Imagine warm, gooey cinnamon rolls—crispy on the outside, soft on the inside—ready in under 10 minutes. No oven preheating, no babysitting a baking sheet, and definitely no patience required. These air fryer cinnamon roll bites are the cheat code for dessert lovers who refuse to wait.
Perfect for breakfast, snack attacks, or justifying dessert at 3 PM (no judgment here). If you’ve ever burned a tray of cookies or cried over dough that didn’t rise, this recipe is your redemption arc. Let’s get to it.
Why This Recipe Slaps
First, it’s stupidly easy.
Store-bought dough + air fryer = minimal effort, maximum reward. Second, the air fryer gives these bites a crispy edge while keeping the center melt-in-your-mouth soft. Third, you can customize them with toppings or fillings—because adulting means eating frosting straight from the tub if you want to.
Lastly, they’re portion-controlled (theoretically), so you won’t accidentally eat an entire pan. Unless you want to.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 1 can refrigerated cinnamon roll dough (or homemade if you’re fancy)
- 2 tbsp melted butter (because more is always better)
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar (for extra crunch)
- 1 tsp cinnamon (the star of the show)
- Icing from the can (or make your own with powdered sugar + milk)
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (180°C) for 3 minutes. Skipping this?
Enjoy unevenly cooked bites. Your call.
- Cut the cinnamon rolls into quarters. Smaller pieces = more crispy edges.
Science.
- Toss the bites in melted butter, then coat them in a mix of sugar and cinnamon. Don’t skimp—this is where the magic happens.
- Air fry for 5-6 minutes, shaking the basket halfway. Watch them like a hawk; air fryers have zero mercy for the distracted.
- Drizzle with icing while warm.
Pro tip: Microwave the icing for 10 seconds to make it pourable.
How to Store These Bad Boys
Let them cool completely, then toss them in an airtight container. They’ll last 2-3 days at room temp or up to a week in the fridge. To reheat, pop them back in the air fryer for 1-2 minutes.
Microwaving works, but you’ll sacrifice the crispiness—choose wisely.
Why You Should Make These Immediately
They’re faster than ordering delivery, cheaper than a bakery run, and guaranteed to impress even your judgy aunt. Plus, the air fryer cuts calories (slightly) by using less oil than deep-frying. That means you can eat twice as many, right?
Right.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Overcrowding the basket: Give the bites space, or they’ll steam instead of crisp.
- Skipping the butter/sugar coating: This isn’t the time to be health-conscious. Live a little.
- Ignoring the shaking step: Uneven cooking = some bites raw, others charcoal. Balance is key.
Alternatives for the Rebellious
No cinnamon rolls?
Use biscuit dough, croissant dough, or even pizza dough (weird, but it works). Swap the icing for cream cheese glaze, caramel drizzle, or a dusting of powdered sugar. Feeling extra?
Add chopped nuts or a sprinkle of sea salt for ~gourmet~ vibes.
FAQs
Can I use homemade dough?
Absolutely. Just roll it out, add cinnamon sugar, slice, and follow the same steps. Homemade dough might need an extra minute in the air fryer—check for golden perfection.
Why are my bites dry?
You overcooked them.
Air fryers run hot, so start with less time and add more if needed. Also, don’t skip the butter. Ever.
Can I freeze these?
Yep.
Freeze them before icing, then reheat in the air fryer straight from frozen. Add icing after. FYI, they won’t last long enough to freeze, though.
What if I don’t have an air fryer?
Bake them at 375°F (190°C) for 10-12 minutes.
They’ll still taste great, but you’ll miss out on the air fryer’s crispy sorcery.
Final Thoughts
These air fryer cinnamon roll bites are the ultimate lazy dessert—quick, customizable, and guaranteed to disappear faster than your motivation to meal prep. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or just your inner sugar monster, this recipe won’t let you down. Now go forth and air fry like nobody’s watching.