Your can of cinnamon rolls is about ten minutes away from becoming a plate of warm donuts—and yes, the little centers become donut holes because we are not wasting the best part. Flatten each roll, cut out the center, and air fry at 320°F. Then add butter, cinnamon sugar, and the included icing while they are still warm.
Quick recipe
- What you need: Canned cinnamon rolls with icing, melted butter, and cinnamon sugar
- Air fryer setting: Start at 320°F
- Cooking time: Begin checking the donuts at 5 minutes; small centers may finish sooner
What are the three ingredients?
You need one package of refrigerated cinnamon rolls with its included icing, melted butter, and cinnamon sugar. The icing is packaged with the rolls, so it does not require another purchase.
| Ingredient | Suggested amount | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Pillsbury Original Cinnamon Rolls with Icing | 1 can (12.4 oz; 8 rolls) | Forms 8 donuts and provides the glaze |
| Melted butter | 2 tablespoons | Helps the cinnamon sugar stick |
| Cinnamon sugar | 2 tablespoons | Adds the classic donut coating |
If you do not have premixed cinnamon sugar, stir granulated sugar and ground cinnamon together. That is still the third component, not a fourth trip to the store disguised as a recipe hack.
If turning canned dough into something ridiculous is exactly your speed, these 3-ingredient air fryer churro bites belong on the same weekend list.
How do you turn cinnamon rolls into donuts?
Separate the raw cinnamon rolls and press each one gently into a thick disc. Use a one-inch round cutter, the wide end of a piping tip, or another clean small round cutter to remove the center. Keep those centers—they become tiny donut holes instead of kitchen scraps.
The same shortcut energy also powers this easy cinnamon roll king cake, which is useful whenever a plain cinnamon roll is simply not being dramatic enough.
Do not flatten the dough paper-thin. The goal is to open the center while leaving enough thickness for the layered dough to puff as it cooks.
How do you cook cinnamon roll donuts in an air fryer?
- Preheat if your machine requires it. Set the air fryer to 320°F. Check the manufacturer’s instructions because air fryers do not all preheat or cook at the same rate.
- Prepare the basket. Apply a light coating of cooking spray or use an air-fryer-safe perforated liner. Never run an air fryer with loose parchment and no food holding it down.
- Shape the donuts. Separate, gently flatten, and cut the center from each cinnamon roll.
- Leave breathing room. Arrange the rings in one layer without letting them touch. Work in batches if necessary.
- Air fry until cooked through. Start checking at 5 minutes. Continue only as needed until the tops are golden and the thickest part is no longer raw.
- Cook the centers separately. The smaller donut holes can finish faster; begin checking them around 3 minutes.
- Finish while warm. Brush the donuts lightly with melted butter and coat them with cinnamon sugar. Drizzle the package icing over the top if desired.
The exact time can shift by air-fryer model, basket style, dough brand, and the size of the cinnamon rolls. Color alone is not proof that sweet dough is cooked through, so check the thickest section before serving.
And because nobody wants breakfast with a side of mystery smoke, this guide to the air fryer part you probably need to clean is worth keeping nearby.
Do you need to flip air fryer cinnamon roll donuts?
Not always. Start without flipping at 320°F. Check the underside halfway through the first batch and flip only if your machine is leaving the bottom noticeably pale. Air-fryer heating patterns vary, so this is a visual adjustment rather than a required recipe step.
Can you use the icing from the cinnamon roll package?
Yes. Let the icing come to room temperature or place the sealed packet in a bowl of warm water so it becomes easier to drizzle. Do not microwave the packet or plastic cup unless its packaging explicitly says it is microwave-safe.
You can use the icing, the cinnamon-sugar coating, or both. Both is the correct answer when breakfast has already required opening an appliance.
How do you keep the donuts from burning outside and staying raw inside?
Use a moderate temperature, avoid overcrowding, and check the thickest part of the first donut before removing the entire batch. Sugary refrigerated dough can brown before its center is finished. If the outside darkens too quickly, lower the temperature and add a little cooking time.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use large or “Grands” cinnamon rolls?
Yes, but thicker rolls may need more time than a standard package. Cook a test donut first and check the center before deciding the timing for the full batch.
Can I make the donut holes too?
Yes. Air fry the small centers separately because they usually finish before the full-size rings. Begin checking them around 3 minutes.
Can I make these without cinnamon sugar?
Yes. Skip the butter and cinnamon-sugar coating and use only the included icing, but the result is then closer to a shaped air-fryer cinnamon roll than the full three-ingredient version.
How should leftovers be stored?
Let the donuts cool, then keep them in a covered container. Because brands and icings vary, follow the storage directions printed on the cinnamon roll package. Warm leftovers briefly and check them often so the icing does not scorch.
Save these air fryer cinnamon roll donuts for later
