Crispy Air-Fryer Cinnamon Roll French Toast Skewers Step-by-step instructions

Before you start

Before beginning, ensure all ingredients are ready on the counter to maintain a smooth workflow. Place a sheet of parchment paper inside your air fryer basket to facilitate easy cleanup and prevent sticking.

Wash and dry the fresh strawberries thoroughly, then remove the stems. If using fresh strawberries, slice them into halves or leave them whole depending on their size, ensuring they fit comfortably alongside the cinnamon roll bites on your skewers.

Instructions

Preparing the custard base

1. 1Prepare the custard and rolls
   Cut each of the four refrigerated cinnamon rolls into four equal bite-sized pieces. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, heavy cream, vanilla, and ground cinnamon until fully combined.
   Look for The mixture should be smooth and consistent in color.
   Tip Ensure the eggs are thoroughly beaten to avoid streaks in the custard.

The custard should be a uniform, pale golden color with no visible streaks of egg white. The cinnamon should be fully incorporated into the cream and egg mixture.

Ensure the cinnamon roll pieces are cut into uniform quarters so that they absorb the liquid evenly during the tossing process. Everything should be ready for the immediate transition to the air fryer.

Air-frying the bites

2. 2Coat and air-fry
   Toss the cinnamon roll pieces into the custard mixture until evenly coated. Place them onto a parchment-lined air fryer basket. Cook at 375°F (190°C) for 6 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even browning. To ensure the eggs are fully cooked through, verify they reach an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C).
   Look for The bites should look puffed, golden-brown, and crispy on the outside.
   Safe temperature 160°F (71°C) internal temperature (egg dishes)
   Tip Do not overcrowd the basket to allow for proper air circulation.

The pieces are ready when they have transformed into puffed, golden-brown cubes. The kitchen should smell like warm cinnamon and toasted pastry. The custard coating will appear set and slightly caramelized. If the bites look pale, they need an extra minute of cooking, but keep a close watch to prevent the sugar in the cinnamon rolls from burning.

Final assembly

3. 3Assemble and serve
   Carefully thread the warm, crispy cinnamon roll bites onto wooden skewers, alternating with fresh strawberries. Drizzle the finished skewers generously with maple icing before serving immediately while warm.
   Look for The icing should slightly melt when it hits the warm pastry.
   Tip Use caution when threading the bites onto the skewers as they will be hot.

The skewers should look vibrant with the contrast of the golden pastry and red strawberries. The maple icing should be drizzled artfully over the top, catching in the nooks and crannies of the crispy exterior. The bites should be warm to the touch, and the strawberries should remain firm enough to hold their shape on the wooden skewer without falling off.

Common mistakes

A common mistake is overcrowding the air fryer basket, which prevents the hot air from circulating and results in soggy or unevenly cooked bites. Always leave space between the pieces.

Another error is not shaking the basket halfway through the cooking time, which leads to uneven browning. Finally, ensure the cinnamon rolls are cut into consistent sizes to guarantee they finish cooking at the same time and avoid raw centers.

How to tell it’s done

The cinnamon roll bites are done when they are puffed, golden-brown, and crispy on the outside. Because the custard contains eggs, it is vital that the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C) to ensure safety.

Check the center of a larger piece with a food thermometer if you are uncertain. The texture should feel firm yet springy to the touch, and the custard should be fully set rather than liquid.

• Egg dishes: 160°F (71°C) in the thickest part