Introduction

Hey there, friend! Let’s talk about cravings. You know those moments when you just need something sweet, maybe a little bit fruity, and definitely easy? Something that reminds you of carnival treats or cozy nights in, but without all the fuss? Well, buckle up, because I’ve got a recipe that hits all those sweet spots: Air Fryer Cherry Pie Taquitos!

Seriously, these little roll-ups of pure joy are ridiculously simple to make, super fast thanks to the air fryer, and taste like tiny handheld cherry pies. They’re warm, they’re crispy on the outside, gooey and sweet on the inside… basically, they’re perfection in a few bites. You are going to absolutely fall in love with how easy it is to whip these up any time a sweet tooth strikes!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Fast: We’re talking minutes from start to finish. Perfect for a quick dessert fix.
Easy: If you can open a can and roll a tortilla, you can make these. No complicated steps here!
Giftable (sort of!): While best served warm, they make a fun addition to a casual get-together (if they last that long!).
Crowd-Pleasing: Who doesn’t love a warm, crispy treat filled with sweet cherry pie goodness? Kids and adults alike devour these.

Ingredients

You only need four (yes, FOUR!) simple ingredients to make these magical bites. You probably have most of them in your pantry right now!

1 can (about 20-21 ounces) Cherry Pie Filling: Grab your favorite brand! This is the star of the show, providing that classic sweet and slightly tart cherry flavor.
12 Medium Soft Flour Tortillas: Medium is key here – about 6-7 inches in diameter works perfectly. They’re easy to roll and hold the filling well. Make sure they’re soft!
4 tbsp Butter, Melted: This is what gives us that beautiful golden color and crispy exterior in the air fryer.
2 tsp Powdered Sugar: Totally optional, but highly recommended for that classic “dessert taquito” finish. It adds a lovely touch of sweetness and makes them look extra pretty!

How to Make It

Alright, let’s get these sweet treats rolling! It’s super straightforward, I promise.

First things first, get your air fryer preheating to 380°F (190°C). While it heats up, melt your butter in a small dish – the microwave works great for this.

Lay out one soft flour tortilla on a clean surface. Spoon about 2-3 tablespoons of the cherry pie filling onto the bottom third of the tortilla. Don’t overfill it, or the filling might ooze out while cooking (though a little ooze is totally okay and delicious!). Spread the filling slightly but leave the edges clear.

Now, it’s time to roll! Fold the sides of the tortilla in slightly over the filling, then tightly roll the tortilla up from the bottom, like you’re rolling a tiny burrito or cigar. Roll it as snugly as you can.

Repeat this process with the remaining tortillas and pie filling. You should have 12 lovely little taquitos ready to go!

Once they’re rolled, brush the outside of each taquito generously with the melted butter. Get all sides! This is what helps them get that gorgeous golden crisp.

Carefully place the taquitos in your preheated air fryer basket in a single layer. Make sure they aren’t touching each other so the air can circulate freely. You’ll definitely need to cook these in batches, depending on the size of your air fryer.

Air fry for 6-8 minutes, flipping them halfway through, until they are golden brown and crispy. Keep an eye on them – air fryer times can vary!

Once they’re done and looking absolutely perfect, carefully remove them from the air fryer basket. If you’re using it, dust them immediately with powdered sugar using a fine mesh sieve.

Let them cool for just a couple of minutes (the filling will be hot!) before digging in. Enjoy your warm, crispy, cherry-filled delights!

Substitutions & Additions

Want to mix things up? This recipe is super versatile!

Other Fillings: Swap the cherry pie filling for apple, peach, blueberry, or any other canned fruit pie filling you love!
Spice It Up: Stir a pinch of cinnamon or a tiny dash of almond extract into your cherry pie filling before rolling.
Different Coating: Instead of just butter, brush with butter and then roll in a cinnamon-sugar mixture before air frying for extra sweetness and crunch.
Sauce It: Serve with a side of whipped cream, vanilla ice cream, a drizzle of chocolate sauce, or even a simple glaze made from powdered sugar and a splash of milk.

Tips for Success

Here are a few pointers to make sure your Air Fryer Cherry Pie Taquitos turn out perfectly every time:

Don’t Overfill: Seriously, resist the urge! Too much filling makes them hard to roll and more likely to burst. About 2-3 tablespoons is plenty for a medium tortilla.
Roll Tightly: A tight roll helps the taquitos keep their shape and prevents the filling from escaping.
Butter is Your Friend: Don’t skimp on brushing with melted butter. It’s crucial for achieving that lovely crispy texture.
Don’t Crowd the Basket: Air fryers work by circulating hot air. If you pack the taquitos in too tightly, they’ll steam instead of crisp. Cook in batches!
Use Medium Tortillas: The small street-taco size is too small, and the large burrito size is too big and bulky. Medium (around 6-7 inches) is just right for rolling and fitting in the air fryer.

How to Store It

These are definitely best enjoyed fresh out of the air fryer when they are warm and crispy. However, if you have leftovers (a rare occurrence in my house!), you can store them.

Let them cool completely, then place them in an airtight container. They will keep at room temperature for a day or two, or in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. The tortillas will soften upon storage.

To reheat, the air fryer is your best bet! Pop them back in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 3-5 minutes, or until heated through and re-crisped. You can also use a conventional oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 8-10 minutes.

FAQs

Got questions? I’ve got (brief!) answers!

Q: Can I bake these instead of air frying?
A: Absolutely! Place the buttered taquitos on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden brown and crispy.

Q: Can I use other types of tortillas?
A: Soft flour tortillas work best for rolling and getting the right texture. Corn tortillas aren’t ideal for this sweet application and tend to crack when rolled this tightly.

Q: Why aren’t my taquitos getting crispy?
A: Make sure you’re brushing them generously with butter and that you’re not overcrowding your air fryer basket. Also, ensure your air fryer is fully preheated.

Q: Can I make these ahead of time?
A: You can roll and butter them a few hours ahead of time and keep them covered in the fridge, but for the absolute best crispy texture, air frying just before serving is ideal.

Easy Air Fryer Cherry Pie Taquitos

Sweet dessert rolls that are simple to make, super fast thanks to the air fryer, and taste like tiny handheld cherry pies. Warm, crispy on the outside, gooey and sweet on the inside.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Cook Time 7

Servings 12 taquitos

Equipment

Air Fryer
Small dish For melting butter
Fine-mesh sieve Optional, for dusting powdered sugar

Ingredients

Hauptzutaten

1 can Cherry Pie Filling about 20-21 ounces
12 Medium Soft Flour Tortillas about 6-7 inches in diameter
4 tbsp Butter Melted
2 tsp Powdered Sugar Optional

Instructions

First things first, get your air fryer preheating to 380°F (190°C). While it heats up, melt your butter in a small dish – the microwave works great for this.
Lay out one soft flour tortilla on a clean surface. Spoon about 2-3 tablespoons of the cherry pie filling onto the bottom third of the tortilla. Don't overfill it, or the filling might ooze out while cooking (though a little ooze is totally okay and delicious!). Spread the filling slightly but leave the edges clear.
Fold the sides of the tortilla in slightly over the filling, then tightly roll the tortilla up from the bottom, like you're rolling a tiny burrito or cigar. Roll it as snugly as you can.
Repeat this process with the remaining tortillas and pie filling. You should have 12 lovely little taquitos ready to go!
Once they're rolled, brush the outside of each taquito generously with the melted butter. Get all sides! This is what helps them get that gorgeous golden crisp.
Carefully place the taquitos in your preheated air fryer basket in a single layer. Make sure they aren't touching each other so the air can circulate freely. You'll definitely need to cook these in batches, depending on the size of your air fryer.
Air fry for 6-8 minutes, flipping them halfway through, until they are golden brown and crispy. Keep an eye on them – air fryer times can vary!
Once they're done and looking absolutely perfect, carefully remove them from the air fryer basket. If you're using it, dust them immediately with powdered sugar using a fine mesh sieve.
Let them cool for just a couple of minutes (the filling will be hot!) before digging in. Enjoy your warm, crispy, cherry-filled delights!

Notes

Tips for Success: Don't overfill (2-3 tbsp is enough for medium tortillas). Roll tightly to keep shape and prevent filling escape. Brush generously with melted butter for crispiness. Don't crowd the air fryer basket; cook in batches. Use medium tortillas (6-7 inches).
Substitutions & Additions: Swap cherry pie filling for apple, peach, blueberry, etc. Stir a pinch of cinnamon or dash of almond extract into filling. Roll in cinnamon-sugar mixture after brushing with butter. Serve with whipped cream, ice cream, chocolate sauce, or glaze.
Storage: Best enjoyed fresh. Cool completely before storing in airtight container. Keep at room temperature for 1-2 days or refrigerate for up to 4-5 days (tortillas will soften).
Reheating: Reheat in air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 3-5 minutes or until heated/re-crisped. Can also reheat in conventional oven at 350°F (175°C) for 8-10 minutes.
Baking Alternative: Bake on parchment-lined baking sheet in preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway.