Air-Fryer Crescent Rolls: A Quick, Crispy Treat?

Yes, you can cook Pillsbury crescent rolls in an air fryer. The air fryer is essentially a convection oven, so it's great for baking goods. It's also convenient when you need to use the oven for something else or don't want to heat up the entire kitchen. The circulating hot air of the air fryer makes the canned crescent dough rise beautifully, resulting in a crispy, flaky exterior and a warm, soft, and fluffy interior.

Air fryer temperature and timing

The ideal temperature and timing for cooking Pillsbury crescent rolls in an air fryer vary depending on the specific air fryer model and the desired level of doneness. However, here is a general guide:

Firstly, it is important to note that the air fryer should not be preheated. Set the air fryer temperature to between 300°F and 350°F. The cooking time will range from 5 to 10 minutes, depending on your desired level of crispness and the specific model of your air fryer. For a quick reference, at 330°F, cook the crescent rolls for about 6 to 7 minutes. If you want them a little crispier, add another minute or two.

It is recommended to check on the crescent rolls regularly to ensure they don't burn. The rolls are cooked when they turn a golden brown colour and have a crispy texture. If you prefer your crescent rolls softer, you can remove them from the air fryer when they are a light golden brown.

Additionally, it is important to leave enough space between the crescent rolls to allow for expansion during cooking. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the rolls in batches.

How to roll the crescent rolls

Yes, you can cook Pillsbury crescent rolls in an air fryer. The process is quick and easy, and the results are fantastic. The circulating hot air of the air fryer makes the canned crescent dough rise beautifully, giving it a crispy, flaky exterior and a warm, tender interior.

Step 1: Prepare the Dough

Open the can of Pillsbury crescent rolls and unroll the dough. You should see a sheet of dough with pre-cut triangles. Carefully separate the triangles by tearing along the perforated lines.

Step 2: Roll the Dough

Take one triangle and place it on a flat surface with the wide end of the triangle closest to you. Start rolling from the wide end, moving towards the narrow tip. Roll gently and loosely, as you want to give the dough room to expand and rise during cooking. Don't roll it too tightly, as this may result in dense, raw centres.

Step 3: Shape the Crescent

Once you've reached the tip of the triangle, you can curve the rolled dough into a crescent shape. Tuck the tip underneath the roll to secure it. Repeat this process for the remaining triangles.

Step 4: Prepare the Air Fryer

Lightly grease the air fryer basket or rack with cooking spray, oil, or butter. You can also line the air fryer with parchment paper, although some sources advise against this as it may restrict airflow and impact the cooking process. Leave enough room for the rolls to expand, so they don't end up crowded and touching each other.

Step 5: Cook the Crescent Rolls

Place the crescent rolls in the air fryer in a single layer. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook them in batches. Set the air fryer temperature to 330°F/165°C and cook for 5-7 minutes. Keep a close eye on them, as air fryers can vary in cooking time and you don't want the rolls to burn. Check on them at the 5-minute mark and adjust the timing as needed. The rolls are ready when they are golden brown and crispy.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Remove the crescent rolls from the air fryer and serve them warm. You can brush a little butter on top for extra flavour. These rolls are versatile and can be enjoyed at any time of the day. They go well with both sweet and savoury toppings, such as butter, jelly, or cheese.

Tips:

• Before cooking a full batch, it's recommended to test 1-2 rolls first to get a sense of the ideal cooking time and temperature for your air fryer.
• If you're filling the crescent rolls with ingredients like ham and cheese, be sure to secure the filling inside before rolling and adjust the cooking time as needed.
• If you prefer your crescent rolls with a crispier texture, cook them at a higher temperature or for a slightly longer period, monitoring closely to prevent burning.
• Leftover crescent rolls can be stored at room temperature or in the fridge in an airtight container for 3-4 days.

Using parchment paper or oil spray

When cooking Pillsbury crescent rolls in an air fryer, you can use either parchment paper or oil spray. Using parchment paper helps the crescent rolls keep their shape and prevents them from sticking to the air fryer basket. It is also a better option than spraying the basket, as this can add too much oil to the rolls, making them less crispy. However, some sources suggest that parchment paper prevents maximum airflow, which is needed to cook the rolls all the way through.

If you choose to use parchment paper, first roll out the crescent roll dough on the paper, starting from the wide end and rolling down to the point. Then, slightly curl the ends of the dough into a crescent shape and lay them on the paper. Once the air fryer is preheated, place the paper with the crescent rolls into the basket and cook for 5-7 minutes, checking after 4 minutes.

If you prefer to use oil spray, coat the air fryer basket with a light spritz of olive oil or non-stick cooking spray before placing the crescent rolls inside. This will prevent the dough from sticking to the basket and make cleaning easier. Be sure to leave enough space between each crescent roll to allow proper air circulation and expansion during cooking. Then, air fry at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 4-8 minutes, or until the rolls are golden brown and crispy.

Storing crescent roll leftovers

Yes, you can cook Pillsbury crescent rolls in an air fryer. The air fryer is the best, quickest, and easiest way to cook crescent rolls. The air fryer crescent rolls require no preheating time and are ready in less than 10 minutes. The circulating hot air makes the canned crescent dough rise beautifully, resulting in a crispy, flaky exterior and a warm, tender interior.

Leftover crescent rolls can be stored at room temperature or in the fridge in an airtight container for 3-4 days. If you have leftover raw crescent roll dough, you can store it in a ziploc bag or container and refrigerate it. However, it is recommended to use the dough by the next day, as it can turn gray if left too long. Another option is to cook all the dough and then freeze the leftover cooked crescent rolls.

If you have leftover crescent rolls and want to get creative, you can try making cream cheese danishes, fruit turnovers, or pigs in a blanket. You can wrap smaller pieces of the dough around cocktail smokies or a piece of cheese and a hot dog for larger pigs in blankets. For a sweet option, cut up some fruit, add sugar, cornstarch, and cinnamon, microwave until soft, and then place the mixture on a crescent roll, topping it with another roll to create a fruit turnover.

What to serve with crescent rolls

Yes, you can cook Pillsbury crescent rolls in an air fryer. The circulating hot air in the air fryer makes the canned crescent dough rise beautifully. The texture is crispy and flaky on the outside and warm and tender on the inside.

Crescent rolls are versatile and can be served at breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

For breakfast, serve crescent rolls with some homemade strawberry butter or a salad of mixed greens and tomato wedges. You can also serve crescent rolls with a layered breakfast bake, which can be served warm or cold.

For lunch, serve crescent rolls with air-fried green beans and bacon, or air fryer honey dijon salmon. You can also make crescent rolls into breakfast sandwiches with eggs and sausage.

Crescent rolls can be served as a side dish with dinner, or as the main course. For example, you can make a crescent roll ring filled with beef, bacon, cheese, pickles, and special sauce. You can also make crescent rolls into mini-calzones or bite-sized quiches with sausage and cheese.

Crescent rolls can also be used as a dessert, such as almond-flavored bars or cinnamon rolls with an orange glaze.

Frequently asked questions