Easy, No Yeast 45 Minute Made-from-Scratch Apple Cinnamon Rolls

Think Homemade Warm Apple Cinnamon Rolls Made Fast in the Air Fryer 🍎

If you love gooey cinnamon rolls and cozy apple pie, these made from scratch air fryer apple cinnamon buns are your sweet spot. Tender, buttery spirals with a real-apple cinnamon filling, finished with a quick icing—ready in about 45 minutes. They’re perfect for a weekend breakfast, after-school treat, or a simple dessert.

Ingredients & Supplies Needed

Ingredients

• Self-rising flour
• Milk
• Butter, melted
• Flour (for the counter surface)
• Apple (Gala used here; any baking apple you love)
• Brown sugar
• Ground cinnamon
• Powdered sugar

Supplies

• Air fryer
• Rolling pin (adjustable styles like this help keep dough even)
• Sharp knife
• Large mixing bowl + small mixing bowl
• Wooden spoon

We’ve successfully made these in the Cosori 5.8QT—even heat, lightly crisp edges, and soft centers.

Best Apples for Baking

Granny Smith is a classic (tart + holds shape), but Honeycrisp, Braeburn, and Pink Lady also do great in fillings. Choose apples that won’t turn mushy and bring bright flavor to balance the sweetness.

Resource: See a helpful apple baking guide for texture and flavor tips.

Do I Need Self-Rising Flour?

Yes—this quick dough relies on it. If you don’t have any, make a cup on the fly: whisk 1 cup all-purpose flour + 1½ tsp baking powder + ½ tsp salt. Prefer a shortcut? Use crescent roll dough and skip the biscuit dough step.

How to Make Air Fryer Apple Cinnamon Buns

Step 1: Make the Dough

Mix self-rising flour and milk in a large bowl until combined. Stir in melted butter. If sticky, dust with a little flour until soft and smooth (play-dough texture).

Step 2: Prepare the Apples

Peel and finely dice the apple. Toss with brown sugar and cinnamon until well coated.

Step 3: Roll Out the Dough

Lightly flour the surface. Roll dough to a 12×8-inch rectangle, about 1/8–1/4-inch thick.

Step 4: Add the Apple Filling

Spread softened butter over the dough. Sprinkle the apple mixture evenly, leaving a 1/2–1-inch border to minimize leaks.

Step 5: Preheat the Air Fryer

Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (176°C) for 5 minutes.

Step 6: Roll it up

Roll up tightly from the long side. Pinch the seam to seal.

Step 7: Slice into Rolls

Use a very sharp knife to cut 6–9 buns (thicker slices = gooier centers).

Step 8: Air Fry the Apple Cinnamon Buns

Place into the preheated basket and cook at 350°F (176°C) for 9–12 minutes until lightly golden and set in the center.

Step 9: Icing the Air Fryer Apple Cinnamon Buns

Whisk powdered sugar and milk until smooth. Drizzle over the warm buns and serve.

Pro Tips & FAQs when Making Air Fryer Apple Cinnamon Buns

• Avoid soggy bottoms: Line basket with parchment (perforated if you have it) and avoid crowding.
• Dough too sticky? Dust with a bit more flour; it should be soft, not wet.
• Make-ahead: Prep to the slicing step, cover, and refrigerate up to 12 hours. Air fry straight from the fridge; add 1–2 minutes.
• Storage: Cover leftovers at room temp up to 1 day or refrigerate 3 days. Rewarm at 300°F for 2–3 minutes.
• No self-rising flour? Use the DIY mix above or swap in crescent roll dough for a shortcut.

More Desserts in the Air Fryer

Use your air fryer for more than dinner—try these reader faves:

• Air Fryer Hocus Pocus Buns – Easy Halloween Breakfast or Dessert
• Air Fryer Dessert Hand Pies
• Nutella Crescent Roll Mummies Recipe for Halloween
• Cinnamon Buns TikTok Recipe in the Air Fryer

Air Fryer Tips & Tricks You’ll Love

• Air Fryer 101
• Learn these Air Fryer Mistakes to Avoid
• All about the Best Air Fryer Accessories
• How to Clean Your Air Fryer
• How to Cook Any Recipe in the Air Fryer
• Free Air Fryer Temp Chart
• Air Fryer Buying Guide
• Air Fryer Video Recipes

Air Fryer Apple Cinnamon Buns

Think cinnamon rolls, and then make them better by adding in deliciously seasoned chopped apples and you have these amazing air fryer apple cinnamon buns. 

5 / 5 ( 2 Reviews )

Print Rate

Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 12 minutes minutes

Total Time: 32 minutes minutes

Serves: 3

Adjust Servings: 3

US CustomaryMetric

Equipment

• Air Fryer
• Rolling Pin
• Sharp knife
• Large mixing bowl
• Small mixing bowl
• Wooden spoon

Ingredients

Dough (Or Can Use Pillsbury Crescent Dough)

• 1 cup self rising flour
• 5 tablespoons milk or 1/4 c + 1 tbsp
• 3 tablespoons butter melted
• flour for the surface, and add more to the dough as needed

Apple Filling

• 1 Apple I used Gala
• 2 tbsp Butter, softened
• ½ cup Brown sugar, packed
• 2 tsp Ground cinnamon

Icing

• ½ cup powdered sugar
• 1 tablespoon milk

Get Recipe Ingredients

Instructions

• Make the dough. Mix together the self-rising flour and milk until dough is just starting to come together. Add the melted butter and mix until combined. May need to use hands to finishing mixing. Dough should be soft and smooth, like playdough. If it is sticky, add flour until it becomes soft and smooth.
• Peel the apple and dice it into smaller than bite-sized pieces.
• In a bowl combine, the brown sugar, cinnamon, and apples.
• Lightly flour your working surface. Roll dough into rectangle shape, between 1/8- and 1/4-inch thick, about 12 inches by 8 inches.
• Spread 2 tbsp of softened butter onto the dough. Then spread the apple, brown sugar, and cinnamon mixture over the dough, leaving some space on the long edges.
• Preheat the air fryer.
• Roll dough up tightly, starting with long edge. Lightly pinch edge to seal.
• Cut the dough into 6-9 rolls depending on how thick you want your cinnamon rolls to be.
• Place in the air fryer and cook at 350 °F for 9-12 minutes, or until dough is golden and cooked through.
• Mix together the milk and powdered sugar in a small bowl to make the icing. Once the rolls are done, remove from the air fryer basket, drizzle on icing and enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 588kcal | Carbohydrates: 97g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 21g | Sodium: 174mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 63g

Recipe Adapted From: Miss in the Kitchen

Final Thoughts

I used to think homemade cinnamon rolls meant a whole morning in the kitchen. Not here! With this no-yeast dough and your air fryer, you’ll go from mixing bowl to warm, icing-drizzled buns in about 45 minutes. Save this one—you’ll make it again and again.

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