Save to Pinterest My daughter asked for cinnamon rolls last weekend, but I had zero patience for yeast dough rising. I grabbed a tube of crescent dough from the fridge and started twisting. The whole house smelled like cinnamon in minutes, and these little spirals vanished faster than anything I have ever baked from scratch.
Last Sunday morning, my husband wandered into the kitchen looking for coffee and found me hovering over the air fryer watching these turns golden. He took one bite, still warm from the basket, and immediately asked if I could double the batch next time. Now they are our weekend go-to.
Ingredients
- Refrigerated crescent roll dough: This shortcut is the secret to quick breakfast. I press the seams together to create one smooth sheet of dough that twists beautifully without breaking apart.
- Unsalted butter, melted: Brush it over the entire surface so the cinnamon sugar has something to cling to. Salted butter works too, just adjust the glaze slightly.
- Brown sugar: The molasses in brown sugar gives these twists a deeper, more caramel-like flavor than white sugar alone. Pack it down in the measuring cup for accuracy.
- Ground cinnamon: Do not be shy with cinnamon. I use a generous amount because it mellows slightly during baking, and that warm spice should really come through.
- Powdered sugar: Sift it before mixing to avoid any lumps in your glaze. Nothing ruins a perfect breakfast faster than chunky glaze.
- Milk: Start with one tablespoon and add more to reach your desired consistency. The glaze should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.
- Vanilla extract: Pure vanilla makes all the difference here. I add it last so the flavor stays strong and bright.
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer:
- Set your air fryer to 350 degrees and let it run for three minutes. This hot start helps the twists puff up quickly and cook evenly.
- Prepare the dough:
- Unroll the crescent dough on a floured surface and press all the perforations together until they disappear. You want one solid rectangle of dough without any weak spots.
- Brush with butter:
- Use a pastry brush to coat the entire surface with melted butter. Get it right into the edges so every bite has that buttery cinnamon goodness.
- Add the filling:
- Mix the brown sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl until well combined. Sprinkle it evenly across the buttered dough, leaving just a tiny border around the edges.
- Fold and seal:
- Fold the dough in half lengthwise to sandwich the cinnamon sugar inside. Press the edges firmly with your fingers to seal everything in.
- Twist the strips:
- Cut the dough into eight even strips. Twist each strip three or four times, then pinch both ends to keep them from unraveling in the heat.
- Air fry until golden:
- Place the twists in your air fryer basket with space between them. Cook for seven to eight minutes until they are golden brown and puffed, working in batches if needed.
- Make the glaze:
- While the twists cool slightly, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth. Drizzle it over the warm twists and serve immediately.
Save to Pinterest My mom was visiting when I first tried these, and she admitted she was skeptical about the air fryer. After one twist, she asked me to write down the recipe before she forgot. Now she makes them for my dad every Sunday morning.
Make Ahead Tips
You can prepare the twists through the twisting step and freeze them on a baking sheet. Once frozen, transfer them to a bag and air fry straight from frozen, adding just a couple of minutes to the cook time.
Serving Suggestions
These are perfect on their own, but I love serving them with fresh berries or a side of scrambled eggs for a fuller breakfast. The tangy fruit balances all that sweet cinnamon sugar beautifully.
Texture Secrets
The key to those flaky layers is not overworking the dough when you press the seams together. Just firm, even pressure does the job without making the dough tough.
- Check your twists after six minutes since every air fryer heats differently
- Place a piece of parchment paper in the basket for easy cleanup
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container and reheat briefly to recrisp
Save to Pinterest These twists have become our Saturday morning tradition. Quick enough for a weekday but special enough to feel like a treat.
Recipe FAQs
- → What dough works best for these twists?
Use refrigerated crescent roll dough or pizza dough for flaky and tender twists.
- → How do I prevent twists from sticking in the air fryer?
Space twists apart in the basket and avoid overcrowding; cook in batches if needed.
- → Can I add nuts to the filling?
Yes, chopped pecans or walnuts can add a crunchy texture to the cinnamon sugar filling.
- → What temperature is ideal for air frying?
Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C) and cook twists for 7–8 minutes until golden.
- → How is the glaze made for these twists?
Mix powdered sugar, milk, and a touch of vanilla extract until smooth, then drizzle over warm twists.
- → Can I substitute coconut sugar for brown sugar?
Yes, coconut sugar offers a slight flavor variation while maintaining sweetness.