Merken My neighbor actually introduced me to air-fryer cinnamon rolls one Saturday morning when she stopped by with a plate of these golden twists still warm from her kitchen. I was skeptical—refrigerated dough seemed too simple—but the moment I bit into one, I understood why she'd made them her go-to breakfast shortcut. Now I keep a can of dough in my fridge at all times, ready for those mornings when I want something that tastes homemade without the fuss.
I made these for my kids' school bake sale last month, and they disappeared within the first twenty minutes—faster than literally everything else on the table. One parent actually asked for the recipe right there, and when I admitted it started with store-bought dough, she looked relieved instead of disappointed. That's when I realized these twists have this magical quality of tasting way more impressive than their actual effort requires.
Ingredients
- Refrigerated crescent roll dough or pizza dough (8 oz / 225 g): The foundation of this whole operation—it's forgiving, versatile, and honestly the reason this comes together so fast.
- Unsalted butter, melted (2 tbsp): This helps the cinnamon sugar stick and gives you that gorgeous golden color and richness.
- Brown sugar (1/4 cup / 50 g): It caramelizes slightly in the air fryer and creates pockets of sweetness throughout each twist.
- Ground cinnamon (1 1/2 tsp): Don't skimp here—this is where all the flavor lives, so make sure yours is fresh and fragrant.
- Powdered sugar (1/2 cup / 60 g): For the glaze that makes people think you actually know what you're doing.
- Milk (1–2 tbsp): Adjusts the glaze consistency until it's silky enough to drizzle but not so thin it slides right off.
- Vanilla extract (1/4 tsp): A small touch that rounds out the sweetness and adds a hint of sophistication.
Instructions
- Get your air fryer warm:
- Preheat to 350°F (175°C) for about 3 minutes so your twists bake evenly and get that golden color right from the start.
- Prep the dough:
- Unroll it gently on a lightly floured surface and press to seal any seams so the filling doesn't leak out during cooking.
- Butter and sweeten:
- Brush the entire surface with melted butter—don't be shy—then sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture evenly so every bite tastes the same.
- Fold and shape:
- Fold the dough in half lengthwise and gently press to seal, then cut into 8 strips with a sharp knife or pizza cutter for clean edges.
- Make the twists:
- Take each strip and twist it several times—the more twists, the prettier they look—then pinch the ends so they hold their shape while cooking.
- Air-fry with space:
- Arrange the twists in your basket with a little room between each one so hot air circulates and they get crispy all around; work in batches if your basket is crowded.
- Cook until golden:
- Air-fry for 7–8 minutes until they're deeply golden and cooked through—you'll smell the cinnamon, and that's your signal they're almost ready.
- Glaze while warm:
- While they cool just slightly, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth, then drizzle generously over each twist.
Merken There was this one morning when I made a double batch and my partner walked into the kitchen right as I was drizzling the glaze. The look on his face when he realized these were air-fryer twists and not homemade from scratch made the whole morning feel special, even though I'd barely done any real work. It's funny how something so quick can still feel like a gift.
Why the Air Fryer Changes Everything
A regular oven would brown the outside before the inside cooks through, or leave the cinnamon sugar still a bit grainy. The air fryer's concentrated heat and circulating air create something in between—a crispy shell with a tender center and cinnamon sugar that's actually caramelized and gooey. I've tried this in a toaster oven too, and it's never quite the same magic.
Customizing Your Twists
Once you nail the basic recipe, it's fun to experiment. I've added chopped pecans or walnuts to the filling for extra crunch, swapped brown sugar with coconut sugar for a subtle flavor shift, and even tried a drizzle of salted caramel instead of vanilla glaze. The dough is so forgiving that you can really play around and make these feel completely your own.
Storage and Reheating
These are absolutely best enjoyed fresh and warm, straight from the air fryer with the glaze still wet. They do keep in an airtight container for a day or two, and you can pop them back in the air fryer for 1–2 minutes to bring them back to life, though they'll never be quite as crispy as round one. I've found that eating them within a few hours is really the way to go.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature, never the fridge.
- Reheating for too long makes them tough, so keep that second air-fry brief.
- If you're planning ahead, freeze the shaped twists on a tray before cooking, then air-fry them straight from frozen—just add an extra minute or two.
Merken These twists have become my answer to "I want something sweet but I don't have time to bake." They're proof that taking shortcuts in the kitchen doesn't mean sacrificing that warm, just-made feeling.
Fragen & Antworten zum Rezept
- → Wie lässt sich der Teig am besten vorbereiten?
Der Teig sollte auf einer leicht bemehlten Fläche ausgerollt, Nahtstellen gut verschlossen und anschließend mit Butter bestrichen werden, um die Füllung gut aufzunehmen.
- → Wie verhindert man, dass die Streifen zusammenkleben?
Zwischen den einzelnen Streifen im Airfryer genügend Abstand lassen und gegebenenfalls in mehreren Durchgängen garen.
- → Kann man die Zimt-Zucker-Füllung variieren?
Ja, alternativ kann man Kokoszucker verwenden oder gehackte Nüsse wie Pekannüsse für eine knusprige Textur hinzufügen.
- → Wie lange sollten die Streifen im Airfryer garen?
Etwa 7 bis 8 Minuten bei 175°C, bis sie goldbraun und knusprig sind.
- → Wie wird die Glasur zubereitet?
Puderzucker mit etwas Milch und Vanilleextrakt glatt rühren und großzügig über die noch warmen Streifen träufeln.