Name: Cinnamon Rolls in the Air Fryer
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 8 min
Total time: 13 min
Ingredients: 5 Pillsbury regular cinnamon rolls

Cinnamon Rolls in the Air Fryer

February 22, 2023

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Make breakfast a little bit easier by cooking cinnamon rolls in the air fryer! They only take 10 minutes to cook. No preheating is required!

Cinnamon rolls are a delicious breakfast pastry. My family usually reserves them for special occasions because it takes time to preheat the oven and bake the cinnamon rolls.

Preparing cinnamon rolls in the air fryer makes the process faster and easier. Which is perfect for busy weekend mornings! Now we can have cinnamon rolls to celebrate. And mom doesn’t have to wake up early to preheat the oven!

Why Make Cinnamon Rolls in the Air Fryer?

Using an air fryer to cook the cinnamon rolls eliminates a lot of the time involved in baking. It takes 5 minutes to preheat the air fryer. Then less than 10 minutes to cook the cinnamon rolls! It makes preparation quick and easy. Perfect for breakfast when time is limited!

What is an Air Fryer?

Air fryers are all the rage, but what is an air fryer exactly? They are basically countertop-size convection ovens. A convection oven uses fans to circulate the hot oven air to ensure even cooking. The fan in an air fryer circulates the air at a faster speed. This simulates the effect of frying food without submerging it in oil. Instead, the food is “submerged” in fast-moving hot air.

How to Make Cinnamon Rolls in the Air Fryer

Making cinnamon rolls in the air fryer is simple and fast. First, preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees for 5 minutes. Prepare your air frying basket or tray while the air fryer warms up. Spray a light coating of cooking spray over the basket. I prefer to use coconut cooking spray. But whatever cooking spray you prefer is fine.

Place the cinnamon rolls in the basket. I used Pillsbury rolls out of the can. But you can use whatever kind of cinnamon roll you prefer. The size of your air fryer determines how many rolls you can cook at once. I have a small oven-style air fryer, so my tray holds a lot of food.

Once the air fryer is warm, insert the cinnamon rolls and cook for 6-8 minutes at 350 degrees. Six minutes is the ideal time for the regular-size Pillsbury rolls. Larger or homemade rolls may take longer to cook. I recommend starting with 6 minutes and adding more time as you cook.

The finished cinnamon rolls are crispy on the outside. And soft on the inside. The perfect texture! Top them with warm icing. Or whatever topping you prefer. Then serve them warm.

Can I Use Parchment Paper to Make Cinnamon Rolls in the Air Fryer?

Yes, you can absolutely use parchment paper in the air fryer. They are great if you want to skip the cooking spray, or want an easier cleanup. There are parchment paper liners made specifically for basket air fryers. Be sure to use the liners with holes in the bottom to keep consistent air circulation. And place the parchment paper inside after preheating. Otherwise, the paper will blow around inside the air fryer. It needs food to hold it in place.

For an oven-style air fryer, cut down regular parchment paper to the size of your tray. You can add a few holes or slits to allow for proper airflow as well.

What Type of Air Fryer Did You Use?

My air fryer is the Cuisinart Stainless Steel Air Fryer Toaster Oven. The inside and outside of the air fryer are stainless steel. And all of the trays, baskets, and racks are also stainless steel. I prefer stainless steel to plastic.

However, cinnamon rolls may be cooked in any kind of air fryer. It does not have to be an oven-style air fryer for this technique to work.