Treat yourself to Air Fryer Cinnamon Rolls that are irresistibly fluffy, soft, and moist, slathered with a generous layer of silky cream cheese icing.
They are the perfect breakfast treat or a late-night snack when you want to spoil your loved ones.
With easy step-by-step instructions, you can quickly whip up these easy air fryer cinnamon rolls that will become a family favorite.
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Air fryers are essentially small convection ovens that cook evenly and quickly as the hot air circulates around the food.
I use my air fryer for cooking a wide range of foods, from Cinnamon Rolls in the Air Fryer and Air Fryer Crab Cakes to Fish Sticks in Air Fryer, Air Fryer Chicken Fajitas, and Easy Air Fryer Hamburgers. The possibilities are endless!
You can easily adapt this recipe and make these delightful Airfryer Cinnamon Rolls in a normal conventional oven.
Simply place the cinnamon rolls after shaping them in a 23cm x 23cm (9" x 9") tray and bake them at 190°C (375°F) for 20-25 minutes.
Additionally, you have the option of preparing these homemade Cinnamon Rolls in advance and refrigerating them overnight for a hassle-free and quick breakfast.
Why This Recipe Works?
- They are easy to make with step-by-step instructions, pictures, and a video attached to the recipe card.
- You can make them ahead, and bake them for an easy breakfast on special occasions such as Easter or Christmas morning.
- Just like Berliner - German Jam Doughnuts, these fluffy cinnamon rolls freeze beautifully! You can freeze them before baking or after baking, ensuring you always have a tasty treat on hand.
- These fluffy Air Fryer Cinnamon Rolls are irresistibly soft, and moist, slathered with a generous layer of silky cream cheese icing.
If you have a sweet tooth like me, you should also have a look at Lemon Blueberry Coffee Cake, Moist Chocolate Cream Cake, Strawberry Cream Cheese Muffins, and Revani - Turkish Semolina Cake recipes!
Ingredients You'll Need
Please scroll down to the recipe card below for the full ingredients list with measurements, complete recipe method, recipe notes, and nutritional information.
For the Dough
- Flour - Plain white flour / all-purpose flour is the best option for these cinnamon rolls. You could also use bread flour, however, the rolls will be chewier.
- Butter - Use good-quality unsalted butter for tender, fluffy rolls with elevated, rich flavor.
- Milk - I prefer full-fat milk but semi-skimmed milk would also work with this recipe. Avoid using skimmed milk and make sure it is lukewarm before mixing it with yeast.
- Egg - Use a medium-sized fresh, free-range egg at room temperature for extra richness.
- Yeast - I use fast-action dry yeast or instant yeast to help the cinnamon rolls rise faster.
- Sugar - Both granulated and caster sugar works great with this Air Fryer Cinnamon Roll recipe.
For the Cinnamon Filling and Cream Cheese Frosting
- Brown sugar - you can use dark brown or light brown sugar to sweeten the filling and make it sticky.
- Butter - Use super-soft butter both for the filling and the frosting. Avoid firm or melted butter!
- Cinnamon - The main flavoring for the cinnamon roll, increase the amount if you want a stronger cinnamon flavor.
- Walnuts - I love the crunchiness and nuttiness that walnuts add to these scrumptious Cinnamon Rolls in Air Fryer. You can substitute it with any other nuts you prefer.
- Cream cheese - Use full-fat cream cheese softened at room temperature.
- Icing sugar/powdered sugar - It dissolves much quicker than regular sugar which makes it perfect for frosting.
- Vanilla paste - I use organic vanilla bean paste or extract for deep and delicious vanilla flavor. Avoid using artificial vanilla for this recipe.
How to Make Air Fry Cinnamon Rolls?
Crafting these homemade Airfryer Cinnamon Rolls to be soft and fluffy is a straightforward process.
To achieve the best results, you need to follow a few simple steps:
Make the Dough
Place the milk in a small saucepan and gently warm it over low heat.
Add the butter to the warm milk and let it melt, making sure to remove it from the heat to prevent overheating.
The mixture should be between 40° C - 45° C (105° F -115° F), close to lukewarm when touched.
Place the warm milk&butter mixture into the bowl of your stand mixer fitted with the dough hook, and stir in the yeast.
Let it foam for approximately 10 minutes.
Add the flour, sugar, and salt to the bowl and mix well until all are combined and form a dough.
To finish, add the egg to the mixing bowl and continue to whisk on medium speed until the dough comes together and detaches from the sides.
Don't overwork the dough. Mix until everything is just combined and knead the dough for only a few minutes until it forms a smooth and elastic ball.
It typically takes 4 to 5 minutes for the dough to become a soft, slightly sticky, and stretchy texture.
If the dough is still too sticky, add a little bit more flour until it becomes somewhat sticky but still very soft and easy to work with.
I usually start with 350 grams of flour and increase it gradually until I get the right texture.
Turn the dough to a lightly floured surface and shape it into a ball.
Lightly grease a large bowl with oil and place the dough ball into it.
Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel and let the dough rest in a warm place for 15 minutes.
Shape the Cinnamon Rolls
Turn the dough onto a lightly floured working top, and then sprinkle some more flour on the dough ball.
Using a rolling pin, roll the dough ball out into a 35cm x 28cm (14" × 11") rectangle.
The size of the rectangle can vary slightly, it does not have to be exact.
Spread the softened butter over the dough with an offset spatula or your fingers if you don't mind getting your hands dirty!
Sprinkle the brown sugar, cinnamon, and walnuts evenly over the butter into a thin layer.
Tightly roll the dough from the long side to the long side to turn it into a log.
Line your air fryer basket with a piece of parchment paper and cut the log into 8 or 9 equal rolls.
Place the rolls in the air fryer basket leaving approximately an inch of space around them.
Cutting the rolls evenly ensures that they cook evenly and also makes them look more aesthetically pleasing.
Use a very sharp knife or a piece of unflavored dental floss.
For reference, my air fryer basket is 23 cm x 23 cm (9" x 9") and can easily fit 9 cinnamon rolls.
If you have a smaller air fryer, I recommend doing it in 2 batches to ensure even cooking and avoid overcrowding the basket.
Cover the air fryer basket with a clean kitchen towel and allow the rolls to rise in a warm place for 30 to 40 minutes or until nearly double.
Bake the Cinnamon Rolls
When the cinnamon rolls are doubled in size, place them into your air fryer and then bake them at 190° C (375° F) for 6 minutes.
Flip them carefully and bake them for another 5 to 6 minutes, until they are golden brown.
Prepare the cream cheese frosting while the cinnamon rolls are baking.
Place the softened butter, cream cheese, icing sugar, and vanilla paste into a medium-sized bowl.
Using a whisk or a hand blender, whip them until smooth and all incorporated.
Let the cinnamon rolls cool down for 10 minutes before covering them with the cream cheese frosting.
You can also just go with the cream cheese frosting I use to add some extra flair to my super simple Easy Carrot Cake recipe.
Top them with caramelized sugar and nuts that came out of the cinnamon rolls while baking for extra crunchiness.
Top Tips From the Chef
- Use a digital kitchen scale to measure your ingredients as precisely and accurately as possible.
- Use room temperature ingredients: Take the butter, eggs, and cream cheese out of the fridge for at least an hour before you begin making the dough. Room temperature ingredients will help the dough to rise better and make your cinnamon rolls lighter and fluffier.
- Don't overheat the milk: The milk and butter mixture should be between 40° C - 45° C (105° F -115° F), close to lukewarm when touched.
- The dough should be slightly sticky: If the dough is too sticky, add a little bit more flour until it becomes somewhat sticky but still very soft and easy to work with. Don't add too much flour!
- Don't overwork the dough: Overworking the dough can lead to tough cinnamon rolls. Mix until everything is just combined and knead the dough for only a few minutes until it forms a smooth and elastic ball.
- Cut the rolls evenly: Cutting the rolls evenly ensures that they cook evenly and also makes them look more aesthetically pleasing. Use a very sharp knife or a piece of unflavored dental floss.
How to Make Overnight Cinnamon Rolls in Air Fryer?
After cutting the cinnamon rolls into 8 or 9 pieces, arrange them in your air fryer's basket lined with parchment paper.
Cover the rolls with plastic wrap and place them in the fridge overnight.
The next morning, remove the cinnamon rolls from the fridge and let them sit at room temperature for 45 minutes to an hour, or until they double in size.
Then, bake them in the air fryer as directed.
Freezing Air Fryer Cinnamon Rolls
Cinnamon rolls can be frozen either before or after they are baked, and they will remain fresh for up to three months in the freezer.
If you want to freeze them before baking:
- Make the cinnamon roll dough as directed, and shape it into rolls.
- Place the rolls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and then freeze them until they are firm.
- Once the rolls are frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or an airtight container and return them to the freezer.
- When you're ready to bake the cinnamon rolls, remove them from the freezer and then place them in the air fryer's basket.
- Cover it with a clean kitchen cloth and let the rolls thaw and rise in a warm place until they double in size. Note that frozen cinnamon rolls may take longer to rise than freshly made ones. You may need to add an extra 30 minutes to 1 hour to the rising time.
- Bake the cinnamon rolls as directed in the recipe.
If you want to freeze the cinnamon rolls after baking:
- Allow the cinnamon rolls to cool completely after baking.
- Wrap each cinnamon roll individually with plastic wrap and place them in a large freezer-safe bag or an airtight container.
- To thaw frozen cinnamon rolls, remove them from the freezer and let them sit at room temperature for a few hours or overnight until they are completely thawed.
Recipe FAQs
Although it is best to enjoy your cinnamon rolls freshly made on the day, you can still keep them for up to 3 days in a refrigerator. I prefer keeping the leftover cinnamon rolls in the freezer for extra freshness.
Yes, you can knead the dough by hand. While a stand mixer can make the process easier and quicker, you can still make delicious cinnamon rolls by hand. Just place all the ingredients in a large enough bowl and knead them until the dough is soft and slightly sticky.
Yes, definitely! If you don't have an Airfryer, you can still make these delicious cinnamon rolls by using a normal oven.
Shape the cinnamon rolls as directed in the recipe, then place them in a 9" x 9" baking tray and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes.
Related Recipes
For more delicious and easy air fryer recipes why not try:
Did you make this recipe? Please let me know how it turned out! Leave a comment below and tag @cookingorgeous on Instagram and hashtag it #cookingorgeous.
I hope you enjoy the process of making these deliciously sweet and fluffy Air Fryer Cinnamon Rolls as much as you enjoy eating them! 🙂
Bon appétit! / Afiyet olsun!
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Air Fryer Cinnamon Rolls
Equipment
Ingredients
For the Dough
- 180 ml semi-skimmed or full-fat milk
- 45 g unsalted butter
- 7 g yeast
- 50 g caster sugar
- 380 g plain white flour / all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 medium egg
For the Cinnamon Filling
- 70 g brown sugar
- 45 g unsalted butter (softened at room temperature)
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon powder
- 75 g chopped walnuts
For the Cream Cheese Frosting
- 115 g full-fat Philadelphia cream cheese
- 30 g unsalted butter (softened at room temperature)
- 80 g icing sugar - powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
Instructions
Making the Dough
- Place the milk in a small saucepan and gently warm it over low heat.
- Add the butter to the warm milk and let it melt, making sure to remove it from the heat to prevent overheating. The mixture should be between 40° C - 45° C (105° F -115° F).
- Place the warm milk&butter mixture into the bowl of your stand mixer fitted with the dough hook, and stir in the yeast. Let it foam for approximately 10 minutes.
- Add the flour, sugar, and salt to the bowl and mix well until all are combined and formed a dough.
- To finish, add the egg to the mixing bowl and continue to whisk until the dough comes together and detaches from the sides. It typically takes 4 to 5 minutes for the dough to become a soft, slightly sticky, and stretchy texture. If the dough is still too sticky, add a little bit more flour until it becomes somewhat sticky but still very soft and easy to work with. I usually start with 350 grams of flour and increase it gradually until I get the right texture.
- Turn the dough to a lightly floured surface and shape it into a ball.
- Lightly grease a large bowl with oil and place the dough ball into it. Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel and let the dough rest in a warm place for 15 minutes.
Shaping the Cinnamon Rolls
- Turn the dough onto a lightly floured working top, and sprinkle some more flour on the dough ball.
- Using a rolling pin, roll the dough ball out into a 35cm x 28cm (14" × 11") rectangle. The size of the rectangle can vary slightly, it does not have to be exact.
- Spread the softened butter over the dough with an offset spatula.
- Sprinkle the brown sugar, cinnamon, and walnuts evenly over the butter into a thin layer.
- Tightly roll the dough from the long side to the long side to turn it into a log.
- Line your air fryer basket with parchment paper and cut the log into 8 or 9 equal rolls. For reference, my air fryer basket is 23 cm x 23 cm (9" x 9") and can easily fit 9 cinnamon rolls. If your air fryer is smaller, I recommend doing it in 2 batches to ensure even cooking and avoid overcrowding the basket.
- Place the rolls in the air fryer basket leaving approximately an inch of space around them.
- Cover the air fryer basket with a clean kitchen towel and allow the rolls to rise in a warm place for 30 to 40 minutes or until nearly double.
Baking the Cinnamon Rolls
- When the cinnamon rolls are doubled in size, place them into your air fryer and bake them at 190° C (375° F) for 6 minutes.
- Flip them carefully and bake them for another 5 to 6 minutes, until they are nicely browned.
- Prepare the cream cheese frosting while the cinnamon rolls are baking.
- Place the softened butter, cream cheese, icing sugar, and vanilla paste into a medium-sized bowl.
- Using a whisk or a hand blender, whip them until smooth and all incorporated.
- Let the cinnamon rolls cool down for 10 minutes before covering them with the cream cheese frosting.
Video
Notes
- Take the butter, eggs, and cream cheese out of the fridge for at least an hour before you begin making the dough.
- Use a digital kitchen scale to measure your ingredients as precisely and accurately as possible.
- The milk and butter mixture should be between 40° C - 45° C (105° F -115° F), close to lukewarm when touched.
- If the dough is too sticky, add a little bit more flour until it becomes somewhat sticky but still very soft and easy to work with. Don't add too much flour!
- Overworking the dough can lead to tough cinnamon rolls. Mix until everything is just combined and knead the dough for only a few minutes until it forms a smooth and elastic ball.
- Cutting the rolls evenly ensures that they cook evenly and also makes them look more aesthetically pleasing. Use a very sharp knife or a piece of unflavored dental floss.
- Cinnamon rolls can be frozen either before or after they are baked, and they will remain fresh for up to three months in the freezer.
Nutrition
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Dana
I made these in my oven as I don’t have an air fryer. They turned out delicious, fluffy, and soft! Thank you for the recipe.