I’m a sucker for anything cherry flavored. It has to be one of my all time favorite fruits. This easy air fryer cherry cobbler lets me use fresh or frozen fruits in combination with a sweet, biscuit-like crust to create a magical dessert. Thanks to the air fryer, you can skip the oven too!
Cherry cobbler is, in a sense, a fruit filled casserole. Fresh or frozen cherries are veritably stewed in their own juice and sometimes sugar to create a syrupy, pie filling like consistency.
The fruit is then topped with dollops of dough that’s similar in consistency to a biscuit, with cake-like elements as well.
The origin of cherry cobbler is actually attributed to early English settlers trying to create a suitable replacement for English pudding using what they had available.
Traditionally, you’d bake your cobbler in a casserole dish in the oven to thicken the filling and both cook and brown the topping. However, there are other methods to cook it as well, such as the air fryer that I’ll explain more about soon.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Homemade cherry cobbler is very quick and easy to make, but incredibly delicious and can feed a crowd if you want. It’s perfect topped with ice cream or whipped cream, which makes a perfect contrast with the warm fruit filling.
Of course, cobblers aren’t just limited to cherries! You can use a large variety of fruits and berries to make all sorts of flavors, so feel free to get creative.
Both fresh and frozen fruit work, so it’s never out of season for a cobbler. I actually prefer frozen when working with cherries, though, since you don’t need to deal with the tedious pitting process!
The biggest benefit to making dessert in the air fryer over the oven is the time you’ll save! Instead of 40 minutes in the oven, I cook a batch in just 15 minutes in my air fryer. Now that’s easy!
Ingredients List
2 cups fresh or frozen cherries, pitted and halved
2 Tbsp granulated sugar
1 ½ Tbsp cornstarch
1 tsp almond extract
4 Tbsp salted butter (melted)
½ cup all purpose flour
¼ cup brown sugar
½ tsp baking powder
½ cup cream or milk
Special Equipment Note: This recipe is designed to fit correctly in four 7-ounce ramekins. You may also use a single cake pan or similar dish that fits in your air fryer’s basket.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
You can use any type of cherries you like. I have dark sweet cherries here. If you use a tart variety, you may want to double the sugar. You can also feel free to use pre-made canned cherry pie filling in place of fresh fruit!
The almond may be swapped for vanilla extract if preferred
All purpose flour may be swapped for whole wheat or gluten free flour, but the texture will change and be denser
If you’d like to use a bigger pan and make a larger batch, feel free to double the recipe
Variations of Air Fryer Cherry Cobbler
Mixed Berry Cobbler. Add assorted other berries in combination with the cherries, such as raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, or strawberries
Peach Cobbler With Cherries. Use an equal mix of sliced peaches along with the cherries for the filling
Gluten-Free or Vegan Alternatives. To make this dish vegan, swap the dairy and butter for vegan alternatives, and use a natural sweetener like agave instead. For gluten-free, use almond flour in place of the all purpose
Savory Twist. Blend sweet and savory by adding ¼ cup of cheddar, feta, or goat cheese to your biscuit topping
How to Make Cherry Cobbler in the Air Fryer
Combine cherries, sugar, cornstarch, and almond extract in a bowl. Mix well, and set aside
In another bowl, combine butter, flour, brown sugar, baking powder, and cream or milk, stirring until you have a relatively smooth batter (some lumps are fine)
Preheat your air fryer to 350°F and grease 4 ramekins, or another dish of your choice that fits in the air fryer
Add the cherries to the bottom of the dish, or divide evenly between ramekins
Top the layer of cherries with the cobbler batter (you do not need to spread it smoothly)
Place the filled ramekins into the preheated air fryer basket
Cook on the air fry setting for 15 minutes (or 20 if you’re using a single larger pan), or until the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbly
Cool for 5-10 minutes to allow the filling to set up slightly
Serve warm with a scoop of ice cream or whipped cream!
What to Serve With Cherry Cobbler
Goat cheese
Feta cheese
Bruschetta
Panzanella salad
Pork loin
Salmon
Duck
Pesto chicken
Prosciutto
Lamb chops
Chili
Ice cream
Whipped cream
Amaretto drinks
Bourbon
Brandy
Vodka drinks
There are many great dishes to serve with cherry cobbler, from appetizers and main courses to toppings and drink accompaniments. All of these flavors are the perfect compliment to sweet or tart cherries!
Try my air fryer cherry cobbler recipe with some Air Fryer Goat Cheese Balls or some Air Fryer Bruschetta for an appetizer. Pair with my Air Fryer Pesto Chicken or some tasty Air Fryer Chili for your main course.
Yes, you can absolutely make cherry cobbler in an air fryer. In fact, it takes about half the time to cook as a traditional oven, though space is slightly more limited.
Any oven safe pan that fits in the air fryer basket is suitable including ramekins for individual servings.
What Cherries Make a Good Cobbler?
Most dark, sweet, or sour cherries make a good cobbler. Popular varieties include Bing, Queen Anne, Rainier, Morello, Montmorency, frozen dark sweet varieties, or tart cherries.
You can also mix varieties for an even more interesting flavor combination.
Can I Use Frozen Cherries For Air Fryer Cherry Cobbler?
Yes, you can use frozen cherries for air fryer cherry cobbler. They don’t need to be defrosted ahead of time.
Frozen cherries are great when fresh are out of season, but they’re typically sold pre-pitted, so they can also be a time saving alternative.
Can You Make Cherry Cobbler With Canned Pie Filling?
Yes, you can make cherry cobbler with canned pie filling. Just substitute it in place of the fresh or frozen fruit, sugar, and cornstarch in the recipe.
You can still add extra cherries, or other flavor additives like extracts if you like.
How Long Does it Take to Cook Cherry Cobbler in an Air Fryer?
It takes about 15 minutes to cook cherry cobbler in ramekins in an air fryer. For a single, larger pan, expect it to take between 20-25 minutes total.
Of course, you can always add additional time to achieve a darker browning on the cobbler topping, if desired.
Can I Use a Different Fruit for the Cobbler Filling?
Yes, you can definitely use different fruit for the cobbler filling. Blackberries, peaches, apples, and blueberries are all popular choices.
You can even mix different fruits together to create your own customized option.
Can I Make the Cobbler Ahead of Time and Reheat it in the Air Fryer?
Yes, you can make your cobbler ahead of time and reheat it in the air fryer. You can assemble the entire dish and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours, cooking it when you’re ready.
Alternatively, do the cooking ahead of time and then place a single portion in a dish in the air fryer and reheat for 3-5 minutes at 350°F, or until warmed through.
Is it Possible to Make a Gluten-Free Version of Air Fryer Cherry Cobbler?
Yes, it is possible to make a gluten free version of air fryer cherry cobbler. You’ll want to swap the all purpose flour for a gluten free option, such as almond flour or cornmeal.
While typically gluten free, it’s always advisable to check ingredients like baking powder, cornstarch, or sugar to make sure they’re not receiving cross contamination during production.
Can I Use a Different Topping Instead?
Yes, you can use different topping instead of the biscuit-like batter. Prepared boxed yellow cake mix is another common choice.
You can also modify it and use oatmeal streusel topping, but then it becomes a crisp instead of a cobbler.
Pro Cooking Tips
If your batter gets too brown on top but isn’t fully cooked yet, you can add a piece of foil to the top to help. However, this isn’t always needed (I never do, but other air fryers may vary)
My cherry cobbler ramekins were perfect at 15 minutes in a Ninja Dual Zone air fryer. Other air fryers and sizes of cooking container will vary
Feel free to cool slightly and enjoy directly from the ramekin! Alternatively, use a spatula to tip it into a bowl for serving
Storage and Reheating
Store leftover cherry cobbler in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 6 months. You may also assemble it up to a day ahead of time and cook when you’re ready to enjoy
To reheat cherry cobbler, place a serving in an oven safe bowl in the air fryer for 3-5 minutes at 350°F, or until warmed through. Alternatively, you may microwave on high for 45-60 seconds. It can be enjoyed cold as well, if desired
I love making homemade air fryer cherry cobbler, as it’s a quick, easy, and delicious dessert (plus I’m a sucker for those juicy cherries)! The air fryer cuts cooking time in half compared to the oven, and won’t heat up your whole house, making cobbler enjoyable all year round.
While it might not be the first method that comes to mind, I encourage you to give it a try! You can choose to make perfect single serving ramekins like I did here, or use a cake pan or casserole dish for a more traditional feel. You may never go back to the oven method!
If you’re not a fan of cherries, don’t worry! You can still make a delicious air fryer dessert with all sorts of different berries you do like, or use pie filling for a shortcut that still delivers tasty results!
Easy Air Fryer Cherry Cobbler (With Fresh or Frozen Cherries)
This air fryer cobbler is the perfect fruit-based dessert to enjoy. It’s quick and easy, coming together in under 30 minutes, with a golden brown cobbler topping that won’t make you miss the oven!
Combine cherries, sugar, cornstarch, and almond extract in a bowl. Mix well, and set aside
2 Cups fresh or frozen cherries, 2 Tbsp granulated sugar, 1 ½ Tbsp cornstarch, 1 Tsp almond extract
In another bowl, combine butter, flour, brown sugar, baking powder, and cream or milk, stirring until you have a relatively smooth batter (some lumps are fine)
4 Tbsp salted butter, ½ Cup all purpose flour, ¼ Cup brown sugar, ½ Tsp baking powder, ½ Cup cream or milk
Preheat your air fryer to 350°F and grease 4 ramekins, or another dish of your choice that fits in the air fryer
Add the cherries to the bottom of the dish, or divide evenly between ramekins
Top the layer of cherries with the cobbler batter (you do not need to spread it smoothly)
Place the filled ramekins into the preheated air fryer basket
Cook on the air fry setting for 15 minutes (or 20 if you’re using a single larger pan), or until the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbly
Cool for 5-10 minutes to allow the filling to set up slightly
Serve warm with a scoop of ice cream or whipped cream!
Notes
You can use any type of cherries you like. I have dark sweet cherries here. If you use a tart variety, you may want to double the sugar. You can also feel free to use pre-made canned cherry pie filling in place of fresh fruit!
The almond may be swapped for vanilla extract if preferred
All purpose flour may be swapped for whole wheat or gluten free flour, but the texture will be denser
If you’d like to use a bigger pan and make a larger batch, feel free to double the recipe
If your batter gets too brown on top but isn’t fully cooked yet, you can add a piece of foil to the top to help. However, this isn’t always needed (I never do, but other air fryers may vary)
My cherry cobbler ramekins were perfect at 15 minutes in a Ninja Dual Zone air fryer. Other air fryers and sizes of cooking container will vary
Feel free to cool slightly and enjoy directly from the ramekin! Alternatively, use a spatula to tip it into a bowl for serving
Store leftover cherry cobbler in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 6 months. You may also assemble it up to a day ahead of time and cook when you’re ready to enjoy
To reheat cherry cobbler, place a serving in an oven safe bowl in the air fryer for 3-5 minutes at 350°F, or until warmed through. Alternatively, you may microwave on high for 45-60 seconds. It can be enjoyed cold as well, if desired
Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand of ingredients, any swaps or additions, and actual quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only
Keyword air fried fruit desserts, air fryer cherry cobbler, air fryer cherry cobbler with fresh cherries, air fryer dessert recipes, cherry cobbler, cherry cobbler recipes, cobbler, easy cherry cobbler, homemade cobbler in the air fryer, ninja air fryer cherry cobbler
I enjoy trying new recipes, creating my own, and dabbling with new techniques all the time. My husband loves to protest when I make him my guinea pig, but it’s all for the love of food!
My cooking philosophy is that great tasting food doesn't have to be complicated or time consuming to make. I'm a home cook with over 20 years of experience feeding myself and others. I've learned from a variety of different people, things I've learned online, and some trial and error as well.
I enjoy cooking a variety of foods, from convenience to comfort foods, as well as international cuisine. You can rest assured that all of my recipes have been actually made, thoroughly tested, and most importantly: tasted! I want you to enjoy my food as much as I do!
