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Cinnamon Rolls in the Air Fryer

Air fryer cinnamon rolls? Yes, please! You can make cinnamon rolls in the air fryer in half the time it takes to prepare them in the oven, giving store-bought cinnamon rolls a perfect golden brown color.

A cinnamon roll in the air fryer with frosting.

My family loves cinnamon rolls, but making old-fashioned cinnamon rolls from scratch isn’t always in the cards. Then I stumbled on a viral TikTok hack combining cinnamon rolls with heavy cream, and suddenly, I could surprise my family with store-bought rolls that taste just like the real deal—no extra prep time required.

Here I am again, with an even easier way to make the gooey breakfast treat. Pop the grocery store cinnamon rolls out of the packaging and arrange them into the air fryer basket for quick and easy cinnamon rolls, ready in just 10 minutes!

Key Ingredients

  • Cinnamon Rolls: All you need are your favorite store-bought cinnamon rolls. I prefer the larger Original Pillsbury Grands Cinnamon Rolls—the pack of five fits perfectly in the air fryer basket. You can also swap them for another brand or even cook frozen cinnamon rolls in the air fryer, like Sister Schubert’s or Rhodes.

Additions and Substitutions

  • Experiment with toppings. Top the cinnamon rolls with chocolate chips, toasted pecans, or walnuts.
  • Swap the cinnamon rolls. Use Original Pillsbury Grand Cinnamon Rolls or try their other flavors— butter cream, lemon, hot cocoa, pumpkin spice, or strawberry.

How to Make Cinnamon Rolls in the Air Fryer

The full recipe with measurements is in the recipe card below.

Step 1: Preheat the air fryer to 320°F (160°C). Arrange the cinnamon rolls in the basket, leaving space between the rolls.

Cinnamon rolls in an air fryer.

Preparation Tip

Work in batches, depending on the size of your air fryer.

Step 2: Cook for 8-10 minutes or until the rolls are lightly golden brown

Cinnamon rolls in an air fryer.

How long to heat cinnamon rolls in air fryer?

The cooking time varies depending on the type of Pillsbury cinnamon rolls you use. The larger Pillsbury Grands in the 5-pack typically need 8–10 minutes. The smaller rolls in the 8-pack may require less time to achieve a golden brown exterior and soft, fluffy interior.

Step 3: Remove the cinnamon rolls from the air fryer and place them on a wire rack to cool for 5-10 minutes. Once cool, spread the reserved icing over the cinnamon rolls, and enjoy!

Cinnamon rolls in an air fryer.
A cinnamon roll in the air fryer with frosting.

Expert Tips

  • Be careful not to overcrowd the basket; arrange the cinnamon rolls into the basket with room to expand, and work in batches if necessary. 
  • I used the 5-count Pillsbury Grand cinnamon rolls for recipe testing and found a lower temperature for longer to work the best. If you use the smaller 8-count package to make air fryer cinnamon rolls, you may want to cook them at a higher temperature for less time.
  • You may want to raise the heat to speed up the cooking process, but that often leads to the outside being overcooked with an undercooked interior.

If you enjoy making cinnamon rolls in the air fryer, try more breakfast recipes!  

A cinnamon roll in the air fryer with frosting.

Serving Suggestions

If you’re looking for a quick breakfast, serve the cinnamon rolls with a cool glass of milk, a cold brew latte, or your favorite herbal tea.

Complete the meal by pairing the easy cinnamon rolls with fresh fruit—sliced apples, pears, banana slices, or berries—crispy bacon, scrambled eggsturkey bacon, or air fryer sausage patties.

What To Do With Leftovers

  • Refrigerate: If you end up with leftovers, store the air fryer cinnamon rolls at room temperature for 3-4 days. Arrange the rolls on a plate and cover with aluminum foil, or store them in an airtight container.
  • Freeze: If you plan to freeze the cinnamon rolls, it’s best to leave the icing off. I often bake them in batches—one for breakfast and one to save for later. Let the rolls cool completely to freeze, then cover them tightly in plastic wrap to prevent freezer burn. Place the wrapped rolls in a freezer-safe container or bag. Cinnamon rolls freeze for 2–3 months.
  • Thaw: Defrost the cinnamon rolls in the refrigerator overnight. 
  • Reheat: Set your oven or air fryer to 350°F (176°C) and warm them for 3-5 minutes. Prepare the frosting, and enjoy!

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are my cinnamon rolls sticking to the basket?

Pillsbury cinnamon rolls have a buttery layer on them to prevent them from sticking to the air fryer basket, so there is no need for extra cooking spray. I have never had an issue with the cinnamon rolls sticking.

If you have this problem, prepare the basket with a little cooking spray or line it with parchment paper for air fryers.

More Air Fryer Recipes:

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A cinnamon roll in the air fryer with frosting.

Cinnamon Rolls in Air Fryer

Tressa Jamil
Air fryer cinnamon rolls? Yes, please! Make Pillsbury cinnamon rolls in the air fryer in half the time it takes to bake them in the oven.
5 from 3 votes
Prep Time 2 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Cooling Time 3 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Course Breakfast
Cuisine American
Servings 5 Servings
Calories 320 kcal
Ingredients
  
  • 1 can (5 pack) Pillsbury Grand Cinnamon Rolls
Instructions
 
  • Preheat the air fryer to 320°F (160°C). Arrange the cinnamon rolls in the basket, leaving space between the rolls.
    Tip: Work in batches, depending on the size of your air fryer.
  • Cook for 8-10 minutes or until the rolls are lightly golden brown
  • Remove the cinnamon rolls from the air fryer and place them on a wire rack to cool for 5-10 minutes. Once cool, spread the reserved icing over the cinnamon rolls, and enjoy!
Notes
Expert Tips: 
  • Pillsbury cinnamon rolls have a buttery layer on them that helps prevent them from sticking to the air fryer basket, so there is no need for cooking spray.
  • Be careful not to overcrowd the basket; arrange the cinnamon rolls into the basket with room to expand, and work in batches if necessary. 
  • used the 5-count Pillsbury Grand cinnamon rolls for recipe testing and found a lower temperature for longer to work the best. If you use the smaller 8-count package to make air fryer cinnamon rolls, you may want to cook them at a higher temperature for less time.
  • You may want to raise the heat to speed up the cooking process, but that often leads to the outside being overcooked with an undercooked interior.
 
Nutrition
Serving: 1 Serving | Calories: 320 kcal | Carbohydrates: 63 g | Protein: 5 g | Fat: 10 g | Saturated Fat: 5 g | Sodium: 520 mg | Fiber: 1 g | Sugar: 22 g
Did you make this recipe? Let me know how it turned out for you! Leave a comment below and follow @thejamilghar or tag #thejamilghar on Instagram!
5 from 3 votes (3 ratings without comment)
Recipe Rating