Save to Pinterest Last Tuesday morning, my kid wandered into the kitchen asking if we could have something sweet for breakfast—not the usual cereal situation. I had a can of crescent roll dough in the fridge and about five minutes before we needed to leave. That's when I remembered watching someone twist dough strips in an air fryer online, and I thought, why not try it? Twenty minutes later, we were peeling golden, flaky twists apart while steam rose off them, and I realized I'd accidentally created the perfect quick-win breakfast that tastes like you spent way more time on it than you actually did.
My sister brought her toddler over one Saturday morning, and I made a double batch thinking the kid might have one. She ended up eating three, dipping them in that vanilla glaze like they were treasure. My sister laughed and asked if I could make them whenever she visits now—and that's when I knew this recipe had crossed from "easy breakfast" to "the thing people request."
Ingredients
- Refrigerated crescent roll dough (8 oz): This is your secret shortcut—no kneading, no rising, just roll and twist. A can of pizza dough works just as well if that's what you have on hand.
- Unsalted butter (2 tbsp), melted: The butter is what makes these crispy and golden, so don't skip it or try to brush it on cold.
- Brown sugar (1/4 cup): This sweetens the filling and caramelizes slightly in the air fryer heat, giving you those little crunchy bits.
- Ground cinnamon (1 1/2 tsp): This is the backbone of the flavor—don't measure it stingy, and make sure your cinnamon is fresh enough that it actually smells like something.
- Powdered sugar (1/2 cup): Whisk this with milk and vanilla to make a glaze that drips into all the twisted layers.
- Milk (1–2 tbsp): Start with 1 tablespoon and add more until the glaze reaches that perfect drizzle consistency—too thick and it won't flow, too thin and it slides right off.
- Vanilla extract (1/4 tsp): A quarter teaspoon is just enough to add a whisper of flavor without overpowering everything.
Instructions
- Preheat and prep:
- Set your air fryer to 350°F and let it warm up for a few minutes while you unroll the dough on a lightly floured surface. If the dough has any seams, press them together gently so everything stays intact when you fold and cut.
- Butter and season:
- Brush every inch of the dough with that melted butter—this is what turns them golden and flaky. Mix the brown sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl, then sprinkle it evenly across the buttered surface like you're seasoning the whole thing.
- Fold and twist:
- Fold the dough in half lengthwise and press the edges together lightly. Cut it into eight strips with a sharp knife or pizza cutter, then twist each strip a few times and pinch the ends so they don't unravel during cooking.
- Air-fry:
- Arrange the twists in the basket with a little space between them—they'll puff up slightly and you don't want them touching. If your basket is small, do two batches; it's better than having them stick together.
- Make the glaze:
- While they cool for just a minute or two, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until it's smooth and pourable. If it's too thick, add more milk a few drops at a time.
- Finish and serve:
- Drizzle that glaze over the warm twists so it seeps into all the crevices. Serve them while they're still warm and enjoy.
Save to Pinterest There's something wonderful about pulling golden, warm twists from the air fryer and watching someone's face light up when they see the glaze dripping down. It's the kind of breakfast that feels indulgent but doesn't require you to wake up at 5 AM or stress about technique.
The Air Fryer Advantage
Air fryers are incredible for pastries because they circulate hot air around every surface, which means you get that flaky exterior and tender inside without the mess of deep frying or the long preheating of a conventional oven. These twists are a perfect example—they bake in eight minutes flat, and your kitchen stays cool even in summer. If you don't have an air fryer, you can bake these on a parchment-lined sheet at 375°F for about twelve to fourteen minutes, but watch them closely since they'll brown faster in a traditional oven.
Making Them Your Own
The beauty of this recipe is that it's a blank canvas for whatever flavors you're craving that morning. I've made them with cardamom mixed into the cinnamon sugar, and another time I added a tiny pinch of sea salt on top for contrast. You can swap the brown sugar for white sugar, or use coconut sugar if you want a different depth of sweetness. Pecans or walnuts chopped fine and sprinkled into the filling add a pleasant crunch, and if you have any jam in the fridge, a thin spread under the cinnamon sugar turns them into something almost fancy.
Glaze, Toppings, and Storage
The vanilla glaze is straightforward, but here's where small adjustments matter: if your milk is cold, the glaze will be thicker; if it's room temperature, it'll flow more easily. You can also use a splash of almond extract instead of vanilla, or skip the vanilla and just use a pinch of salt to let the cinnamon shine. If you're making these ahead, store the twists in an airtight container and reheat them in the air fryer at 300°F for a minute or two to restore their crispness—they won't taste quite as fresh as right out of the fryer, but they'll still be delicious.
- Drizzle the glaze on the twists while they're still warm so it soaks into the layers.
- If you want extra crunch, add chopped nuts to the cinnamon-sugar mixture before spreading it on the dough.
- These are best eaten the day you make them, but they'll keep for a couple of days if stored properly.
Save to Pinterest Once you make these once, you'll find yourself reaching for that can of dough every weekend. They're the kind of breakfast that tastes like a small celebration, but requires nothing more than ten minutes of your attention.
Recipe FAQs
- → What dough works best for these twists?
Refrigerated crescent roll dough or pizza dough both work well and yield flaky, tender twists.
- → How do I prevent the twists from sticking in the air fryer?
Space the twists apart in the basket and cook in batches if needed to maintain airflow and prevent sticking.
- → Can I add nuts to the filling?
Yes, chopped pecans or walnuts can be added for extra crunch and flavor.
- → What’s the best way to achieve a smooth glaze?
Mix powdered sugar with milk and vanilla extract thoroughly until smooth before drizzling over the warm twists.
- → How can I adjust the sweetness?
Swap brown sugar with coconut sugar for a different sweetness profile or adjust glaze amount to taste.