Air-Fried Crescent Rolls: A Quick, Crispy Treat

Air fryers are a convenient alternative to ovens for preparing Pillsbury crescent rolls. They yield a crispy, flaky texture on the outside and a warm, tender texture on the inside. The circulating hot air in the fryer also allows the canned crescent dough to rise beautifully. Preparing crescent rolls in an air fryer is a beginner-friendly, budget-friendly, and time-saving option that delivers consistent results.

How to make crescent rolls in the air fryer

Ingredients

• 1 can refrigerated Crescent Rolls
• Olive oil or cooking spray
• Melted butter (optional)
• Butter and jam, for serving (optional)

Method

• Preheat your air fryer to 330°F/165°C or 350 degrees F.
• On a piece of parchment paper or a silicone liner, roll your crescent rolls, starting from the wide end down to the point. Then, slightly curl the ends of the dough into a crescent shape.
• Place the crescent rolls in a single layer in your air fryer basket, making sure they are not touching each other or the sides of the basket. You want to allow room for them to rise and expand.
• Air fry at 330°F/165°C or 350 degrees F for about 6-7 minutes, or until they are crispy brown and cooked through. If needed, continue to air fry for another 1-3 minutes.
• If desired, brush the crescent rolls with melted butter after cooking. Serve with butter and jam on the side, if desired.

Tips:

• Don't roll the crescent rolls dough too tight. It’s best to roll them slightly loose so the dough can expand and cook through.
• Make sure to spray the air fryer basket or racks so the dough doesn’t stick.
• If you are cooking multiple batches, you may need to reduce the timing by a few minutes.
• Test 1-2 rolls first before cooking a whole batch to ensure they come out perfect.

How to make crescent rolls in the oven

Ingredients:

• 1 can refrigerated Crescent Rolls
• Butter (optional)
• Cooking spray or oil

Method:

• Preheat your oven to 350-375°F.
• On a piece of parchment paper or a silicone liner, roll out the crescent roll dough, starting from the wide end and moving down to the point.
• Slightly curl the ends of the dough into a crescent shape, then lay them on the mat.
• Place the mat with the crescent rolls into the oven.
• Bake for 5-7 minutes, checking after 4 minutes, until the pastries are golden brown on top and firm on the bottom.
• (Optional) Brush the crescent rolls with melted butter, or serve them as they are with butter and jam.

Tips:

• Using parchment paper or a silicone liner will help the crescent rolls keep their shape and prevent them from sticking to the oven tray.
• If you don't have parchment paper or a silicone liner, you can spray the oven tray with cooking spray or brush it with oil.
• If you want to add some extra flavour to your crescent rolls, brush them with a mixture of melted butter and garlic powder before baking.
• If you're making a large batch, you may need to cook the crescent rolls in batches to ensure even cooking.

Storage:

If you have any leftover crescent rolls, you can wrap them individually in aluminium foil or plastic wrap and store them in a plastic bag. They can be stored at room temperature overnight or in the refrigerator for up to a week. When you're ready to eat them, you can either eat them as they are or pop them back into the oven for 1-2 minutes to warm them up.

How to store leftover crescent rolls

Storing leftover crescent rolls is simple and can be done in a few different ways, depending on how long you want to keep them for.

Firstly, if you have hot crescent rolls, it is best to let them cool before storing them. You can then store them at room temperature, preferably on a kitchen counter away from direct sunlight, and use them within two days. Wrap the rolls in foil and leave them on the counter. If you don't have foil, you can use a small plastic bag or some plastic wrap.

Alternatively, you can store crescent rolls in the refrigerator. Wrap them individually in either aluminium foil or plastic wrap, then place them in a plastic bag. They will stay fresh for up to a week. When you're ready to eat them, you can either eat them cold, or pop them back in the air fryer for 1-2 minutes until hot and toasty.

If you want to keep your crescent rolls for longer, you can freeze them. Wrap the rolls tightly with aluminium foil or plastic freezer wrap, or place them in a heavy-duty freezer bag. They will maintain their quality for about 1-2 months but will remain safe to eat beyond this time. When you're ready to eat them, you can reheat them in the oven without going through the thawing stage. Just add to the normal reheating time.

Finally, if you have any unused, raw crescent roll dough, you can store this in the refrigerator too. Place the unused dough in a plastic bag or container with a few drops of water to keep it moist, and it will stay fresh for up to two hours.

How to make cinnamon rolls in the air fryer

Cinnamon rolls are a tasty treat, and you can make them in your air fryer! Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make delicious cinnamon rolls using canned crescent roll dough.

Ingredients:

• 1 can refrigerated Crescent Rolls ( Pillsbury is a popular choice)
• Butter
• Cinnamon
• Sugar
• Vanilla icing (optional)

Method:

• Preheat your air fryer to 350-360°F.
• Line your air fryer basket or rack with parchment paper or a silicone liner. You can also spray it with oil or use perforated parchment paper, but this is not necessary.
• Roll out the crescent roll dough on a clean surface.
• Spread butter over the dough, then sprinkle cinnamon and sugar on top. You can also add other sweet ingredients like honey or Nutella.
• Starting from the shorter end, roll the dough into a thick, tight roll.
• Cut the roll into smaller portions—about 6 equal pieces.
• Place the cinnamon rolls in a single layer in your air fryer, making sure they are not touching each other or the sides.
• Air fry for 5-7 minutes, checking regularly to ensure they don't burn. They are ready when they are golden brown and firm.
• Optional: brush the cooked cinnamon rolls with melted butter or drizzle with vanilla icing.

Your cinnamon rolls are now ready to serve! This recipe is perfect for a quick and easy treat and can be served for breakfast, as a snack, or even as a dessert. Enjoy!

How to make crescent rolls in an air fryer basket-style air fryer

Yes, you can make Pillsbury crescent rolls in an air fryer. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make crescent rolls in a basket-style air fryer:

Ingredients:

• 1 can refrigerated Crescent Rolls
• Salt or sugar (optional)
• Olive oil or cooking spray
• Butter (optional)

Method:

• Open the can of crescent rolls and unroll the dough.
• Separate the triangles at the perforations.
• Roll each triangle into a crescent shape, starting with the long end and rolling towards the tip. Don't roll them too tightly, as you want to allow room for the dough to expand and cook through.
• Lightly spray or brush the air fryer basket with oil or cooking spray. You can also use perforated parchment paper, but this is not necessary.
• Place the crescent rolls in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not touching and have room to rise and expand. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook in batches.
• Air fry at 330°F/165°C for 5-7 minutes, or until the crescent rolls are golden brown and cooked through. Check the rolls after the first 5 minutes to ensure they don't burn.
• If desired, brush the cooked crescent rolls with a little butter for extra flavour.
• Serve and enjoy!

Tips:

• If you want to add extra flavour, you can brush the crescent rolls with a mixture of melted butter and garlic powder before cooking.
• You can also serve the crescent rolls with cinnamon honey butter for a sweet touch.
• If you are cooking multiple batches, you may need to reduce the cooking time by a few minutes for the subsequent batches, as your air fryer will already be preheated.
• If your crescent rolls are slightly raw in the centre, turn off the air fryer and leave them in the closed air fryer to allow the residual heat to cook the centres.

Enjoy your freshly made crescent rolls!

Frequently asked questions