This is the perfect combination of dinner rolls and pull-apart bread rolls!
Soft, tender buns with a lightly crisp crust — these air fryer dinner rolls are ideal alongside a meal or with a bowl of soup. Everyone will love them. Ready to bake some? Let’s get into the bistro kitchen.
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The Best Fluffy Dinner Rolls In An Air Fryer
Shaped as pull-apart rolls, these buns bake in about 12 minutes in the air fryer — much faster than conventional oven baking. For a quicker rise, proof the dough in a warm environment such as an Instant Pot yogurt setting or proof overnight in the refrigerator.
First proofing usually takes 30–40 minutes at room temperature, or you can chill the dough for a slow overnight rise. After the first rise, shape the rolls, place them on a pan, and cover them to proof again. Remember to remove any plastic wrap before baking.
What You Need For This Recipe
Gather these ingredients before you start. Exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below.
- Bread flour
- Milk
- Water
- Butter
- Yeast
- Egg
- Sugar
- Salt
How To Make Air Fryer Dinner Rolls
Preparing the Dough
- Combine the water and 2 tablespoons of bread flour in a small saucepan. Whisk until smooth and lump-free.
- Heat the mixture over low heat, whisking for 3–5 minutes until it thickens to a glue-like consistency. Remove from heat and let cool.
- In a large bowl, mix the bread flour, sugar, yeast, and salt.
- Whisk the egg, then add three-quarters of it to the cooled roux and stir until smooth.
- Melt the butter and combine it with the milk and the roux mixture, then add to the dry ingredients.
- Knead until you have a smooth, elastic dough. Use a stand mixer with a hook, a food processor, or knead by hand. The dough should no longer feel sticky.
Proof the Dinner Rolls
- Proof the dough:
- Instant Pot: Place dough on oiled parchment, set inside the Instant Pot, select the yogurt function, and proof for about 30 minutes.
- Bowl: Put dough in a lightly greased bowl and let it rise about 1 hour at room temperature.
- Deflate the dough and knead briefly by hand. Divide into 7 equal pieces.
- Roll each piece into a rectangle, fold like wrapping a gift, then shape into balls.
- Place the balls on a pizza pan or suitable baking dish, cover with a clean towel or plastic wrap, and let rise another 40 minutes.
Bake Dinner Rolls in the Air Fryer
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3 minutes.
- Brush the tops of the rolls with the remaining whisked egg for a glossy finish.
- Air fry for 12–15 minutes, or until the rolls are golden brown. Check halfway through to ensure even browning.
- Remove the pan and let the rolls cool on a rack for about 5 minutes, then serve warm.
Flavor Your Dinner Rolls
Customize these rolls with simple additions:
- Rosemary — mix chopped rosemary into the flour for an herb-scented loaf.
- Cheese — fold in soft cheese like mozzarella or add grated Gouda for a savory twist.
- Garlic — use garlic powder in the dough or brush warm rolls with butter mixed with minced garlic.
- Sea salt — brush with butter and sprinkle large sea salt flakes after baking for a crunchy finish.
What Baking Tin Can I Use To Bake Dinner Rolls In Air Fryer?
Several pan options work well in an air fryer:
- Pizza pan — low sides help the rolls brown evenly.
- Cake barrel — slightly larger, but allows the rolls to rise and brown nicely.
- Glass pan — if it fits your air fryer, glass works fine.
- Aluminum foil — use as a last resort by shaping a sturdy base to hold the rolls.
- Grill pan — an air fryer grill pan is also suitable for proofing and baking the rolls.
How Long Do Air Fryer Dinner Rolls Last?
Properly stored, these dinner rolls stay fresh at room temperature for up to 3–4 days. The roux starter helps maintain a soft, fluffy texture, but these rolls are often eaten quickly once served.
How To Store Dinner Rolls
Let the rolls cool completely before storing. Seal them in a plastic bag or airtight container to preserve freshness.
- Room temperature — wrapped or sealed, rolls keep 3–4 days.
- Freezer — slice or arrange rolls in a bag and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw and reheat as needed.
Avoid refrigerating bread, as it can dry out and stale faster than room-temperature storage.
More Bread Recipes You’ll Like
If you enjoy baking bread, try these other recipes in your collection: hamburger buns, air fryer bread, classic dinner rolls, air fryer bagels, sliced garlic bread, Japanese milk buns, kaiser rolls, and French baguette.
Air Fryer Dinner Rolls
These air fryer dinner rolls are soft and fluffy — perfect with dinner or a warm starter like soup. They stay fresh for several days and are easy to prepare.
Ingredients
Roux starter
- 2 tablespoons bread flour
- 6 tablespoons water
Bread dough
- 300 g bread flour (approx. 2 cups + 2 tbsp)
- 120 ml milk (½ cup)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 2 teaspoons instant yeast (1 packet)
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Combine the water and roux flour in a small saucepan, whisk until smooth, then heat on low, whisking 3–5 minutes until thick. Cool.
- In a large bowl, mix bread flour, sugar, yeast, and salt.
- Whisk the egg and add ¾ of it to the cooled roux, stirring until smooth.
- Melt the butter and combine with milk and the roux mix, then add to the dry ingredients.
- Knead into a smooth, elastic dough until no longer sticky.
- Proof dough in a lightly greased bowl for about 1 hour, or use an Instant Pot on the yogurt setting for 30 minutes.
- Deflate and divide into 7 pieces. Roll each into a rectangle, fold, and shape into balls. Place on a pan and cover; let rise 40 minutes.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3 minutes. Brush rolls with remaining egg.
- Air fry 12–15 minutes until golden brown, checking halfway. Cool 5 minutes on a rack before serving.
Notes
For a slower rise, refrigerate the dough overnight and bake the next day. Let rolls come to room temperature before baking if chilled.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 7
Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 229
Total Fat: 5g
Carbohydrates: 38g
Protein: 7g