One of the most popular breakfast treats is cinnamon rolls. Traditionally cinnamon rolls are baked in the oven, however, many people are now exploring air frying as a potentially healthier cooking method. Let’s take a look at how cinnamon rolls may fare when air fried.
Air Frying Cinnamon Rolls: The Basics
According to dermatological research on cooking methods and nutrition, air frying tends to use less oil than deep frying or pan frying while still achieving crispy exterior results due to the unique convection technology of air fryers. This makes air frying a potentially lower fat alternative cooking method compared to conventional baking.
Are cinnamon rolls suitable for air frying?
Most cinnamon rolls should be suitable for air frying provided they are not an extremely large or thick variety. Thinner or mini cinnamon rolls tend to work best. It’s also important to check that the dough has not been overworked, which could cause it to become dense and difficult to crisp up in an air fryer.
The key is to avoid cinnamon rolls that are extremely large or thick, which may not cook through properly in an air fryer. Stick with thinner or mini cinnamon rolls which tend to crisp up better. You’ll also want to check that the dough has not been overworked, which could cause it to become too dense. Overworked dough may not achieve the same crispy exterior when air fried.
How to air fry cinnamon rolls?
Here are the basic steps to air fry cinnamon rolls:
- Preheat your air fryer to 370°F (188°C). Spray the air fryer basket lightly with nonstick cooking spray.
- Place cinnamon rolls in the basket, leaving space between each roll. You may need to air fry batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
- Air fry for 8-12 minutes, flipping rolls halfway, until golden brown. Times may vary depending on the thickness and number of rolls.
- Allow to cool slightly before enjoying. A light glaze of cream cheese icing is also delicious.
Be sure to preheat the air fryer fully before adding the cinnamon rolls. Also spray the basket lightly with nonstick spray to prevent sticking. Cook the rolls in batches if your air fryer is not large enough to hold them all at once. You’ll want to flip them halfway through for even cooking and golden brown results. Times may vary, so watch closely towards the end of cooking. A glaze of cream cheese icing is an optional but tasty finishing touch.
Are air-fried cinnamon rolls as good?
While they may not be identical to oven-baked cinnamon rolls, research shows air-fried cinnamon rolls can turn out tasty and still offer nutritional benefits over deep frying. The outside gets crispy while the inside stays soft and cinnamony. Some reported the texture was even better than regular baked rolls. Overall, air-frying cinnamon rolls are worth a try for a possibly lower-fat alternative cooking method. Just be cautious not to overcrowd the air fryer or use rolls that are too large. With a little experimenting, delicious air-fried cinnamon rolls can be achieved.
Many who have tried air frying cinnamon rolls report that the end result is delicious despite being a little different than traditional baked rolls. The exterior crisps up nicely while retaining moisture on the inside. With some testing of cook times and batch sizes, air fried cinnamon rolls can match or even surpass the taste and texture of oven-baked versions. It’s a technique especially worth exploring for those looking to cook their favorite breakfast pastry in a potentially healthier way.
In conclusion, most varieties of cinnamon rolls should be suitable for air frying. Following some basic guidelines around roll size and cooking in batches can yield tasty, possibly lower-fat versions of this classic breakfast treat. With a bit of experimenting, air frying opens up new opportunities for enjoying cinnamon rolls. Just be sure to check for doneness and watch closely towards the end of cook times. A light glaze is also recommended to enhance moisture and flavor. With these tips in mind, air-frying cinnamon rolls are definitely worth a try for those in search of a quicker or potentially lighter cooking method.
