Air-Fried Crescent Rolls: Can It Be Done?

Yes, you can make crescent rolls in an air fryer! They're irresistibly golden on the outside, soft and fluffy on the inside, and ready in just 10 minutes. You can even customise them with fillings such as cheese or pizza toppings. The circulating hot air of the air fryer makes the dough rise beautifully, giving it a crispy, flaky texture on the outside and keeping it warm and tender on the inside.

How to make crescent rolls in an air fryer

Ingredients

• 1 can of crescent roll dough
• Butter (optional)
• Jam (optional)
• Salt or sugar (optional)
• Oil or cooking spray

Utensils

• Air fryer
• Parchment paper or silicone liner (optional)
• Pastry brush (optional)

Method

• Preheat your air fryer to 330–350 °F.
• On a piece of parchment paper or a silicone liner, roll the crescent roll dough into a crescent shape, starting from the wide end and rolling down to the point.
• Place the shaped dough onto the paper/liner.
• Once the air fryer is preheated, place the paper/liner with the crescent rolls into the basket.
• Cook for 5–7 minutes, checking after 4 minutes, until the pastries are golden brown and firm.
• (Optional) Brush the cooked rolls with melted butter, or serve with butter and jam.

Tips for making crescent rolls in an air fryer

Preheat your air fryer

It is recommended to preheat your air fryer to 325-350°F before placing your crescent rolls inside. However, some sources suggest that preheating is not necessary when cooking crescent rolls in an air fryer.

Prepare your crescent rolls

Open your can of crescent roll dough and unroll the sheet. Carefully separate the pre-cut triangles and roll up each triangle into a crescent shape, starting from the wide end and moving down to the point. You can then slightly curl the ends of the dough to enhance the crescent shape.

Use parchment paper or a silicone liner

It is recommended to use either parchment paper or a silicone liner when placing your crescent rolls in the air fryer. This helps the rolls keep their shape and prevents them from sticking to the air fryer basket. If using parchment paper, it should be perforated to allow for better airflow.

Arrange the crescent rolls in the air fryer

Place the crescent rolls in a single layer in your air fryer basket, ensuring they are not touching each other or the sides of the basket. Leave some space between each roll to allow for expansion during cooking. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the rolls in batches.

Cook the crescent rolls

Cook your crescent rolls at 325-350°F for 5-7 minutes, checking on them at the 4-minute mark. The rolls are ready when they are golden brown on top and firm on the bottom. If you are cooking multiple batches, you may need to reduce the cooking time by a few minutes for subsequent batches.

Brush with butter (optional)

Once your crescent rolls are cooked, you can brush them with melted butter for some extra flavor. You can also add toppings like garlic powder or honey to enhance the taste.

Serve and enjoy!

Air fryer crescent rolls are versatile and can be served with various meals. Enjoy them for breakfast, lunch, or dinner!

Pros of making crescent rolls in an air fryer

There are several advantages to making crescent rolls in an air fryer. Here are some pros of using an air fryer for this purpose:

Speed and Efficiency:

Air fryers offer a faster alternative to traditional ovens, with cooking times ranging from 5 to 10 minutes for crescent rolls. This makes them a quick and convenient option when you're short on time or need to prepare a large batch.

No Preheating Required:

Unlike conventional ovens, air fryers don't require preheating, saving you time and energy. Simply pop your crescent rolls into the air fryer and start cooking. This also means you can avoid heating up your entire kitchen, which is especially beneficial during hot summer months.

Convenience and Ease of Use:

Air fryers are generally easy to use and clean. They are perfect for those who want a no-fuss cooking experience. Additionally, the small size of air fryers makes them ideal for smaller kitchens or when counter space is limited.

Versatility:

Air fryers can be used for a variety of dishes beyond just crescent rolls. They are excellent for cooking frozen foods, breakfast items, snacks, and even full meals. You can also experiment with different brands of crescent rolls, such as Pillsbury, Annie's, or Immaculate, to find your favorite.

Taste and Texture:

Air fryers produce crescent rolls with a crispy, flaky exterior and a warm, tender interior. The circulating hot air in the fryer helps the dough rise beautifully, resulting in fluffy and flavorful rolls.

Customizability:

You can easily customize your crescent rolls by adding various fillings or toppings. Try stuffing them with cheese, brushing them with garlic butter, or serving them with sweet accompaniments like honey or jam. The possibilities are endless!

Air fryer crescent roll recipes

Air fryer crescent rolls are a quick and easy snack, ready in under 10 minutes. They are irresistibly golden on the outside, soft and fluffy on the inside, and can be served with breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Here are some tips and recipe ideas to get you started.

Tips

• You can use canned crescent roll dough, such as Pillsbury, Annie's, or Immaculate.
• Don't roll the dough too tightly, as this can lead to dense, raw centres.
• You can use either parchment paper or a silicone liner, or brush the air fryer basket with oil to prevent sticking. However, avoid using parchment paper if you want maximum airflow.
• If you are cooking multiple batches, you may need to reduce the cooking time for subsequent batches.
• Watch the rolls carefully to ensure they don't burn. All air fryers cook differently, so start checking around the 4-5 minute mark.
• If your rolls are slightly raw in the middle, keep them in the closed air fryer after turning it off, as the residual heat will help to cook the centres.

Recipes

• Cinnamon sugar crescent rolls
• Turkey cheese crescent rolls
• Peanut butter chocolate crescent rolls
• Pumpkin crescent rolls
• Cheese-stuffed crescent rolls
• Pizza crescent rolls
• Air fryer Oreo crescent rolls
• Pigs in a blanket
• Pumpkin pie twists

What to serve with crescent rolls

Crescent rolls are a versatile dish that can be served in a variety of ways and at any time of the day. Here are some ideas for what to serve with crescent rolls:

Breakfast

• Savoury egg and sausage roll sandwiches
• Ham and cheese roll sandwiches
• Pigs in a blanket
• Breakfast burritos
• Cinnamon rolls
• Honey butter or jam

Appetizers/Snacks

• Pinwheels with sausage and cheese
• Pigs in a blanket
• Brie en croute: wrap a small wheel of Brie cheese with honey and almonds or your favourite jam, then bake
• Air fryer Oreos
• Air fryer doughnuts
• Air fryer pumpkin pie twists

Main Course

Crescent rolls can be served as a side to a variety of main courses, such as:

• Chicken drumsticks
• London broil
• Instant Pot dishes
• Soups and stews
• Salads
• Pasta dishes
• Casseroles

Dessert

• Cinnamon sugar
• Chocolate chips
• Chocolate-filled crescent rolls
• Apple dumplings
• Cherry cheesecake cobbler
• Sopapilla cheesecake: layer of crescent rolls, layer of cheesecake filling, another layer of crescent rolls

Frequently asked questions