Bread, Baking & Desserts
Air Fryer Crescent Rolls and Dinner Rolls
Golden air fryer crescent rolls: Pillsbury crescents at 320°F for 7–9 minutes on parchment. Plus times for frozen dinner rolls, brown-and-serve rolls and more.
Quick answer
Cook canned crescent rolls (like Pillsbury) in the air fryer at 320°F160°C for 7–9 minutes, on perforated parchment with about an inch of space between them, until puffed and golden brown. There's no need to flip them. Check at 6 minutes the first time, because air fryers brown the tops quickly.
- Time
- 7–9 min
- Flip
- No
- Done when
- Puffed and golden, no raw dough inside
Crescent Rolls air fryer times
| What you're cooking | Temp | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canned crescent rolls (Pillsbury) | 320°F160°C | 7–9 min | No flip, space them apart |
| Big & Flaky crescent rolls | 320°F160°C | 8–10 min | Check the center |
| Filled crescents (cheese, ham) | 320°F160°C | 8–10 min | Seal the edges well |
| Crescent pigs in a blanket | 330°F165°C | 8–10 min | Use cocktail sausages |
| Brown-and-serve dinner rolls | 350°F175°C | 4–6 min | Brush with butter first |
| Frozen unbaked dinner rolls (risen) | 320°F160°C | 10–12 min | Let them rise first, per the package |
| Warming bakery rolls | 320°F160°C | 2–3 min | Straight from the bag |
| Reheating leftover rolls | 300°F150°C | 2–3 min | Wrap in foil if they're dry |
Times are for a preheated 5–6 quart basket air fryer with food in a single layer. Oven-style and very large air fryers can run 1–3 minutes slower. Always check doneness with an instant-read thermometer.
Air fryer crescent rolls come out puffed, flaky and golden in under 10 minutes, and they free up the oven on busy holidays. The trick is a gentler temperature than you might expect: 320°F160°C lets the centers cook through before the tops get too dark.
How to cook crescent rolls in the air fryer
- Roll the dough into crescents, point side down.
- Line the basket with perforated parchment and space the rolls about an inch apart.
- Air fry at 320°F160°C for 7–9 minutes. No preheating or flipping needed.
- Brush with melted butter as soon as they come out.
Dinner rolls in the air fryer
The air fryer is handy for every kind of dinner roll on the holiday table:
- Brown-and-serve rolls: brush with melted butter and air fry at 350°F175°C for 4–6 minutes, until golden.
- Frozen unbaked rolls: let them thaw and rise first, following the package directions, which usually takes a few hours. Then bake at 320°F160°C for 10–12 minutes.
- Bakery or store-bought rolls: warm them at 320°F160°C for 2–3 minutes, straight from the bag.
For flaky layered biscuits instead, see frozen biscuits in the air fryer.
Easy crescent roll ideas
- Garlic butter: brush with butter mixed with garlic powder and chopped parsley.
- Cheese-filled: put a strip of cheddar or a small piece of brie on the wide end before rolling.
- Pigs in a blanket: wrap strips of dough around cocktail sausages and air fry at 330°F165°C for 8–10 minutes. These make an easy holiday appetizer.
- Cinnamon sugar: brush with butter and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar after cooking.
For Thanksgiving and Christmas
Rolls are the perfect last-minute side, because they cook while the turkey rests and the other sides stay warm. Shape them up to 2 hours ahead and keep them covered in the fridge. See our air fryer side dishes guide for a full holiday timing plan.
Tips for the best air fryer rolls
- Don’t crowd the basket. Crescent rolls nearly double in size.
- Keep the heat low. 320°F160°C gives even browning. Higher heat browns the tops before the centers are cooked.
- Check one early. Air fryers vary, so pull one apart at 6–7 minutes the first time.
Storing and reheating
Keep leftover rolls in an airtight bag at room temperature for 1–2 days. Reheat at 300°F150°C for 2–3 minutes, wrapped in foil if they’re a little dry.
Air Fryer Crescent Rolls
- Prep
- 5 min
- Cook
- 8 min
- Total
- 13 min
- Air fryer
- 320°F160°C
- Makes
- 8 rolls
- Calories
- 110 per roll, with butter
Ingredients
- 1 can (8 oz) refrigerated crescent roll dough, 8 rolls
- 1 tablespoon butter, melted
- Flaky salt or everything bagel seasoning (optional)
- Perforated parchment paper sized for your basket
Instructions
Tap a step to check it off.
- Roll them up. Unroll the dough, separate it into triangles, and roll each one from the wide end to the point. Curve the ends slightly into a crescent shape.
- Line the basket. Place a sheet of perforated parchment in the basket. Put the rolls on top with the point underneath, leaving about 1 inch between them. Cook in two batches of 4 if needed.
- Air fry. Air fry at 320°F160°C for 7–9 minutes, until puffed and golden brown. There's no need to preheat or flip.
- Check the center. Gently pull one roll apart. It should be cooked through with no doughy center. If it isn't, give it 1 more minute.
- Brush and serve. Brush the warm rolls with melted butter, sprinkle with flaky salt if you like, and serve right away.
Notes
- Put the parchment in with the rolls on top, never on its own. Loose parchment can blow into the heating element.
- Crescent rolls puff up a lot, so leave room for them to grow.
- If the tops brown before the centers cook, lower the heat to 300°F150°C and add 1–2 minutes.
Nutrition is an estimate calculated from typical ingredient values and will vary by brand and portion.
Frequently asked questions
How long do you cook crescent rolls in the air fryer?
Cook canned crescent rolls at 320°F160°C for 7–9 minutes, until puffed and golden. Big & Flaky crescents and filled crescents take 8–10 minutes. Start checking at 6 minutes the first time.
Can you cook Pillsbury crescent rolls in an air fryer?
Yes. Roll them up as usual, place them on perforated parchment with an inch of space between them, and air fry at 320°F160°C for 7–9 minutes. A standard 8-roll can fits in one or two batches, depending on your basket size.
Do you need parchment paper for crescent rolls in the air fryer?
It helps. The dough is soft and can stick to or sag through the basket. Use perforated air fryer parchment so air can still flow, and always put the rolls on top so the paper can't blow into the heating element.
Why are my air fryer crescent rolls raw in the middle?
The heat was too high, so the outside browned before the inside cooked. Use 320°F160°C instead of 350°F175°C, don't crowd the rolls, and if the tops are already golden, lower to 300°F150°C for the last 1–2 minutes.
Can you make dinner rolls in the air fryer?
Yes. Brown-and-serve rolls take 4–6 minutes at 350°F175°C. Frozen unbaked rolls need to rise first, following the package, and then bake at 320°F160°C for 10–12 minutes. Bakery rolls warm up in 2–3 minutes at 320°F160°C.
Can you make crescent rolls ahead for Thanksgiving?
Crescent rolls are best fresh, but you can shape them up to 2 hours ahead and keep them covered in the refrigerator. Air fry them while the turkey rests. They only take 7–9 minutes.
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