Introduction
Oh, hello there, friend! Come on in and grab a cozy mug of coffee or tea. Today, we’re diving into a recipe that feels like a warm hug on a chilly morning or a sweet little pick-me-up any time of day. Remember those delightful cinnamon-sugar treats from your childhood? Maybe a sticky bun, a warm pastry, or just cinnamon toast? Well, get ready to recreate that magic in your very own kitchen, but with a twist – an Air Fryer Cinnamon Twist! What I absolutely adore about these little guys is how unbelievably easy and quick they are. Seriously, from start to finish, you can have a batch of warm, golden, cinnamon-sugar-coated goodness ready to enjoy in less time than it takes to preheat a traditional oven. Plus, your kitchen will smell like heaven!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Fast: Ready in minutes thanks to the air fryer!
- Easy: Simple ingredients, straightforward steps, perfect for beginners.
- Giftable: Package these up for a sweet homemade gift.
- Crowd-pleasing: Everyone loves a warm, cinnamony treat!
Ingredients
Gather ’round, let’s look at the simple heroes of this recipe:
- 1 1/4 cups All-purpose flour: Just regular flour is perfect here to give our twists structure.
- 1 1/2 tsp Baking powder: This is our little helper for lift, making sure our twists aren’t dense.
- 2 1/2 tsp Cinnamon, ground: The star of the show! Make sure it’s fresh for the best flavor.
- 6 tbsp Granulated sugar: Sweetness for the dough and for that irresistible coating!
- 1/4 tsp Salt: A tiny pinch makes all the other flavors sing.
- 1 tbsp Vanilla extract: Adds a lovely depth of flavor.
- 3 tbsp Butter: Cold and cubed is best, like making biscuits or scones, for tenderness.
- 3/4 cup Plain Greek yogurt: This is our secret weapon for moisture and a slight tang, making the dough super easy to work with.
How to Make It
Alright, let’s get our hands a little floury! Follow these simple steps:
- Mix the Dry Stuff: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, 1 teaspoon of the cinnamon, 2 tablespoons of the granulated sugar, and the salt. Give it a good mix so everything is happy together.
- Cut in the Butter: Add the cold, cubed butter to the dry ingredients. Use a pastry blender, a fork, or even your fingers (my favorite way!) to cut the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs, like little peas. This helps create tender twists.
- Add the Wet: In a small separate bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt and vanilla extract. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients.
- Form the Dough: Use a fork or spatula to mix everything until a shaggy dough forms. Then, gently bring it together with your hands. Be careful not to overmix! Overmixing makes tough twists, and we want them tender.
- Shape the Twists: Lightly flour a clean surface. Turn the dough out onto the surface and gently knead it just a couple of times to bring it together smoothly. You can pat or gently roll the dough into a rectangle about 1/2 inch thick. Use a knife or pizza cutter to cut the dough into strips about 1/2 inch wide and 6-8 inches long. Gently twist each strip a few times.
- Coat with Cinnamon Sugar: In a small bowl, mix the remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons of cinnamon and 4 tablespoons of granulated sugar. You can melt a tablespoon or two of butter in a separate small bowl if you like, or just lightly moisten the twists with a little water or milk. Roll or dip each twist lightly in the melted butter (if using) or brush with water/milk, then roll them in the cinnamon sugar mixture to coat generously.
- Air Fry ‘Em: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for a few minutes. Arrange the cinnamon twists in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure not to overcrowd them. You’ll likely need to cook them in batches.
- Cook to Golden Perfection: Air fry for 8-12 minutes, or until they are golden brown and cooked through. Cooking time can vary based on your air fryer model and the thickness of your twists, so check on them around the 8-minute mark.
- Cool (if you can wait!): Carefully remove the twists from the air fryer. They are best enjoyed warm!
Substitutions & Additions
Feeling adventurous? Here are a few ways to play with this recipe:
- Different Yogurt: If you don’t have Greek yogurt, regular plain yogurt or even sour cream can work, though the texture might be slightly different. Start with a little less and add more if needed.
- Butter Substitute: You could try using cold coconut oil or a vegan butter alternative if needed.
- Add-ins: A sprinkle of mini chocolate chips or finely chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts in the dough would be delicious.
- Glaze It: For extra indulgence, whip up a simple glaze with powdered sugar and a splash of milk or vanilla extract and drizzle it over the warm twists.
Tips for Success
- Don’t Overmix: I can’t stress this enough! Gently bring the dough together; a few dry spots are okay as they’ll hydrate as you handle it.
- Cold Butter is Key: Just like biscuits, using cold butter helps create steam pockets in the dough as it cooks, leading to a more tender result.
- Don’t Crowd the Basket: Air fryers work by circulating hot air. If you pack the basket too full, your twists won’t get crispy and cook evenly. Cook in batches!
- Air Fryer Temps Vary: Keep an eye on your first batch as air fryer temperatures can differ. Adjust the time or temp as needed for subsequent batches.
- Prep Ahead: You can make the dough, shape the twists, and store them in the fridge on a parchment-lined tray for a few hours before coating and air frying. Perfect for a quick breakfast treat!
How to Store It
Let’s be honest, these are best eaten fresh and warm! But if you happen to have any leftovers (a rare occurrence in my house!), store them in an airtight container at room temperature for a day or two. You can also pop them in the fridge. To reheat, a quick 1-2 minutes in the air fryer at a lower temperature (around 300-325°F) works wonders to bring back that cozy texture.
FAQs
Got questions? I’ve got answers!
- Can I bake these in a regular oven? Yes, absolutely! Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the coated twists on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 12-18 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.
- Can I use flavored yogurt? While plain is recommended for the best control over flavor, you could try vanilla or a complementary flavor, just be aware it will change the taste profile.
- How do I know they’re done in the air fryer? They should be puffed slightly, golden brown on the outside, and feel firm when gently pressed.
Air Fryer Cinnamon Twists
Recreate the magic of cinnamon-sugar treats with this incredibly easy and quick Air Fryer Cinnamon Twist recipe. Ready from start to finish in minutes, these warm, golden, cinnamon-sugar-coated treats are perfect any time of day and will make your kitchen smell like heaven!
Equipment
- Medium bowl
- Small bowl
- Pastry blender or fork or fingers
- Spatula or fork
- Knife or pizza cutter
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1.25 cups All-purpose flour
- 1.5 tsp Baking powder
- 2.5 tsp Cinnamon, ground
- 6 tbsp Granulated sugar
- 0.25 tsp Salt
- 1 tbsp Vanilla extract
- 3 tbsp Butter cold and cubed
- 0.75 cup Plain Greek yogurt
Instructions
- Mix the Dry Stuff: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, 1 teaspoon of the cinnamon, 2 tablespoons of the granulated sugar, and the salt. Give it a good mix so everything is happy together.
- Cut in the Butter: Add the cold, cubed butter to the dry ingredients. Use a pastry blender, a fork, or even your fingers (my favorite way!) to cut the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs, like little peas. This helps create tender twists.
- Add the Wet: In a small separate bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt and vanilla extract. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients.
- Form the Dough: Use a fork or spatula to mix everything until a shaggy dough forms. Then, gently bring it together with your hands. Be careful not to overmix! Overmixing makes tough twists, and we want them tender.
- Shape the Twists: Lightly flour a clean surface. Turn the dough out onto the surface and gently knead it just a couple of times to bring it together smoothly. You can pat or gently roll the dough into a rectangle about 1/2 inch thick. Use a knife or pizza cutter to cut the dough into strips about 1/2 inch wide and 6-8 inches long. Gently twist each strip a few times.
- Coat with Cinnamon Sugar: In a small bowl, mix the remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons of cinnamon and 4 tablespoons of granulated sugar. You can melt a tablespoon or two of butter in a separate small bowl if you like, or just lightly moisten the twists with a little water or milk. Roll or dip each twist lightly in the melted butter (if using) or brush with water/milk, then roll them in the cinnamon sugar mixture to coat generously.
- Air Fry 'Em: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for a few minutes. Arrange the cinnamon twists in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure not to overcrowd them. You'll likely need to cook them in batches.
- Cook to Golden Perfection: Air fry for 8-12 minutes, or until they are golden brown and cooked through. Cooking time can vary based on your air fryer model and the thickness of your twists, so check on them around the 8-minute mark.
- Cool (if you can wait!): Carefully remove the twists from the air fryer. They are best enjoyed warm!
Notes
Substitutions & Additions: You can use regular plain yogurt or sour cream (start with less); cold coconut oil or vegan butter alternative; add mini chocolate chips or nuts; add a simple glaze. Tips for Success: Don't overmix the dough; use cold butter; don't crowd the air fryer basket (cook in batches); air fryer temps vary, adjust as needed; dough can be prepped ahead and stored in the fridge. Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for a day or two, or in the fridge. Reheat in the air fryer at 300-325°F for 1-2 minutes. FAQs: Can be baked in a regular oven at 375°F for 12-18 minutes. Plain yogurt is recommended but flavored can be used. Done when puffed, golden brown, and firm.