Easy Air Fried Apple Cinnamon Sweet Buttermilk Biscuit Rolls.

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Warm from the air fryer, these apple cinnamon sweet buttermilk biscuit rolls melt in your mouth. The warm cinnamon spices are mingled with a rich butter flavor, and the soft baked apples are used to make breakfast nirvana. They are so easy to whip up and are ready in just thirty minutes from start to finish. The perfect way to get the kids back to school this fall. Or pack one of these cream cheese-frosted sweet rolls in your lunch for a tasty coffee break treat. 

This recipe may be made in a small batch as we are using the air fryer, but they are so straightforward to whip up, taking only ten minutes once you get the steps down. I grew up on ‘tea biscuits, ‘ a simple baking powder biscuit with clabbered milk, and over the years have often made sweet biscuits of varying nature. So when I found myself again with apples getting overripe, I combined the two into a tasty biscuit in the air fryer. It’s still summer. Who wants to turn on the oven? Not me. A quick 20 minutes to bake, and these soft, spiced rolls are ready for frosting.

Usually, I don’t frost my cinnamon rolls as there is a lot of added sugar, but these apple-fall-spiced rolls just seemed like they wanted a bit more. The simple-to-make cream cheese frosting is made with two ingredients. It is the perfect pièce de résistance for these buttermilk sweet rolls. 

If you love simple apple desserts, be sure to try our blackberry apple mini cinnamon steamed dumplings. They are so yummy!

close up inside one of the frosted apple cinnamon rolls with others on baking rack

Why You Will Love This Easy Sweet Buttermilk Biscuit Roll

Versatility. The apple cinnamon sweet buttermilk biscuit rolls are perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert, and you can easily switch the fruit and spices for alternate flavor combinations, making them a versatile addition to any breakfast table.

Simple Ingredients: Made with pantry staples, this recipe is easy to prepare without needing any special trips to the grocery store. It’s ideal when you’re in the mood for homemade sweet treats. 

Quick And Easy. The preparation and baking time is minimal, allowing you to enjoy delicious homemade sweet apple cinnamon buttermilk biscuits in no time.

Let’s Get Started Whipping These Delicious Apple Cinnamon Rolls Up.

The simple buttermilk biscuit base is sweetened with the addition of a little white sugar, making the fluffiest rolls. Start by adding all the dry ingredients to your mixing bowl. Blend them together well, and then add the butter. It’s best to use cold butter when making biscuits, as this will help your biscuit dough rise while the steam is created from it melting. This results in an incredibly fluffy roll that rivals a yeast-filled version. 

​To cut the butter, I recommend using a pastry knife. This kitchen tool is invaluable if you bake pies and biscuits. If you don’t have a pastry knife, rub the butter in with your hands, but work quickly because you want to avoid melting the butter. Once the flour mixture is blended with the butter, it will resemble coarse peas. That’s when you know it’s time to add in the buttermilk. Be sure to thoroughly mix the buttermilk and gather all the flour mixture in the bowl. If you need to knead it with your hands again, be careful not to overwork the dough, as it will melt the butter. Make it tough. 

Once you’ve worked all the flour in, lay the dough aside to rest. Now, we can peel those apples and dice them up fine. You don’t want to mince the apple but rather have pieces slightly larger than a pea. This size will bake soft when baking in the air fryer. If you cut the apple too large, it won’t have time to soften, and it can end up releasing too much moisture in pockets. So, pay close attention to the size of those apple pieces. 

Next, add the brown sugar and cinnamon to the bowl with your apple pieces. Toss the apples with the yummy cinnamon sugar mix so that they are evenly coated. 

Roll the biscuit dough into a rectangle no more than a quarter-inch thick on a lightly floured surface. I like using my stainless steel rolling pin when rolling biscuits as the sheer weight of it helps to make the job a whole lot simpler. Plus using a cold steel rolling pin keeps the ingredients in the dough cooler so the butter doesn’t melt when working the dough.

Melt three tbsps of butter in the microwave and brush the surface of your buttermilk dough. Then, spread the apple cinnamon sugar mixture over the surface evenly. If you have extra cinnamon sugar in the bowl, sprinkle it around the apples where needed. 

Starting at one narrow end of the dough, carefully roll the biscuit dough up into a log. Using your hands, pat the ends inward to close them and pack any loose bits that may be trying to escape. Brush a little of the melted butter across the top to help the biscuits brown and for added flavor. 

Using a sharp knife, cut the rolled dough into even slices. No more than two inches thick. Lay the slices cut side up in the basket of your air fryer in a single layer. There is no need for baking sheets or parchment paper since the air fryer is non-stick already. I have a double basket with my Ninja Foodi, so all the dough fits fine on both sides. You may need to bake two if you’re using a smaller air fryer. Alternatively, you can bake these sweet rolls in the oven. If baking in the oven, use a greased baking pan and bake it at 350F for twenty minutes until golden brown. 

When air frying in the Ninja Foodi, bake at 350F for 18-20 minutes, depending on how brown you want them. I found that 20 minutes made them perfect. While the sweet rolls are baking, you can prepare the cream cheese frosting. It’s a simple mix of softened cream cheese and icing sugar that can be mixed in a small bowl. When the biscuits are baked, remove them carefully with tongs to a cooling rack. 

​Add the cream cheese immediately if you like it extra melty, or wait five minutes for a soft icing. This easy dessert breakfast roll is super on its own or alongside savory frittatas for a big brunch the whole family will love. 

Ingredients:

All Purpose Flour: Forms the base of the dough, providing structure.

Salt: Enhances the flavor of the dough.

Baking Powder: Helps the dough rise, making it light and fluffy.

Baking Soda: Reacts with the buttermilk to leaven the dough.

Butter: Adds richness and tenderness to the dough.

Buttermilk: Provides moisture and tanginess, activating the baking soda.

White Sugar: Sweetens the dough and aids in browning.

Ground Cinnamon: Infuses the rolls with warm, aromatic spice.

Apples: Add natural sweetness and a soft, juicy texture.

Brown Sugar: Combines with cinnamon and apples to create a caramel-like filling.

close up of one of the baked apple cinnamon rolls cooling on wire rack

Substitutions And Add-Ins For This Easy Apple Cinnamon Roll Recipe:

All-Purpose Flour: Substitute whole wheat mixed with regular white flour for a heartier texture. You can also use all-oat flour to make a gluten-free version. 

Salt: Use sea salt or kosher salt.

Baking Powder: For every teaspoon of baking powder, combine 1/4 tsp baking soda and 1/2 tsp cream of tartar. The result will not be as good as using traditional baking powder, so do this only if you’re out. 

Baking Soda: Do not replace.

Butter: Substitute with margarine or coconut oil for a dairy-free option.

Buttermilk: As a substitute, use a mixture of milk and white vinegar (1 tablespoon vinegar + 1 cup of milk). This method is known as clabbered milk and will result in a slightly less fluffy texture, but it’s still doable. 

White Sugar: Use coconut sugar instead for a slightly different sweetness.

Ground Cinnamon: For a different flavor profile, use pumpkin pie or apple pie spice. Chai spice is another great alternative. 

Apples: Substitute with pears or peaches for a variation in fruit filling.

Brown Sugar: Use coconut sugar or a mix of white sugar with a small amount of molasses.

NOTE: These can also be baked in your stovetop or toaster oven. When baking in a toaster oven, keep an eye on them, as baking times might vary slightly due to the smaller size and different heating elements of the toaster oven.

looking down on the frosted apple cinnamon rolls frosted on the wire baking rack

​Expert Tips, Serving And Storing Suggestions For Best Results:

Tip #1: Chill the Butter and Use Cold Buttermilk. Ensure that the butter is cold to achieve fluffiness in your biscuit rolls. This creates steam as it melts during baking, which helps to make those desired flaky layers.

Tip #2: Don’t Overwork the Dough: When mixing the dough, combine the ingredients until it forms a soft dough ball. Overworking the dough can melt the butter and lead to tough, dense rolls instead of light and tender ones. 

Tip #3: Brush Melted Butter: Before cutting the rolls, brush the top of the rolled dough with a little melted butter. This will help them bake to a beautiful golden brown.

Serve these apple cinnamon sweet buttermilk biscuit rolls warm, straight from the air fryer, for a cozy and comforting treat. They are perfect for a special breakfast or brunch and add a delightful touch of sweetness to start your day.

Store uneaten sweet rolls in an airtight container on the counter if unfrosted or in the fridge if they already have the cream cheese frosting. They can last up to three days, but biscuit dough tends to dry out, so they are best eaten fresh the day of. 

Freezing these apple cinnamon sweet buttermilk biscuit rolls is also a great option to enjoy later. However, you will want to freeze them unbaked. After rolling and cutting the dough, place the unbaked apple cinnamon rolls on a baking sheet with parchment paper (to prevent sticking) and freeze until solid. Then, transfer the frozen rolls to an airtight container or freezer bag. When ready to enjoy them, bake the rolls directly from the freezer, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time. This way, you can still enjoy freshly baked, non-soggy rolls.

I hope you enjoy making and savoring these apple cinnamon sweet buttermilk biscuit rolls! If you try this recipe, please leave a rating and share your thoughts in the comments below. Your feedback helps me create better recipes for you and our food-loving community.

recipe card image of close up frosted apple cinnamon rolls

Apple Cinnamon Buttermilk Sweet Rolls Air Fried

Amber Bondar
These easy apple cinnamon buttermilk sweet rolls rival yeast cinnamon rolls with their warm spices and moist fluffy dough. The air fryer makes baking these for breakfast a breeze! Sweet buttermilk biscuit dough is soft and delicious with baked apple and cinnamon spice in just 30 minutes from start to finish! Topped with a rich cream cheese frosting they are sure to be hit at your next family breakfast or holiday brunch.
No ratings yet
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Course Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
Cuisine American, Canadian
Servings 7

Equipment

  • 2 Mixing Bowls
  • Small Bowl
  • Tablespoon
  • Teaspoon
  • Air Fryer
  • Pastry Knife
  • Rolling Pin
  • knife

Ingredients
  

Apple Cinnamon Sugar Mixture

  • 2 Cup Apple Diced
  • ½ Cup Brown Sugar
  • 3 Tbsp Ground Cinnamon

Sweet Buttermilk Biscuit Dough

  • 2 Cup All Purpose Flour
  • ¾ Tsp Salt
  • 2 Tsp Baking Powder
  • ½ Tsp Baking Soda
  • 4 Tbsp White Sugar
  • 3 Tbsp Butter Cold, Rounded
  • 3 Tbsp Butter Melted
  • 1 Cup Buttermilk

Cream Cheese Frosting

  • 3 Tbsp Cream Cheese Softened
  • ½ Cup Icing Sugar Confectioners Sugar

Instructions
 

Making The Sweet Buttermilk Biscuit Dough

  • Measure the flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, and white sugar into a mixing bowl and blend well.
    2 Cup All Purpose Flour, ¾ Tsp Salt, 2 Tsp Baking Powder, 4 Tbsp White Sugar, ½ Tsp Baking Soda
  • Measure and cut in with pastry knife the cold butter. Mixture should resemble coarse meal.
    3 Tbsp Butter
  • Measure and add the buttermilk mixing well until the dough forms a soft ball.
    1 Cup Buttermilk
  • Be sure to gather all the flour in the mixing bowl while not over working the dough.
  • Set the soft dough ball aside.

Mixing The Apple Cinnamon Mixture

  • Wash, peel, core, and dice the apples to small pieces about the size of a pea. Add to mixing bowl.
    2 Cup Apple
  • Measure and add the brown sugar and cinnamon to bowl.
    ½ Cup Brown Sugar, 3 Tbsp Ground Cinnamon
  • Toss to coat all the apple pieces evenly. Set aside.

Assembling Sweet Rolls

  • Roll the sweet dough into a rectangular shape about ¼" thick.
  • Melt three tablespoons of butter and using a pastry brush, brush onto the top of the rolled dough. Reserve a small amount.
    3 Tbsp Butter
  • Spread the apple cinnamon sugar mixture over the surface of the dough.
  • Roll from the narrow end the sweet dough into a log.
  • Brush the remaining melted butter on the outside of the roll.
  • Push the ends in to compact the ingredients and form a flat end on either end.
  • Use sharp knife to cut the sweet roll into seven equal portions. Each piece should be roughly 1inch thick.
  • Place cut side up in the air fryer basket.
  • Set Ninja Foodi Air Fryer to bake setting at 350℉ for 20 minutes.

Making Cream Cheese Icing

  • Softened three tablespoons of cream cheese in microwave for 15 seconds in a small bowl.
    3 Tbsp Cream Cheese
  • Measure and add the icing sugar, mix until well blended.
    ½ Cup Icing Sugar

Frosting The Sweet Rolls

  • Remove baked sweet apple cinnamon buttermilk rolls to wire rack to cool for five minutes before frosting.
  • Enjoy while warm.

Notes

Note: Bake in a preheated oven at 350F for 20 minutes or until golden brown. 
 
Keyword apple desserts, breakfast, brunch, fall desserts, sweet rolls
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