Air Fryer Sausage Cream Cheese Puffs

Absolutely! While the air fryer provides an unparalleled crispiness, these crescents bake beautifully in a conventional oven. Simply arrange them on a large baking sheet lightly sprayed with nonstick cooking spray. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for approximately 15 minutes, or until they achieve a lovely golden-brown color and the pastry is cooked through.

This recipe is quite generous! Using two cans of crescent rolls, you can expect to make 32 delightful bite-sized crescents if you opt to cut each crescent roll triangle in half before filling. If you prefer larger appetizers and use full crescent roll triangles, you’ll yield 16 generously sized crescents. This flexibility allows you to tailor the portion sizes to your specific needs, whether it’s a small family snack or a larger party.

For these savory crescents, I typically recommend using ground breakfast sausage. Its seasoned flavor profile perfectly complements the cream cheese and Rotel. However, feel free to experiment with your favorites! Mild or hot breakfast sausage works wonderfully, as do other flavored ground sausages. You can also use Italian sausage (mild or spicy) for a different twist. Choose what you have on hand or what best suits your taste preferences. Just ensure it’s ground sausage for easy cooking and mixing.

Not at all. While cooking the sausage in the air fryer is a fantastic hack for convenience and less mess, it’s not a strict requirement. If you prefer, you can certainly brown the ground sausage in a skillet on your stovetop until fully cooked and no longer pink. After cooking, make sure to drain any excess grease thoroughly before combining it with the other filling ingredients. The air fryer method is just a time-saving tip for a full air fryer experience!

If you’re a fan of a little heat, there are several ways to kick up the spice level! One simple method is to use a “Hot” variety of Rotel (diced tomatoes with green chilies) instead of the mild version. You can also incorporate a pinch of red pepper flakes directly into the sausage and cream cheese mixture, add a touch of cayenne pepper, or mix in some finely diced fresh or pickled jalapeños for a vibrant, fiery flavor. Adjust the amount to your desired level of spice.

While it’s best to bake the crescents just before serving for optimal crispiness, the filling is perfect for make-ahead preparation. You can mix the sausage, cream cheese, Rotel, and seasonings up to 3 days in advance. Store the prepared filling in an airtight container in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to bake, simply unroll your crescent dough, fill, roll, and air fry or bake as directed. This makes party planning a breeze!

Leftover Air Fryer Sausage and Cream Cheese Crescents can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat and restore their delicious crisp texture, place them back in the air fryer at 320°F (160°C) for approximately 3-5 minutes, or until thoroughly heated and crispy again. Avoid the microwave, as it will make them soft and less appealing. For best results, allow them to cool completely before storing.

Step 1: Air Fry the Sausage. Begin by breaking your uncooked ground breakfast sausage into small, manageable pieces. Distribute these pieces evenly in the basket of your air fryer. This method allows the sausage to cook thoroughly and brown beautifully without the need for a separate pan, making cleanup much easier.

Step 2: Cook and Crumble the Sausage. Cook the sausage in your air fryer at 380°F (190°C) for approximately 6 minutes. There’s no need to preheat the air fryer for this step. Cooking times may vary slightly depending on the wattage and size of your specific air fryer model, as well as the size of your sausage pieces. The key is to ensure the sausage is fully cooked through and no longer shows any pink. Once cooked, carefully remove the air fryer basket and use a spoon or spatula to further crumble the sausage into fine pieces. This texture will integrate perfectly into the creamy filling.

Step 3: Prepare the Savory Filling. While the sausage cools slightly, thoroughly drain the can of Rotel (diced tomatoes and green chilies) using a fine mesh strainer. It’s crucial to remove as much liquid as possible; you can even gently press down on the Rotel with a paper towel to pat it dry. Excess moisture can make your crescent rolls soggy. In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, the cooked and crumbled sausage, the well-drained Rotel, garlic powder, and onion powder. Stir all the ingredients together until they are fully incorporated and form a cohesive, creamy mixture. Set this delicious filling aside.

Step 4: Prepare the Crescent Dough. Unroll the first can of crescent rolls onto a clean work surface or cutting board. Gently separate the dough along the perforated edges to form individual triangles. You have a choice here: for larger, more substantial appetizers, keep the triangles as they are. For smaller, bite-sized crescents, which are perfect for parties, carefully cut each large triangle in half lengthwise, as shown in the accompanying image. This customization allows for versatile serving options.

Step 5: Fill the Crescents. Now for the fun part! Take a small spoonful of your prepared sausage and cream cheese filling and place it at the wider end of each crescent roll triangle. Don’t overfill, as this can make rolling and sealing difficult. A good rule of thumb is about a tablespoon for larger crescents and a half tablespoon for the smaller ones. Distribute the filling evenly to ensure every bite is packed with flavor.

Step 6: Roll and Seal. Starting from the wide end with the filling, carefully roll each crescent dough triangle towards the pointed end. As you roll, gently pinch the edges of the dough around the filling to completely seal it inside. This prevents any delicious filling from escaping during the cooking process and ensures a neat, attractive pastry. Form them into the classic crescent shape, curving the ends slightly if desired.

Step 7: Air Fry in Batches. Lightly spray the basket of your air fryer with cooking spray to prevent sticking. Arrange about half of your filled crescent rolls in a single layer within the air fryer basket, ensuring they do not touch each other. Crowding the basket can lead to uneven cooking and less crispiness, as the air needs to circulate freely around each crescent. If necessary, cook in multiple batches.

Step 8: Cook Until Golden and Repeat. Cook the crescents in the air fryer at 320°F (160°C) for 5-7 minutes. Again, there’s no need to preheat the air fryer for this step, though some models may vary. Monitor them closely, checking for a beautiful golden-brown color and a puffy, cooked-through pastry. Once the first batch is done, transfer them to a serving platter and repeat the process with the remaining crescent rolls and filling from the second can of dough. Cook until all batches are perfectly golden and crispy.