Skip to content 
You know those days when you just NEED a little something sweet, something warm and comforting, but you don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen? Yeah, me too! That’s exactly why I fell head over heels for these air fryer cinnamon twists. They’re seriously the easiest, coziest treat, especially when you pair them with a dreamy little cream cheese dip. It reminds me of how I felt when I first started cooking seriously – finding genuine joy in simple, delicious things instead of feeling that overwhelming pressure. These air fryer cinnamon twists are proof that amazing desserts don’t need to be complicated; they just need a little love and your air fryer! We share all our kitchen adventures over on Facebook, so come join us there too!
- Why You'll Love These Air Fryer Cinnamon Twists
- Gather Your Ingredients for Air Fryer Cinnamon Twists
- Crafting Perfect Air Fryer Cinnamon Twists
- Whipping Up a Simple Cream Cheese Dip
- Tips for Success with Your Air Fryer Cinnamon Twists
- Serving and Storing Your Cinnamon Sugar Dessert
- Frequently Asked Questions about Air Fryer Cinnamon Twists
- Nutritional Estimate for Air Fryer Cinnamon Twists
- Share Your Air Fryer Cinnamon Twist Creations!
Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Cinnamon Twists
Seriously, why wouldn’t you love these little gems? They’re practically magic!
- So Fast: We’re talking about a delicious dessert in under 20 minutes, from start to finish. Perfect for those “need a treat NOW” moments.
- Super Easy: Made with just a few pantry staples and crescent roll dough, these are incredibly forgiving for beginner cooks.
- Pure Comfort: That warm, cinnamon-sugar goodness is just pure cozy. They’re the ultimate fall treat!
- Kid-Approved: Kids absolutely adore these, making them a fantastic kid-friendly dessert for snacks or parties.
- Versatile: Serve them for breakfast, an afternoon pick-me-up, or even as a fun party snack! They’re truly one of the best quick air fryer recipes out there.
Gather Your Ingredients for Air Fryer Cinnamon Twists
Alright, let’s get our goodies together! For these little twists of joy, you’ll only need a few things. Grab one can of those handy refrigerated crescent roll doughs – the kind that just pops open! For that sweet, spicy coating, we’ve got granulated sugar and ground cinnamon. And don’t forget about 2 tablespoons of butter, all melted and ready to go. For the super simple cream cheese dip? Just have 4 ounces of softened cream cheese, 2 tablespoons of powdered sugar, and a splash of milk on hand. Easy peasy!
Crafting Perfect Air Fryer Cinnamon Twists
Okay, getting these air fryer cinnamon twists made is honestly the best part! It’s so satisfying to take simple crescent roll dough and turn it into something so special. The trick is to prep your cinnamon sugar mixture first, then get your dough ready. Make sure your air fryer is preheated to 350°F (175°C) so these twists cook up perfectly golden and slightly crispy. You’ll want to lay them in a single layer – no overcrowding allowed! This makes sure the hot air can get all around them. If you love cinnamon, feel free to sprinkle on a little extra; this is your dessert, after all! For more tips on getting things just right in the kitchen, check out my recipe for easy homemade honey BBQ sauce.
Preparing the Cinnamon Sugar Coating
It couldn’t be simpler! Grab a small bowl and mix up 1/4 cup of granulated sugar with 1 tablespoon of ground cinnamon. If you’re feeling fancy (and who isn’t when it comes to treats?), a tiny pinch of nutmeg works wonders here too. Just stir it all together until it’s nice and combined. This is what gives our crescent roll dessert that irresistible flavor.
Twisting Your Cinnamon Delights
Now comes the fun part – shaping these babies! Unroll your crescent dough and separate the triangles. Brush each one with that lovely melted butter, making sure to get into all the corners. Then, generously sprinkle your cinnamon-sugar mixture all over the buttered dough. Roll up each triangle starting from the wide end, nice and tight. Once rolled, give each one a gentle little twist. This makes them look so pretty, almost like a little pastry hug!
Whipping Up a Simple Cream Cheese Dip
While those yummy twists are getting golden in the air fryer, let’s whip up the easiest, dreamiest cream cheese dip. All you need is 4 ounces of softened cream cheese and about 2 tablespoons of powdered sugar. Just beat those together until they’re perfectly smooth and creamy – no lumps allowed! Then, stir in a tablespoon of milk until you get it just how you like it. This dip is seriously delicious and you can totally make it ahead of time and stash it in the fridge for later. If you love cream cheese dips, you’ve gotta try my pumpkin cream cheese dip too!
Tips for Success with Your Air Fryer Cinnamon Twists
Alright, let’s talk about making these air fryer cinnamon twists absolutely perfect every single time. It’s so easy to get amazing results with these simple treats, which makes them one of my go-to easy sweet treats. You’ll be making them all the time, I promise! If you’re looking for other cozy, flavorful recipes, you might love my apple cinnamon muffins too!
Making a Small Batch of Air Fryer Cinnamon Twists
Sometimes you just don’t need a whole batch, right? If you’re just craving a couple, no problem! You can totally use half of the crescent roll dough can. Just cut your cinnamon-sugar mixture in half too, and you’ll have a lovely small batch dessert that’s just for you or a partner.
Flavor Variations for Your Cinnamon Twists
These twists are fantastic on their own, but why stop there? You can play around with them! Add a pinch more cinnamon, or maybe some finely chopped pecans or walnuts into the sugar mix before sprinkling it on. A little drizzle of something sweet on top after they’re done also takes them over the top. For extra flair, try a yummy glaze!
Optional Glaze for Cinnamon Twists
For an extra touch of sweetness and that classic bakery look, a simple powdered sugar glaze is divine. Just whisk together some powdered sugar with a tiny bit of milk or cream until it’s pourable. Drizzle it over the warm twists, and oh my goodness, they’re even more irresistible! You can find a super easy donut glaze recipe that works like a charm here.
Serving and Storing Your Cinnamon Sugar Dessert
These air fryer cinnamon twists are best served warm, right out of the air fryer, with that lovely cream cheese dip on the side. They’re perfect for a cozy afternoon snack or as a delightful addition to your next get-together – think of them as totally fuss-free party snacks! If you happen to have any leftovers (which is rare in my house!), let them cool completely, then store them in an airtight container at room temperature for a day or two. The dip will keep in the fridge. Reheating them popped back into the air fryer for a minute or two does wonders! For another comforting fall treat you might love, check out my easy skillet apple crumble.
Frequently Asked Questions about Air Fryer Cinnamon Twists
Got questions about these super yummy air fryer cinnamon twists? I’ve got answers! It’s so interesting how many different ways we approach cooking, and it reminds me of my own journey, which you can read more about here.
Can I use a different type of dough for these cinnamon sugar twists?
While traditional crescent roll dough is what makes these so easy and wonderfully flaky, you could try puff pastry! Just be mindful that puff pastry might cook a bit faster and doesn’t have that same soft, crescent texture. For a truly easy sweet treat, crescent dough is my absolute favorite.
Do I need a specific brand of air fryer for this recipe?
Nope! These air fryer cinnamon twists are pretty forgiving. Whether you have a basket-style air fryer or an oven-style one, you should get great results. Just aim for that 350°F (175°C) temperature and keep an eye on them so they don’t get too dark.
How do I make sure my twists are perfectly crispy?
The key is giving them space! Make sure not to overcrowch your air fryer basket. A single layer is best so the hot air can circulate freely. Also, don’t be afraid to let them get a nice golden-brown color; that’s where the crispiness comes from. They’re such a great quick air fryer recipe because of how fast they cook up!
Will these work as a small batch dessert if I only want a few?
Absolutely! The secret to a smaller batch of these tasty air fryer cinnamon twists is simply using half of the can of crescent roll dough. Just cut all your other ingredients in half too. It’s perfect for when you don’t need a whole big batch, but still crave a delightful cinnamon sugar dessert.
Nutritional Estimate for Air Fryer Cinnamon Twists
Just a heads-up, the nutritional info is always an estimate! But based on the ingredients we used, one of these warm, dreamy air fryer cinnamon twists with a dollop of dip is roughly around 150 calories. It’s got about 10g of sugar and 8g of fat, but hey, that’s the price of pure comfort, right? Enjoy!
Share Your Air Fryer Cinnamon Twist Creations!
I just adore seeing your kitchen triumphs! If you’ve made these super easy air fryer cinnamon twists, I’d love to hear all about it. Drop a comment below, share your favorite way to enjoy them, or even give them a star rating! Find more of our cooking adventures over on the blog!
PrintAir Fryer Cinnamon Twists with Cream Cheese Dip
Enjoy these quick and easy cinnamon twists made in your air fryer, perfect for a sweet treat or party snack.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 8 min
- Total Time: 18 min
- Yield: 8 twists 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 1 (8 ounce) can refrigerated crescent roll dough
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- For the Dip:
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon milk
Instructions
- Unroll the crescent roll dough and separate into triangles.
- In a small bowl, mix together the granulated sugar and cinnamon.
- Brush the melted butter over the crescent roll triangles.
- Sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture generously over each triangle.
- Roll up each triangle tightly, starting from the wide end.
- Gently twist each roll.
- Place the twists in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
- Air fry at 350°F (175°C) for 6-8 minutes, or until golden brown.
- While the twists are cooking, prepare the dip: In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth.
- Stir in the milk until the dip reaches your desired consistency.
- Serve the warm cinnamon twists with the cream cheese dip.
Notes
- For a smaller batch, you can use half the can of dough.
- Adjust the cinnamon-sugar mixture to your preference.
- You can add a pinch of nutmeg to the cinnamon-sugar for extra flavor.
- The dip can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 twist with dip
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 100mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
