Air Fryer Cinnamon Rolls
User Reviews
5
38 reviews
Excellent
Air Fryer Cinnamon Rolls
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Air Fryer Cinnamon Rolls are made from a yeast-based dough enriched with butter, sugar, and milk, rolled with a cinnamon-spiced brown sugar filling. After proofing, the dough is shaped, filled, and air fried for a quicker bake. A cream cheese frosting with Greek yogurt and maple syrup adds a creamy, slightly tangy finish. This method yields soft, tender rolls with a warm cinnamon flavor.
Description
The dough combines warmed milk, instant yeast, sugar, melted butter, salt, and flour, kneaded into a soft, smooth ball and left to rise until doubled. The filling blends butter, brown sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon, spread over the rolled-out dough. After rolling and cutting into portions, the rolls are air fried instead of baked in an oven, offering a faster and hands-off cooking alternative.
The cream cheese frosting balances sweetness with a hint of maple syrup and vanilla, thinned with milk if desired for drizzling. These cinnamon rolls are soft with a slight chew and the filling provides a warm spice note typical of classic cinnamon rolls.
Options include using whole or oat milk, substituting dairy or vegan butter, adjusting spices for variations like pumpkin spice or cardamom, and making the recipe vegan. Leftover rolls store at room temperature or in the fridge and freeze well without frosting. Reheating instructions ensure the rolls remain moist and tender.
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Ingredients
The Dough:
- ½ cup whole milk or full-fat oat milk
- 1 pack instant yeast
- 2 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoon unsalted butter melted
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (reserve ¼ cup) spooned & leveled
- 1 teaspoon salt
The Filling:
- 2 tablespoon butter unsalted or salted, but add ¼ teaspoon salt if using unsalted!, softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract pure
- ¼ cup dark brown sugar packed, or light brown sugar
- 1.5 teaspoon ground cinnamon
The frosting:
- 8 oz cream cheese room temperature, regular or neufchatel
- ¼ cup Greek yogurt room temperature, vanilla flavor
- ¼ cup maple syrup room temperature, real
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract pure
- milk or oat milk, for thinner frosting, 1-2 tablespoon
Instructions
- Make the dough: In a large microwave-safe mixing bowl, add the milk. Microwave in three 20-second increments, so it is warm to about 110°F (not hot). Whisk and add instant yeast sugar. Then whisk in melted butter and salt. Add 1 & ¾ cup of flour & mix with spatula. It will be sticky, but it should not be stuck to the bowl. Use the extra ¼ cup of flour to dust your surface with flour and knead the dough for 5 minutes until it can form a smoother ball. It should be soft, smooth, and not sticky by the end.
- Proof the dough: Lightly oil a clean mixing bowl and place the dough ball into it. Cover with a dish towel and place somewhere relatively warm (I love the inside of the microwave). Let sit for an hour to rise, or until it doubles in size.
- Make the filling: Meanwhile, make your cinnamon butter by mixing the softened butter, brown sugar & ground cinnamon together.
- Roll out cinnamon rolls: On a lightly floured surface, roll the proofed dough out into a rough rectangle with a rolling pin, about ¼ inch in thickness. Do not overwork the dough. Spread the cinnamon butter mixture all over the dough. Then, Roll the dough up from the long end (hot-dog style) and seal the edge gently. This recipe makes 6 - 8 thick cinnamon rolls.
- Air fry the cinnamon rolls: Preheat your air fryer to 390°F and add parchment to the bottom of the basket. Evenly space out the cinnamon rolls, so they don’t overlap; sides touching is ok. Air fry the cinnamon rolls for about 5 minutes until golden. FLIP. Air fryer for another 2 - 3 more minutes until they will look very golden and borderline overcooked. They will be crispy on the outside and super soft on the inside, trust me… PERFECT!
- Make the frosting: Meanwhile, make the frosting by placing all ingredients in a large mixing bowl and beating with a handheld electric mixer on medium for 1 – 2 minutes until fluffy and smooth. You can also you a stand mixer with a paddle attachment.
- Spread the cream cheese frosting over the cinnamon rolls while they are still warm. Enjoy!
Notes
- Use instant yeast for the best rise and texture in the dough.
- Whole milk or full-fat oat milk can be used interchangeably; almond milk is a suitable alternative.
- Butter may be substituted with vegan or dairy-free options such as Earth Balance sticks or melted coconut oil.
- Cream cheese can be regular or Neufchatel, and dairy-free alternatives are acceptable.
- For variations, swap cinnamon with pumpkin pie spice or add cardamom alongside cinnamon.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for 3–4 days or in the refrigerator.
- Freeze rolls without frosting in a freezer bag for up to two months; thaw overnight before reheating.
- Reheat in the microwave for 30–45 seconds or let thaw in the fridge overnight for best texture.
Nutrition Information
Show Details
Calories
296kcal
(15%)
Carbohydrates
38g
(13%)
Protein
7g
(14%)
Fat
11g
(17%)
Saturated Fat
4g
(20%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
1g
(6%)
Monounsaturated Fat
1g
(5%)
Cholesterol
30mg
(10%)
Sodium
363mg
(15%)
Potassium
128mg
(3%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
18g
(36%)
Vitamin A
355IU
(7%)
Vitamin C
0.02mg
(0%)
Calcium
74mg
(7%)
Iron
2mg
(11%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 8rolls
Amount Per Serving
Calories 296 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 296kcal | 15% |
| Carbohydrates | 38g | 13% |
| Protein | 7g | 14% |
| Fat | 11g | 17% |
| Saturated Fat | 4g | 20% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Cholesterol | 30mg | 10% |
| Sodium | 363mg | 15% |
| Potassium | 128mg | 3% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 18g | 36% |
| Vitamin A | 355IU | 7% |
| Vitamin C | 0.02mg | 0% |
| Calcium | 74mg | 7% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
Genuine Reviews
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
38 reviews
Excellent
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