Air Fryer Cinnamon Rolls from SCRATCH in under an hour! These cinnamon rolls are sweet, simple, and topped with the BEST caramelly brown sugar glaze. They’re a perfect go-to recipe for a weekend breakfast at home.
Air Fryer Cinnamon Roll Recipe
Soft, warm, and slightly crispy on the outside, these Air Fryer Cinnamon Rolls are a satisfying and cozy recipe that comes together in no time. The dough rises in just 30 minutes, and then bakes in the air fryer for only 11 minutes. So easy!
We’ve added a nontraditional glaze that steals the show and makes it special without taking away from the quintessential things we all love about homemade cinnamon rolls. And bonus points: you’re home will to smell amazing, too!
RELATED: Small-Batch Cinnamon Rolls
Ingredients
Cinnamon Roll Dough
- All-Purpose Flour
- Instant Yeast – Using instant, or quick rise yeast cuts down significantly on time. Active Yeast (not instant) requires much more time to rise.
- Sugar – Granulated white sugar acts as the “food” for the yeast to get it going!
- Salt
- Butter
- Warm Water – About 100 degrees F. It’s warm to the touch but not at all hot.
Cinnamon Filling
- Melted Butter
- Brown Sugar – Use light or dark depending on your preference.
- Ground Cinnamon
Brown Sugar Glaze
- Brown Sugar
- Butter
- Milk – Using 2% or whole milk will yield the best results.
- Sea Salt – A pinch helps balance the sweetness.
How to Make Air Fryer Cinnamon Rolls
Air Fryer Cinnamon Rolls from scratch in under an hour – what could be better? Here’s how to make them:
Make the Dough
- Mix the dry ingredients and add the warm water and melted butter.
- Remove the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead the cinnamon roll dough for a few minutes until it is soft and pliable.
- Return it to the bowl, cover and let it rise for 30 minutes.
Mix and Add the Filling
- Combine the brown sugar and cinnamon and melt 1 Tablespoon of butter.
- Roll out the risen dough into a rectangle and cover with the melted butter and cinnamon sugar.
- Roll up the dough into a log and cut into 8 equal pieces. Place in your small cake pan, cover, and let rest while you make the glaze.
Make the Glaze
- Add the ingredients to a saucepan and cook for a few minutes over medium heat.
- Stir constantly, making sure it doesn’t scorch on the bottom.
- Remove from the heat and let it cool and thicken while you air fry the cinnamon rolls.
Air Fry & Serve
- Uncover the rolls and air fry them in the cake pan inside the air fryer basket for 11 minutes at 360 degrees F. No need to preheat your air fryer!
- Serve the rolls with the glaze drizzled over the top!
You’ll Also Love: Apple Pie Filling Cinnamon Rolls
Tips For Making Air Fryer Cinnamon Rolls
Dough – If your dough feels a little dry, add more warm water 1 teaspoon at a time. After the 30-minute rise, the dough should feel softer and lighter to the touch. The cinnamon rolls will continue rising and get bigger while they bake!
Glaze – This glaze is so good! It will continue to thicken as it cools, and then thin again on the hot rolls. Serve extra on the side, and sprinkle with more sea salt for a salted caramel flavor.
Baking Pan – The small cake pan can be found in many stores or online. I’ve found it to be useful for other recipes as well!
Storing
Air Fryer Cinnamon Rolls store well in both the refrigerator and the freezer! Place them in an airtight container and store them in the fridge for 3-4 days, or freeze them for 1-2 months.
To reheat leftover cinnamon rolls, heat from the fridge or frozen in the microwave or air fryer until thoroughly warm.
More Brunch Recipes You’ll Love
- Mini Pancakes
- Pistachio Muffins
- Cinnamon Streusel Muffins
- Cinnamon Roll Peach Cobbler
- Vanilla Matcha Latte
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Air Fryer Cinnamon Rolls
Equipment
Ingredients
Dough
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 7 grams instant yeast one packet
- 1 Tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3 Tablespoons butter melted
- 1/2 cup warm water
Filling
- 1 Tablespoon melted butter
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 Tablespoon ground cinnamon
Brown Sugar Glaze
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup butter
- 2 Tablespoons milk
- pinch sea salt
Instructions
Make the Dough
- In a medium bowl, mix the flour, yeast, sugar, and salt.
- Pour the warm water and melted butter into the bowl and mix well until a rough dough forms.
- Use your hands to bring all of the ingredients together into one ball and remove to a lightly floured surface.
- Knead the dough for 2-3 minutes until the dough becomes smooth and elastic.
- Replace the dough in the bowl and cover with a kitchen towel. Let rise for 30 minutes.
Add Filling
- In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar and cinnamon.
- Melt the one Tablespoon of butter.
- After the 30-minute rise time, roll the dough into a 5×8" rectangle measuring about 1/4" thick.
- Spread the melted butter over the entire surface of the dough and sprinkle on the brown sugar-cinnamon mixture.
- Roll and cut into them into 8 equal pieces.
- Place the rolls in a 6-inch cake pan, cover, and let rise for 5-10 minutes.
- While the rolls are rising, make the glaze.
Mix the Glaze
- Add the brown sugar, butter, and milk to a saucepan and continuously stir over medium heat.
- Bring the glaze to a boil, stirring constantly, and cook for 2-3 minutes.
- Remove from the heat and allow it to cool slightly while the cinnamon rolls cook. It will thicken as it cools.
- Remove the towel from the cinnamon rolls and cook in your air fryer at 360 degrees F for 11 minutes. No need to preheat!
- Top with the glaze and enjoy!
My family loves these! And I love that I can make homemade cinnamon rolls so fast!
What a great idea to make cinnamon rolls in an air fryer, love the recipe and hope to try it sometime! Thanks for sharing.
These were incredible. The dough was easy to make and they baked up perfectly in our air fryer. And the glaze really took them over the top!
I just made these air fryer cinnamon rolls and they were too good! Definitely making them again.
Thanks, Tina! Glad you enjoyed this recipe!