Puff pastry cinnamon rolls are a quick, simple dessert for when you crave something sweet. Made with frozen puff pastry and finished with an easy vanilla glaze, these mini rolls bake beautifully in the oven or the air fryer and are perfect for brunch or a teatime treat.
I can never resist cinnamon sugar, so these puff pastry cinnamon rolls are always snapped up quickly in our house. They’re adapted from a quick cinnamon roll recipe but use frozen puff pastry for a fast, flaky result.
These mini rolls take just minutes to assemble. You can bake them in the oven or crisp them in the air fryer. Serve plain or drizzle with the optional creamy vanilla glaze for an irresistible finish. They’re ideal for breakfast, afternoon tea, or packed as a small lunchbox treat.
WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS PUFF PASTRY CINNAMON ROLL RECIPE
- Quick and easy: Ready in about 20 minutes from start to finish—great for last-minute baking.
- Minimal ingredients: Uses common pantry items, so you don’t need a long shopping list.
- Kid-friendly: Kids enjoy rolling the dough and sprinkling the cinnamon sugar.
- Air fryer or oven: Both methods work well, so choose the one you prefer.
- Versatile: Try leftover pie dough or a cream cheese glaze for a variation.
INGREDIENTS FOR PUFF PASTRY CINNAMON ROLLS
These puff pastry cinnamon rolls are straightforward to make. The main ingredients are listed below; full measurements are provided in the recipe card.
PUFF PASTRY CINNAMON ROLLS
- Frozen puff pastry sheet (partially thawed)
- Butter (or unsalted butter), melted
- Cinnamon
- Brown sugar (white or raw sugar can be used, but brown sugar adds a nice caramel flavour)
EASY CREAMY VANILLA GLAZE (OPTIONAL)
The glaze is optional but quick to make and worth adding. You only need three ingredients:
- Icing sugar (powdered sugar)
- Vanilla extract
- Milk (add a tablespoon at a time until you reach the desired consistency)
HOW TO MAKE GOLDEN BROWN PUFF PASTRY CINNAMON ROLLS
AIR FRYER INSTRUCTIONS
Mix the cinnamon and sugar in a small bowl. Unfold the puff pastry sheet on a lightly floured surface. Brush the sheet with melted butter, then sprinkle the cinnamon-brown sugar mixture evenly over the top.
Roll the pastry sheet up tightly from one edge to the other. Brush the outside with a little more melted butter, then cut into eight even slices with a sharp knife.
Place the rolls in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook at 180°C / 350°F for about 10 minutes, or until golden and cooked through. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.
To make the glaze, whisk icing sugar and vanilla in a bowl, then add milk one tablespoon at a time until the glaze is smooth and pourable. Drizzle the glaze over cooled rolls and scatter toasted pecans if you like.
OVEN INSTRUCTIONS
Preheat the oven to 180°C / 350°F and line a baking tray with parchment paper. Mix the cinnamon and brown sugar in a small bowl. Unroll the puff pastry sheet on a flat surface, brush with melted butter, and sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mix evenly over it.
Roll the pastry up tightly, brush with butter, and slice into eight even pieces. Arrange the rolls on the prepared baking sheet and bake for about 10 minutes, or until golden and cooked through. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.
Make the optional glaze the same way as for the air fryer version: combine icing sugar and vanilla, then add milk a tablespoon at a time until smooth. Drizzle over cooled rolls and serve.
TIPS FOR MAKING THIS RECIPE
- Roll tightly: A tight roll keeps the layers compact so the slices hold their shape.
- Prevent sticking in the air fryer: Use a small piece of parchment under the rolls or lift gently with a spatula if they stick to melted butter.
- Use fresh spices: Freshly ground cinnamon gives better flavour than old, stale spice.
- Double the batch: These disappear fast—make extra if you’re feeding a crowd.
- Cool before glazing: Let rolls cool on a rack so the glaze doesn’t melt away.
STORING TIPS FOR PUFF PASTRY CINNAMON ROLLS
Store your cinnamon rolls properly so they stay flaky and fresh.
- Room temperature: Once fully cooled, keep in an airtight container for up to 2 days in a cool, dry place.
- Refrigeration: Store in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Freezing: Flash-freeze baked rolls on a tray, transfer to a freezer bag, then thaw and reheat in the oven or air fryer.
- Reheating: Refresh rolls in the oven or air fryer at 180°C / 350°F for a few minutes to restore crispness.
FAQs
In the U.S., “puff pastry” describes the light, flaky, buttery pastry made by layering dough and butter through repeated folding and rolling.
Phyllo dough is a reasonable substitute for some recipes, though it is thinner and less rich than puff pastry.
Store rolls in an airtight container or wrap them tightly to limit exposure to air, and avoid overbaking to keep them soft.
Yes. Puff pastry works well as a pie crust—particularly for a top crust—delivering a light, flaky finish.
MORE EASY SWEETS
- Chocolate Covered Almonds
- Golden Syrup Cookies
- Peanut Butter Eggs
- Rice Pudding with Cooked Rice
- Chocolate Pinwheels
- 2 Ingredient Chocolate Mousse
- Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Bites (No Yeast)
- Oreo Cheesecake Balls
- 20 Easy Puff Pastry Desserts
- 3-Ingredient No Bake Cheesecake
If you try this recipe, I’d love to hear how it went—leave a comment and a star rating if you like. You can also follow the recipe author on social channels for more recipes.
📋 RECIPE
Puff Pastry Cinnamon Rolls
10
10 minutes
10 minutes
20 minutes
Puff Pastry Cinnamon Rolls are a fast, tasty treat made with frozen pastry filled with butter, brown sugar and cinnamon that caramelises while baking. These mini flaky bites are easy to make and delicious to eat.
Ingredients
- 1 frozen puff pastry sheet, partially thawed
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon butter, melted
OPTIONAL CINNAMON ROLL GLAZE
- ½ cup icing sugar / powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla
- 2 tablespoons milk, more if needed
Instructions
AIR FRYER INSTRUCTIONS
- Mix cinnamon and sugar in a small bowl.
- Lay the pastry sheet on a flat surface, brush with melted butter, and sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar evenly over the top.
- Roll the pastry sheet up tightly, brush the outside with butter, and cut into 8 even pieces.
- Place the rolls in the air fryer basket and cook at 180°C / 350°F for about 10 minutes, or until golden.
- Transfer to a wire rack to cool.
- Optional glaze: Combine icing sugar and vanilla, then add milk a tablespoon at a time until smooth. Drizzle over cooled rolls.
OVEN INSTRUCTIONS
- Preheat the oven to 180°C / 350°F and line a baking tray with parchment paper.
- Mix cinnamon and sugar in a small bowl.
- Brush the pastry sheet with melted butter and sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mix evenly over it.
- Roll the sheet up tightly, brush with butter, and cut into 8 pieces.
- Place the rolls on the prepared tray and bake for about 10 minutes, or until golden and cooked through.
- Transfer to a wire rack to cool.
- Optional glaze: Mix icing sugar and vanilla, then add milk a tablespoon at a time until smooth and drizzle over cooled rolls.
Notes
Tips: Roll the pastry tightly so slices hold their shape. Use parchment in the air fryer if needed to prevent sticking. Freshly ground cinnamon enhances flavour. Make extra for a crowd and cool rolls before glazing so the icing stays on top.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 10
Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 75Total Fat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 24mgSodium: 47mgCarbohydrates: 10gFiber: 1gSugar: 6gProtein: 1g
Originally published Jan 14, 2020. Recipe updated to include an optional glaze and refreshed photos; no other changes.