Air Fryer Strawberry Cheesecake Chimichangas are a healthier version of deep-fried burritos or taquitos. This quick and easy dessert of stuffed soft flour tortillas with creamy cheesecake filling, fresh strawberries, and cinnamon sugar is simply irresistible!
Similar to classic cheese blintzes, the Mexican version uses tortilla shells instead of crepes.
A favorite in Tex-Mex and other Southwestern US cuisine, xangos, or fried cheesecake, has its roots in Mexico. It's a quick-fix treat for those last-minute sugar cravings.
You are probably familiar with chimichanga as a savory dish, usually stuffed with shredded chicken or beef, rice, and beans. But have you ever tried this sweet version of scrumptious crispy pastry with a fruity, creamy center and a sugary topping?
Let me tell you, my cheesecake addiction just got greater by a notch.
You don't have to be planning a Cinco de Mayo celebration or Fiesta Party to enjoy these delicious strawberry cheese-filled chimis.
Similar to cheese blintzes, these chimichangas are perfect when you need a sweet treat in a pinch and are sure to be your family's new favorite.
📃 Why it Works
- Quick and easy to make with simple and affordable ingredients.
- Made in an air fryer, they are a healthier alternative to deep-fried chimichangas. If you don't own one, you can also bake them in the oven (see the FAQ section below) or pan-fry them.
- It's a celebration of texture that adds a whole new dimension to your taste buds' experience: crispy, creamy, and crunchy.
- It's a family-approved dessert and the perfect snack to satisfy everyone's sweet tooth.
How is air-frying food healthier?
Cooking or frying your food in an air fryer is much healthier because of the minimal oil required in the cooking process. Baking is another alternative if an air fryer is not in your budget.
Instead of butter or vegetable oil, we used the avocado cooking spray in this recipe, but coconut oil is also a healthy option.
🛒 Ingredients and Notes
Tortillas: Use soft flour or gluten-free tortillas. Wonton wraps and fillo dough would also work as an alternative, but not the corn tortillas.
Cream cheese: I recommend full-fat for the creamier texture.
Strawberries: Fresh is the best way to go.
🔪 Instructions
Step 1
- Beat together the cream cheese, sour cream, two tablespoons sugar, vanilla extract, and lemon zest.
- Fold in the sliced strawberries.
- Divide the mixture evenly among the tortillas, then roll the tortilla up like a burrito. Secure it with a toothpick. Repeat the rolling process with the remaining tortillas.
Step 2
- Place chimichangas seam side down in the air fryer basket. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you might need to work in batches.
- Bake at 400 F for 6 minutes or until golden brown and crispy, flipping them once after 3 minutes.
- Roll the warm chimichangas into the cinnamon-sugar mixture. Repeat the frying and rolling process with the remaining chimichangas.
- Tortillas come in a thick and thin texture, while Thin works better for this recipe.
- Use gluten-free tortillas if you or someone in your family has celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity.
- Keep tortillas at room temperature or warm them up, so they don't crack when rolling.
- If your cinnamon sugar isn't sticking to the tortillas, spray with oil or lightly brush with melted butter or coconut oil while still warm.
- You could also divide the cheesecake filling among eight tortillas.
👉 Variations
Try these delicious fillings:
- Banana and chocolate or Nutella
- Caramel apple pie filling like in these fillo apple pie rolls
- Cherry, lemon, blueberry, or peach cheesecake
- Bavarian cream
- The pumpkin cheesecake filling is perfect for fall and Thanksgiving
🍽 How To Serve It
Serve with whipped cream, vanilla ice cream, drizzled with chocolate syrup or honey, and garnished with strawberries or chocolate shavings.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Fresh strawberries are the best option. If you must use frozen fruit, you should thaw it before using them. Also, if using canned fruit, drain it first.
Yes, you can bake cheesecake chimichangas in the oven. Put them seam-side down on a greased baking sheet. Brush with oil, sprinkle with sugar and bake at 450 F for 5-10 or at 350 F for 15-20 minutes (flipping over once) or until golden brown.
These fried cheesecakes come together fast, so I haven't made them ahead of time. My concern is that tortillas might get a bit soggy.
If I had to, I'd keep them refrigerated and then take them out a few hours before cooking. Also, they are best when served warm.
Once fried, tortillas will soften and become a bit chewy when stored in the fridge for several days, but that doesn't mean they aren't still delicious cold!
I never tried freezing chimichangas, but if you must, you could freeze them after they've cooled down without coating them with cinnamon sugar.
Then, warm them up in the oven straight from the freezer, spray with oil, and cover with sugar. However, the cheese filling won't have the same texture, and strawberries might leak extra moisture into the filling, so perhaps dried strawberries would work better.
- Homemade Chipotle Burrito Bowl
- Mexican Chicken Soup
- No-Churn Strawberry Frozen Yogurt
- Strawberry Oatmeal Cake
- Mexican Guava Charlotte
Liked this recipe? Leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comments section. Your feedback is always appreciated! Stay in touch through Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook! Don't forget to sign up for my email list below too!
Air Fryer Mexican Strawberry Cheesecake Chimichangas
EQUIPMENT
- Toothpicks
Ingredients
- 8 oz cream cheese, at room temperature
- 2 tablespoon sour cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 ½ cup chopped strawberries, plus more for garnish
- 6 8-inch soft flour tortillas
- Cooking spray, avocado or olive oil
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- ½ cup sugar
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, beat together the cream cheese, sour cream, 2 tablespoons of sugar, vanilla extract, and lemon zest, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Fold in the sliced strawberries.
- Divide the mixture evenly among the tortillas, spreading portions in the lower third of each tortilla.
- Next, fold the two sides of each tortilla toward the center and then roll the tortilla up like a burrito. Secure it with a toothpick. Repeat the rolling process with the remaining tortillas.
- Depending on the size of your air fryer, you might need to work in batches. Cook for 6 minutes or until golden brown and crispy, flipping them once mid-way through.
- Combine the remaining sugar with the cinnamon in a shallow dish.
- Transfer the chimichangas to a plate and remove the toothpicks. Lightly spray them with cooking oil and roll them into a cinnamon-sugar mixture while still warm.
- Repeat the frying and coating process with the remaining chimichangas. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Tortillas come in a thick and thin texture. Thin work better for this recipe.
- Use gluten-free tortillas if you or someone in your family has celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity.
- Keep tortillas at room temperature or warm them up so they don't crack when rolling.
- If your cinnamon sugar isn't sticking to the tortillas, spray with oil or lightly brush with melted butter or coconut oil while still warm.
- You could also divide the cheesecake filling among 8 tortillas.
- Strawberry chimichangas are best when served warm.
- For variations and FAQs, please read the post.
- Please keep in mind that nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary significantly based on the products used.
Nutrition
Update Notes: This recipe was originally published in May 2017 and updated in March 2021 with new photos and recipe tips.
Helen at the Lazy Gastronome says
Looks fantastic!! Thanks for sharing on the What's for Dinner link up!
Jas says
Thanks, Helen!
Debbie says
Jas - these do look super duper easy - so much so I could probably make them and not ruin them LOL I love cheesecake and strawberries and yes - everything is ok in moderation! Thanks for linking up with #TuneInThursday last week. Hope to see you tomorrow too.
Jas says
These can't be ruined even if you try, ha!
Danielle @ A Sprinkle of Joy says
Those simply look divine!
Jas says
Thank you much, Danielle!
Sue from Sizzling Towards 60 & Beyond says
Thanks for linking up and sharing this tempting dessert recipe with us at #overthemoon link party. Have a great week, I've pinned and shared. 🙂
Jas says
Much appreciated, Sue!
Miz Helen says
What a very special treat that I can't wait to enjoy! Hope you are having a great day and thanks so much for sharing with us at Full Plate Thursday!
Come Back Soon,
Miz Helen
Jas says
I am, thank you Miz Helen!
Jhuls @ The Not So Creative Cook says
These look awesome!! I want some right now! 😀
Jas says
Thank you! They're really easy to make 😀
Cassie Smallwood says
OMG! These look amazing! Some of my favorite things...chimichangas, cheesecake, and strawberries. Thanks for sharing!
Jas says
Thank you, Cassie! They're pretty good, if I may say so myself 😀
Akaleistar says
Oh, that looks yummy! Love anything involving cheesecake 🙂
Jas says
Thank you! I'm addicted to cheesecakes and am slowly building my own collection. They even have their own page on my blog 😀
Stephanie says
Wow! I'm not sure that I've ever seen a recipe for these...they look amazing! I especially like the option of adding Nutella (one of my many guilty pleasures).
Jas says
Yes, I LOVE Nutella! 😀 Thanks for visiting, Stephanie! Hope your weekend is going great!
Alison's Allspice says
Dessert chimichangas! How much fun! I love the extra touch with the cinnamon sugar finish too!
Jas says
Thank you, Alison! Honestly, I thought the cinnamon would be too much but it's a perfect balance 🙂
Michelle says
Oh wow, these look like heaven on a plate. Can I eat my screen now please Jas?
Jas says
Lol, Michelle, sure! Eat away 😛
Michelle Leslie says
Me again. This is becoming a habit. The second recipe of yours I’ve tried and it’s now become my go to pudding. I have never been able to make a cheesecake of any kind but this one is just so incredibly easy and beyond yummy. You’re a star Jas
Jas says
YAY! I can't believe you came so close to the kitchen, LOL. It makes me tremendously happy that you're trying my recipes, Michelle! Words can't describe it 🙂 So glad you like it and thank you so so much! Now you need to teach me to craft like you 😉 Mwah!
Roseann Hampton says
I think I have all of these ingredients - can't wait to make these!
Jas says
You will love them, Roseann! Thanks for visiting!
Patrick@looneyforfood.com says
I used to always get the chimi cheesecake at ruby tuesdays when I was younger. This brings back memories and I can't wait to try making my own at home! Beautiful Pictures!
Jas says
Ha, I love that name - chimi cheesecake! 😀 Thank you, Patrick, and thanks for stopping in!
Sue from Sizzling Towards 60 & Beyond says
I've never heard of these but they look delicious! Thank you for sharing with us at #BloggingGrandmothersLinkParty. I've pinned and shared.
Jas says
Thank you, Sue! They are supper yummy!
Theresa @ Shoestring Elegance says
Oh my goodness, Jas, these look fabulous!! Thanks for sharing them with me at the party! Pinned and shared!
Happy May!
Theresa @ Shoestring Elegance
Jas says
Thank you, Theresa! Wishing you a lovely weekend 🙂
Jen Gregor says
Oh wow!! These look about like the best things ever!! Pinned and printed so I can make tomorrow!
Jas says
Jen, they pretty much are! LOL