Air Fryer Cinnamon Rolls – Fluffy and Golden in 12 Minutes

These Air Fryer Cinnamon Rolls deliver bakery-level fluffiness in just 12 minutes. After countless batches, I’ve perfected the technique that creates golden, perfectly risen rolls without heating up your entire kitchen.

Golden air fryer cinnamon rolls with raisins and vanilla icing, fresh and gooey from the oven.

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 17 minutes
Servings: 8 rolls

Crispy Air Fryer Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

Ingredients

  • 1 tube (8 count) refrigerated cinnamon rolls with icing
  • 1 tablespoon butter, melted
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional, for icing enhancement)

Directions

  1. Prepare the air fryer: Preheat to 350°F for 3 minutes. Lightly spray the basket with cooking oil.
  2. Arrange the rolls: Place cinnamon rolls in the basket with 1-inch spacing between each roll. In my experience, overcrowding leads to uneven cooking.
  3. Brush with butter: Lightly brush tops with melted butter for enhanced golden color.
  4. Air fry: Cook for 10-12 minutes until tops are golden brown and centers spring back when lightly touched.
  5. Cool and glaze: Let cool for 2 minutes before applying the included icing. I’ve found adding vanilla to the icing creates a richer flavor.

Air Fryer Settings for Cinnamon Rolls

Temperature & Time

Set your air fryer to 350°F for 10-12 minutes. Smaller rolls need closer to 10 minutes, while larger ones require the full 12 minutes.

Basket Arrangement

Space rolls at least 1 inch apart. I typically fit 4 rolls comfortably in a standard basket, cooking in batches if needed.

Secret to Fluffy Cinnamon Rolls in Air Fryer

Coating Tips

The melted butter brush creates an evenly golden exterior while keeping the interior tender. Don’t skip this step – it makes a visible difference.

Doneness Indicators

Perfect air fryer cinnamon rolls will be:

  • Golden brown on top
  • Spring back when gently pressed
  • Pull apart easily without appearing doughy in the center

Serving Air Fryer Cinnamon Rolls

Sauce Pairings

While the included icing is classic, try these alternatives:

  • Cream cheese glaze with vanilla
  • Maple syrup drizzle
  • Caramel sauce

Side Dish Suggestions

These pair beautifully with:

  • Fresh coffee or hot chocolate
  • Crispy bacon or breakfast sausage
  • Fresh berries for a lighter touch

Conclusion

Air fryer cinnamon rolls prove you don’t need an oven for bakery-quality results. The circulating air creates perfectly risen, golden rolls in half the time of traditional baking.

Author

  • Smiling woman named Sarah Mitchell in a cozy kitchen wearing an apron

    Sarah Mitchell is a Culinary Institute of America-trained pastry chef turned food writer who specializes in easy air fryer desserts. After working in bakeries from NYC to Portland, she discovered her passion for helping home bakers create bakery-quality treats in small kitchens with simple equipment.

    Based in Portland, Oregon, Sarah develops and tests every recipe multiple times in her tiny apartment kitchen, documenting both successes and failures to help readers troubleshoot common baking problems. Her approach combines professional pastry techniques with practical shortcuts, making desserts accessible to bakers at any skill level.

    When she's not creating recipes at odd hours or responding to reader questions, Sarah can be found exploring Portland's dessert scene for inspiration, always accompanied by her rescue cat Mochi who serves as chief taste-test supervisor.

    Sarah learned to bake at age 6 in her grandmother's Ohio bakery, where she developed her philosophy: great desserts don't need to be complicated – they just need to bring joy.

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