Air Fryer Caramel Cheesecake Chimichangas
This dessert burrito is filled with creamy cheesecake filling and gooey caramel sauce. Air Fryer Caramel Cheesecake Chimichangas are air-fried to golden crispy perfection and covered in cinnamon sugar and graham cracker crumbs.
This dessert chimichanga is one of the best things I’ve made in my air fryer. It reminds me of a deep-fried burrito but without the extra grease. If you are a fan of deep-fried cheesecake, you need to try this decadent dessert. You won’t be disappointed.
The first time I made them, I had high hopes. I’m a HUGE caramel lover and can never resist anything cheesecake. I love the crispy, sweet tortilla shell. This is the best way to enjoy a tortilla for dessert!
Did I mention it’s a super easy dessert to make? It takes about 30 minutes to prepare from start to finish—the perfect way to end a meal and something for the whole family to enjoy.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- One of the most delicious air fryer desserts
- Simple to make
- Less messy and greasy than deep frying
- A sweet treat ready to eat in 30 minutes
- Easy to find ingredients that won’t break the bank
- Super decadent amazing dessert everyone loves
- Easy to customize with different flavors
Ingredients
The full printable recipe card with measurements and instructions is found at the bottom of the post.
- Cream cheese. Ensure they are softened to room temperature before using them in this recipe. I used regular cream cheese, but light cream cheese will also work.
- Cool Whip. Thaw out your whipped topping first before you use it. You can also make your own homemade Cool Whip.
- Powdered sugar
- Vanilla extract. I prefer to use pure vanilla extract, but artificial vanilla extract is fine, too. You can make homemade vanilla extract (it’s easy!).
- 6-inch soft flour tortillas. Use flour tortillas. I don’t recommend corn tortillas for this recipe.
- Caramel sauce. Caramel sundae syrup is good, or you can make your own homemade caramel sauce.
- Unsalted butter
- Cinnamon sugar. Buy the store-bought version, or you can make your own homemade cinnamon sugar. It’s delicious on buttered toast!
- Graham cracker crumbs. You can buy them as crumbs or make your own by crushing graham crackers in a plastic baggie with a rolling pin.
How to Make Air Fryer Caramel Cheesecake Chimichangas
Follow along to learn how to make Air Fryer Caramel Cheesecake Chimichangas!
- Step One: Beat the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract in a medium bowl with a hand mixer until fluffy.
- Step Two: Using a rubber spatula, fold in the Cool Whip and set aside.
- Step Three: Place a tortilla shell on a clean work surface and spread ¼ cup of the cheesecake mixture in the center. Drizzle with the desired amount of caramel sauce.
- Step Four: Take two sides of the tortilla and fold over. Take the bottom, fold it to the top, and bring it in. Then, roll up the chimichanga. Repeat until all the cheesecake mixture and caramel sauce are used up.
- Step Five: Combine the graham cracker crumbs and the cinnamon sugar in a small bowl and set aside.
- Step Six: Brush the melted butter on all sides of the chimichangas and roll them in the graham cracker mixture.
- Step Seven: Preheat the air fryer to 360°F and spray the air fryer basket with oil spray. Arrange as many chimichangas as they fit in the air fryer without touching each other. You may need to work in batches if you have a smaller air fryer. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes until golden brown and crispy. Serve immediately.
What to Serve with Them
Variations and Substitutions
- Make a caramel apple chimichanga by adding apple pie filling.
- Omit the caramel sauce and make strawberry cheesecake chimichangas by adding chopped fresh strawberries and/or strawberry sauce.
- Use butterscotch sauce instead of caramel sauce.
- Substitute chocolate sauce or hot fudge sauce for the caramel. You could also use chocolate graham cracker crumbs instead of the graham cracker crumbs.
- Try my lemon sauce instead of the caramel for a tart-sweet delight.
Storage Instructions
To store, cover chimichangas tightly with plastic wrap and place them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For best results, serve fresh and hot. I don’t recommend freezing them.
Topping Ideas
- Whipped cream or more thawed whipped topping
- Extra caramel sauce
- Chopped pecans, peanuts or walnuts
- Your favorite ice cream (I love mine with vanilla)
What is a Chimichanga?
A chimichanga is a deep-fried burrito typically filled with savory ingredients like rice, cheese, beans, and meat. It’s popular in Tex-Mex cuisine and the southwestern United States.
This recipe is a dessert chimichanga as it’s filled with sweet ingredients.
Can I Make Them in the Oven?
Yes, you can! If you don’t have an air fryer, make them in the oven.
Preheat the oven to 400°F. Place the chimichangas on a baking sheet for 8 to 10 minutes.
Air Fryer Desserts
- Air Fryer Cinnamon Twists
- Air Fryer Candied Pecans
- Air Fryer Pumpkin Pie Twists
- Caramel Apple Pie Crescents
- Air Fryer Oreos
- Copycat Taco Bell Air Fryer Caramel Apple Empanadas
You’ll also like these Caramel Apple Tarts.
Follow me on Instagram @simplystacieblog, Facebook at Simply Stacie, TikTok @simplystacierecipes or Pinterest at @simplystacie and let me know how you liked this recipe and my other recipes.
Air Fryer Caramel Cheesecake Chimichangas
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Ingredients
- 2 packages cream cheese 8oz/250g package, softened
- 1 tub Cool Whip 8oz, thawed
- ⅔ cup powdered sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 9 6" soft flour tortillas
- ¾ cup caramel sauce
- 1 stick unsalted butter melted
- 2 tbsp cinnamon sugar
- 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, beat the cream cheese, powdered sugar and vanilla extract with a hand mixer until fluffy. Using a rubber spatula, fold in the Cool Whip and set aside.
- On a clean work surface, place a tortilla shell and spread ¼ cup of the cheesecake mixture in the center. Drizzle with the desired amount of caramel sauce.
- Take two sides of the tortilla and fold over. Take the bottom and fold it to the top and bring it in. Then roll up the chimichanga. Repeat until all the cheesecake mixture and caramel sauce are used up.
- In a small bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs and the cinnamon sugar and set aside.
- Brush the melted butter on all sides of the chimichangas and roll them in the graham cracker mixture.
- Preheat the air fryer to 360°F and spray the air fryer basket with oil spray. Arrange as many chimichangas will fit in the air fryer without them touching each other. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes until golden and crispy. Serve immediately.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
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I tried this recipe and found just using 9 tortillas, there was a lot of filling left over using only 1/2 cup in each. I also had a lot of graham crumbs leftover. I’m sure I could have used double the tortillas.