Pastry
Unfold the puff pastry sheet on a lightly floured surface. Cut it into even squares or rectangles (typically 6–9 pieces depending on how large you want each one).
3. Assemble the Pastries
- Place a spoonful of the cream cheese mixture in the center of each pastry square.
- Add a small dollop (about 1/2 tsp) of strawberry spread on top of the cream cheese.
- Fold each square into your desired shape (triangles, envelopes, or pinwheels).
- Seal edges by pressing gently with a fork.
Optional: Brush with a little egg wash for extra golden color.
4. Air Fry to Perfection
- Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (180°C) for 2–3 minutes.
- Place the pastries in a single layer in the basket (work in batches if needed).
- Air fry for 8–10 minutes, or until golden brown and puffed up.
5. Cool & Glaze
Let the pastries cool for 5 minutes. Dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with a glaze made from powdered sugar and a splash of milk or lemon juice.
💡 Tips & Variations
- No strawberry spread? Use raspberry, apricot, or your favorite jam.
- Add fresh berries inside before folding for extra texture.
- For a lighter glaze, mix 2 tbsp powdered sugar + 1 tsp milk or lemon juice until smooth.
- You can freeze extras after baking—just reheat in the air fryer for 3–4 minutes.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
These are perfect served:
- With hot coffee for breakfast
- As a sweet brunch treat
- For afternoon tea
- Or as a light dessert with a scoop of vanilla ice cream
🧊 Storage
Store cooled pastries in an airtight container at room temp for up to 2 days. Reheat in the air fryer for a few minutes to bring back the crispiness.
❤️ Final Thoughts
This Air Fryer Cream Cheese Pastry is proof that baking can be easy, fast, and unbelievably delicious. The combo of buttery puff pastry, rich cream cheese filling, and fruity strawberry jam is a total win—whether you’re impressing guests or treating yourself.
Try it once, and you’ll be making it on repeat!