Pin it There's something about the smell of cinnamon hitting you the moment the air fryer door opens—it's instant gratification in the best way. I discovered these twists one morning when I was too impatient to wait for the oven but desperate for something warm and sweet, and they became my go-to whenever I want breakfast that feels indulgent without the fuss. The air fryer does something almost magical here, crisping the outside while keeping the layers tender, and the whole thing comes together faster than you'd think possible. What started as a shortcut experiment turned into my favorite way to start the weekend.
I'll never forget making a batch for my neighbor who was having a rough morning, and watching her face light up when she bit into one—that's when I realized these aren't just a quick breakfast, they're actually the kind of thing that makes someone's day a little better. Now I make them whenever friends stay over, and they always disappear before the coffee gets cold.
Ingredients
- Refrigerated crescent roll dough (8 oz): This is the secret shortcut—already laminated and ready to go, it gives you those perfect flaky layers without any actual effort.
- Unsalted butter (2 tbsp, melted): Melting it first lets you brush it evenly, and using unsalted lets you control the salt without guessing what's in the dough.
- Brown sugar (1/4 cup): Darker and richer than white sugar, it adds depth to the filling and caramelizes beautifully in the air fryer.
- Ground cinnamon (1 1/2 tsp): Don't skimp here—this is your star flavor, so use fresh cinnamon if you can because it makes a real difference.
- Powdered sugar (1/2 cup): The glaze foundation, and it dissolves smoothly into a silky finish without grittiness.
- Milk (1-2 tbsp): Just enough to get the glaze to that perfect drizzle consistency—start with less and add more if you need it.
- Vanilla extract (1/4 tsp): A small touch that rounds out the sweetness and keeps the glaze from tasting one-dimensional.
Instructions
- Get your air fryer warmed up:
- Set it to 350°F and let it preheat for a few minutes while you prep everything else—this ensures even cooking and that golden finish you're after.
- Prepare the dough canvas:
- Unroll your dough on a lightly floured surface and gently press out any seams, being careful not to tear it. You're essentially creating a smooth rectangle to work with.
- Butter everything:
- Brush that melted butter all over the dough surface—don't be shy about it, this is where the flavor and crispiness come from. You should see a light sheen across the whole thing.
- Make your cinnamon-sugar mixture:
- Stir together the brown sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl until combined, then sprinkle it evenly over the buttered dough. Some patches will look darker and that's perfect—it means you've got good distribution.
- Fold and seal:
- Fold the dough in half lengthwise so you've got a long rectangle, then press gently along the fold to seal it. The cinnamon sugar will be tucked inside now, protected and ready to caramelize.
- Cut into twists:
- Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, cut the folded dough into 8 strips of equal width. Now here's the fun part—take each strip and twist it several times (I usually do 3-4 twists), then pinch the ends to help them stay together.
- Air-fry with space:
- Arrange the twists in your air fryer basket with a bit of breathing room between each one—they'll puff up as they cook. If your basket is small, work in batches; crowding them means they'll steam instead of crisp.
- Watch for the golden moment:
- Air-fry at 350°F for 7-8 minutes until they're deeply golden on the outside and cooked through. The edges should look crispy and slightly darker—that's the caramelized cinnamon sugar doing its job.
- Make your glaze while they cool:
- While the twists are still warm, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until you get a smooth, pourable consistency. If it's too thick, add a bit more milk one teaspoon at a time.
- Finish with a drizzle:
- Drizzle the glaze over warm twists in a loose pattern—it'll set as they cool and add that final touch of sweetness.
Pin it The best part is pulling them out of the air fryer when that aroma has taken over your whole kitchen, and knowing you've created something warm and comforting from literally five minutes of actual work. That's the real magic here.
Why the Air Fryer Changes Everything
The air fryer does something an oven can't quite replicate at the same speed—it crisps the outside while keeping the interior layers tender because of the intense, circulating heat. With traditional baking, you're fighting temperature to get both things at once, but the air fryer nails it in under 10 minutes. The brown sugar and cinnamon caramelize faster too, getting that slightly dark, deeply flavored crust that would normally take longer to develop.
Customizing Your Twists
Once you master the basic version, you'll find yourself experimenting in small ways that make it feel personal. I've added chopped pecans or walnuts to the filling for crunch, swapped coconut sugar for brown sugar when I wanted something subtly different, and even tried a light dusting of sea salt on top before air-frying to play with sweet and salty balance. The dough is forgiving enough that small changes almost always work in your favor.
Storage and Reheating
These are best eaten fresh and warm, but I've learned that they reheat beautifully in the air fryer for just a minute or two, which brings back the crispiness better than any other method. If you find yourself with leftovers (which is rare), store them in an airtight container and give them that quick air-fryer refresh before serving again.
- Reheat for 1-2 minutes at 300°F to avoid overdrying them.
- Make the glaze fresh each time for the best texture and flavor.
- These are most impressive served warm, so time your cooking accordingly.
Pin it These twists have a way of turning an ordinary morning into something that feels intentional and special. Once you've made them once, they'll become your reliable go-to for when you want something sweet without the commitment.
Recipe FAQs
- → What dough works best for these twists?
Refrigerated crescent roll dough or pizza dough both create flaky and tender twists ideal for air frying.
- → How do I prevent the twists from sticking in the air fryer?
Space the twists apart in the basket to allow air circulation and avoid crowding, which helps prevent sticking.
- → Can I add nuts to the filling?
Yes, chopped pecans or walnuts can be mixed into the cinnamon sugar for added crunch and flavor.
- → Is it necessary to preheat the air fryer?
Preheating the air fryer for a few minutes ensures even cooking and helps achieve a golden exterior.
- → How should I store leftover twists?
Store any leftovers in an airtight container and reheat briefly in the air fryer to restore crispness.