Save to Pinterest The first time I made cinnamon roll twists in my air fryer, I was skeptical—how could something so indulgent come together in under twenty minutes without a conventional oven? But there they were, golden and fragrant, reminding me that sometimes the best shortcuts don't feel like shortcuts at all. Now they're my go-to when I want that bakery-fresh cinnamon swirl without the fuss or the mess of working with yeast-based dough.
I remember my neighbor stopping by on a Saturday morning just as the batch finished, and the aroma pulled her straight into the kitchen. She watched me drizzle the vanilla glaze while they were still warm, and I had to make an extra batch right then and there because she asked if I could show her how. That's when I realized these weren't just a quick breakfast—they were a moment to share something that felt special.
Ingredients
- Refrigerated crescent roll dough or pizza dough (8 oz): The foundation that saves you from any yeast management drama; I've found that pressing out the seams creates a more even surface for the filling to stick.
- Unsalted butter (2 tbsp, melted): Acts as the adhesive that keeps the cinnamon sugar from sliding off during the twist and frying process.
- Brown sugar (1/4 cup): Brings deep molasses notes that regular sugar can't quite match, and it caramelizes beautifully at air fryer temperatures.
- Ground cinnamon (1 1/2 tsp): The star ingredient that should smell fragrant and fresh; I learned the hard way that old cinnamon tastes dusty and flat.
- Powdered sugar (1/2 cup): The glaze ingredient that dissolves into a silky coating; sifting it first prevents lumps that catch in your teeth.
- Milk (1–2 tbsp): Thinned to exactly the right consistency for drizzling; I use whole milk because it creates a richer finish than skim.
- Vanilla extract (1/4 tsp): A small amount goes a long way in the glaze, adding warmth that balances the sweetness.
Instructions
- Get your air fryer ready:
- Preheat to 350°F for those full three minutes; this ensures even cooking and that gorgeous golden exterior you're after.
- Prepare the dough base:
- Unroll onto a floured surface and press down firmly to seal any perforated edges so the filling stays put during twisting. A light flour dusting prevents sticking without drying out the dough.
- Butter and sweeten:
- Brush melted butter across the entire surface with confident strokes, then mix your cinnamon and brown sugar in a small bowl and sprinkle it all over like you mean it. The butter should be warm enough to make the sugar cling.
- Create the fold:
- Fold the rectangle in half lengthwise and press gently along the seam to seal; you're creating a long, narrow rectangle that's easier to cut and twist.
- Cut and twist:
- Slice into eight strips and twist each one several times, pinching the ends so they don't unravel during cooking. The more you twist, the more layers you'll see in the finished pastry.
- Air-fry to golden:
- Arrange them in the basket with space between each one, working in batches if your fryer is snug. Seven to eight minutes is the sweet spot where they're cooked through but still a little yielding inside.
- Glaze while warm:
- Whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth, then drizzle it over the still-warm twists so it softens into the crevices. Serve immediately for the best texture contrast.
Save to Pinterest There was a morning when everything felt rushed and I made these almost on autopilot, but biting into that warm cinnamon sugar spiral still felt like a small celebration. That's when I understood why this recipe stuck around—it turns an ordinary Tuesday breakfast into something worth pausing for.
Why the Air Fryer Changes Everything
Conventional ovens need time to preheat and pastries risk browning unevenly, but air fryers circulate heat so aggressively that they nail that perfect balance between crispy exterior and tender interior in mere minutes. I've stopped reaching for my conventional oven for pastries altogether because the consistency is just too good to ignore. The dough cooks faster, the sugar caramelizes more dramatically, and cleanup is infinitely easier.
Make It Your Own
The beauty of this recipe is that the base is a canvas for whatever you're craving that morning. I've stirred chopped pecans into the filling when I wanted texture, swapped in coconut sugar for earthiness, and even dusted a batch with a little sea salt before air-frying because I was curious about sweet and salty together. Every version worked because the core technique is so forgiving and the air fryer is so reliable.
- Pecans or walnuts add a satisfying crunch that plays beautifully against the soft, buttery dough.
- A sprinkle of sea salt on top before serving brings out the caramel notes in the brown sugar.
- Cream cheese drizzle instead of vanilla glaze transforms these into something almost decadent, perfect for weekend mornings when you're not in a hurry.
Storage and Reheating
These are genuinely best fresh from the air fryer, but I've learned they keep beautifully in an airtight container for a day or two, and a quick one-minute blast in the air fryer brings them right back to that just-made texture. I've even frozen them before glazing and pulled them out for emergency breakfast situations when I needed something fast and impressive.
Save to Pinterest These cinnamon roll twists remind me that the best recipes are the ones that feel too good to be true until you've made them once and realize they're actually easier than you imagined. Keep them in your back pocket for mornings when you want something that tastes like care but takes almost no time at all.
Recipe Q&A
- → What dough types work best for these twists?
Refrigerated crescent roll dough or pizza dough works well, providing a flaky and tender texture.
- → Can I add nuts to the filling?
Yes, chopped pecans or walnuts can be mixed into the cinnamon sugar for added crunch and flavor.
- → How do I ensure the twists cook evenly?
Place twists spaced apart in the air fryer basket and cook in batches if needed to avoid sticking and ensure even cooking.
- → What’s the best way to serve these cinnamon twists?
Drizzle with a glaze made from powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract while warm for a sweet finish.
- → Can I substitute brown sugar for another sweetener?
Coconut sugar is a great alternative, offering a slight variation in flavor while maintaining sweetness.