Air Fryer Orange Rolls
Air Fryer Orange Rolls are my favorite way to make homemade rolls feel effortless on a busy morning. Soft and pillowy with a buttery cinnamon orange filling swirled all the way through and a sweet glossy glaze dripping into every warm roll, they're the kind of breakfast that feels really special without requiring an entire day in the kitchen. I make them for Easter, Mother's Day, Christmas morning, and weekend brunch because they're a crowd-pleaser every single time and the air fryer gets them golden and done faster than the oven ever would. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Ingredients
For the Dough:
- 1 tablespoon active dry yeast
- ¼ cup warm water
- ½ cup granulated sugar divided
- ½ cup milk
- ½ cup unsalted butter melted
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ teaspoon salt
For the Filling:
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
For the Orange Glaze:
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- ¼ cup milk
- 3 tablespoons orange juice
- 2 teaspoons orange zest
- ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions
Make the Dough:
- In a small bowl, whisk together warm water, yeast, and 1 tablespoon sugar. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy.1 tablespoon active dry yeast, ¼ cup warm water, ½ cup granulated sugar
- In a stand mixer bowl, combine melted butter, milk, remaining sugar, eggs, and orange zest. Stir in the yeast mixture. Add flour and salt. Mix with a spatula or dough hook until a dough forms.½ cup milk, ½ cup unsalted butter, 2 large eggs, 1 tablespoon orange zest, 4 cups all-purpose flour, ¾ teaspoon salt
- Knead briefly on a floured surface, then place in a greased bowl. Cover and let rise in a warm place for 2 hours, or until doubled.
Roll and Fill:
- Roll the dough into a large rectangle, about ¼ inch thick. Mix together softened butter, sugar, cinnamon, and orange zest.½ cup unsalted butter, ½ cup granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon, 1 tablespoon orange zest
- Spread the filling over the dough, leaving a ½-inch border.
Shape the Rolls:
- Roll the dough into a log and slice into 1½-inch rolls.
- Place rolls swirl-side up in a greased dish or on parchment. Cover and let rise for 30 minutes.
Air Fry:
- Preheat air fryer to 350°F (180°C). Place rolls in the basket (work in batches if needed).
- Air fry for 15 minutes, or until lightly golden and cooked through. Let cool slightly before glazing.
Make the Glaze:
- In a bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, orange juice, zest, and vanilla until smooth.3 cups powdered sugar, ¼ cup milk, 3 tablespoons orange juice, 2 teaspoons orange zest, ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- Drizzle over warm rolls and serve.
Notes
Here are a few things I've learned from making these that'll help you get perfect results every time.
- Check your yeast first: Make sure the yeast mixture foams up within 5 to 10 minutes before adding it to the rest of the dough. If it doesn't foam, the yeast is likely inactive, and the rolls won't rise properly.
- Don't skip the second rise: Letting the shaped rolls rest for 30 minutes before air frying gives them time to puff up so the final texture is soft and light rather than dense.
- Use softened butter for the filling: Cold butter won't spread evenly over the dough, so pull it out ahead of time and let it come to room temperature before mixing the filling.
- Keep your cuts even: Slice the log into 1½-inch rolls with a sharp serrated knife to ensure they air-fry at the same rate. Uneven cuts can result in some rolls being undercooked while others become too brown.
- Work in batches: Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Giving the rolls space allows hot air to circulate around them, so they cook evenly and achieve a lightly golden finish.
- Freeze before bagging: If you're freezing unbaked rolls, freeze them on a parchment-lined sheet until solid, then transfer them to a container so they don't stick together, and you can pull out just as many as you need.
Nutrition
Calories: 595kcalCarbohydrates: 97gProtein: 7gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 12gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 84mgSodium: 199mgPotassium: 124mgFiber: 2gSugar: 57gVitamin A: 666IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 61mgIron: 3mg
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