If you hopped over from our @recipestokitchen Pinterest community, welcome to my kitchen! Today I’m sharing my tested, no-fail recipe for Air Fryer Cinnamon Twists—complete with ingredient swaps, visual step-by-step cues across 4 pages, and a printable recipe card below.
📌 Pin Recipe
1. Why This Recipe Works Every Time
In my test kitchen, I’m always looking for ways to make dessert feel special without turning on the oven. These air fryer cinnamon twists came to me on a lazy Sunday when the kids were craving something sweet, and I had a sheet of puff pastry in the fridge. The air fryer works its magic, giving you that golden, flaky texture with a fraction of the oil.
What I love most is how predictable this recipe is—every single time, the twists come out perfectly crispy and tender. The cinnamon sugar caramelizes just right, creating a little crunch that makes everyone reach for seconds. It’s one of those recipes that feels like a treat but comes together in under 30 minutes.
👩🍳 Chef Elena’s Test Kitchen Highlights (Page 1 of 4)
- Foolproof Ratios: Triple-tested with everyday supermarket ingredients so it works on your very first try.
- Balanced Flavor: Layered aromatics and proper pan temperature create rich, homemade depth without complicated steps.
- Save for Later: Tap 📌 Pin Recipe to save this dish to your dinner or baking board.
Tap Next Page (Page 2) below for my Key Ingredients & Easy Substitutions, or scroll down to check off the full Recipe Card!
Air Fryer Cinnamon Twists
These air fryer cinnamon twists are golden, crispy on the outside, and tender inside, with a buttery cinnamon-sugar coating that makes them irresistible. They're a quick, healthier twist on fried dough that home cooks love for their simplicity and crowd-pleasing flavor.
🛒 Ingredients (Check Off As You Measure)
🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix the sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Set aside.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll the puff pastry into a 10×12-inch rectangle. Brush with melted butter (and vanilla if using), then sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly over the top.
- Cut the pastry into 1-inch wide strips. Twist each strip a few times and place them in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving space between twists.
- Spray the twists lightly with cooking spray. Air fry at 375°F for 7-9 minutes, until golden and puffed, flipping halfway through.
- Remove from the air fryer and dust with powdered sugar. Serve warm.
👩🍳 Chef Elena’s Kitchen Notes & Storage
For extra crispiness, let the twists cool for a few minutes after air frying—they'll set up nicely. Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or freeze for up to 2 months; reheat in the air fryer for 2-3 minutes.
Pinterest Kitchen Tip: Save this recipe to your @recipestokitchen board so you can pull up the ingredient checklist at the grocery store!
