High-Protein Air Fryer Dinner Rolls

High - 1 High - 2

By Lee Funke

11/19/2024

It really doesn’t get any easier than these 15-minute, 5-ingredient Air Fryer Dinner Rolls ! Made easy in the air fryer with only a handful of ingredients (the star being Greek yogurt!), these tasty rolls come out deliciously moist and fluffy, and are packed with protein (8g protein/roll!).

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I always thought making your own dinner rolls was this big, complicated thing. Anything involving bread seems so finicky! But with these air fryer dinner rolls, there are so few ingredients and none of that waiting for the dough to rise, kneading, or any other complicated techniques. My kinda recipe!

Plus, these rolls are high-protein with 8g protein per roll.

To make these yummy dinner rolls, you’ll need to make your easy dough, add them to the air fryer for 10 minutes, and BOOM — everyone will be calling you a breadwinner!

Air Fryer Dinner Rolls – The Basics

  • All-purpose flour: A no-brainer, right? I’m sure you already have this in your pantry.
  • Baking powder: This helps the dough rise and creates that fluffy texture.
  • Sea salt: I love using sea salt as it adds a nice flavor to the rolls.
  • 5% Greek yogurt: This is the key ingredient to making these air fryer dinner rolls. It provides the perfect amount of moisture and creates that soft, fluffy texture we all love! Plus, #protein 😃 We also tested this recipe with nonfat Greek yogurt and plain Skyr yogurt and they all worked great.
  • Egg: You’ll need an egg to create an egg wash to slather over these rolls.
  • Parchment paper: I highly recommend using parchment paper in the air fryer to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
ninja air fryer on white background. - 6

Best

Air Fryer

On the hunt for the best air fryer? Our favorite is the Ninja Kitchen Air Fryer . It’s reliable and moderately priced.

A hand brushes egg wash on dough balls arranged in an air fryer basket lined with parchment paper. - 7

Can I use fat-free Greek yogurt for this recipe?

Yes! We tested this with both 5% and 0% plain Greek yogurt, and either worked just fine! Use whichever you have on hand.

Can I use Skyr yogurt for this recipe?

Yes! Skyr yogurt also works great. Our favorite brand is Painterland Sisters .

Ways to Customize Your Air Fryer Rolls

It’s easy to add a little oomph to these basic dinner rolls. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

  • Garlic and Herb: Add some minced garlic, dried herbs like rosemary or thyme, and a sprinkle of parmesan cheese to the dough before baking.
  • Cinnamon Sugar: Mix cinnamon and sugar together and sprinkle it on top of the rolls before baking for a sweet twist.
  • Everything Bagel: Sprinkle some everything bagel seasoning on top of the dough before baking for a savory, flavorful twist.
  • Cheesy: Add some shredded cheese to the dough before baking for a gooey, cheesy center.
  • Honey Butter: Whip up some honey butter and brush it on the rolls after they come out of the air fryer for a delicious finish.
Golden brown rolls arranged in a circular shape inside an air fryer basket, lined with parchment paper. - 8

tips for the fluffiest, most delicious rolls

You’ll need a bigger air fryer for this recipe. The rolls will expand and rise during cooking, so ensure there is enough room for them to do so! We used a 5.8-quart air fryer for this recipe. If you have a smaller air fryer, you can cook them in batches.

Make sure not to overmix the dough. Overmixing can lead to tough, dense rolls instead of fluffy ones.

How long do homemade dinner rolls last?

These air fryer rolls are best when served fresh, but if you have leftovers, they can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days .

To reheat the rolls, simply pop them back in the air fryer for 2-3 minutes or until warmed through.

A pastry brush applies butter to freshly baked golden-brown bread rolls on a white plate. - 9

Tasty Mains to Pair with Your Air Fryer Dinner Rolls

Whether you plan on sopping up gravy or as a side to a hearty meal, these dinner rolls will hit the spot. Here are some of our favorite mains to pair them with:

  • One-Pot Whole Roasted Chicken with Spanish Rice and Veggies
  • Creamy Tomato Vegan Pasta
  • Slow Cooker Pork Loin
  • Guinness Beef Stew
  • Split Pea Soup with Ham

Ingredients1x2x3x

  • ▢ 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • ▢ 3 teaspoons baking powder
  • ▢ 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • ▢ 2 cups 5% greek yogurt
  • ▢ 1 large egg , whisked

Instructions

  • Preheat the air fryer to 325℉.
  • Place the flour, baking powder, and sea salt into a bowl and whisk to combine. Add the yogurt and stir with a wooden spoon or silicone spatula.
  • Turn the dough onto a floured work surface and form into a ball. Separate into 9 pieces, about ⅓ cup each. Roll each piece into a ball.
  • Line the air fryer basket with parchment paper and place the dough balls on top.It is okay if they are touching.
  • Brush each ball with the whisked egg. Bake for 15-20 minutes.
  • Allow to cool for 10 minutes before you serve.

Tips & Notes

  • We tested this with both 5% and 0% plain Greek yogurt as well as skyr yogurt, and all options worked great.
  • You can use melted butter to brush the top of the rolls instead of eggs.
  • We do not recommend using a silicone liner for this recipe.

Watch It

Nutrition

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Don’t forget to tag your posts on social media with the hashtag #fitfoodiefinds , we’d love to see what you’re up to!

Photography by: The Wooden Skillet

Close-up of freshly baked, golden-brown dinner rolls with a soft, fluffy interior. - 10

Air Fryer Dinner Rolls Recipe

Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 3 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • 2 cups 5% greek yogurt
  • 1 large egg whisked

Instructions

  • Preheat the air fryer to 325℉.
  • Place the flour, baking powder, and sea salt into a bowl and whisk to combine. Add the yogurt and stir with a wooden spoon or silicone spatula.
  • Turn the dough onto a floured work surface and form into a ball. Separate into 9 pieces, about ⅓ cup each. Roll each piece into a ball.
  • Line the air fryer basket with parchment paper and place the dough balls on top.It is okay if they are touching.
  • Brush each ball with the whisked egg. Bake for 15-20 minutes.
  • Allow to cool for 10 minutes before you serve.

Video

Notes

  • We tested this with both 5% and 0% plain Greek yogurt as well as skyr yogurt, and all options worked great.
  • You can use melted butter to brush the top of the rolls instead of eggs.
  • We do not recommend using a silicone liner for this recipe.

Nutrition