Cinnamon Rolls in the Air Fryer
Cinnamon rolls are a weekend treat, but the oven can take 30 minutes to heat and bake them. In the air fryer, a small batch is ready in about 12 minutes, with soft, gooey centres and golden spirals. These air fryer cinnamon rolls use a simple yeast dough, so the proving is the longest part.
- Temperature
- 160°C
- Total time
- 2:04hr
- Prep
- 25min
- Servings
- 6
- Per serving
- 350kcal
Why the air fryer works for cinnamon rolls
Air fryer cinnamon rolls bake quickly because the compact chamber heats the dough from all sides. The outside turns golden in about 10 minutes, and the centre stays soft and sticky if the heat is kept moderate. You do not need to heat a full oven for six rolls, and the smell fills the kitchen in no time.
The limits are the basket and the heat. The fan browns the tops early, so use 160 °C rather than the higher temperature many recipes suggest, and cover them with foil if they colour too fast. A 4–6 litre basket takes 3 rolls at a time, 6 in a larger machine. If you want a recipe for a similar enriched dough, see the croissants.
How to make cinnamon rolls in the air fryer
Tap a time to start a timer.
- Make the dough Mix the flour, caster sugar, yeast and salt in a bowl. Add the warm milk, egg and melted butter and stir to a soft dough. Knead on a floured surface for until smooth and elastic.
- Prove Put the dough in an oiled bowl, cover with a clean tea towel and leave in a warm place for , until doubled in size.
- Fill and roll Roll the dough into a rectangle of about 20 x 30 cm. Spread with the soft butter, then sprinkle over the brown sugar and cinnamon. Roll up tightly from the long side and cut into 6 equal slices.
- Prove again Place the rolls, cut side up, in a baking paper-lined tin or a dish that fits your basket, leaving gaps between them. Cover and leave for .
- Bake Preheat the air fryer to 160 °C for . Cook the rolls for , in two batches of 3 if your basket is small. Cover with foil if they brown too quickly. They are done when golden and they sound hollow when tapped.
- Ice and serve Beat the cream cheese, icing sugar and milk to a smooth icing. Spread it over the warm rolls and serve.
Cooking times and temperatures
| Cinnamon Rolls | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Homemade rolls, from scratch | 160 °C | 10–12 min |
| Ready-made rolls from a tube | 150 °C | 8–10 min |
| No-yeast yoghurt rolls | 160 °C | 12–14 min |
| Cinnamon roll bites | 160 °C | 6–8 min |
| Reheating a roll | 150 °C | 2–3 min |
Times are a guide and depend on the size of the food and the power of your air fryer. See also cooking times and temperatures for all dishes.
Tips
- Warm, not hot, milk. About 38 °C is right for yeast. If it is too hot, the dough will not rise.
- Roll tightly. A tight spiral keeps the filling in and gives neat swirls.
- Space the rolls. They expand as they prove and bake, so leave about 1 cm between them.
Serving
Serve the rolls warm with cream cheese icing and a cup of coffee for breakfast or a weekend brunch. Air fryer cinnamon rolls also go well with a plate of pancakes or fresh fruit. A drizzle of maple syrup is another option if you prefer a thinner glaze.
Storing and reheating
Un-iced rolls keep for 2 days in an airtight tin and freeze for up to 1 month. To reheat, warm each roll in the air fryer at 150 °C for 2–3 minutes, until soft and steaming hot all the way through (75 °C). Add fresh icing after reheating.
Variations
- Pecan rolls: Scatter 40 g chopped pecans over the filling before rolling.
- Orange rolls: Add the zest of 1 orange to the sugar filling and replace the milk in the icing with orange juice.
- Cardamom: Replace half the cinnamon with ground cardamom for a Scandinavian-style roll.
Troubleshooting
- The rolls are dense
- The dough did not prove for long enough, or the milk was too hot, which kills the yeast. Use milk that is warm to the touch and allow the dough to double in size.
- The tops are dark but the middle is raw
- Lower the temperature to 150 °C, cover the rolls loosely with foil and add 3–4 minutes.
- The filling leaks out
- Roll the dough tightly, chill the log for 10 minutes before cutting, and use a sharp knife or dental floss to slice.
Frequently asked questions
How long do cinnamon rolls take in an air fryer?
Homemade rolls take 10–12 minutes at 160 °C. Ready-made dough from a tube takes 8–10 minutes at 150 °C.
Can I cook ready-made cinnamon rolls in the air fryer?
Yes. Place them in the basket on baking paper with space between them, and cook at 150 °C for 8–10 minutes. Add the icing afterwards.
Can I make air fryer cinnamon rolls without yeast?
Yes. Mix 200 g self-raising flour with 200 g Greek yoghurt for a quick dough. Roll and fill as above, and bake for 12–14 minutes.
How do I reheat cinnamon rolls in an air fryer?
Warm them at 150 °C for 2–3 minutes. Add fresh icing once they are warm.
Do I need to preheat the air fryer?
A 3-minute preheat helps the rolls start rising and browning evenly from the first minute.
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