Air Fryer Recipe
Cinnamon rolls
Cinnamon rolls make a lovely treat, and the air fryer gets them on the table more quickly than the usual oven bake, with a lighter touch too.
Ingredients
- 2 and 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 and 1/4 teaspoons instant yeast
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/4 cup water
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon butter, melted
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2-3 tablespoons milk
Method
- In a large mixing bowl, stir together the flour, sugar, salt, and yeast.
- In a small saucepan, warm the milk, water, and butter until the butter has melted. Leave to cool slightly, then whisk in the egg.
- Gradually pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, mixing as you go.
- Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 5 minutes.
- Put the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a cloth, and leave it to rise until doubled in size (about 1 hour).
- Mix the brown sugar and cinnamon together in a bowl.
- Once the dough has risen, roll it out into a rectangle about 1/4 inch thick.
- Spread the softened butter over the dough, then sprinkle the sugar and cinnamon mixture evenly on top.
- Roll the dough from one end to the other to make a tight log.
- Cut the log into even slices, about 1 inch thick.
- Preheat your air fryer to 180°C (356°F).
- Arrange the cinnamon rolls in the air fryer basket, making sure they do not touch each other.
- Cook the rolls for 10-12 minutes, until golden brown.
- Whisk the powdered sugar, melted butter, vanilla extract, and milk together until smooth.
- Drizzle the glaze generously over the warm cinnamon rolls.
Why this works in an air fryer
The dough needs enough kneading to build gluten so the rolls expand rather than slump. In the air fryer, fast convection dries and browns the exposed spiral quickly, while the butter-sugar filling melts and steams the inner layers; leaving gaps lets hot air reach the sides instead of only colouring the tops.
Equipment notes
Assumes a 5–6 litre basket holding about 5–6 one-inch rolls with clear gaps; in a smaller basket, cook in batches. In a single-drawer air fryer, place rolls in the centre and rotate positions halfway if browning is uneven. In dual-zone drawers, the narrower compartments can brown faster, so check 2 minutes early; if both zones run together, they may need 1–2 minutes longer.
Common pitfalls
- Tops dark but centres look doughy or compressed? The heat is browning faster than it is penetrating; lower to 160°C and cook 3–5 minutes more, loosely covered with foil if needed.
- Rolls are pale, tight and heavy after cooking? The dough was likely under-proved or the milk mixture was too hot for the yeast; let the dough visibly double and use liquid that feels warm, not hot.
- Sticky burnt syrup pooling in the basket? The log was rolled loosely or the butter was too soft/melted; use softened butter, roll firmly, chill the log for 10 minutes before slicing, and use perforated parchment.
- Edges are dry and crusty before the middle is cooked? The rolls are too small or too widely exposed to airflow; cut slightly thicker slices next time and start checking at 9 minutes.
Variations & substitutions
- Use strong white bread flour instead of plain flour for a chewier roll; it absorbs a little more liquid, so add a splash of milk if the dough feels stiff.
- Swap the milk for oat or almond drink and use dairy-free spread; browning may be slightly lighter, so judge doneness by the centre texture as well as colour.
- Add finely chopped pecans or walnuts over the cinnamon sugar; nuts toast quickly in the air fryer, so keep them inside the spiral rather than scattered on top.
- Add raisins or chopped apple in a thin layer; the extra moisture can extend cooking by 1–2 minutes and may make the filling softer.
Storage & reheating
Keep cooled rolls in an airtight container for up to 2 days at room temperature or 4 days chilled, then reheat in the air fryer at 150°C for 2–4 minutes until warm.
Nutrition
Calories: 250
