There’s something about the smell of warm cinnamon sugar that instantly takes me back to childhood. My grandma would whip up the simplest, most heavenly pastries, and now I chase that same cozy feeling—but with a modern twist: my trusty air fryer. These air fryer cinnamon sugar turnovers are my go-to when I need a quick, flaky, buttery bite of nostalgia. They crisp up beautifully in minutes, with zero fuss and no oven required. The best part? That golden, sugar-crusted crunch with every bite. If you’ve got a sheet of puff pastry and a sweet tooth, you’re already halfway there.
Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Cinnamon Sugar Turnovers
Let me tell you why these little pockets of joy have become my secret weapon for impromptu desserts (and let’s be honest, breakfasts too):
- They’re ridiculously quick – From fridge to plate in under 20 minutes when that sugar craving hits
- Five simple ingredients – Probably already in your pantry right now
- That perfect air fryer magic – Crispy, flaky layers without the soggy bottom you sometimes get with oven baking
- Endlessly adaptable – Toss in some diced apples or a drizzle of caramel if you’re feeling fancy
- Kid-approved – My nieces think I’m a pastry chef when I make these
Honestly? The hardest part is waiting for them to cool enough not to burn your tongue!
Ingredients for Air Fryer Cinnamon Sugar Turnovers
Here’s what you’ll need to make these irresistible turnovers – and trust me, keeping things simple is part of the magic:
- 1 sheet puff pastry – Thawed but still cold (I pop mine in the fridge for 30 minutes before using)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar – Don’t pack it! Just scoop and level
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon – The good stuff – I use Vietnamese cinnamon when I’m feeling fancy
- 2 tbsp butter – Melted but cooled slightly (hot butter makes the pastry soggy)
- 1 tbsp water – Just for sealing those edges (tap water is fine)
See? Nothing fancy – just pantry staples ready to transform into something magical.
Equipment You’ll Need
- Air fryer (of course!)
- Rolling pin
- Pastry brush
- Small mixing bowl
- Sharp knife or pizza cutter
How to Make Air Fryer Cinnamon Sugar Turnovers
Now for the fun part – let’s turn those simple ingredients into golden, flaky magic! Follow these steps and you’ll have perfect turnovers every time.
Step 1: Prep the Cinnamon Sugar Filling
Grab that small bowl and mix together your sugar and cinnamon until they’re completely combined. I like to give it a good whisk – you want every grain of sugar coated in that warm cinnamon flavor. Set this aside while you work with the pastry.
Step 2: Assemble the Turnovers
Roll out your puff pastry just slightly on a clean surface – no flour needed! Cut it into 4 equal squares, then cut each square diagonally to make 8 triangles. Brush each triangle lightly with melted butter (don’t soak them!), then sprinkle generously with your cinnamon sugar mixture. Fold each triangle in half to form smaller triangles, pressing the edges firmly with your fingers. Here’s my trick: dip your finger in water and run it along the edge before sealing – this creates a perfect bond so your filling doesn’t escape!
Step 3: Air Fry to Perfection
Preheat your air fryer to 350°F – this is crucial for that instant crisp! Arrange your turnovers in the basket with space between each (they’ll puff up!). Cook for 8-10 minutes until they’re gloriously golden brown. Peek at the 6-minute mark – all air fryers run a bit different. When they look like little golden pillows, they’re done!
Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Cinnamon Sugar Turnovers
After making these dozens of times (okay, maybe hundreds), here are my foolproof secrets:
- Keep pastry cold – Warm dough = sad, flat turnovers. I pop mine back in the fridge if my kitchen gets too toasty
- Don’t crowd the basket – Give those babies room to puff up properly!
- Peek often – Air fryers vary wildly. Check at 6 minutes and adjust time as needed
- Seal tight – That water trick? Non-negotiable unless you want cinnamon sugar lava explosions
- Let them rest – 2 minutes out of the air fryer lets the sugar set so it doesn’t burn your mouth
Follow these, and you’ll get bakery-worthy results every single time!
Variations and Substitutions
Oh, the possibilities! While I adore the classic version, here are some fun twists I’ve tried (and loved):
- Brown sugar swap – Dark brown sugar adds caramel notes that pair beautifully with the cinnamon
- Apple addition – Toss in finely diced apple (pat it dry first!) for little bursts of fruity goodness
- Nutty crunch – Sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts with the cinnamon sugar for texture. If you love pecans in desserts, check out these Air Fryer Pecan Pie Bars!
- Citrus zing – A teaspoon of orange zest mixed into the sugar takes it to holiday-level delicious
The basic recipe is your canvas – get creative with what you’ve got!
Serving and Storage
These turnovers are absolute heaven served warm – that’s when the cinnamon sugar filling gets all gooey and irresistible! If you’ve got leftovers (unlikely, but it happens), store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. To revive that fresh-from-the-air-fryer crispness, just pop them back in at 350°F for 2 minutes. Pro tip: sprinkle a little extra cinnamon sugar before reheating for that just-baked magic all over again!
Air Fryer Cinnamon Sugar Turnovers FAQs
I’ve gotten so many questions about these turnovers from friends (and random texts from cousins at 2am when they’re making them), so let me share the answers to the most common ones:
Can I use frozen puff pastry straight from the freezer?
Absolutely not – thaw it in the fridge overnight first! Frozen pastry won’t fold properly and will cook unevenly. But here’s my trick: if you’re in a hurry, leave it on the counter for about 30 minutes until it’s pliable but still cold.
Why did my filling leak out everywhere?
You probably didn’t seal those edges tight enough! That water trick I mentioned is crucial – it creates a glue that keeps all that sugary goodness inside where it belongs.
Can I make these ahead of time?
You can assemble them a few hours ahead and keep them chilled in the fridge before air frying. But honestly? They’re so quick to make fresh that I never bother! For another quick sweet treat, try these Air Fryer Cinnamon Roll Bites.
My air fryer runs hot – how do I adjust?
Start checking at 5 minutes instead of 6! Every air fryer is different – mine runs cool, so I often need the full 10 minutes. Just peek through the window frequently after the 5-minute mark.
Nutritional Information
Just a quick note about nutrition – these numbers can vary depending on your specific ingredients and brands. All values are estimates, because let’s be honest, who stops at just one turnover anyway? For more information on how air frying affects food preparation, you can read about general air fryer safety guidelines.
If you are interested in learning more about the science behind baking with puff pastry, you can look into resources detailing the process of lamination, which creates those flaky layers. Serious Eats has a great breakdown on how this works.
For those looking for other quick air fryer desserts, you might enjoy these Air Fryer Apple Crumble Cups.
Print
Irresistible Air Fryer Cinnamon Sugar Turnovers in 20 Minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 8 turnovers 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Crispy, flaky turnovers filled with a sweet cinnamon sugar mixture, cooked to perfection in an air fryer.
Ingredients
- 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 2 tbsp butter, melted
- 1 tbsp water
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
- Mix sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl.
- Roll out puff pastry and cut into squares.
- Brush each square with melted butter and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar.
- Fold each square diagonally to form a triangle and press edges to seal.
- Place turnovers in the air fryer basket, leaving space between each.
- Cook for 8-10 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
- Let cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- Use cold puff pastry for best results.
- Adjust cooking time based on your air fryer model.
- Serve warm for optimal flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 turnover
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
Keywords: air fryer, cinnamon sugar, turnovers, dessert, easy recipe