Air Fryer Cinnamon Rolls
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Air Fryer Cinnamon Rolls are soft and fluffy with warm cinnamon and brown sugar in every bite! They’re perfect for breakfast, dessert, or a sweet midday snack.
Cinnamon, brown sugar, and soft doughy bread make an amazing combination. That’s one of the many reasons we love cinnamon rolls and just about anything cinnamon roll-like. From Homemade Cinnamon Rolls and Caramel Apple Cinnamon Rolls to Cinnamon Roll Peach Cobbler and Cinnamon Roll Pigs in a Blanket. We can’t get enough of that cinnamon goodness.
How To Make Air Fryer Cinnamon Rolls
Make the cinnamon roll dough:
- Prepare the baking pan: Lightly grease an 8-inch or 9-inch air fryer-safe pan. Set aside.
- Warm the liquids: In a measuring cup or microwave-safe bowl, mix the milk, water, and butter together. Microwave until the butter melts and the mixture is warm (about 110-115°F).
- Knead with stand mixer: Pour the warm liquid, flour, sugar, yeast, egg, and salt into the bowl of stand mixer or a large mixing bowl. Using a dough hook, mix on low-medium speed until a mostly smooth dough forms. This will take about 5-7 minutes. The dough will feel dense and somewhat heavy.
- Or knead by hand: If kneading by hand, turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes.
- Rest, rise, and roll: Lightly grease a clean, large bowl. Place the dough into the bowl, cover with plastic wrap or a clean towel, and allow the dough to rest for 20-30 minutes. After the dough rests, use a rolling pin to roll it out onto a lightly floured surface into an 8×10-inch rectangle or oval.
Fill, Air Fry, and Frost:
- Spread the filling: Use a spatula to spread the softened butter across the dough. Then, sprinkle brown sugar and cinnamon over the butter.
- Cut into rolls and rise again: Roll the dough tightly starting with the shorter side. Cut the roll into 6 pieces and arrange them in the prepared pan. Cover, and allow the rolls to rise for about an hour or until they’ve doubled in size.
- Air Fry: Preheat the air fryer for 3-5 minutes at 320°F. Then, cook for 5-7 minutes (up to 8-10 minutes depending on the model of air fryer) or until golden brown.
- Prepare the icing: While rolls are in the air fryer, prepare icing. Place all ingredients in a medium mixing bowl and mix until well combined.
- Drizzle and serve: Pour the icing over the warmed cinnamon rolls and serve while warm. Enjoy!
Air Fryer Cinnamon Roll Tips
- Be sure to use an air fryer-safe pan when cooking the cinnamon rolls in the air fryer.
- You may or may not need to preheat your air fryer depending on the model. Consult your air fryer’s owner’s manual for guidance.
- Adjust the cinnamon and brown sugar to your personal tastes.
Variations
- Cinnamon Roll Flavors: Feel free to experiment with different flavor combinations in the filling. For example, try using pecans or walnuts, raisins or dried cranberries, or granulated sugar.
- Icing Flavors: If you’re not a fan of cream cheese icing, try using a vanilla or chocolate glaze instead. Simply whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract (or melted chocolate) until smooth. Then, drizzle over the warm air fryer cinnamon rolls and serve.
Storing and Freezing
Storing: Serve the cinnamon rolls immediately for the best flavor and texture. Store leftovers in an airtight container for 3-4 days. Reheat the rolls by microwaving for 10-12 seconds or until warmed to your desired temperature.
Freezing: Air fryer cinnamon rolls are freezer friendly, too. Before adding the icing, place them in a freezer-safe bag or container, and store them for up to two months. When ready to eat, thaw the rolls overnight in the fridge then air fry or bake until warmed through.
Ingredients
For the Cinnamon Rolls:
- ¼ cup milk
- 2 tablespoons water
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups bread flour, may substitute all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast, 1 standard packet
- 1 large egg
- ¼ teaspoon salt
For the Filling:
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup light brown sugar
- ½ tablespoon ground cinnamon
For the Icing:
- 1 ounce block-style cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, softened
- ¼ cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Instructions
To Make the Cinnamon Rolls:
- Lightly grease an 8-inch or 9-inch air fryer-safe pan. Set aside.
- In a measuring cup or microwave-safe bowl, mix the milk, water, and butter together. Microwave until the butter melts and the mixture is warm (about 110-115°F).¼ cup milk2 tablespoons water2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- Pour the warm liquid, flour, sugar, yeast, egg, and salt into the bowl of stand mixer or a large mixing bowl. Using a dough hook, mix on low-medium speed until a mostly smooth dough forms. This will take about 5-7 minutes. The dough will feel dense and somewhat heavy.1 ½ cups bread flour2 tablespoons granulated sugar2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast1 large egg¼ teaspoon salt
- If kneading by hand, turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes.
- Lightly grease a clean, large bowl. Place the dough into the bowl, cover with plastic wrap or a clean towel, and allow the dough to rest for 20-30 minutes.
- After the dough rests, use a rolling pin to roll it out onto a lightly floured surface into an 8×10-inch rectangle or oval.
To Make the Filling:
- Use a spatula to spread the softened butter across the dough. Then, sprinkle brown sugar and cinnamon over the butter.2 tablespoons unsalted butter½ cup light brown sugar½ tablespoon ground cinnamon
- Roll the dough tightly starting with the short side. Cut the roll into 6 pieces and arrange them into the prepared pan. Cover, and allow the rolls to rise for about an hour or until they’ve doubled in size.
- Preheat the air fryer for 3-5 minutes at 320°F or according to manufacturer's instructions. Then, cook for 5-7 minutes (up to 8-10 minutes depending on the model of air fryer) or until golden brown.
To Make the Icing:
- While rolls are baking, prepare icing. Place all ingredients in a medium mixing bowl and mix until well combined.1 ounce block-style cream cheese¼ cup powdered sugar1 tablespoon unsalted butter¼ cup heavy whipping cream1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Drizzle icing over warm rolls and serve.
- See post for storage options.
Suggested Equipment
Notes
*The calories listed are an approximation based on the ingredients in the recipe card and a serving size of 1 cinnamon roll. Actual calories will vary.
*For more information, tips, and answers to frequently asked questions, please refer to the post.
*Photos courtesy of Tanille Hartwig Photography.
Nutrition
Serving: 1cinnamon roll | Calories: 386kcal | Carbohydrates: 53g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 70mg | Sodium: 212mg | Potassium: 146mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 28g | Vitamin A: 559IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 59mg | Iron: 1mg
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