Easy Air Fryer Cinnamon Rolls
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Air Fryer Cinnamon Rolls could not be any easier to make. With all of that ooey gooey cinnamony flavor, these fluffy breakfast treats are sure to make any morning brighter! One kitchen tool, one ingredient, and 10 minutes — it’s literally that simple!!
Air Fryer Cinnamon Rolls
If you thought that Pillsbury cinnamon rolls were already easy to prepare, get ready for an even easier air fryer breakfast.
Pop cinnamon rolls in your air fryer, and they’ll be done before you’re even finished setting the table! There’s no big secret — it’s the same as using your oven, only faster!
I’m not sure who convinced all of us that cinnamon rolls are a breakfast item instead of a dessert, but I’m not complaining!
Between cinnamon roll monkey bread and my copycat Cinnabon recipe, I think I could start every day with that melty, mouthwatering cinnamon goodness.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- Pillsbury Cinnamon Rolls – There are a couple of options out there, right? Grands, flaky, and even orange-flavored nowadays!
Any of them will do for this cinnamon rolls air fryer recipe.
The icing varies too, with your choice of the original, cream cheese, reduced fat, and extra rich buttercream. Take your pick of those as well! - (Optional) Vanilla Frosting – Have some on hand if you want extra icing to drizzle or serve alongside air fryer cinnamon rolls.
Simply microwave the canned version — you’ll find tips on that in the recipe card below!
Tips and Tricks for Making Perfect Cinnamon Rolls in Air Fryer
- Leave space around each roll
Air fryers are all about air circulation. So if the edges of your rolls are covered up, the air can’t reach them and they can’t cook!
If proper spacing means baking in multiple batches, so be it — better to take a bit more time than have an underbaked batch!
- Keep the dough chilled
If you do find yourself frying in multiple batches, then be sure to keep the excess dough chilled until it’s time to go in the air fryer.
The cooking time is based on chilled dough. Additionally, the rolls will start to droop if left at room temperature for too long, affecting the fluffiness and rise.
- Use parchment paper
While it’s true that you can use either parchment paper or aluminum foil in the air fryer, go with parchment paper this time around.
Aluminum foil heats up and bakes the bottom of your ingredients just a tad more than the edges and the top.
So unless you want a harder, crisper bottom on your air fryer cinnamon rolls, line with parchment paper!
Prep Ahead
- Cut parchment to fit air fryer basket
- Preheat the air fryer
Fun Toppings for Cinnamon Rolls from the Air Fryer
- Cream Cheese Frosting – I don’t know about you, but I’m all about cream cheese frosting with my cinnamon treats!
Use an electric or stand mixer to fluff up a block of cream cheese with 2 cups of powdered sugar.
Then, add a little vanilla extract, plus a pinch of salt to balance the sweetness. - Lemon Drizzle – A quick lemon icing will brighten up these air fryer cinnamon rolls in a flash!
Mix powdered sugar, lemon zest and juice, and just enough milk to get the right consistency. You’ll have a sweet and tangy topping that’s absolutely to die for! - Strawberry Dessert Topping – This one is pretty indulgent, but what’s better than a fruity breakfast?
These strawberries are boiled with sugar and flavored with vanilla. You can also make this recipe with any fruit you would like!
Pillsbury Cinnamon Rolls Air Fryer FAQ
It takes between 6 and 7 minutes to cook Pillsbury cinnamon rolls in an air fryer.
As always, this varies from model to model and depends on how packed your basket is. So keep an eye on them!
You can, but they’ll need a bit more time in the air fryer than the refrigerated dough.
Don’t increase the heat — just increase their time in the air fryer. You’ll be able to tell that they’re done when the tops turn golden brown.
The air fryer always ensures that your food cooks evenly and entirely from top to bottom. You don’t have to worry about placement in an oven altering the temperature.
It’s also much quicker to prepare cinnamon rolls in the air fryer. It takes over 20 minutes, plus preheating time, to prepare refrigerated cinnamon rolls in the oven.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
It’s really best to enjoy cinnamon rolls from the air fryer while they’re fresh and hot. Over time, they tend to dry out.
That said, you can keep leftovers at room temperature for 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Reheat Pillsbury cinnamon rolls in the air fryer or microwave just until warmed through.
It can help to add a sprinkle of water (or cover them with a damp paper towel in the microwave) to get some of that moisture back.
Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.
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Other Easy Air Fryer Recipes
Air Fryer Cinnamon Rolls (Pillsbury Cinnamon Rolls)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 8 Pillsbury refrigerated cinnamon rolls, 1 8-Count package
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 350° F. Line the air fryer basket with parchment paper.
- Open package and separate rolls. Place rolls in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving space between each for expansion.
- Cook rolls for 6-7 minutes.
- Remove rolls from basket and transfer to a serving plate. Allow cinnamon rolls to cool slightly, then stir the frosting and spread evenly over the rolls.
Donna’s Notes
Serve warm with plenty of napkins
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.
Originally published October 2022, updated and republished January 2024
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When I woke up and saw this recipe in my email I had them make them for the kids! It literally took a few minutes and my kids are happy with breakfast today! Now I think they may want them everyday LOL
Hi Donna!
Quick question: could you possibly add an option on your recipe pages to jump right to the recipe card please? I just want to get to the nitty-gritty without having to scroll for that long. Thanks!
These Air Fryer Cinnamon Rolls by Donna and Chad are an absolute delight! So easy to make, and the taste is out of this world. I’m in love with this recipe!
Hi Violet!
We’re so glad you enjoyed!!
TSRI Team Member,
Devlyn
Donna’s air fryer cinnamon rolls are a breeze! I added a sprinkle of chopped pecans for some extra crunch. Perfect combo of easy and delicious!