Air Fryer Cinnamon Rolls
Air fryer cinnamon rolls bake in under 10 minutes and come out soft in the middle with a lightly golden top, without heating the whole oven. The fan cooks quickly, so the secret is a lower temperature of 320 °F, which keeps the outside from browning before the center is done. This recipe uses refrigerated canned rolls, with times for jumbo rolls, homemade dough and reheating.
- Temperature
- 320°F160 °C
- Total time
- 30min
- Prep time
- 5min
- Servings
- 4
- Per serving
- 250kcal
Why the air fryer works for cinnamon rolls
Cinnamon rolls are an enriched dough, which means they contain sugar, butter and sometimes egg. Those ingredients brown fast, so a hot oven can scorch the outside before the swirls cook through. A compact air fryer is smaller than an oven, so it heats quickly and lets you bake a few rolls with no long preheat.
The key adjustment is temperature. The strong fan makes an air fryer act hotter than its dial, so rolls that bake at 350 °F in an oven do best at 320 °F here. That gentle heat lets the dough rise, set and cook through before the sugar darkens. If you have wondered how long to cook cinnamon rolls in the air fryer, the answer is usually 8 to 10 minutes for standard rolls.
How to make cinnamon rolls in the air fryer
Tap a time to start a timer.
- Prep the rolls Open the can and separate the rolls. Set the icing aside. Brush the bottoms and sides lightly with the melted butter so they release easily.
- Preheat Preheat the air fryer to 320 °F for . Do not put loose parchment or foil in a preheating basket. Grease the basket lightly or use a perforated parchment liner with the rolls on top.
- Arrange Place 4 rolls in the basket with about 1 inch between them. They rise as they bake, so do not crowd them. Cook the rest in a second batch.
- Cook Air fry for 8 to at 320 °F, until the tops are light golden and the center springs back when touched. If the tops brown too fast, lower the heat to 300 °F and cook longer.
- Ice and rest Let the rolls cool for . Then spread the included icing over them, or whisk the cream cheese, powdered sugar and milk until smooth and drizzle it on warm rolls.
Times and temperatures
| Air Fryer Cinnamon Rolls | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Canned rolls, regular | 320 °F (160 °C) | 8–10 min |
| Jumbo rollsLower heat prevents burning | 300 °F (150 °C) | 12–14 min |
| Frozen, unbaked | 300 °F (150 °C) | 12–15 min |
| Homemade doughUse a small pan | 320 °F (160 °C) | 10–12 min |
| Reheat leftover | 300 °F (150 °C) | 2–3 min |
Times are a guide and depend on the size and wattage of your air fryer. See also air fryer cooking times for all foods.
Tips
- Keep them separated. Rolls double in size as they rise. Leave 1 inch between rolls so the sides cook through.
- Ice after baking. Baked-in icing melts and slides off. Spread it once the rolls cool slightly.
- Check the center. Press the middle gently. It should feel springy, not wet. If it looks pale, cook 1 to 2 minutes more.
Canned, frozen and homemade
Refrigerated canned rolls are the easiest. The dough is already portioned, and the icing comes in the can. Frozen unbaked rolls work the same way with more time and lower heat. For homemade dough, let the rolls finish their second rise in a small round pan that fits your basket, then bake at 320 °F. Be careful with very large rolls, which brown on top before the middle sets; lower the heat and extend the time. Cinnamon rolls pair with other quick breakfast bakes like pancakes in the air fryer.
What to serve with cinnamon rolls
Serve warm with coffee or a glass of cold milk. For a weekend brunch, add scrambled eggs and bacon for a sweet and savory plate. See more in the breakfast category.
Storing and reheating
Store rolls with the canned icing at room temperature for 1 day. Refrigerate anything with cream cheese icing, in a sealed container for up to 4 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 300 °F for 2 to 3 minutes until warm and soft. Unfrosted baked rolls can be frozen for up to 2 months.
Variations
- Cream cheese icing: Whisk 2 tbsp cream cheese, 2 tbsp powdered sugar and 1 tsp milk until smooth.
- Cinnamon roll bites: Cut each roll into 4 pieces and cook 5 to 6 minutes at 320 °F.
- Pecan: Press a few chopped pecans into the tops before baking.
- Apple: Top each roll with a spoonful of diced apple pie filling after baking.
If it does not turn out right
- The tops are dark but the center is doughy
- The temperature was too high. Use 320 °F, or 300 °F for jumbo rolls, and cook 2 to 3 minutes longer.
- The rolls stick to the basket
- Brush the basket and the rolls with melted butter or use a perforated parchment liner placed under the rolls, never empty during preheating.
- The icing melts into a puddle
- Wait 5 minutes before icing. Very hot rolls melt the icing into a thin glaze.
Questions and answers
How long do cinnamon rolls take in the air fryer?
Standard canned cinnamon rolls take 8 to 10 minutes at 320 °F. Jumbo rolls take 12 to 14 minutes at 300 °F.
Can you cook cinnamon rolls from frozen in the air fryer?
Yes. Cook frozen, unbaked rolls at 300 °F for 12 to 15 minutes, until they puff and brown and the center is cooked through.
Can I make homemade cinnamon rolls in the air fryer?
Yes, once the dough is risen and shaped. Bake at 320 °F for 10 to 12 minutes in a small round pan that fits the basket.
Do you need to preheat?
A 3-minute preheat helps the rolls rise evenly, but you can skip it if you add 1 minute to the cook time.
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