Air-Fryer Rolls: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Making rolls in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get delicious, warm, and fluffy bread on the table. Air fryers are incredibly versatile, and you can use them to make a variety of baked goods, including rolls. The best part is that you can have freshly baked rolls in a fraction of the time it would take in a traditional oven.

Using frozen rolls

Step 1: Prepare the Rolls

If your rolls are frozen raw dough, allow them to rise if instructed by the packaging. Some rolls require room-temperature proofing before cooking. If they are pre-baked frozen rolls, you can skip this step.

Step 2: Preheat the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 350-400°F (176-200°C) for about 5 minutes. Preheating ensures the rolls cook faster and more evenly.

Step 3: Arrange the Rolls in the Air Fryer

Place the frozen rolls in the air fryer basket, ensuring they don't touch each other or the edges of the basket. Cook in batches if necessary.

Step 4: Brush with Butter

Lightly brush the tops of the rolls with melted butter. This step is optional but adds a delicious buttery flavour to the rolls.

Step 5: Air Fry the Rolls

Air fry the rolls at 350-400°F (176-200°C) for 4-7 minutes. The cooking time may vary depending on your air fryer and the type of rolls you're using, so keep an eye on them to avoid overcooking. If using frozen raw dough rolls, cook for 5-8 minutes.

Step 6: Check for Doneness

After the allotted time, check if the rolls are done by touching them. If they feel warm but are still frozen in the centre, return them to the air fryer for an additional minute or until cooked through.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

Once the rolls are golden brown and cooked to your liking, remove them from the air fryer and serve immediately. You can brush them with additional melted butter and sprinkle with flaky salt for an extra touch of flavour.

Using your air fryer for frozen rolls is a convenient and efficient way to prepare delicious, fluffy rolls to accompany any meal.

Brushing with butter

Brushing your rolls with butter is the final step in making delicious, buttery rolls in your air fryer. You can brush the rolls with butter after they are done cooking, as in this recipe for frozen rolls, or brush them with butter before cooking, as in this recipe for homemade rolls.

If you are making frozen rolls, air fry them first, then brush them with butter, and then return them to the air fryer for a final minute of cooking. You can also sprinkle them with garlic salt to make garlic rolls.

If you are making homemade rolls, brush the tops of the rolls with butter before cooking them in the air fryer. This will give them a nice golden colour.

You can also brush your rolls with butter after cooking them, and then sprinkle them with coarse kosher salt or sea salt.

Baking at 300-350°F for 5-10 minutes

Air fryer rolls are a quick and easy way to make bread for dinner. The rolls are light, fluffy, and buttery, and the air fryer significantly cuts down on baking time. Here is a guide on how to make rolls using an air fryer, focusing on the baking stage at 300-350°F for 5-10 minutes.

Preparation

Before baking, there are a few steps to follow. First, gather your ingredients. You will need flour, sugar, butter, milk, salt, and yeast. You can also add an egg to make the rolls fluffier, but this is optional.

Next, add the yeast to a bowl of warm water and leave it to sit for about 3-5 minutes. Once the yeast has activated, add in the flour, sugar, milk, butter, and salt. Gently fold the ingredients together until they form a dough.

Now, place the dough on a floured surface and knead it until it is smooth. Then, shape the dough into a ball. You can use a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment for this process if you prefer.

Place the ball of dough into a bowl with some olive or vegetable oil, coating the dough with the oil. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and place it in a warm spot to let the dough rise until it is about double in size. This should take about 1-1.5 hours.

Once the dough has risen, divide it into 12 equal pieces and roll them into balls. Place the rolls into a pan or directly into the air fryer basket. If you are placing them into a pan, use a 6" round pan to ensure even baking. If you are placing them directly into the air fryer basket, spray the basket with cooking spray first.

Baking

Now it's time for the baking stage! Preheat your air fryer to between 300-350°F. Brush the tops of the rolls with an egg wash or melted butter. This will give them a golden, crispy texture.

Place the rolls in the air fryer and bake for 5-10 minutes. Keep an eye on them, as the timing may vary depending on your air fryer model. The rolls are done when they are golden brown and cooked through.

Serving

Once the rolls are baked, brush them with melted butter and sprinkle with coarse salt, garlic salt, or your favorite herb or spice blend. Serve them warm, and enjoy!

Storage

These air fryer rolls can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for 3-5 days or frozen for up to 6 months. To reheat, pop them in the microwave for 15-30 seconds or back into the air fryer at 360°F for a minute or two.

Using a stand mixer

To make rolls in an air fryer using a stand mixer, start by adding yeast, water, and sugar to the bowl of the stand mixer. Let the yeast bloom for about 10 minutes. Once the yeast is activated, add in the flour, sugar, milk, butter, and salt. Put on the dough hook attachment and mix on a low setting, gradually increasing to medium as the dough comes together. Continue mixing for a few minutes until you have a slightly sticky dough ball.

Next, place the dough ball into a greased bowl and cover with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel. Let the dough proof in a warm area until it has almost doubled in size, which should take around 1-1 ½ hours. Then, transfer the proofed dough to a lightly floured surface and cut it into 12 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a ball and place them into a pan or directly into the air fryer basket.

Brush the tops of the rolls with an egg wash and air fry at 300-320 degrees Fahrenheit for 8-10 minutes, until the tops are golden brown. You may need to adjust the cooking time depending on your air fryer model.

For cinnamon rolls, once the dough has risen, transfer it to a floured surface and roll it out into a rectangle. Spread melted butter over the dough, leaving a small border, and sprinkle with brown sugar and cinnamon. Starting from the long side, roll up the dough and cut it into 12 equal pieces. Place the individual rolls into the air fryer basket with some space between them, and let them rise for about 15 minutes. Air fry at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 8-10 minutes, until golden brown.

Making pull-apart rolls

Ingredients:

Firstly, gather your ingredients. The basic ingredients you will need are:

• Flour
• Yeast
• Water
• Oil (olive or vegetable)
• Sugar
• Salt

You can also add other ingredients like milk, butter, and Italian dried herbs for extra flavour.

Preparing the Dough:

• In a small bowl, combine the yeast and sugar. Stir in some lukewarm water (around 105-110°F). The water should be warm, but not too hot, as it will kill the yeast. Let the mixture sit for about 3-5 minutes until the yeast activates and starts to foam.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, salt, oil, and yeast mixture. Start mixing with a wooden spoon and gradually add more water to form a soft dough. You may need to use your hands to knead the dough until it comes together.
• Cover the bowl with baking paper and a kitchen towel and place it in a warm place to let the dough rise. This will take around 1-2 hours, depending on the temperature of your environment. You can also use a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment to make the dough.

Shaping the Rolls:

• Once the dough has doubled in size, punch it down to release the air. Divide the dough into 8-12 equal pieces and roll them into balls.
• Lightly grease the dough balls and arrange them in the air fryer basket lined with parchment paper. Make sure they are spaced out and not overcrowded.

Baking the Rolls:

• Preheat your air fryer to 320°F or 350°F.
• Brush the tops of the rolls with an egg wash (optional) for a golden crust.
• Place the rolls in the air fryer and bake for about 8-10 minutes for 320°F or 15 minutes for 350°F. Keep an eye on them to avoid overcooking.
• Check the doneness by tapping the bottom of a roll. It should sound hollow when fully cooked. If the bottoms are still too pale, invert the rolls and bake for an additional 5-7 minutes.

Serving and Storing:

• Brush the rolls with melted butter before serving, if desired.
• Serve the rolls warm with butter, jam, or any other toppings of your choice. They are perfect as a snack or alongside soups and stews.
• Store any leftover rolls in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. You can also freeze the rolls for up to 3 months and reheat them in the air fryer or toaster oven.

Frequently asked questions