Few things feel as comforting as the smell of warm cinnamon rolls filling your kitchen. With an air fryer, you can enjoy soft, fluffy, gooey cinnamon rolls in a fraction of the time—no full oven preheat, no waiting, and no complicated baking skills required.
Air Fryer Cinnamon Rolls are perfect for:
- Busy mornings
- Weekend brunch
- Holiday breakfasts
- Last-minute dessert cravings
- Small-batch baking
This complete recipe guide will walk you through everything you need to know—from choosing the right dough to getting that perfect gooey center, plus variations, serving ideas, storage tips, and common mistakes to avoid.
Why Make Cinnamon Rolls in the Air Fryer?
Traditional cinnamon rolls are usually baked in the oven, which works well, but the air fryer offers some surprising advantages.
Benefits of Air Fryer Cinnamon Rolls
✔ Faster cooking (ready in minutes)
✔ Softer centers with lightly golden edges
✔ Perfect for small batches
✔ Less energy than oven baking
✔ Great for beginners
✔ Minimal cleanup
Because the air fryer circulates hot air evenly, cinnamon rolls cook from the outside in, creating that irresistible contrast between a soft center and lightly crisp edges.
What Are Air Fryer Cinnamon Rolls?
Air fryer cinnamon rolls are classic cinnamon rolls—usually made from store-bought dough or homemade dough—cooked in an air fryer instead of an oven. The result is a roll that’s:
- Fluffy inside
- Warm and gooey
- Lightly golden on top
- Perfectly melted with icing
They’re especially popular because even refrigerated canned cinnamon rolls taste bakery-fresh when cooked this way.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- 🍥 Soft, fluffy, and gooey texture
- ⏱ Ready in under 15 minutes
- 🧒 Kid-friendly & crowd-pleasing
- 🍯 Perfect base for toppings & icing
- 🧊 Easy to store & reheat
- 🎄 Great for holidays & brunch
Ingredients for Air Fryer Cinnamon Rolls
You can make this recipe two ways: using store-bought dough or homemade dough.
Option 1: Store-Bought Cinnamon Rolls (Easiest)
- 1 can refrigerated cinnamon rolls (with icing included)
✔ Perfect for beginners
✔ Fastest method
✔ Consistent results
Option 2: Homemade Cinnamon Roll Dough
Dough Ingredients
- 2¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
- ¾ cup warm milk
- ¼ cup sugar
- 1 egg
- ¼ cup melted butter
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
Filling
- ¼ cup softened butter
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
Icing
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk or cream
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
💡 If your goal is speed, store-bought rolls are ideal. If you want full control over flavor, homemade dough is worth it.
Equipment You’ll Need
- Air fryer
- Air fryer-safe pan or silicone liner
- Parchment paper (optional)
- Tongs or a spatula
Best Air Fryer Type
- Basket-style or oven-style both work
- Use a small round pan if your basket is shallow
Step-by-Step: How to Make Cinnamon Rolls in the Air Fryer (Store-Bought)
This is the most popular and foolproof method.
Step 1: Preheat the Air Fryer
- Temperature: 330°F (165°C)
- Time: 3 minutes
Lower temperature prevents over-browning.
Step 2: Prepare the Basket
- Lightly grease the basket or pan
- Or line with parchment paper
Step 3: Arrange Cinnamon Rolls
- Place rolls in a single layer
- Leave space between each roll (they expand)
⚠️ Do not stack.
Step 4: Air Fry
- Cook at 330°F for 7–9 minutes
Check at 7 minutes:
- Tops should be lightly golden
- Centers should look set but soft
If needed, cook an additional 1–2 minutes.
Step 5: Add Icing
- Let the rolls rest 2 minutes
- Spread icing while warm so it melts beautifully
⏱ Total Time: 10–12 minutes
Step-by-Step: Homemade Cinnamon Rolls in the Air Fryer
If you prefer homemade rolls, follow these steps.
Step 1: Make the Dough
- Dissolve yeast in warm milk + sugar
- Add egg, butter, flour, and salt
- Knead until soft
- Let rise until doubled (1–1½ hours)
Step 2: Prepare the Filling
- Mix brown sugar and cinnamon
- Spread butter over the rolled dough
- Sprinkle filling evenly
- Roll tightly and slice
Step 3: Second Rise
- Let rolls rest 20–30 minutes
Step 4: Air Fry
- Cook at 330°F for 9–11 minutes
Cover loosely with foil if browning too fast.
Step 5: Ice & Serve
- Add icing while warm
- Serve immediately
How to Get Gooey Cinnamon Rolls (Not Dry)
✔ Use a lower temperature
✔ Don’t overcrowd
✔ Stop cooking when centers are just set
✔ Let rolls rest briefly
✔ Ice while warm
💡 Overcooking is the #1 reason cinnamon rolls turn dry.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
| Mistake | Result |
|---|---|
| Cooking too hot | Burnt outside |
| Overcooking | Dry rolls |
| No space between rolls | Uneven cooking |
| Adding icing too early | Melted mess |
| Skipping preheat | Pale texture |
Delicious Cinnamon Roll Variations
🍫 Chocolate Cinnamon Rolls
Add mini chocolate chips to the filling.
🍎 Apple Cinnamon Rolls
Add finely diced sautéed apples.
🧀 Cream Cheese Icing Rolls
Swap regular icing for cream cheese frosting.
🌰 Nutty Cinnamon Rolls
Add chopped walnuts or pecans.
🎃 Pumpkin Spice Cinnamon Rolls
Add pumpkin spice to the filling.
Serving Styles & Pairing Ideas
This is where cinnamon rolls become a full experience.
🍽 Classic Breakfast Plate
- Cinnamon rolls
- Fresh fruit
- Coffee or milk
🧺 Brunch Board
- Cinnamon rolls
- Scrambled eggs
- Bacon or sausage
- Berries
🧒 Kid-Friendly Serving
- Smaller rolls
- Extra icing on the side
- Served with fruit slices
🍨 Dessert Style
- Cinnamon roll + vanilla ice cream
- Drizzle with caramel sauce
☕ Coffee Shop Style
- Dust with powdered sugar
- Serve with latte or cappuccino
Make-Ahead, Storage & Reheating
To Store
- Room temperature: 1 day
- Refrigerator: up to 3 days
To Freeze
- Freeze un-iced rolls
- Store up to 2 months
To Reheat (Best Method)
- Air fryer: 300°F for 2–3 minutes
- Microwave: 15–20 seconds (softer texture)
Nutrition Information (Approximate, Per Roll)
- Calories: 250–320
- Carbs: 40–45g
- Fat: 9–12g
- Sugar: 18–22g
Treat-style breakfast—best enjoyed in moderation.
Air Fryer vs Oven Cinnamon Rolls
| Feature | Air Fryer | Oven |
|---|---|---|
| Cook time | Faster | Slower |
| Batch size | Smaller | Larger |
| Texture | Gooey centers | Even bake |
| Energy use | Lower | Higher |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Can I cook frozen cinnamon rolls in the air fryer?
Yes. Add 3–4 extra minutes and check often.
Q2: Do I need to flip cinnamon rolls?
No. Air circulation cooks them evenly.
Q3: Why are my rolls dry?
They were overcooked or cooked too hot.
Q4: Can I make these without icing?
Yes—dust with powdered sugar instead.
Q5: Are air fryer cinnamon rolls kid-friendly?
Absolutely—they’re soft, sweet, and easy to eat.
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Final Thoughts
Air Fryer Cinnamon Rolls are proof that indulgent, bakery-style treats don’t need complicated steps or long bake times. With the air fryer, you can enjoy warm, gooey cinnamon rolls anytime—whether it’s a busy weekday morning or a cozy weekend brunch.
Once you try them, you’ll never look at canned cinnamon rolls the same way again.
