Cinnamon rolls come out soft and gooey in the air fryer, with sticky icing melting over the top. Make them from scratch, or take the shortcut with a tube of ready-made dough. Here's how.
Key takeaways
Q: How do you make cinnamon rolls in an air fryer?
A: Air fry at 160°C (320°F) for 8–12 minutes — ready-made dough at the lower end, scratch rolls (proved first) at the higher.
Q: Why a lower temperature?
A: It cooks the centre through before the outside over-browns.
Two ways
- Shortcut: tube of ready-made cinnamon roll dough — straight in, 8–10 minutes.
- From scratch: roll an enriched dough with cinnamon-sugar butter, prove, then air fry 10–12 minutes.
The recipe
Air Fryer Cinnamon Rolls
Ingredients
- Enriched dough (or a ready-made tube)
- Butter, brown sugar, cinnamon
- Icing sugar, milk
- Vanilla
Method
- Spread dough with cinnamon-sugar butter; roll and slice.
- (Scratch: prove until puffy.)
- Air fry at 160°C for 8–12 minutes.
- Drizzle with icing while warm.
Tips
- Lower heat cooks the middle through.
- Don't overcrowd — they expand.
- Ice while warm so it melts in.
Frequently asked questions
How do you make cinnamon rolls in an air fryer?
Air fry them at 160°C for 8–12 minutes — ready-made dough at the lower end, scratch rolls (proved first) at the higher — then drizzle with icing while warm.
Why cook cinnamon rolls at a lower temperature?
A moderate heat lets the centre cook through before the outside over-browns, so they stay soft and gooey rather than burning.
Can you use a tube of ready-made dough?
Yes — shop-bought cinnamon roll dough goes straight in and cooks in about 8–10 minutes, a great shortcut.