Air-Fried Dinner Rolls: A Quick, Easy, And Delicious Treat

Air fryers are a convenient alternative to baking dinner rolls in a conventional oven. They can be used to make fresh or frozen dinner rolls, with the added benefit of reducing baking time by half. The versatility of air fryers allows for the preparation of various types of rolls, including garlic rolls, sourdough rolls, and gluten-free options. While some adjustments may be needed based on the air fryer model, the ability to bake rolls without heating up the entire oven makes this appliance a valuable tool for any home cook.

How to bake frozen dinner rolls in an air fryer

Preparation

If you're making your own rolls, you'll need to add yeast to a bowl of warm water and let it sit for around 5 minutes. Then, add in flour, sugar, milk, butter, and salt, and gently fold the ingredients together. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead it until it's smooth, then shape it into a ball. Place the ball of dough into a bowl with some olive or vegetable oil, coat it with the oil, and let it rise in a warm place until it doubles in size. Once it has doubled in size, punch it down to release some of the air and divide it into 12 equal pieces. Roll these pieces into balls.

Cooking

Place the rolls into the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving space between them. Brush the tops of the rolls with melted butter. Air fry at 350°F for 4-5 minutes, or until the rolls are golden brown.

Tips

• You don't need to thaw frozen rolls before putting them in the air fryer.
• If your rolls require rising, let them rise before placing them in the air fryer.
• Preheat the air fryer for 5 minutes to help the rolls cook faster.
• Don't crowd the basket—cook the rolls in batches if necessary.
• Rolls that are warm on the outside may still be frozen in the center, so check that they're fully cooked before serving.
• For an extra touch, brush the cooked rolls with melted butter and sprinkle with flaky salt, then put them back in the air fryer for another minute.

Troubleshooting

If your rolls are browning too quickly, try covering them with an aluminum heat tamer or burner plate. Rolls may not brown on the bottom, so consider this when serving.

The benefits of baking dinner rolls in an air fryer

There are several benefits to baking dinner rolls in an air fryer. Here are some of them:

Time-saving

Air fryers cook food quickly and require very little time to preheat. Dinner rolls can be baked in an air fryer in under 10 minutes, which is significantly faster than a traditional oven. This is especially useful when you're in a hurry or have multiple dishes cooking at the same time.

Space-saving

Air fryers are compact appliances that free up valuable oven space, especially during big family dinners or holiday meals. They are a convenient alternative to a full-size oven, allowing you to cook multiple dishes simultaneously without having to worry about oven space.

Energy-saving

Using an air fryer instead of a conventional oven can help save energy and reduce electricity costs. Since air fryers are smaller and more efficient than ovens, they use less energy to cook the same amount of food.

Versatility

Air fryers are incredibly versatile, allowing you to make a variety of dishes beyond just frying. They can be used to bake cakes, cookies, pizza, and even bread rolls. This makes them a valuable addition to any kitchen, as they can handle a wide range of cooking tasks.

Convenience

Air fryers are convenient for baking small batches of dinner rolls. Unlike a traditional oven, you don't have to wait for a full tray of rolls to be ready. You can easily bake a few rolls in an air fryer to satisfy your craving or serve a smaller group without heating up your entire oven.

Taste and Texture

Air-fried dinner rolls have a crispy crust and a warm, fluffy interior. The air fryer's ability to circulate hot air ensures that the rolls are evenly cooked and browned, resulting in a delicious, golden finish.

In summary, baking dinner rolls in an air fryer offers numerous advantages, including time and energy savings, convenience, and the ability to free up oven space. The versatility of air fryers and the delicious taste and texture they impart on dinner rolls make them a valuable tool in any kitchen.

How to make air fryer dinner rolls from scratch

Ingredients

• Water
• Yeast
• Granulated white sugar
• Bread flour
• Salt
• Milk
• Butter
• Olive or vegetable oil
• Egg (optional)

Method

• Add water, yeast, and 1 teaspoon of granulated white sugar to a small measuring cup. Stir and set aside for 10 minutes, until the yeast has bloomed.
• Add bread flour, remaining granulated sugar, and salt to a large bowl. Mix until combined. Add yeast mixture, milk, and 3 tablespoons of softened butter and mix until combined.
• Use your hands to clump the dough together and place on a lightly floured surface. Knead the dough for 8-10 minutes until smooth. You could also use a stand mixer for this step.
• Place the dough into a medium bowl with about one tablespoon of olive or vegetable oil. Roll the dough with the oil, and then wrap the bowl with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel.
• Place the bowl in a warm place until the dough rises to about double its size. This should take about 1-1.5 hours.
• 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 air fryer basket. If using a pan, line it with parchment paper. If placing the rolls directly into the basket, spray it with cooking spray first.
• (Optional) In a small bowl, stir or whisk an egg and then brush the tops of the rolls with an egg wash.
• Air fry at 300-320°F for 8-18 minutes, until the tops of the rolls are golden brown.
• Brush the rolls with the remaining butter and sprinkle with coarse kosher salt or sea salt if desired. Enjoy!

Tips

• You can make these dinner rolls in advance and store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
• You can also freeze these rolls for up to 6 months. Wrap them well in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer bag to protect them from freezer burn.
• If you want to make garlic rolls, brush the tops of the rolls with melted butter and sprinkle with garlic before air frying.

How to bake store-bought, part-baked bread rolls in an air fryer

What you'll need

• Store-bought, part-baked bread rolls
• Air fryer
• Extra virgin olive oil spray (optional)
• Butter (optional)

Method

• Start by removing the part-baked rolls from their packaging and placing them in the air fryer. The number of rolls you can cook at once will depend on the size of your air fryer.
• Spray the tops of the rolls with extra virgin olive oil. This step is optional but will help to make the rolls super crispy.
• Cook the rolls for 5 minutes at 180°C/360°F. If you don't have a temperature setting on your air fryer, cook the rolls for around 75% of the time it would take in an oven.
• If you want to serve the rolls with butter, slice them open and add a knob of butter to each one. The heat from the rolls will melt the butter.

Tips

• If you're cooking frozen part-baked rolls, follow the same method but you may need to add a minute or two to the cooking time.
• If you want to cook a full pack of rolls, you may need to do so in batches to avoid overfilling your air fryer.
• You can also use the air fryer to reheat already-cooked crusty bread rolls.

How to adapt an oven recipe for an air fryer

Air fryers are incredibly versatile and can be used to bake dinner rolls. Here are some tips on how to adapt an oven recipe for an air fryer:

Choose the right recipe and pan

Select a soft-sided dinner roll recipe that calls for a cake pan instead of a baking sheet. Opt for a smaller recipe that yields about 16 medium rolls, which can be halved to fit in the air fryer. Use a smaller-diameter pan, such as a 6" round pan, to ensure even baking.

Adjust the temperature and baking time

Air fryers cook food more quickly than ovens, so you will need to reduce the temperature and baking time. As a general rule of thumb, aim for about 75% of the oven cooking time and experiment to find the optimal settings for your air fryer. For example, if the oven recipe calls for baking at 350°F for 10 minutes, try air frying at 300°F for 7-8 minutes.

Preheat the air fryer

Give your air fryer a 5-minute head start by preheating it before adding the rolls. This will help the rolls cook faster and more evenly.

Don't crowd the basket

Place the rolls in a single layer in the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking and crisping. Cooking fewer rolls at a time will also reduce the cooking time.

Check for doneness

Even if the rolls feel warm to the touch, they may still be frozen in the centre. To ensure they are fully cooked, slice one open to check for doneness. If the rolls are not quite done, return them to the air fryer for an additional minute or two.

Brush with butter

For a delicious finishing touch, brush the cooked rolls with melted butter and sprinkle with flaky salt. Pop them back into the air fryer for a final minute to warm through.

Frequently asked questions