Description
Crunchy on the outside and creamy on the inside, Strawberry Cheesecake Chimichangas are a delightful handheld dessert featuring rich cheesecake filling combined with fresh strawberries, wrapped in a crispy tortilla shell and fried to golden perfection. Perfect for parties or cozy treats, they offer a unique twist on traditional cheesecake with a burst of flavor and texture in every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Filling
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, diced
- 1 tsp lemon zest (optional)
Assembly & Frying
- 4 large 8-inch flour tortillas
- Butter or oil for frying (about 1/2 cup)
Toppings
- Cinnamon sugar (optional, for dusting)
- Powdered sugar (for dusting)
Instructions
- Prepare the Cheesecake Filling: In a medium bowl, soften the cream cheese until smooth. Mix in the granulated sugar and vanilla extract thoroughly. Gently fold in the diced fresh strawberries and optional lemon zest to brighten the flavors.
- Assemble the Chimichangas: Lay out each flour tortilla flat. Spoon a generous amount of the cheesecake mixture onto the center of each tortilla. Carefully fold the sides in and roll tightly to form a sealed chimichanga, ensuring no filling can escape during frying.
- Fry Until Golden: Heat butter or oil in a pan over medium heat. Once hot, fry each chimichanga, turning occasionally to cook all sides evenly. Fry for about 2-3 minutes per side until the shells are crisp and golden brown.
- Add a Sweet Finish: Remove chimichangas from the oil and drain on paper towels to remove excess oil. While still warm, dust with cinnamon sugar or powdered sugar to add a warm, crunchy, and sweet finishing touch.
Notes
- Use room temperature cream cheese for a smooth, creamy filling without lumps.
- Do not overfill tortillas to allow for neat folding and prevent leaks during frying.
- Maintain medium heat while frying to avoid burning or soggy shells.
- Drain excess oil by placing chimichangas on paper towels immediately after frying to keep them crisp.
- Serve chimichangas warm for the best texture and taste, with melting cream cheese inside.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chimichanga
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 210 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg