Air Fryer Cinnamon Rolls From Scratch

Spoil your loved ones with these fluffy, soft, and moist Air Fryer Cinnamon Rolls made from scratch!

Slathered with a generous layer of silky cream cheese icing, they are the perfect breakfast treat or late-night snack when you crave something sweet.

You can prepare the dough in advance, refrigerate it overnight, and then freshly bake it in the morning for a convenient and quick breakfast. Follow these simple step-by-step instructions to easily prepare homemade air fryer cinnamon rolls that are sure to become a family favorite.

Ingredients for Air Fryer Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

The Dough

• Flour – Opt for plain white flour or all-purpose flour for the best results with this air fryer cinnamon rolls recipe. You can also use bread flour in a pinch, however, the rolls will be chewier.

• Milk – I recommend full-fat milk, but semi-skimmed milk is also suitable for this recipe. Avoid using skimmed milk and ensure it is lukewarm before mixing it with the yeast.

• Butter – Opt for high-quality unsalted butter to achieve tender, fluffy rolls with an enhanced and rich flavor.

• Egg – You need a medium-sized, fresh, free-range egg at room temperature for extra richness.

• Sugar – Both granulated and caster sugar work well with this Air Fryer Cinnamon Roll recipe.

• Yeast – I use fast-action dry yeast or instant yeast.

CINNAMON FILLING AND CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

• Butter – Use super-soft butter for both the filling and the frosting. Firm or melted butter wouldn’t work for cinnamon rolls.

• Brown Sugar – You can use dark brown or light brown sugar to sweeten the filling and create a sticky texture.

• Cinnamon – It is the primary flavoring for the cinnamon roll; adjust the amount for a stronger cinnamon flavor if desired.

• Cream cheese – Use full-fat cream cheese that has been softened to room temperature.

• Walnuts – I love the crunchy and nutty touch that walnuts bring to these delicious Air Fryer Cinnamon Rolls. Feel free to substitute them with any other nuts of your choice or omit them.

• Icing sugar – It is also known as powdered sugar and is ideal for frosting as it dissolves more quickly than regular sugar.

How to Make Cinnamon Rolls from Scratch in Air Fryer?

Making these homemade Airfryer Cinnamon Rolls from scratch is a straightforward process. To achieve the best results, you need to follow a few simple steps:

Prepare the Dough

Place the milk in a saucepan and gently warm it over low heat. When the milk is warm add the butter 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 and 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 complete the process, incorporate the egg into the mixing bowl and continue whisking until the dough forms and separates from the sides. This usually takes 4 to 5 minutes, resulting in a soft, slightly sticky, and stretchy texture.

If the dough remains excessively sticky, add a small amount of flour until it reaches a somewhat sticky but still very soft and manageable consistency.

I typically begin with 350 grams of flour and adjust gradually until achieving the desired texture. Turn the dough to a lightly floured surface and form a dough 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 on 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. 

Place parchment paper in your air fryer basket and cut the log into 8 or 9 equal rolls. For context, my air fryer basket is 23 cm x 23 cm (9″ x 9″) and can comfortably fit 9 cinnamon rolls.

If your air fryer is smaller, I suggest doing it in two batches to ensure even cooking and prevent overcrowding of 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.

Air Fry 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 gently 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.

Cover them with the cream cheese frosting. To add a little extra flair, you can also choose the cream cheese frosting I use for this delicious super simple Easy Carrot Cake recipe.

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 refrigerate overnight.

The following morning, take the cinnamon rolls out of the fridge and allow them to rest at room temperature for 45 minutes to an hour, or until they double in size. Afterward, follow the air fryer baking instructions.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• You can prep them ahead and bake for a simple breakfast on special occasions like Easter or Christmas morning.

• Just like Air Fryer Sausage Links, Air Fryer Apple Crisp Without Oats, and Air Fryer Sliced Apples with Cinnamon, it is extremely easy to make—just follow the simple steps, complete with pictures and a video on the recipe card.

• They freeze beautifully, and you can choose to freeze them before or after baking, ensuring you always have a tasty treat on hand.

• These deliciously fluffy Air Fryer Cinnamon Rolls from scratch are incredibly soft and moist and are topped with a generous layer of silky cream cheese icing.

Expert Tips From the Chef

• Bring the butter, eggs, and cream cheese to room temperature by taking them out of the fridge for at least an hour before starting the dough. This helps the dough rise better and makes your cinnamon rolls lighter and fluffier.

• Just like when making 4 Ingredients Air Fryer Cookies and Air Fryer Lemon Cake with Raspberries, 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 bit more flour until it’s somewhat sticky but still very soft and easy to work with. Avoid adding too much flour!

• Mix until everything is just combined and knead the dough for only a few minutes until it forms a smooth and elastic ball. Overworking the dough can lead to tough cinnamon rolls. 

• Cutting the rolls evenly ensures even cooking and a more appealing appearance. Use a sharp knife or unflavored dental floss.

Freezing the Cinnamon Rolls

You can freeze cinnamon rolls either before or after baking, and they will stay fresh for up to three months in the freezer.

If you prefer to freeze them before baking, make the cinnamon roll dough as directed and shape it into rolls.

Lay the rolls on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet and freeze them until firm. Once frozen, transfer the rolls to a freezer-safe bag or airtight container and return them to the freezer.

When you’re prepared to bake the cinnamon rolls, take them out of the freezer and place them in the air fryer’s basket.

If you want to freeze them after baking, allow the cinnamon rolls to cool completely after baking.

Individually wrap each cinnamon roll with plastic wrap and place them in a large freezer-safe bag or an airtight container.

To thaw frozen cinnamon rolls, take them out of the freezer and let them sit at room temperature for a few hours or overnight until they are completely thawed.

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