What size pan should you use to make cinnamon rolls in the air fryer?

You'll want to use a pan that fits the size of your air fryer. I used a Cosori 5.8 quart air fryer for this recipe so it was large enough to fit an 8-inch round cake pan in the air fryer basket. The 6 large cinnamon rolls were also a perfect fit for this size pan. If your air fryer is smaller, you'll need to use a smaller pan and even cut the recipe in half.

What temperature should you air fry cinnamon rolls?

These buns have the best rise when baked on a high heat, so set your air fryer to 400F. I haven't tested this recipe on a lower temperature, but if your air fryer only goes to 390F, I suggest letting the rolls bake a little longer.

How long do cinnamon rolls take to cook in the air fryer?

At 400F, the cinnamon rolls should only take about 9 minutes to bake in the air fryer. They will expand and rise and should be browned on top. Air fryer brands and models can differ, so take a quick look at about 7 minutes to see how the rolls are doing. Be careful not to open the air fryer basket too early or too often. This may affect how the rolls rise.

Can you make this recipe in the oven?

No air fryer, no problem! You can bake these cinnamon rolls in the oven on 425F degrees for about 20 minutes.

Why does this recipe require cold butter and cold buttermilk?

You want the butter cubes cold so little pieces are mixed into the dough. As the cinnamon rolls bake in the oven, the butter pieces will melt and release steam and create little air pockets that help achieve a soft and fluffy texture. Keeping your buttermilk cold will help ensure the little pieces of butter stay cold and intact as you work the dough. To ensure your butter and buttermilk are cold enough, just pop them in the freezer for 5 minutes or so just before they're required in the recipe.

Can you use milk in place of buttermilk?

You can use dairy milk in place of buttermilk, but the rolls will not have the same soft and fluffy texture, especially if you don't use a full fat milk. If you don't have buttermilk, you can make your own by adding a 1/2 tablespoon of lemon juice to a measuring cup and then filling it to the 1/2 cup mark with milk. Stir and let it sit for 5 minutes to curdle.

How do you cut cinnamon rolls neatly and evenly?

To cut rolls neatly and evenly, I use a stainless steel bench scraper and chopper. It cuts through the dough neatly and it has measurement marks on it to help measure out the dough into even slices. The scraping function also helps lift the dough off the work surface as I roll up the cinnamon rolls.

Air Fryer Cinnamon Rolls

Name: Air Fryer Cinnamon Rolls
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 9 min
Total time: 24 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed; 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon; 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted; 1 cup + 2 -3 tablespoons all-purpose white flour, divided; 2 tablespoons granulated sugar; 3 teaspoons baking powder; 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt; 1/4 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed; 1/2 cup buttermilk, cold; 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1/2 cup cream cheese; 1/2 cup powdered sugar; 2 teaspoons milk

Description

These soft and fluffy Air Fryer Cinnamon Rolls with cream cheese frosting are small-batch with no yeast and ready in just 25 minutes!

Ingredients

For the filling:

1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

For the dough:

1 cup + 2 –3 tablespoons all-purpose white flour, divided
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
3 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
1/2 cup buttermilk, cold
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the frosting:

1/2 cup cream cheese
1/2 cup powdered sugar
2 teaspoons milk

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Instructions

Preheat the air fryer on 400F for 5 minutes and grease an 8-inch round cake pan.
Make the filling by stirring together the brown sugar, cinnamon and melted butter. Set aside to cool slightly.
In a large bowl, start making the dough by whisking together 1 cup of flour, sugar, baking powder and salt.
Add in the cold cubes of butter and use a pastry cutter or your fingers to incorporate the butter into the flour mixture until it’s crumbly with pieces of butter throughout.
Stir the vanilla into the buttermilk and add to the dry ingredients. Stir together until just combined. The dough will be shaggy and sticky.
Add 2 tablespoons of flour to your work surface and then fold out the dough. Start kneading and folding it over a few times to incorporate the flour from the work surface until it’s firm and less sticky. (If it’s still sticky, knead in a little more flour).
Ensure your work surface and rolling pin are well floured, then use the rolling pin to roll out the dough into a rough rectangular shape that is 1/4 inch thick.
Spread the cinnamon filling out on the dough.
From the short edge, roll the dough into a log, folding in the dough at both ends to ensure the filling doesn’t come out.
Slice the log into 6 even pieces.
Arrange the slices in a single layer in the prepared cake pan.
Air fry on 400F for 9 minutes, or until the rolls are browned on top.
While the rolls are air frying, make the frosting. Use an electric mixer to beat together the cream cheese, powdered sugar and milk until smooth.
Let the cinnamon rolls cool for a few minutes, then spread on the frosting and enjoy warm.

Notes

The air frying time is based on a Cosori 5.8 quart air fryer. As different brands and models vary, you may need to adjust the air frying time slightly.
To ensure the butter and buttermilk are cold enough, place the cubed butter and 1/2 cup of buttermilk in the freezer for 5 minutes just before they’re required in the recipe.
Make sure you properly measure the flour by using the spoon and level method. You don’t want the flour packed into the measuring cup.
Make sure the cinnamon filling has time to cool a little. If the filling is too warm, it will melt through the butter pieces in the dough. It should be cool but still a spreadable consistency.
Do not roll the dough too thin as it will not hold the filling and holes may form as you start to roll the dough. I find the ideal thickness is 1/4-inch.
Resist the urge to open the air fryer and check on the rolls multiple times as this will affect how well they rise and bake. If you think they may over bake, take a quick look at them at around 7 minutes.
Be sure to check out the other sections above the recipe card for more detailed advice and suggestions for making this recipe.