Puff Pastry Cinnamon Sugar Pinwheels {Oven/Air Fryer}

Love a store-bought Danish cinnamon swirl? Then try these cinnamon sugar pinwheels! Just 3 ingredients: puff pastry, cinnamon, and sugar, BUT, I'll show you how to make them next-level in minutes on a budget.

Instructions included for both oven and air fryer.

I love making these golden brown cinnamon pinwheels - they're the perfect bake sale or party recipe. When you're asked to bring a cake but are short on time, they're quick, impressive, and always a hit!

They're more like flaky cinnamon roll cookies - they're a fraction smaller than store-bought (because we roll it long-wise for more servings).

And the great news is, they can be made with just 3 ingredients (puff pastry, sugar and cinnamon), but I like to turn them up a notch with melted butter touch, vanilla, toasted walnuts and icing sugar.

✔️ Why You'll Love This Recipe

Here are many reasons why we think you'll love this sugar cinnamon pinwheels recipe:

• Easy for beginners
• Perfect if you're on a budget
• Uses ready-made puff pastry, so no skill or mess
• Only takes minutes to prepare and make
• It's a classic and familiar dessert that many love
• Ideal for parties, bake sales, gatherings or a last-minute dessert

🛒 Ingredient Notes

Please see the printable recipe card with exact ingredient quantities and preparation instructions at the bottom of this post.

Note: This recipe can be made with just 3 ingredients for simplicity: puff pastry, sugar and cinnamon. But I add extra as I want to feel like I'm eating a cinnamon snail from the shops.

• 1 sheet or roll of ready-rolled puff pastry - for the easiest, lightest, flakiest cinnamon puff pastry pinwheels.
• Unsalted or salted butter - this is melted first to help the cinnamon sugar stick to the pastry and gives a rich, golden finish. Or use butter spread.
• Light brown sugar - adds a warm, caramelised flavour
• Granulated sugar - adds a crunchier texture - I find the mix of the two more balanced.
• Ground cinnamon - The star of this recipe to create a sweet, cosy, warming dessert
• Vanilla extract - to enhance the flavour
• Walnuts - these are chopped and sprinkled on top before baking for a cosy, nutty crunch

For the icing drizzle

• Icing sugar & milk - (adjust to your preferred drizzling consistency)

📋 Instructions

Here are my step-by-step instructions on how to make these easy cinnamon pinwheels:

1. Mix the cinnamon sugar filling:
First, preheat to 200°C (180°C fan) /400°F/gas mark 6.

Next, in a small bowl, mix the sugars and ground cinnamon until combined.

2. Brush the pastry:
Now unroll your puff pastry, leaving the baking paper on.

Use a rolling pin to flatten it a little - just a few passes lengthwise will do.

Then mix the vanilla into the melted butter and brush the pastry all over, keeping a little back for brushing before baking.

3. Add the cinnamon sugar:
Sprinkle your cinnamon sugar mixture all over the pastry - right up to the edges so every piece of dough is coated.

4. Roll up:
Starting from one of the longest edges, roll the pastry tightly and evenly into a log.

Tip - use the paper to help roll, smooth out, peel a bit back and repeat.

5. Slice your pinwheels:
Slice your log into 1" slices.

You should get about 12-20, depending on the size of your puff pastry sheet.

Now use the pastry's parchment paper to line a baking tray.

Place each slice on top and gently flatten with the palm of your hand so they're all uniform.

6. Top & bake:
Next, brush each one with the butter and add a pinch of the walnuts.

Oven: Place in the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes until they're golden and puffed.

Air fryer: Bake at 180c for 15 minutes.

Then transfer to a cooling rack and mix and drizzle the icing sugar on top.

Tip: After flattening, if you feel the pastry is a bit too soft, chill them in the fridge on the tray for 10 minutes for a more even bake.

👩‍🍳 Substitutions

Depending on your dietary needs, here are a few simple swaps you can make:

• Puff pastry - use gluten free puff pastry if needed, or shortcrust pastry for old fashioned cinnamon pinwheels like cookies
• Butter - use melted coconut oil for a vegan dairy free option if required
• Sugar - use a natural granulated sweetener like stevia for a low sugar verion, or coconut sugar
• Walnuts - if using nuts, then try pecan, chopped hazelnuts or almond flakes/slices

⚖️ Variations

Here are some different ways you can enhance and truly personalise this recipe:

• Cinnamon apple pinwheels - (photo below) adding a grated cooking apple (after squeezing out the excess moisture with your hands works well and they're much lighter - but need about 10 more minutes to bake
• Christmas roly poly mince pies - skip the sugar and cinnamon and spread the pastry Christmas mincemeat - they're the quickest mince pies ever!
• Apple and raisin - add a grated apple and a handful of raisins or other dried fruit
• Nutella - it's so easy to make chocolate pinwheels - just spread Nutella on and roll, slice and bake
• Savoury pinwheels - if sweet pinwheels aren't your thing, then why not spread with Dijon mustard (or English) and lots of freshly grated parmesan or cheddar cheese

🔪 Equipment

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• Rolling pin (optional)
• Pastry brush
• Baking tray
• Mixing bowl
• Sharp knife

❄️ Storage

Storing - they're great for storing in air-tight containers at room temperature for up to 3 days. They also travel well to take to parties, picnics, and school lunch boxes.

Freeze - you can freeze before baking (and bake from frozen - they just need a few more minutes) for up to 3 months. Or freeze after baking, but before you drizzle on the icing sugar.

Reheating - If you want to eat the next day, defrost in the fridge if required and eat once thawed, or bake in the oven until warm

🍽️ Serving Suggestions

• Enjoy with a scoop of vanilla ice cream
• Wash the sugar down with a cup of tea (our favourite)
• Or with coffee as a classic Danish pastry breakfast

❓ FAQ

➕ More Easy Dessert Recipes

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