How To Heat Rolls Using An Air Fryer

Air fryers are incredibly versatile and can be used for much more than just cooking chicken wings and fries. You can use them to bake cakes, cookies, and pizza, as well as to heat rolls. Using an air fryer to heat your rolls saves time and electricity, and it also frees up space in your oven. You can heat frozen or part-baked rolls in an air fryer in just 4-6 minutes, and they'll come out warm, fluffy, and crispy.

Heating frozen rolls in an air fryer

Yes, you can heat frozen rolls in an air fryer! It's a great way to save time and oven space, especially when cooking a large meal. Here's a guide on how to heat frozen rolls in an air fryer:

Preparing the Rolls:

Before you begin, check the instructions on the package of your frozen rolls. Some rolls, especially frozen raw dough, may require rising to room temperature before cooking. If this is the case, be sure to follow the package instructions and allow the dough to rise before placing it in the air fryer.

Cooking the Rolls:

• Preheat your air fryer: If your air fryer has a preheat setting, give it a 5-minute head start. This will help the rolls cook faster and more efficiently.
• Arrange the rolls in the air fryer basket: Place the frozen rolls in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they don't touch each other or the edges of the basket. You may need to cook the rolls in batches if you have a large number of them.
• Brush the rolls with melted butter (optional): For an extra touch of flavor and a golden crust, you can brush the tops of the rolls with melted butter before cooking. You can also sprinkle some flaky salt on top.
• Set the temperature and time: Most frozen dinner rolls cook at around 350°F (176°C) for 4-7 minutes. However, different air fryers may vary, so it's important to experiment and adjust the time and temperature accordingly. Check your rolls often to avoid overcooking.
• Check for doneness: Rolls that feel warm on the outside may still have frozen centers. To ensure they are fully cooked, slice one open or use a food thermometer to check the internal temperature.
• Brush with butter again (optional): For an extra indulgent touch, brush the cooked rolls with additional melted butter and place them back in the air fryer for a final minute.

Tips for Success:

• Don't crowd the air fryer basket. Cooking the rolls in a single layer ensures even cooking and browning.
• Experiment with different times and temperatures to find the perfect setting for your air fryer.
• If you're making a large number of rolls, you can keep the uncooked rolls in a cool spot while the first batch cooks.
• For softer and fluffier rolls, brush them with butter before and after cooking.
• If you're making homemade frozen rolls, consider freezing them in smaller portions so they fit better in the air fryer.

Reheating egg rolls in an air fryer

Yes, you can heat rolls in an air fryer! In fact, it's a great way to reheat egg rolls, as they will come out crispy and crunchy. Here's a detailed guide on how to reheat egg rolls in an air fryer:

Preheat the Air Fryer:

First, preheat your air fryer to 350°F (170°C-190°C). Some people skip this step, but it's recommended to preheat for 3-5 minutes to achieve more consistent results.

Arrange the Egg Rolls:

Take your cold, leftover egg rolls out of the refrigerator. Place them in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they don't touch each other or the edge of the basket. If you're reheating multiple egg rolls, you may need to do this in batches to avoid overcrowding. Overcrowding the basket can lead to uneven cooking and prevent the hot air from circulating freely.

Reheat the Egg Rolls:

Set the air fryer to 350°F (170°C) again if it has cooled down. Reheat the egg rolls for 1-3 minutes for smaller egg rolls, or up to 4-8 minutes for larger ones. Keep an eye on them and check one egg roll after the minimum time to see if it's heated through and crispy on the outside. If they need more time, continue cooking in 1-2 minute increments until they're done to your liking.

Serve and Enjoy:

Once your egg rolls are crisped to perfection, carefully remove them from the air fryer using tongs and serve immediately. You can pair them with your favorite dipping sauce, such as soy sauce, sweet and sour sauce, hot mustard sauce, plum sauce, hoisin sauce, chili sauce, or peanut sauce.

Tips:

• If you've frozen your egg rolls, you can put them directly into the air fryer from the freezer. Just increase the reheating time by a few minutes.
• Depending on the size and fillings of your egg rolls, as well as the specifics of your air fryer, cooking times may vary, so it's important to keep a close watch the first time you try this.
• You can also use this method to reheat other fried foods like spring rolls, samosas, or fried chicken.
• For easier cleanup, you can line the air fryer basket with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
• To add some freshness to your reheated egg rolls, sprinkle them with chopped fresh herbs like cilantro, chives, or green onions, and serve with a few slices of fresh lime or lemon on the side.

Using an air fryer to make dinner rolls

Choosing the Right Recipe:

Select a soft-sided dinner roll recipe that is meant for a cake pan, not a baking sheet. Since air fryers cook relatively quickly and from the outside in, it is best to choose a smaller recipe, such as one that uses two 8" or 9" round pans or a 9" x 13" pan. This will ensure more even baking.

Preparation:

If your chosen recipe requires the rolls to rise, make sure to follow those instructions. You can also prepare your own homemade dough and freeze it for use in the air fryer.

Cooking:

Place the rolls in the air fryer basket, ensuring they do not touch the edge or each other. If needed, cook the rolls in batches. Brush some melted butter on top of the rolls. Set the air fryer to 350°F (176°C) and cook for 4-6 minutes, or until the rolls are golden brown. For frozen rolls, cooking time may vary between 5-10 minutes, depending on the brand.

Checking for Doneness:

Before declaring the rolls finished, slice one open to ensure it is not still frozen in the center. Rolls should be warm and fluffy on the inside, with a crispy crust.

Final Touches:

For a fancy finishing touch, brush the cooked rolls with more melted butter and sprinkle with flaky salt. Place them back in the air fryer for an additional minute.

Tips:

• If you are baking rolls from scratch in the air fryer, use a smaller pan, such as a 6" round pan, to ensure more even baking.
• If your rolls are browning too quickly, cover them partway through the cooking process with an aluminum heat tamer or burner plate.
• Experiment with cooking times and temperatures to find the optimal settings for your particular air fryer model.

So, the next time you are making dinner, consider using your air fryer to make delicious, hot dinner rolls!

Air fryer temperature and time for heating rolls

Yes, you can heat rolls in an air fryer. Here are some tips for the temperature and time to use:

Air Fryer Temperature

• Most sources recommend heating rolls at 350°F.
• If you are converting an oven-cooked recipe, it is recommended to reduce the temperature by 25°F.

Air Fryer Time

• The time will depend on the type of roll and the size of the batch. Most sources recommend checking the rolls after 4-6 minutes.
• Rolls may need to be cooked in batches to avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket.
• Rolls should be cooked until they are golden brown.
• It is recommended to preheat the air fryer for 2-5 minutes before adding the rolls.

How to prevent rolls from burning in an air fryer

Yes, you can heat rolls in an air fryer. Here are some tips to prevent them from burning:

Firstly, choose the right type of roll. Soft-sided dinner rolls that are baked in a cake pan are best. Avoid large quantities of rolls, as air fryers are small and better suited to baking smaller batches. A recipe that yields 16 medium rolls can be halved to better suit an air fryer. Rolls that are 1-1.25" in diameter are ideal, as they will bake more evenly.

Secondly, use the right equipment. A 6" cake pan is a good choice, as it gives less distance for the heat to travel, allowing rolls to bake more evenly. If you use an 8" or 9" pan, the rolls in the centre may bake more slowly than those at the edges. If you only have a larger pan, you can supplement with 6" foil pans.

Thirdly, be mindful of timing. Rolls bake very quickly in an air fryer, so keep a close eye on them. You may need to cover them partway through to slow down browning. The bottom of the rolls may not brown, so consider flipping them over partway through.

Finally, experiment with your air fryer to find the right time and temperature for your rolls. Air fryers vary in wattage and size, so you may need to adjust the settings to suit your model.

Frequently asked questions