Air Fryer Dinner Rolls (Soft and Fluffy!)
, Updated Dec 10, 2025
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Air Fryer Dinner Rolls – these soft dinner rolls are light, fluffy, buttery and absolutely delicious. I guarantee that once you make these air fryer buns you will be hooked!
Baking bread in an Air Fryer is my new obsession! My oven is feeling seriously neglected right now, I even bake my sourdough in the Air Fryer!
Today I am sharing a recipe for soft and fluffy milk buns which use a flour paste as their superpower. If you are not familiar with the Tangzhong technique you can read more about it in my Japanese Milk Bread recipe.
But if you want to skip that and go straight for the rolls I don’t blame you. All you need to know is that adding a small amount of flour paste makes from-scratch Air Fryer rolls extra soft and fluffy.
Here’s What You’ll Need
Let’s take a look at what we need for this recipe, apart from an Air Fryer that is. You can make the dough in a stand mixer or using a hand mixer. I have even made this recipe using the “stretch and fold” method used in sourdough baking.
- Our starter is made with water and flour (or milk and flour). Easy peasy!
- White bread flour: also called strong bread flour, this type of flour has a higher protein content which helps create structure and rise in yeasted doughs.
- Rapid rise yeast: this type of yeast doesn’t need to be activated first, it is simply mixed in with the flour. Make sure the yeast is fresh!
- A little sugar for sweetness plus salt to balance the flavor and regulate yeast action.
- Milk powder – an optional ingredient. Adds softness and flavor to the bread and color to the crust.
- Milk, large egg and butter round off the ingredients list.
- Finally we need an egg to brush on the top of the buns plus sesame seeds.
How to make Air Fryer Dinner Rolls
MAKE THE STARTER
- Combine the flour and water in a saucepan. Cook, stirring, over low heat until a paste forms and your whisk leaves trails on the surface of the roux. Cover with plastic wrap if you are not using straight away to prevent it from drying out.
PREPARE THE DOUGH
- Add the milk to the starter and stir well to combine. Set aside until just barely warm. Place the bread flour, rapid rise yeast, sugar and milk powder into a mixing bowl (or your stand mixer). Stir to combine then add the milk / roux and beaten egg.
- Start mixing on medium-low speed using the dough hook attachment. Add the salt and butter once a dough has started forming.
- Continue to mix for 5-7 minutes until the dough forms a ball around the dough hook and is no longer sticky. You should be able to gently stretch the dough between your fingers without it tearing.
FIRST RISE
- Transfer the dough into a greased bowl, cover and allow to rise until doubled, 60-90 minutes, depending on how warm your kitchen is.
- After the proving, tip the dough on a lightly floured worktop and gently press down to deflate it. Divide the dough into eight equal portions. You can eyeball this or use digital scales to make sure each roll is the same size.
- Flatten each piece then fold the edges towards the middle. Roll in the palm of your hand to form a smooth ball. Repeat with the remaining dough.
SECOND RISE
- Add a greased liner to the air fryer basket and mist the basket sides with cooking spray. Place the rolls in the basket, spaced slightly apart. Cover with a clean towel and set aside for 45-60 minutes or until doubled, puffy and touching each other.
BAKE IN AIR FRYER
- Brush the bread rolls with the egg wash and sprinkle with the sesame seeds if using. Air fry for 25 – 28 minutes at 325°F (160°C).
- At this point the rolls should be baked through but their bottoms will be paler than if you baked them in the oven. You can flip them over and air fry for a couple more minutes to brown them if you like.
Serving Suggestions
These soft, fluffy rolls are heavenly served while still warm… They pair well with all soups and stews – gotta mop up all that deliciousness, right? Try them with my Hearty Chicken Vegetable Soup, Sweet Potato Soup, Irish Lamb Stew, Beef Braciole, Cozy Leftover Turkey Stew to name but a handful.
They are also perfect for your holiday bread basket along your star centerpieces like Beef Wellington, Air Fryer Prime Rib, Stuffed Turkey Roll and your favorite side dishes.
Storing and Freezing
- How to store: Let the rolls cool completely, then store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Thanks to the Tangzhong method they stay soft longer than standard rolls. Warm in the air fryer for 1 to 2 minutes until soft to refresh.
- Freezing baked rolls: Freeze fully cooled rolls in a zip-top freezer bag for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature then refresh in the air fryer for a couple of minutes.
Troubleshooting: Air Fryer Rolls
If your rolls didn’t come out quite bakery-perfect on the first go, don’t worry. Bread has opinions. Air fryers have moods. Here’s how to fix the most common hiccups.
- My rolls are dense, not fluffy: This is usually a proofing issue. The dough may not have risen long enough, your yeast might be past its prime or your liquid was too hot and slowed things down. Give the dough time to get properly puffy and airy, especially in a cooler kitchen.
- They’re pale on top: An air fryer is like a mini convection oven with the heat coming from the top. This can cause bread (or a cake) to brown too quickly on top while remaining doughy underneath. If the bottoms are looking doughy and pale, flip the buns over towards the end of the cooking time and bake them bottom side up so that they brown evenly.
- The tops browned too fast: Your air fryer may run hot. Drop the temperature slightly next time and cook a little longer. Check your rolls are not too close to the top heat. If you need to tent them with foil, you must ensure it is pinned down, otherwise the air frow can suck the foil into the heating element.
- The centers feel undercooked: Airflow is everything. Avoid overcrowding the basket and leave space between rolls. If your air fryer has hot spots, rotate the basket halfway through.
- My rolls stuck to the basket: A light layer of oil spray or parchment made for air fryers helps. Let the rolls sit for a minute after cooking too, they often release more easily once they settle.
Frequently Asked Questions
You don’t have to but it’s the secret to that ultra soft, fluffy, stay-fresh texture. It helps the dough hold onto moisture so the rolls are tender and less likely to dry out in the air fryer.
It should look puffy and airy. If you gently press a fingertip into the dough, the indentation should slowly spring back.
Yes – you will need to activate it first. Combine the yeast with a little warm water and large pinch of sugar in a bowl. After 5–10 minutes the mixture should become foamy and bubbly and can be mixed in with the other ingredients.
Absolutely! Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Brush the bread rolls with the egg wash and sprinkle with any toppings if using. Bake for 25-30 minutes, tenting with foil in the rolls are browning too quickly.
HAVE YOU MADE MY AIR FRYER DINNER ROLLS RECIPE? Please leave a rating, post a photo on my Facebook page, share it on Instagram, or save it to Pinterest with the tag #supergoldenbakes and make my day! If you have any questions, message me on Instagram and I will do my best to answer them quickly.
Air Fryer Dinner Rolls
Video
Ingredients
for the starter
- 2 tbsp bread flour
- ½ cup (125ml) milk
For the rolls
- 2 ¾ cups (350g) bread flour , more if needed
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 2 tbsp skimmed milk powder (optional)
- 2 tsp rapid rise yeast
- ½ cup (125ml) milk
- 1 large egg , lightly beaten
- ¼ cup (55g) unsalted butter
- 1 tsp salt
Egg Wash
- 1 large egg
- 1 tbsp water
Toppings (optional)
- 3 tbsp sesame seeds or everything bagel seasoning
Instructions
MAKE THE STARTER
- Combine the flour and milk in a saucepan. Cook, stirring, over low heat until a paste forms and your whisk leaves trails on the surface of the roux.2 tbsp bread flour, ½ cup (125ml) milk
PREPARE THE DOUGH
- Add the milk to the starter and stir well to combine. Set aside until just barely warm (if it is too hot it can kill the yeast).½ cup (125ml) milk
- Place the bread flour, rapid rise yeast, sugar and milk powder into a mixing bowl (or your stand mixer). Stir to combine then add beaten egg and milk/starter.2 ¾ cups (350g) bread flour, 1 tbsp sugar, 2 tbsp skimmed milk powder, 2 tsp rapid rise yeast, 1 large egg
- Start mixing on medium-low speed using the dough hook attachment. Add the salt and butter once a dough has started forming.¼ cup (55g) unsalted butter, 1 tsp salt
- Continue to mix for 5-7 minutes until the dough forms a ball around the dough hook and is no longer sticky. You should be able to gently stretch the dough between your fingers without it tearing.
FIRST RISE
- Transfer the dough into a greased bowl, cover and allow to rise until doubled, 60-90 minutes, depending on how warm your kitchen is.
- After the proving, tip the dough on a lightly floured worktop and gently press down to deflate it. Divide the dough into eight equal portions. Flatten each piece then fold the edges towards the middle.
- Roll in the palm of your hand to form a smooth ball. Repeat with the remaining dough.
SECOND RISE
- Add a greased liner to the air fryer basket and mist the basket sides with cooking spray. Place the rolls in the basket, spaced slightly apart.
- Cover with a clean towel and set aside for 45-60 minutes or until doubled, puffy and touching each other.
BAKE IN AIR FRYER
- Lightly beat the egg and water to make the egg wash. Brush the bread rolls with the egg wash and sprinkle with any toppings if using.1 large egg , 3 tbsp sesame seeds, 1 tbsp water
- Air fry for 25 – 28 minutes at 325°F (160°C). At this point the rolls should be baked through but their bottoms will be paler than if you baked them in the oven. You can flip them over and air fry for a couple more minutes to brown them if you like.
Notes
- Bake in the oven: Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Brush the bread rolls with the egg wash and sprinkle with any toppings if using. Bake for 25-30 minutes, tenting with foil in the rolls are browning too quickly.
- How to store: Let the rolls cool completely, then store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Thanks to the Tangzhong method they stay soft longer than standard rolls. Warm in the air fryer for 1 to 2 minutes until soft to refresh.
- Freezing baked rolls: Freeze fully cooled rolls in a zip-top freezer bag for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature then refresh in the air fryer for a couple of minutes.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is always approximate, and will depend on quality of ingredients and serving sizes.
Followed it to the letter and they can out exactly as described
Thanks so much for your comment Cath!