Air-Fryer Dinner Rolls: Is It Possible?

Air fryers are a great way to cook dinner rolls, saving you time and oven space. You can cook frozen, homemade, or store-bought rolls in your air fryer, and even make them garlicky or cheesy. The air fryer cuts the cooking time in half, and you can have fresh, warm, and fluffy rolls on the table in under 10 minutes.

How to make dinner rolls in an air fryer

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

Ingredients:

• Yeast
• Water (warm)
• Flour (all-purpose or bread flour)
• Sugar
• Milk (whole milk is preferable)
• Butter (unsalted is preferable, and at room temperature)
• Salt
• Olive or vegetable oil
• Egg (optional, for an egg wash)

Method:

Step 1: Activate the yeast

Add the yeast to a bowl of warm water and let it sit for around 3 to 5 minutes, or until it becomes foamy.

Step 2: Make the dough

Once the yeast is activated, add in the flour, sugar, milk, butter, and salt. Gently mix until all the ingredients are combined. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead until it is smooth, then shape it into a ball. You can also use a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment for this step.

Step 3: First proof

Place the ball of dough into a medium bowl with a tablespoon of olive or vegetable oil and coat the dough with the oil. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and place it in a warm spot until the dough doubles in size.

Step 4: Shape the rolls

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 them into balls. You can weigh out the dough to ensure equal portions. For a smooth and round shape, pull the sides of the dough to the bottom and pinch them together. This step is optional.

Step 5: Second proof

Place the shaped rolls into a parchment-lined air fryer basket or a pan that fits in your air fryer. Cover with plastic wrap and let the rolls rise at room temperature for about 40 minutes to an hour, or until they have doubled in size.

Step 6: Brush with egg wash (optional)

If desired, stir or whisk an egg and brush the tops of the rolls with the egg wash. This will give them a golden, glossy finish.

Step 7: Air fry the rolls

Set your air fryer to 300-320°F and cook the rolls for 8 to 12 minutes, or until they are golden brown and cooked through. Check the bottom of the rolls to ensure they are done; if they are not quite ready, add a couple more minutes of cooking time.

Step 8: Brush with melted butter

For extra flavor and color, brush the cooked rolls with melted butter and sprinkle with flaky salt. You can then put them back in the air fryer for a minute or two to enhance the texture.

Tips:

• If you are making frozen dinner rolls, there is no need to thaw them first. Place them straight from the freezer into the air fryer.
• Avoid adding too much flour to the dough, as this can result in tough and dense dinner rolls.
• Do not add salt directly to the yeast, as it may kill the yeast. Add the salt along with the flour.
• Make sure to knead the dough for at least 5 minutes to develop the gluten necessary for soft and fluffy rolls.
• When rolling and shaping the rolls, keep the dough covered with plastic wrap to prevent it from drying out.
• For pull-apart dinner rolls, cook 12 rolls in the air fryer basket. If you prefer them not to touch, cook 9 rolls at a time.
• Preheat your air fryer, especially when baking bread. If your model does not have a preheat setting, put the air fryer basket in the air fryer, turn it on, and set it to 350°F for a few minutes before adding the rolls.
• You can reheat dinner rolls in the air fryer by setting it to 350°F for 2 to 3 minutes.

Enjoy your freshly made, warm, and fluffy dinner rolls!

How to make garlic rolls in an air fryer

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
• 2 1/4 teaspoons rapid-rise yeast (one packet)
• 1 bulb of garlic
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 1 pinch of salt
• 1 egg
• 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley (optional)

Method:

• Add the yeast to a bowl with warm water. Let it sit 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 well combined and slightly flaky.
• Turn out the dough onto a floured surface and knead until 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. Coat the dough with the oil, then wrap the bowl with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel. 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.
• Peel the garlic cloves and add them to a small baking dish. Cover them with olive oil, a pinch of salt, and black pepper (optional).
• Place the garlic in the air fryer and roast at 380°F to 400°F for 16 to 25 minutes, until soft.
• Remove the garlic and carefully open the foil, as hot steam will escape.
• Once the garlic is cool enough to handle, squeeze the cloves out of their casings.
• Divide the dough into 12 equal pieces and roll 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.
• Stir or whisk an egg, then brush the tops of the rolls with an egg wash.
• Air fry at 320°F for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the tops of the rolls are golden brown. Check the bottom of the rolls to ensure they are completely set. If not, add a couple of minutes to the cooking time or turn the rolls upside down.
• Brush melted butter on top of the rolls and sprinkle with the roasted garlic. Air fry at 300°F for another 1-2 minutes.

Tips:

• You can also use a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment to knead the dough.
• When rolling and shaping the rolls, make sure the dough is always covered with plastic wrap to prevent it from drying out.
• The rolls will last for about 3-5 days when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator or at room temperature.

How to reheat dinner rolls in an air fryer

Yes, you can reheat dinner rolls in an air fryer! Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

• Preheat your air fryer: Not all models require this, but it is recommended, especially when reheating bread. Set your air fryer to 350°F for a few minutes before putting the dinner rolls in.
• Prepare the dinner rolls: Brush each roll with melted butter and place them in the air fryer basket. Make sure they are not overcrowded and have some space around them for even heating.
• Reheat the rolls: Place the buttered rolls in the preheated air fryer and cook them at 350°F for 2-3 minutes. You can increase the time to 5-7 minutes if you want them to be more toasted and crispy.
• Check for doneness: Rolls that are warm on the surface may still be cold in the center. To ensure they are thoroughly reheated, slice one open to check.
• Optional: For a final touch, brush the reheated rolls with additional melted butter and sprinkle with flaky salt. Put them back in the air fryer for an extra minute to warm the butter and toast the salt.

Reheating dinner rolls in an air fryer is a quick and convenient way to enjoy warm and crispy rolls. It is perfect for when you are short on oven space or want to save time and energy.

How to cook frozen dinner rolls in an air fryer

Yes, you can cook frozen dinner rolls in an air fryer. Here is a step-by-step guide:

First, ensure your rolls are suitable for cooking in an air fryer. Most store-bought frozen dinner rolls can be cooked this way, but always check the packaging for instructions. Homemade frozen rolls can also be cooked in an air fryer.

Next, let the rolls rise if instructed. Some rolls require being left at room temperature before cooking.

Preheat your air fryer if it has that setting, or simply turn it on and let it heat up for about five minutes.

Now you can start cooking your rolls. Place your frozen rolls in the air fryer basket, ensuring they don't touch each other or the edge of the basket. You may need to cook them in batches. Brush some melted butter on top of the rolls.

Air fry your rolls for 4-5 minutes at 350°F (177°C) or until they are golden brown. If you are cooking a full batch of rolls, start checking on them a few minutes early. Rolls that feel warm might still be frozen in the centre, so slice one open to check.

Once your rolls are cooked, brush them with melted butter and sprinkle with flaky salt, then put them back in the air fryer for one more minute.

Tips

• If you are making your own rolls to freeze, it is best to cook them first and then freeze them.
• You can make garlic rolls by brushing melted butter on top of the cooked rolls and sprinkling garlic salt on top. Put them back in the air fryer at 300°F (149°C) for 1-2 minutes.

How to make different types of rolls in an air fryer

Air fryers are a simple way to cook dinner rolls, and they are made with just a few ingredients. You can easily make biscuits or even a loaf of bread. Here are some tips and tricks to make different types of rolls using an air fryer.

Garlic Rolls

Brush the dinner rolls with melted butter and sprinkle garlic salt on top. You can also brush melted butter on top of the rolls and then sprinkle garlic on top. Air fry at 300 degrees Fahrenheit for 1-2 minutes.

Sweet Dinner Rolls

For a sweeter taste, such as Hawaiian rolls, increase the amount of sugar in the recipe.

Yeast Variations

Instead of using active dry yeast, try quick-rise yeast or self-rising flour to make the dinner rolls.

Frozen Dinner Rolls

You can use the air fryer to cook frozen dinner rolls in just 5 minutes. Most store-bought frozen dinner rolls call for a bake time of 10 minutes or less at 350°F. Preheat the air fryer for 5 minutes to help the rolls cook faster.

Milk Buns

Japanese milk buns use whole milk and milk powder to make a soft and moist dinner roll.

Pesto Pinwheels, Pumpkin Spice Donut Holes, and Cinnamon Rolls

You can also make delicious air fryer breads such as Pesto Pinwheels, Pumpkin Spice Donut Holes, and Cinnamon Rolls.

Frequently asked questions