Name: Easy Air Fryer Cinnamon Rolls
Prep time: 1 h
Cook time: 11 min
Total time: 1 h 11 min
Yield: 12
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup milk; 2 teaspoons yeast; Two eggs; 1/3 cup butter; 1/3 cup sugar; 1 teaspoon sea salt; 3 3/4 cup flour; For filling:; 1/2 cup cream; 3/4 cups brown sugar; 2 tablespoons cinnamon; 1/4 cup butter; For glaze:; 1 1/4 cup powdered sugar; 2-3 tablespoons lemon juice

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Discover how simple it is to make these Easy Air Fryer Cinnamon Rolls with my foolproof recipe. These made-from-scratch cinnamon rolls are outrageously delicious! Each fluffy and soft roll has a delicious cinnamon swirl and a thick, sweet glaze on top. They’re perfect for breakfast, snacks, or the holidays. You’ll make this easy recipe on repeat!

Breakfast comfort food doesn’t get better than homemade cinnamon rolls! With the delightful aroma of sweet cinnamon and brown sugar filling the air, these fluffy rolls are too tempting to resist! That’s why I set out to create a quick, easy cinnamon roll recipe that still feels special. Using simple ingredients and made entirely by hand, these rolls can be ready in about an hour.

You’ll appreciate the easy process that helps you create these rich rolls full of swoon-worthy sugar and spice. Yes, the buttery and tender dough will need some time to rise, but the result is worth the wait! You’ll be left with soft, gooey, and warm cinnamon rolls that the entire family will love!

two cinnamon rolls on blue plate cinnamon sticks

Making cinnamon rolls in an air fryer is a fast and effective way to get a crispy exterior with a soft, gooey center. This recipe uses a special “cream soak” technique that keeps the rolls incredibly moist during the high-speed air frying process.

Ingredients Needed

For The Dough
Milk – to mix with the yeast.
Yeast- Use active dry yeast; mix it into the milk. It will help the cinnamon rolls rise.
Egg – to add structure to the dough.
Butter – to add fat, creaminess, and softness to the dough as it bakes.
Sugar – to sweeten the dough.
Sea Salt – to enhance the dough’s flavor.
Flour – use your favorite brand of all-purpose flour.

For The Filling
Cream – use heavy cream.
Brown Sugar – to add sweetness and depth of flavor.
Ground Cinnamon – to add warm spice to the filling.
Butter-set it out to soften so it mixes easily without clumps.

For The Glaze
Powdered Sugar – to add sweetness and structure to the glaze.
Lemon Juice – to add moisture and flavor to the glaze.

Instructions

Add milk to a cup. Add yeast and leave for 5 minutes.
Add eggs, butter, sugar, and salt. Mix.
Add all of the flour. Mix. Cover and leave in a warm place for 40 minutes.
Roll out the dough. Add butter, sprinkle with brown sugar and cinnamon.
Roll up and cut into rolls with a sharp knife.
Place in the Air Fryer at 350°F for 7-8 minutes.
Pull out, brush with cream, and bake for another 2-3 minutes.
For the glaze, mix icing sugar and lemon juice. Drizzle icing over buns.
Serve.

What Type Of Yeast Should I Use?

There is a rise time for the dough, so you should use active dry yeast for this recipe, not quick yeast.

cinnamon rolls ready to cook in air fryer

Filling Variations

If you want a slight twist on the filling, here are a few tasty options to add to the traditional cinnamon-brown sugar filling. Consider adding in:

Finely chopped nuts, such as pecans or walnuts
Mini chocolate chips
Raisins or dried cranberries
Cooked and crumbled bacon
Replace the cinnamon and brown sugar filling with Nutella spread and chopped hazelnuts.
Replace the cinnamon and brown sugar filling with apple butter and diced apple chunks.

How To Roll The Dough

Once you’ve added the cinnamon and brown sugar filling to the dough, start at one end and carefully roll it into a tight log. Use a serrated knife to cut the log into individual cinnamon rolls, each one being about 1 1/2 inches wide. You’ll likely need to air-fry the cinnamon rolls in batches, depending on the size of your air fryer basket.

Cream Cheese Frosting Variation

If you want a thicker frosting, make a cream cheese frosting instead of the glaze. Mix, with a handheld blender, 4 ounces of softened cream cheese, 1/2 cup of softened butter, 1 1/2 cups of powdered sugar, and a dash of vanilla extract. Beat until smooth and fluffy. Top the warm cinnamon rolls with this delicious frosting.

When To Frost The Cinnamon Rolls

The best time to frost the rolls is while they are warm. This allows the glaze (or frosting) to spread down into the rolls, creating the ooey-gooey sweetness that we all crave when we bite into a cinnamon roll.

Storage

Store cinnamon rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days. They will also keep in the refrigerator for 5-7 days. You can reheat them in the air fryer for a minute or two, or until they reach the desired temperature.

Factors Affecting Your Total Yield

Roll Size: If you prefer larger “bakery-style” rolls, you will likely get 8–10 rolls. For smaller, bite-sized rolls, you can yield up to 12–15 rolls.
Dough Thickness: Rolling the dough out to about a ¼-inch thickness before adding the filling and rolling it into a log will give you a standard spiral and yield about 12 rolls.
Air Fryer Capacity: Depending on the size of your air fryer basket, you may need to cook these in two batches. Most standard air fryers can comfortably fit 4–6 rolls at a time without overcrowding, which is necessary for even air circulation.

More Easy Air Fryer Recipes

Air Fryer Doughnuts
Air Fryer Christmas Bagels
Air Fryer Apple Pie Slices
Air Fryer Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeno-Stuffed Chicken
Air Fryer Hamburgers
Air Fryer Korean BBQ Chicken Wings

makes 12