Air-Fryer Brown-And-Serve Rolls: Quick, Crispy, Golden Goodness

Brown and serve rolls are a quick and easy way to make bread to accompany a meal. Using an air fryer to make them means you can skip heating up your whole oven, and they'll be ready in just a few minutes. You can use frozen rolls, yeast rolls, or store-bought rolls in your air fryer, and you can even make garlic rolls by brushing the dough with butter and sprinkling with garlic.

Choosing the right recipe

Type of Rolls

Decide on the type of rolls you want to make. You can opt for frozen rolls, yeast rolls, or even store-bought rolls. Frozen rolls are a convenient option, and it's essential to choose a brand that offers fully cooked rolls that have been frozen. Alternatively, you can make your own dough from scratch if you prefer a more hands-on approach.

Quantity of Rolls

Air fryers are ideal for baking smaller batches of rolls. Choose a recipe that yields a smaller quantity, such as one that uses two 8" or 9" round pans or a 9" x 13" pan. This ensures that your air fryer can accommodate the rolls without overcrowding.

Temperature and Timing

The temperature and timing settings are crucial for achieving the perfect brown-and-serve rolls. Preheat your air fryer to around 320°F to 350°F. The cooking time will vary depending on the size and number of rolls, but it typically ranges from 4 to 10 minutes. Keep a close eye on your rolls to ensure they don't overcook, as they can go from just right to too dark in a matter of minutes.

Additional Ingredients

Adding extra ingredients can enhance the flavour and texture of your rolls. Brush your rolls with melted butter before placing them in the air fryer to give them a golden, crispy exterior. You can also experiment with different toppings, such as garlic salt or cheese, to create garlic rolls or cheesy garlic rolls.

Pan Size and Arrangement

The size of the pan you use is important for even cooking. If using a pan, opt for a smaller-diameter pan, such as a 6" round pan, to ensure the heat reaches all the rolls evenly. Arrange the rolls so they don't touch the edge of the pan or each other. If your air fryer basket is large enough, you can place the rolls directly in it without using a pan.

Remember to refer to specific recipes for detailed instructions on ingredients, quantities, and cooking times. By following these guidelines and choosing a suitable recipe, you'll be well on your way to making delicious brown-and-serve rolls in your air fryer.

Using the air fryer to save time and electricity

Air fryers are a great way to save time and electricity when preparing meals. They are incredibly versatile and can be used for much more than just simple cooking or reheating tasks. For example, you can use an air fryer to bake cakes, cheesecakes, cookies, and pizza, as well as to brown nuts and make toasted sugar.

One of the biggest advantages of using an air fryer is the reduced cooking time. Air fryers can bake dinner rolls in under 10 minutes, which is significantly faster than a traditional oven. This is especially useful when you're short on time or need to prepare multiple batches.

Another benefit of air fryers is their ability to free up oven space. During holidays or large family gatherings, the oven is often occupied with multiple dishes. By using an air fryer, you can quickly bake items like dinner rolls without having to wait for oven space to become available.

Air fryers are also energy-efficient. They use less energy than a conventional oven because they heat up faster and don't require preheating. This not only saves electricity but also keeps your kitchen cooler, especially during the hot summer months.

When using an air fryer, it's important to choose the right recipe and batch size. Soft-sided dinner roll recipes that use a cake pan instead of a baking sheet are ideal for air fryers. It's also best to choose smaller recipes that yield about 16 medium rolls, as air fryers are not conducive to baking large quantities at once.

Additionally, the placement of the rolls in the air fryer is crucial. Avoid using larger pans that might block the airflow, causing uneven cooking. Instead, opt for smaller-diameter pans, such as 6" round pans, to ensure even baking. You may need to bake the rolls in batches, but the quick cooking time of the air fryer means you won't have to worry about over-rising between batches.

In conclusion, air fryers are a time-saving and electricity-saving appliance that can be a valuable addition to your kitchen. By understanding their capabilities and following some simple tips, you can efficiently prepare delicious dishes like dinner rolls while also reducing your energy consumption.

Reheating rolls in the air fryer

• Preheat the air fryer: This step gets the air fryer started so you can quickly warm up your rolls. Set it to 325°F for 3-5 minutes.
• Add the rolls: Place the rolls on the bottom of the air fryer basket and set the timer for 5 minutes. Make sure they don't touch each other in the basket, as this will help them cook evenly and prevent them from sticking together.
• Adjust the cooking time: At the 3-minute mark, check your rolls to see how warm they are. If they are crisp and starting to brown on top, they're ready! If not, cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until the desired warmth and texture are reached.
• Remove and enjoy: Use tongs to remove the warmed rolls and enjoy them while they're still warm with your favorite foods.

Some additional tips for reheating rolls in the air fryer:

• Reheating time can vary depending on the size and number of rolls you are warming up. Start with a temperature of 325°F for 3-5 minutes and adjust as needed.
• If your rolls are coming straight from the fridge, they may take a bit longer to warm up. You can let them sit at room temperature while the air fryer preheats to speed up the process.
• For frozen cooked rolls, cook for an additional 3-5 minutes or until fully baked.
• You can spritz the rolls with some water or brush them with butter before reheating for extra flavor and moisture.

Using the air fryer for celebratory occasions

The air fryer is a great appliance to use for celebratory occasions, especially when you're looking to save time, oven space, or simply want to try something new. Here are some tips and tricks for using your air fryer to make your favourite dishes even more special.

Saving Time and Oven Space

One of the biggest advantages of using an air fryer for celebratory occasions is the time and oven space you can save. When preparing a large meal, such as during the holidays, your oven can quickly become crowded with casseroles, stuffing, and other dishes. This is where the air fryer comes in! You can use it to quickly bake items like dinner rolls, sides, and even desserts, freeing up space in your oven for other dishes.

For example, if you're making a batch of dinner rolls, you can flash-bake them in your air fryer in under 10 minutes. This not only saves time but also electricity, as you won't need to heat up your large oven for a small batch of rolls.

Versatility

The air fryer is incredibly versatile, and you can use it for much more than just chicken wings and fries. It's perfect for baking cakes, cheesecakes, cookies, and even pizza. You can also use it to brown nuts and make toasted sugar, adding a unique touch to your desserts and sweet treats.

For the main course, try air-frying a turkey breast or chicken breast. You can even use your air fryer to make side dishes like mac and cheese, green beans, butternut squash, and more.

Easy Reheating

If you have any leftovers from your celebratory feast, the air fryer is perfect for reheating them. Simply pop the leftovers into the air fryer for a few minutes, and they'll come out tasting as good as new. This is a great way to enjoy your favourite dishes again without having to spend time in the kitchen preparing them from scratch.

Special Touches

The air fryer is also great for adding some special touches to your dishes. For example, you can make garlic rolls by brushing melted butter and sprinkling garlic on top of your dinner rolls, then air frying at 300°F for an extra minute or two.

You can also experiment with different types of frozen rolls in your air fryer. Just be sure to check the instructions on the packaging to ensure they're pre-cooked before freezing.

So, the next time you're planning a celebratory meal, don't forget to include your air fryer in your preparations. It can be a real time-saver and add a unique twist to your favourite dishes.

Using the right size of pan

If you're using an 8" or 9" pan, be aware that the rolls in the centre may bake more slowly than those around the edge. This is because air fryers bake quickly and from the outside in. To remedy this, consider using a smaller pan, such as a 6" round pan. A smaller pan means less distance for the heat to travel, so your rolls are more likely to bake evenly. A 6" pan will typically make four standard-size rolls or eight smaller ones.

If you're using a 6" pan, you'll need to bake the rolls in batches. If you only have one 6" pan, you can supplement it with some 6" round foil pans. Even if you're baking in batches, you won't need to worry about one pan of rolls over-rising while the other is in the air fryer. However, it's a good idea to stash the second batch in a cool spot until it's their turn.

When using a smaller pan, you may need to slow down the browning by covering the rolls partway through. Check the colour of your rolls after about five minutes and cover them with an aluminium heat tamer or burner plate. These won't flap around in the air fryer like foil does. Be aware that rolls can go from just right to too dark in just a minute, so keep an eye on them and experiment to find the right time and temperature.

In summary, when making brown-and-serve rolls in an air fryer, it's important to use the right size of pan to ensure even cooking. A 6" pan is a good option to avoid slower baking in the centre of larger pans. You may need to bake in batches, but this gives you more control over the browning and ensures your rolls are cooked to perfection.

Frequently asked questions