Oh my gosh, you have to try these air fryer cinnamon pumpkin rolls! I stumbled upon this recipe last fall when I was craving something warm and cozy but didn’t want to heat up my whole kitchen. Trust me, these little beauties are life-changing – all the gooey cinnamon goodness of traditional rolls with that perfect pumpkin spice kick, ready in half the time. My air fryer has become my secret weapon for quick desserts, and these rolls are now my go-to when friends pop over unexpectedly. The smell alone will have everyone hovering around your kitchen!
What I love most is how the air fryer gives them this amazing texture – slightly crisp on the outside while staying pillowy soft inside. And pumpkin puree? It’s not just for flavor – it keeps these rolls incredibly moist. After testing dozens of batches (my neighbors didn’t complain about being taste testers), I’ve nailed down the perfect method that works in any air fryer model. Get ready to fall in love with this easy twist on a classic!
Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Cinnamon Pumpkin Rolls
Oh, where do I even start? These rolls are magic, I swear. Here’s why you’ll be obsessed:
- Speed demon: Ready in under 15 minutes—no waiting hours for dough to rise!
- That perfect air fryer texture—crispy edges with clouds of soft, spiced centers
- Pumpkin isn’t just flavor—it makes them unbelievably moist (no dry rolls here!)
- The smell—imagine cinnamon, nutmeg, and pumpkin wafting through your kitchen
- So easy even my 10-year-old niece can make them (and she has!)
Seriously, once you try these, regular cinnamon rolls will seem so last season.
Ingredients for Air Fryer Cinnamon Pumpkin Rolls
Okay, let’s talk ingredients – this is where the magic starts! After burning through way too many batches (my fire alarm and I are now well acquainted), I’ve learned exactly what works best:
- 1 cup pumpkin puree – NOT pie filling! That extra sugar will throw everything off. I like Libby’s or homemade if I’m feeling fancy
- 2 cups all-purpose flour – spooned and leveled, please! Packing it gives you hockey pucks, not rolls
- 1/4 cup sugar – I use plain white here to let the pumpkin shine
- 1 tsp cinnamon – the good stuff! My secret? A pinch extra for that warm hug flavor
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg – freshly grated if you can swing it
- 1/4 tsp salt – just enough to balance the sweetness
- 1 packet active dry yeast – check the date! Old yeast equals sad, flat rolls
- 1/4 cup warm milk – about 110°F – think baby bottle warm, not lava hot
- 2 tbsp melted butter – unsalted is my go-to so I control the salt
Pro tip from my many fails: measure everything before starting. There’s nothing worse than realizing you’re out of yeast mid-dough!
Equipment You’ll Need
Don’t worry—you probably have most of this already! Here’s what I grab before diving in:
- Your trusty air fryer (any size works—I’ve tested this in mini and XL models)
- Two mixing bowls—one for wet, one for dry ingredients
- A rolling pin (or wine bottle in a pinch—we’ve all been there!)
- Silicone brush for that melted butter layer
- Sharp knife or dental floss for clean slicing
That’s it! No fancy gadgets needed—just basics to make magic happen.
How to Make Air Fryer Cinnamon Pumpkin Rolls
Alright, let’s get rolling! (Pun totally intended.) I’ve made this recipe so many times I could do it in my sleep, but here’s the foolproof method that gives me perfect pumpkin rolls every single time.
Preparing the Dough
First things first – wake up that yeast! Here’s how I do it:
- Proof the yeast: Mix your yeast packet with warm milk (about 110°F – think “baby bottle warm”) and let it sit for 5 minutes. You’ll know it’s working when it gets foamy like a little science experiment.
- Mix wet ingredients: In your big bowl, whisk together pumpkin puree, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. It’ll smell like autumn in a bowl – heavenly!
- Bring it together: Add the flour and yeasty milk mixture. Now get your hands in there! Knead gently for about 2 minutes – just until it forms a soft, slightly sticky dough. Resist the urge to over-knead or you’ll end up with tough rolls.
- Rest time: Cover the bowl with a clean towel and let it rest for 10 minutes. This is when I clean up my mess (or sneak a pumpkin spice latte break).
Shaping and Cooking the Rolls
Now for the fun part – making those beautiful swirls!
- Roll it out: On a lightly floured surface, roll your dough into a rectangle about 12×8 inches. Don’t stress about perfection – rustic is charming!
- Butter up: Brush the whole surface with melted butter using your silicone brush. This is what makes those irresistible layers.
- Roll and slice: Starting from the long side, roll it up tightly like a yoga mat. Use a sharp knife or dental floss to cut into 8 even slices. Pro tip: wipe your knife between cuts for cleaner edges.
- Air fryer magic: Place rolls in your air fryer basket, leaving space between them – they’ll puff up! I usually do 4 at a time in my 6-quart fryer.
- Cook: Set to 350°F for 10-12 minutes. Peek at 8 minutes – you want them golden brown with that signature air fryer crisp on top.
When you pull them out, resist eating immediately (I know, torture!) – let them cool just enough so the cinnamon sugar doesn’t burn your tongue. Then dive in!
Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Cinnamon Pumpkin Rolls
After burning more batches than I’d like to admit (my smoke detector and I are on a first-name basis), here are my hard-won secrets:
- Peek early! Check at 8 minutes—some air fryers run hotter. You want golden tops, not charcoal.
- Parchment is your BFF—cut a round to fit your basket so rolls slide right out.
- Give them breathing room—crowding makes sad, soggy rolls instead of crispy-edged clouds.
- Dough too sticky? Flour your hands, not the dough—extra flour makes hockey pucks.
- Let them cool 5 minutes—that cinnamon sugar lava will blister your tongue!
Trust me, these little tweaks make all the difference between “meh” and “OMG!”
Variations for Air Fryer Cinnamon Pumpkin Rolls
Oh, the fun you can have with these! Once you’ve mastered the basic recipe (and eaten half the batch straight from the air fryer), try these tasty twists:
- Maple glaze: Swap the icing for a simple mix of powdered sugar and real maple syrup—heavenly with the pumpkin!
- Nutty crunch: Sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts before rolling for texture in every bite.
- Cream cheese swirl: Add dollops of sweetened cream cheese before rolling for gooey pockets.
- Chocolate lovers: Mix mini chocolate chips into the filling—my kids’ favorite version!
See? Endless ways to make these rolls your own signature treat! If you love quick air fryer baking, check out these air fryer donut holes for another fast dessert.
Serving Suggestions
Oh, let me tell you how I love serving these warm pumpkin rolls—they’re basically edible hugs! My absolute favorite is pairing them with a steaming mug of strong coffee (the cinnamon and pumpkin make it taste like a fancy café drink). For dessert? A scoop of vanilla ice cream melting over the top creates this magical hot-cold, crispy-creamy situation that’ll make you swoon. Weekend brunch calls for whipped cream and extra cinnamon dusted on top—trust me, your guests will think you slaved for hours!
Storing and Reheating Air Fryer Cinnamon Pumpkin Rolls
Okay, confession time—I rarely have leftovers because these disappear so fast! But when I do (miraculously) have some left, here’s how I keep them tasting fresh:
Let them cool completely, then tuck them into an airtight container—they’ll stay soft and delicious for up to 3 days at room temperature. For reheating, skip the microwave (soggy rolls are sad rolls)! Just pop them back in the air fryer at 300°F for 2 minutes and they’ll taste like they just came out of the oven. If you want to freeze them, wrap each roll individually in foil first—then you can revive them straight from frozen with 3-4 minutes in the air fryer. Breakfast emergency solved! If you are interested in the science behind why reheating in the air fryer works so well, you can read more about reheating techniques.
Nutritional Information
Here’s the skinny on these pumpkin rolls (not that you’ll care once you taste them!): Each roll clocks in at about 180 calories. Keep in mind these are rough estimates—your exact numbers will dance around depending on your ingredients. I always say if you’re counting calories, just have one… then sneak a second when no one’s looking! For more detailed nutritional breakdowns on baking ingredients, check out resources like the USDA FoodData Central.
FAQ About Air Fryer Cinnamon Pumpkin Rolls
I’ve gotten so many questions about these pumpkin rolls since I started making them—here are the ones that pop up most often!
Can I use canned pumpkin puree?
Absolutely! That’s what I use 90% of the time—just make sure it’s pure pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling (that’s presweetened and spiced). Libby’s is my go-to brand.
My air fryer is tiny—will this still work?
Yes! Just cook in smaller batches—give each roll at least 1 inch of space. You might need to add 1-2 minutes to the cook time since smaller baskets circulate heat differently. If you are looking for a different quick air fryer treat, try these quick cinnamon rolls.
Help! My dough is too sticky—what now?
Don’t panic! Happens to me too. Just flour your hands (not the dough) and knead in 1 tbsp more flour at a time until it’s workable. Too much flour makes tough rolls though!
Can I make these ahead?
You bet! Prep the rolls up to the cutting step, then refrigerate overnight. In the morning, let them sit at room temp for 20 minutes before air frying. Easy brunch magic!
Irresistible Air Fryer Cinnamon Pumpkin Rolls in 15 Minutes
- Total Time: 32 mins
- Yield: 8 rolls
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delicious cinnamon pumpkin rolls made easily in an air fryer.
Ingredients
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 packet active dry yeast
- 1/4 cup warm milk
- 2 tbsp melted butter
Instructions
- Mix yeast with warm milk and let sit for 5 minutes.
- Combine pumpkin puree, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt in a bowl.
- Add flour and yeast mixture, knead into a dough.
- Roll dough into a rectangle, brush with melted butter.
- Roll tightly into a log and cut into slices.
- Place rolls in the air fryer basket.
- Cook at 350°F for 10-12 minutes.
Notes
- Use fresh pumpkin puree for best flavor.
- Adjust cooking time based on your air fryer model.
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 12 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American