Air-Fried Crescent Rolls: A Quick, Crispy Treat

Making crescent rolls in an air fryer is a quick and easy process that can be done in less than 10 minutes. The air fryer method requires no preheating and can be used to make a variety of crescent roll recipes, such as cinnamon sugar, turkey cheese, and peanut butter chocolate crescent rolls. The rolls are flaky, buttery, and pair well with many dishes, making them a perfect addition to any meal.

How to shape the dough

Shaping the dough is an important step in making crescent rolls in an air fryer. Here is a detailed, step-by-step guide on how to shape the dough for the best results:

To begin, open the can of crescent roll dough and unroll it gently. Most canned crescent roll dough comes in pre-cut triangles, making it easy to separate and shape. Carefully separate each triangle, ensuring you don't stretch or tear the dough.

Once you have separated the triangles, it's time to start rolling. Take each triangle and gently roll it up, starting from the flat, wide base and rolling towards the narrow tip. This will give you a basic crescent shape. It is important to roll them slightly loose rather than tight, as this allows the dough to expand and cook evenly, resulting in fluffy rolls instead of dense ones.

After rolling, you can further shape the dough by gently curving and tucking the ends to enhance the crescent shape. Be careful not to overwork the dough, as this can affect the texture of your rolls.

If you want to add any fillings or toppings, such as butter, garlic powder, cinnamon sugar, or cheese, this is the step where you would do so. Simply brush or sprinkle your desired toppings onto the shaped dough before placing them in the air fryer.

Finally, place the shaped crescent rolls onto a piece of parchment paper or a silicone liner, leaving some space between each roll to allow for expansion during cooking. You can also brush or spray the air fryer basket with oil or use air fryer parchment paper to prevent sticking.

Now your crescent rolls are shaped and ready for the air fryer! Remember to cook them in batches if they don't all fit in a single layer with space between each roll. Enjoy the delicious aroma as they cook, and get ready to serve these mouthwatering treats!

Air fryer settings

The air fryer is a convenient and quick way to make crescent rolls, with no need for preheating. The settings you use will depend on the type of air fryer you have, but here are some general guidelines to achieve the best results:

• Set the temperature between 330°F and 360°F. Most sources recommend 330°F, but if you want to ensure the rolls are cooked through, you can go up to 350°F or 360°F.
• Cook the crescent rolls for 5-7 minutes. Keep in mind that all air fryers cook differently, so it's important to check on your rolls after 5 minutes to ensure they don't burn. If you're using an oven-style air fryer, you may need to test one or two rolls first to get the timing right.
• If you're cooking multiple batches, you may need to reduce the timing by a few minutes as your air fryer will already be preheated.
• If your crescent rolls are browning too quickly or burning, try reducing the temperature or cooking in shorter intervals, checking frequently, until you find the right setting for your air fryer.
• For an even cook, ensure there is space between each roll and that they are not touching the sides of the air fryer basket. You may need to cook in batches, depending on the size of your air fryer.
• While preheating is not necessary, one source recommends preheating your air fryer to 350°F before adding the crescent rolls.
• If you want to add a buttery flavour to your rolls, brush them with butter after cooking. This way, you'll taste the butter better.

How to serve crescent rolls

Crescent rolls are a versatile dish that can be served at any time of the day, from breakfast to dinner. Here are some ideas on how to serve them:

Breakfast

If serving crescent rolls for breakfast, consider pairing them with some homemade strawberry butter or simple sides of butter and jam. For a sweet touch, you can also drizzle some honey on top. You can even make breakfast sandwiches with these rolls. Savory egg and sausage roll sandwiches or ham and cheese roll sandwiches are always a favourite.

Lunch

For lunch, serve crescent rolls with some air-fried green beans and bacon, or air fryer honey dijon salmon. You can also serve them with a side of cinnamon honey butter if you prefer a sweet taste.

Dinner

Crescent rolls can be a perfect addition to your dinner as well. Serve them with a Tuscan chicken soup, air fryer panko chicken, or Instant Pot Chili. They also go well with harissa butter.

Snacks

You can also serve crescent rolls as a tasty snack. Fill them with ham and Swiss cheese, or get creative with other fillings of your choice.

Dessert

For dessert, you can make air fryer crescent roll cinnamon rolls. Prepare a cinnamon sugar mixture by mixing cinnamon, brown sugar, and white granulated sugar. Apply butter to the crescent roll dough, sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture, and roll them up. Cut the rolls into smaller portions and bake them in the air fryer. While the cinnamon rolls are baking, prepare vanilla icing by mixing together confectioners' sugar, corn syrup, vanilla extract, and water. Pour the icing over the baked cinnamon rolls, and enjoy!

Tips for cooking with canned dough

Canned dough is a convenient and versatile option for making a variety of dishes, from crescent rolls to doughnuts and scones. Here are some tips to get the most out of cooking with canned dough:

• Avoid Over-Handling the Dough: When shaping your crescent rolls, be gentle and try not to overwork the dough. Simply separate the pre-cut triangles and roll up each piece into a crescent shape without applying too much pressure.
• Don't Roll Too Tight: For fluffy rolls, it's important to roll the dough slightly loose. This allows the dough to expand and cook evenly, preventing dense or raw centres.
• Ensure Airflow: When placing the rolls in the air fryer, make sure they are in a single layer and not touching each other or the sides of the basket. This allows for proper airflow and even cooking. If your air fryer is small, you may need to cook the rolls in batches.
• No Preheating: There's no need to preheat your air fryer when cooking crescent rolls. Simply set the temperature and cooking time, and you're good to go.
• Adjust Timing: Keep in mind that air fryer models vary, so adjust the cooking time as needed. Check your rolls after the first batch to determine the ideal timing for subsequent batches.
• Enhance Flavour: For an extra flavour boost, brush the crescent rolls with melted butter and garlic powder before or after cooking. You can also serve them with cinnamon honey butter for a sweet touch.
• Experiment with Fillings: Get creative and experiment with different fillings for your crescent rolls. Try adding cheese, pizza toppings, or even a sweet filling like chocolate or jam.
• Control Sodium Content: If you're conscious about sodium intake, give the dough a quick rinse before using it to wash away some of the salt. This is especially useful if you're using other canned ingredients in your dish.
• Storage: Leftover crescent rolls can be stored at room temperature or in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 4 days. You can also freeze them for longer-term storage.

How to store leftover crescent rolls

Once you've made your crescent rolls, you might have some leftover. But how do you store them to ensure they stay fresh?

Firstly, it's important to note that you should not freeze cans of crescent dough as this will affect the texture of the dough and its ability to rise when baking. If you have unused dough, you can store it in a plastic bag or container with a few drops of water to keep it moist and store it in the refrigerator for up to two hours or two months at 0°F.

If you have baked but uneaten crescent rolls, you have a few options. You can wrap them in foil and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. Alternatively, you can store them at room temperature, preferably on your kitchen counter away from direct sunlight, and use them within two days. If you want to store them for longer, you can freeze them for up to twelve months. Be sure to wrap them in plastic before sealing them in an airtight bag.

Frequently asked questions