You can make so many delicious things in an air fryer - and yes, that includes cinnamon rolls! This classic, sweet treat is not only an easy breakfast to make but is also just as tasty as the oven-baked creation we all know and love. This air fryer cinnamon rolls recipe is the perfect combination of light and fluffy cinnamon-encrusted dough and rich, cream cheese frosting that is guaranteed to melt in your mouth.
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Why This Recipe Works
- A Nostalgic, American Classic: Cinnamon buns are an American multi-generational favorite! The smell and taste of warm cinnamon rolls fresh out of the oven stir up fond memories for people of all ages, making this recipe a great option for delighting friends and family alike!
- Melts in Your Mouth: These cinnamon rolls have a decadent cream cheese frosting that will instantly melt in your mouth, creating the ultimate comfort food experience. To go the extra mile, try this cinnamon roll apple cobbler!
- Quick, Easy, Delicious: What's great about these air fry cinnamon rolls is that they have an easy recipe that uses simple ingredients. They can be whipped up in less than an hour and are packed with mouthwatering flavor! For more irresistibly easy and delicious desserts, check out my individual apple crumble pots, Chili's skillet cookies, and chai snickerdoodle cookie skillet!
Ingredients
- Pizza dough - Pizza dough has the same effect as homemade dough! Either refrigerated or frozen dough works equally well.
- Salted butter - Salted butter is great for creating just the right balance of sweetness for the filling.
- Dark brown sugar - This is the best type of sugar to use for cinnamon rolls because it has higher molasses content, creating a delicious caramelization effect.
- Cream cheese - This is your go-to frosting for cinnamon rolls! Cream cheese has a higher fat content, which creates a richer taste.
A full list of ingredients with measurements is located on the recipe card, below.
Substitutions
- Pizza dough: Canned pizza dough, homemade pizza dough, or rolled-out crescent dough rolls are other great options to make your cinnamon roll dough!
- Butter: Fresh out of salted butter, or have more of a sweet tooth? Unsalted butter works just fine!
- Dark brown sugar: Only have light brown sugar in the house? No problem! Light brown sugar will still make these homemade cinnamon rolls taste great.
- Confectioners sugar: Simply blend up granulated sugar to make your own homemade confectioners sugar!
- Cream cheese frosting: If you are more of a fan of buttercream, this vanilla buttercream frosting recipe or this American buttercream recipe are both go-to substitutions!
Variations
- Dietary restrictions - Ditch the animal products and substitute with vegan butter and vegan cream cheese frosting! If you're gluten-free, these gluten-free cinnamon rolls are a great way to enjoy this sweet treat.
- Blueberry Maple Cinnamon Rolls - Boost up the decadence of your cinnamon rolls by creating a blueberry sauce filling and maple cream cheese glaze.
- Chai-Spiced Cinnamon Rolls - Add a dash of cardamom and clove, or better yet, homemade chai masala, to your cinnamon and brown sugar mixture to make cinnamon rolls that make you feel warm and cozy!
- Cookies and cream - Try my cookies and cream cinnamon rolls, packed with crushed oreo cookies, for an even sweet twist!
Step-by-Step Instructions
Prep Work Before Cooking
Collecting all your ingredients - This will make cooking so much easier. Gather all the spices you will need, and keep them nearby.
Mix it up - Once you have all your ingredients, mix the brown sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. Set aside. [photo 1]
Roll out the dough - On a floured surface, roll out the pizza dough with a rolling pin. Roll the dough until it is approximately ⅛" thick, and a 12"x18" large rectangle. [photo 2]
Spread the butter & sprinkle on brown sugar - Next, spread the softened butter in a thick and even layer onto the pizza dough. Use a rubber spatula or clean hands. Sprinkle the brown sugar & cinnamon mixture onto the pizza dough in an even layer. [photos 3 & 4]
Roll the dough into a log - Roll the dough into a long log, keeping the rolls tight. You will want to roll from the long side edge of the dough. This will form a longer log with the right amount of layers in the roll. Push the ends of the log in when you finish rolling for the same thickness throughout. [photo 4]
Cut the log into pieces - Now that your dough is rolled, use a sharp knife or dental floss to cut the log into 8 equal pieces. If you are using dental floss, slip the floss under the log of dough, and cross it over on top to cut through the dough. [photo 5]
Let the dough rest - Next, arrange the rolls in a single layer on a lined air fryer basket. You can use parchment paper or a silicone air fryer liner. Cover the basket with a towel, and let the dough rest for 10-15 minutes. [photo 6]
Make the cream cheese frosting - While the dough is resting, prepare the cream cheese frosting. Add the butter and cream cheese to the bowl of a stand mixer or a mixing bowl if you are using a handheld mixer. Whip together until combined. Then add the powdered sugar to the bowl, and continue to whip until combined. Finish with vanilla extract. If you want a thinner frosting, add in 2 tablespoon of milk. [photo 7 & 8]
Once your frosting is prepped and your dough has rested, air fry the sweet rolls at 350°F for 12 minutes uncovered. Then air fry for an additional 20 minutes, with aluminum foil covering the top of the cinnamon rolls. Carefully remove the rolls from the air fryer basket, using a spatula. They should be a beautiful golden brown when finished cooking.
Spread the cream cheese frosting on the cinnamon rolls while warm. Serve, and enjoy!
Expert Tips
If you are using frozen pizza dough, let the dough defrost and rise at room temperature before using it. Defrosting will help make your cinnamon rolls light and fluffy.
If you prefer a thinner frosting, you can add a few spoons of cream to the frosting mixture. This will thin out the consistency.
If you forgot to soften your butter and cream cheese, place the unwrapped butter/cream cheese in a bowl and microwave in 10-second increments on 50% power.
Make Ahead & Storage
Make Ahead Instructions
- To store in the refrigerator, cover your unbaked cinnamon rolls tightly with plastic wrap on a tray for up to 18 hours.
- To store in the freezer, put your cinnamon rolls on a tray or once frozen, pop them off the tray and place them in a Ziploc bag.
- You can store unbaked cinnamon rolls in the freezer for up to three days.
Storing Leftovers
- Leftover cinnamon rolls can be stored in an airtight container or wrapped tightly with plastic wrap on a plate.
- Storing them this way will keep the cinnamon rolls moist, fresh, and just as delicious as when they came out of the air fryer!
- Allow the dough to warm up to room temperature before baking.
Recipe FAQs
Absolutely! You can make air fryer cinnamon rolls from fresh or frozen. Just keep in mind that frozen cinnamon rolls will take a little longer to cook compared to fresh or thawed cinnamon rolls.
Yes! Unlike a microwave, air fryers use hot air instead of electromagnetic radiation, making aluminum foil completely safe. However, be sure to keep the foil secured in the basket as it can get caught in the air fryer fan. The best way to do this is by molding and shaping the foil to the basket or the food you are cooking and tucking in any loose ends.
Having a different type of air fryer won't affect the recipe. If the size of your air fryer is on the smaller side, just put in fewer cinnamon rolls and make another batch if necessary. You can refrigerate the rolls that are in cue to cook to avoid the dough from softening or getting sticky.
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Air Fryer Frosted Cinnamon Rolls
Ingredients
- 16 oz Pizza dough
- ½ cup Salted butter - softened [1 stick]
- ½ cup Dark brown sugar
- 2 tablespoon Ground cinnamon
Cream Cheese Frosting
- ½ cup Salted butter - softened
- 8 oz Cream cheese - softened
- 3 ½ cup Confectioners sugar
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
Instructions
Prepping Instructions
- Mix it up - Mix the brown sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. Set aside.½ cup Dark brown sugar, 2 tablespoon Ground cinnamon
- Roll out the dough - On a floured surface, roll out the pizza dough with a rolling pin. Roll the dough until it is approximately ⅛" thick, and a 12"x18" large rectangle.16 oz Pizza dough
- Spread the butter & sprinkle on brown sugar - Next, spread the softened butter in a thick and even layer onto the pizza dough. Use a rubber spatula or clean hands. Sprinkle the brown sugar & cinnamon mixture onto the pizza dough in an even layer.½ cup Salted butter, ½ cup Dark brown sugar, 2 tablespoon Ground cinnamon
- Roll the dough into a log - Roll the dough into a long log, keeping the rolls tight. You will want to roll from the long side edge of the dough. This will form a longer log with the right amount of layers in the roll. Push the ends of the log in when you finish rolling for the same thickness throughout.
- Cut the log into pieces - Now that your dough is rolled, use a sharp knife or dental floss to cut the log into 8 equal pieces. If you are using dental floss, slip the floss under the log of dough, and cross it over on top to cut through the dough.
- Let the dough rest - Next, arrange the rolls in a single layer on a lined air fryer basket. You can use parchment paper or a silicone air fryer liner. Cover the basket with a towel, and let the dough rest for 10-15 minutes.
- Make the cream cheese frosting - While the dough is resting, prepare the cream cheese frosting. Add the butter and cream cheese to the bowl of a stand mixer or a mixing bowl if you are using a handheld mixer. Whip together until combined. Then add the powdered sugar to the bowl, and continue to whip until combined. Finish with vanilla extract. If you want a thinner frosting, add in 2 tablespoon of milk.½ cup Salted butter, 8 oz Cream cheese, 3 ½ cup Confectioners sugar, 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
Cooking Instructions
- Once your frosting is prepped and your dough has rested, air fry the sweet rolls at 350°F for 12 minutes uncovered. Then air fry for an additional 10-12 minutes, with aluminum foil covering the top of the cinnamon rolls.
- Carefully remove the rolls from the air fryer basket, using a spatula. They should be a beautiful golden brown when finished cooking.
- Spread the cream cheese frosting on the cinnamon rolls while warm. Serve, and enjoy!
✱Recipe Notes
- If you are using frozen pizza dough, let the dough defrost and rise at room temperature before using it. This will help to make light and fluffy cinnamon rolls.
- If you prefer a thinner frosting you can add a few spoons of cream to the frosting mixture. This will thin it out in consistency.
- If you forgot to soften your butter and cream cheese, place the unwrapped butter/cream cheese in a bowl and microwave in 10 second increments, on 50% power.
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