Making Refrigerator Rolls In An Air Fryer: Is It Possible?

Air fryers are incredibly versatile and can be used to make a wide variety of dishes, from mains to desserts and even bread. You can make refrigerator rolls in an air fryer, and it's a great option if you're short on time or oven space. The air fryer's small size means you can bake rolls in record time — under 10 minutes — without having to heat up your entire oven.

How to make refrigerator rolls in an air fryer

Making refrigerator rolls in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get warm, buttery rolls on the table for dinner. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make them:

Ingredients:

• 2 ¼ teaspoons of rapid-rise yeast (one packet)
• 2 cups of all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons of unsalted, softened butter
• 1 tablespoon of olive or vegetable oil
• 1 egg

Method:

First, add the yeast to a bowl of warm water and let it sit for about 3 to 5 minutes. Once the yeast has activated, add in the flour, sugar, butter, milk, and a pinch of salt. Gently fold the ingredients together until they form a slightly flaky dough.

Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead until smooth. Shape the dough into a ball, then place it into a medium bowl with the oil. Coat the dough with the oil, cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel, and place it in a warm spot. Let the dough rise until it doubles in size.

Once the dough has risen, punch it down to release some of the air. Divide the dough into 12 equal pieces and roll them into balls. Place the rolls into a pan or directly into the air fryer basket after spraying it with cooking spray. If making individual buns, place them in a single layer in the basket.

Stir or whisk an egg in a small bowl, then brush the tops of the rolls with an egg wash. Air fry at 320 degrees Fahrenheit for 8 to 10 minutes, until the tops are golden brown. Check the bottom of the rolls to ensure they are cooked through—if not, add a couple more minutes of cook time or turn the rolls upside down.

Tips:

• If you don't have a pan, you can place the rolls directly into the air fryer basket. Spray the basket with cooking spray or line it with air fryer parchment paper first.
• For garlic rolls, brush melted butter on top of the cooked rolls and sprinkle with garlic. Air fry at 300 degrees Fahrenheit for an additional 1-2 minutes.
• Store any leftover rolls in an airtight container in the refrigerator or at room temperature. They should last for about 3-5 days.

Enjoy your freshly made refrigerator rolls!

Tips for making refrigerator rolls in an air fryer

Making refrigerator rolls in an air fryer is a great way to save time and oven space. Here are some tips to help you achieve the perfect rolls:

Choose the right recipe:

Select a soft-sided dinner roll recipe that uses a cake pan instead of a baking sheet. Since air fryers are small, choose a smaller recipe that calls for two 8" or 9" round pans or a 9" x 13" pan.

Prepare the dough:

Follow your chosen recipe to prepare the dough. Once the dough has doubled in size, divide it into equal pieces and roll them into balls. If using yeast, remember to activate it by letting it sit in warm water for a few minutes before adding the remaining ingredients.

Use the right pan:

While an 8" or 9" pan may fit your air fryer, it's best to use a smaller-diameter pan, such as a 6" round pan. This ensures more even baking, as the heat won't have to travel as far. You can use aluminium foil pans if you don't have enough cake pans.

Preheat the air fryer:

Give your air fryer a 5-minute head start by preheating it, even if it doesn't have a specific preheat setting. This will help the rolls cook faster and more evenly.

Arrange the rolls:

Place the rolls in the air fryer basket or pan, ensuring they don't touch each other or the edges. Cook in batches if necessary. Brush the tops of the rolls with melted butter for a golden finish.

Adjust timing and temperature:

Air fry the rolls at 320-350°F (176°C) for 8-10 minutes, or until golden brown. Keep in mind that air fryers differ, so you may need to experiment with timing and temperature to find what works best for your specific model. Check the rolls regularly to avoid over-browning.

Check for doneness:

Even if the rolls look cooked on the outside, they may still be frozen in the center. To ensure they are fully cooked, slice one open to check. If the bottoms are not browned, you can turn the rolls upside down and air fry for a little longer.

How to make garlic refrigerator rolls in an air fryer

Ingredients:

• 2 ¼ teaspoons rapid-rise yeast (one packet)
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (softened)
• 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
• ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
• 3 garlic cloves (minced)
• 1/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• Freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• Parsley for serving/topping

Method:

Firstly, preheat your air fryer to 320 degrees Fahrenheit.

Add yeast to a bowl with water that is warm. Let the yeast sit in the warm water for about 3 to 5 minutes. Once the yeast has activated, add in the flour, sugar, milk, butter, and salt. Gently fold the ingredients together until they are well combined and slightly flaky.

Turn out the dough onto a floured surface and knead until it is smooth, then shape it into a ball. Place the ball of dough into a medium bowl with about one tablespoon of olive or vegetable oil. Roll the dough with the oil, then wrap the bowl with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and place it in a warm place until the dough rises to about double its size.

Once the dough has doubled in size, punch it down to release some of the air. Divide the dough into 12 equal pieces and roll into balls. Place the rolls into a pan or directly into the oven basket, spraying the basket with cooking spray first. If making individual buns, place them in the basket in a single layer.

In a small bowl, stir or whisk an egg, then brush the tops of the rolls with an egg wash. Air fry for 8 to 10 minutes, until the tops of the rolls are golden brown.

To make garlic rolls, brush the tops of the rolls with melted butter and sprinkle with garlic. Air fry at 300 degrees Fahrenheit for another 1-2 minutes.

Tips:

• If you are making a large batch of rolls, cook them in batches.
• You can use foil or oil the base of the air fryer basket if you are cooking the rolls directly in the basket.
• Rolls cooked in a pan may take longer to cook, so you may need to add a couple of minutes to the cooking time.
• You can store leftover rolls in an airtight container in the refrigerator or at room temperature for 3-5 days.

How to make fluffy refrigerator rolls in an air fryer

Ingredients:

• 2 1/4 teaspoons of rapid-rise yeast (one packet)
• 2 cups of all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter, softened
• 1 tablespoon of olive or vegetable oil
• 1 egg

Method:

First, add the yeast to a bowl of warm water and let it sit for around 3 to 5 minutes. Once the yeast has activated, add the flour, sugar, milk, butter, and a pinch of salt to the bowl. Gently fold the ingredients together until they form a slightly flaky dough.

Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead until it is smooth, then shape it into a ball. Place the ball of dough into a medium-sized bowl with the oil and coat the dough with it. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel, and place it in a warm spot. Leave the dough to rise until it has doubled in size.

Once the dough has risen, punch it down to release some of the air. Divide the dough into 12 equal pieces and roll them into balls. Place the rolls into a pan or directly into the air fryer basket after spraying it with cooking spray. If making individual buns, place them in a single layer in the basket.

In a small bowl, whisk an egg and brush the tops of the rolls with an egg wash. Air fry at 320 degrees Fahrenheit for 8 to 10 minutes, until the tops are golden brown. Check the bottoms of the rolls to ensure they are cooked, and add a couple more minutes if needed.

Tips:

• If you don't have a pan, you can place the rolls directly into the air fryer basket, but be sure to spray it with cooking spray first.
• You can also use a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment to knead the dough if you prefer.
• To make garlic rolls, brush the tops of the cooked rolls with melted butter and sprinkle with garlic before air frying for an additional 1-2 minutes at 300 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Store any leftover rolls in an airtight container in the refrigerator or at room temperature. They should last for about 3-5 days.

Enjoy your freshly made fluffy refrigerator rolls!

How to make crispy refrigerator rolls in an air fryer

Ingredients:

• 2 1/4 teaspoons of rapid-rise yeast (one packet)
• 2 cups of all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter, softened
• 1 tablespoon of olive or vegetable oil
• 1 egg
• Butter, melted, for brushing

Method:

• Add the yeast to a bowl of warm water and let it sit for around 3 to 5 minutes.
• Once the yeast has activated, add in the flour, sugar, milk, butter, and a pinch of salt. Gently fold the ingredients together until they are well combined and slightly flaky.
• Turn out the dough onto a floured surface and knead until smooth. Shape the dough into a ball.
• Place the ball of dough into a medium bowl with the oil and coat the dough. Wrap the bowl with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and place it in a warm spot until the dough doubles in size.
• Once the dough has risen, punch it down to release some of the air. Divide the dough into 12 equal pieces and roll them into balls.
• Place the rolls into a pan or directly into the air fryer basket. If using a pan, spray it with cooking spray first. If making individual buns, place them in a single layer in the basket.
• Whisk an egg in a small bowl and brush the tops of the rolls with an egg wash.
• Air fry at 320 degrees Fahrenheit for 8 to 10 minutes, until the tops of the rolls are golden brown. Check the bottoms of the rolls to ensure they are cooked; if not, add a couple more minutes of cooking time or turn the rolls upside down.
• For an extra crispy finish, brush the cooked rolls with melted butter and sprinkle with flaky salt. Place them back into the air fryer for a final minute.

Tips:

• If you don't have a pan, place the rolls directly into the air fryer basket, which has been lightly sprayed or lined with air fryer parchment paper.
• If you want to make garlic rolls, brush the tops of the cooked rolls with melted butter and sprinkle with garlic. Air fry at 300 degrees Fahrenheit for an additional 1-2 minutes.
• Store any leftover rolls in an airtight container in the refrigerator or at room temperature. They should last for around 3-5 days.

Frequently asked questions