Pillsbury Cornbread Swirls Air Fryer Method: Quick and Easy!

Last time I was making chili, I had to get cornbread to go with it. I was delighted to see these new swirls available and try them out. I didnโ€™t love the way they cooked in my oven, though, so of course I had to make Pillsbury cornbread swirls in the air fryer instead this time.

pillsbury cornbread swirls in the air fryer dinners done quick

Why Youโ€™ll Love This Recipe

The Pillsbury cornbread swirls are these delightful twists that are almost like cornbread meets a dinner roll. Theyโ€™re soft, sweet, with a mild corn flavor and theyโ€™re perfect alongside a bowl of soup or chili.

Having individual rolls is great for portion control or when youโ€™re feeding a smaller group, especially when compared to making a whole pan of Air Fryer Jiffy Cornbread.

I originally cooked them in my oven, and still found them a little doughy and underdone after 15 minutes (and that doesnโ€™t even include preheat time)! The air fryer will have cornbread swirls ready and perfectly cooked in under 10 minutes. I mean thereโ€™s no comparison!

holding up an air fried honey butter cornbread swirl

The nice thing too is that the air fryer offers a little more control over your browning level. If you want a deep brown, crisp exterior you can let it go a few extra minutes and itโ€™s no big deal.

What Youโ€™ll Need

ingredients to make honey butter pillsbury cornbread swirls in the air fryer
  • 11-ounce tube Pillsbury cornbread swirls (6 swirls)
  • 1 Tbsp butter, melted
  • ยฝ Tbsp honey (optional)

Ingredient Notes and Tips

  • You can typically find Pillsbury cornbread swirls in your grocery storeโ€™s refrigerated section, often near cheese. A standard tube contains 6 cornbread swirls. However, you can make as many as a time as you like, so long as they fit in your air fryer or you cook in batches
  • If you donโ€™t want the honey for sweetness, feel free to skip it or swap in something savory like barbecue seasoning or garlic powder if preferred

How to Cook Pillsbury Cornbread Swirls in the Air Fryer

  1. Preheat your air fryer to 330ยฐF (or the closest setting your air fryer has)
  2. Spray the air fryer basket with nonstick spray, or line with a piece of parchment or nonstick foil
spray air fryer basket with nonstick oil
  1. Open the can of cornbread swirls, separating each one
pop and separate pillsbury cornbread swirls
  1. Place the swirls into the preheated air fryer basket, allowing about an inch of air space around each one for expansion during cooking
place pillsbury cornbread swirls in air fryer basket
  1. Cook on the air fry setting for 6-8 minutes, until they are puffed up and lightly browned
  2. If you want a darker, crunchy crust, you may continue cooking them for another 3-5 minutes
  3. While the swirls are cooking, combine the melted butter and honey in a small bowl
mix melted butter and honey in a small bowl
  1. When your cornbread is done, while still hot, drizzle or brush the honey butter over the tops of the swirls
brush honey butter mix on top of cornbread swirls
  1. Serve warm
overhead view of air fryer pillsbury cornbread swirls

What Goes With Cornbread Swirls?

  • Chili
  • Soups
  • Stews
  • Barbecue
  • Roasted chicken
  • Ham
  • Scrambled eggs
  • Jalapeno poppers
  • Hot dogs
  • Sloppy Joes
  • Seafood boil
  • Fried fish
  • Sweet jams
  • Pepper jelly
  • Honey
  • Maple syrup

Whether itโ€™s a topping, side, or main dish, there are so many things that go great with cornbread swirls (and all corn muffins)!

Try air fryer Pillsbury cornbread swirls with my easy Air Fryer Frozen Seafood Boil, hearty Air Fryer Chili, with your Air Fryer Ham Steak, or with some creamy Air Fryer Roasted Butternut Squash Soup.

Recipe FAQs

Can You Put Cornbread Swirls in the Air Fryer?

Yes, you can put Cornbread Swirls in the air fryer. The dough is slightly sticky, so nonstick spray or parchment is recommended to prevent sticking.

The air fryer cooks and browns them perfectly, in far less time when compared to a conventional oven.

How Long Do You Bake Cornbread Swirls?

You bake cornbread swirls for 14-17 minutes in a conventional oven, or 6-8 minutes in an air fryer.

Additional time may be added to either depending how dark and crusty you like the exterior of your rolls to be.

Are Pillsbury Cornbread Swirls Sweet?

Pillsbury Cornbread Swirls are slightly sweet. They are a good balance between the sweet and savory tones, like a dinner roll and cornbread combination.

You can make them sweeter by adding honey or maple syrup, or more savory by adding garlic powder or jalapenos.

Why Are My Cornbread Swirls Gummy in the Middle?

Typically, if your cornbread swirls are gummy in the middle, you did not cook them for long enough.

Overcrowding may also cause this, as each roll should have adequate air circulation around it to promote even cooking.

Can You Freeze Pillsbury Cornbread Swirls?

You cannot freeze Pillsbury Cornbread Swirls in the tube or prior to cooking.

After cooking, you can freeze them for up to 2 months. As long as theyโ€™re well packed, you should experience minimal difference in taste and texture once defrosted.

How Do You Open Cornbread Swirls?

To open cornbread swirls, pull back the wrapper starting with the silver notch on one side. Once the cardboard is exposed, use your fingers or a spoon to push down on the seam under the black line. Once the container pops, twist the ends to open completely.

Remember that they are pressurized, so a little pop sound is normal when the seam releases.

Recipe Pro Tips

  • You donโ€™t have to flip the cornbread swirls during cooking. However, if you want a very browned bottom as well, flip them in the last few minutes
  • As pictured, these were cooked for 8 minutes total in a Ninja Dual Zone air fryer. Other air fryers may vary slightly, but this is a good reference point
air fryer cornbread swirls with honey butter

Storage and Reheating

  • Store leftover cooked cornbread swirls in the refrigerator for up to one week. They may also be frozen (after cooking) for up to 2 months
  • Reheat cornbread muffins in the air fryer for 3-5 minutes at 350ยฐF, or in the microwave for 30-45 seconds (though it will lose any crunchiness in the microwave)

More Air Fryer Pillsbury Recipes to Try

Final Thoughts

This Pillsbury Cornbread Swirls air fryer method delivers perfectly cooked cornbread muffins in about half the time as the oven.

Theyโ€™re perfect alongside a variety of dishes, from soups and stews to barbecue, and even brunch! Theyโ€™re slightly sweet, a little savory, and oh so delicious.

I love how easy they are to make. You can scale up or down easily to feed a crowd or just yourself. It leaves the oven open for making another dish, or just keeps the house cooler during those hot summer months.

These cornbread swirls are now a part of my regular rotation!

pillsbury cornbread swirls in the air fryer dinners done quick featured image

Air Fryer Pillsbury Cornbread Swirls With Honey Butter

Pillsbury Cornbread Swirls cook up in your air fryer in half the time of a conventional oven. Honey butter adds a little sweet and salty finish to this easy bread!
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 3 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Total Time 11 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 6
Calories 197 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients
ย ย 

  • 11 Ounce tube Pillsbury cornbread swirls (6 swirls)
  • 1 Tbsp butter (melted)
  • ยฝ Tbsp honey (optional)

Instructions
ย 

  • Preheat your air fryer to 330ยฐF (or the closest setting your air fryer has)
  • Spray the air fryer basket with nonstick spray, or line with a piece of parchment or nonstick foil
  • Open the can of cornbread swirls, separating each one
    11 Ounce tube Pillsbury cornbread swirls
  • Place the swirls into the preheated air fryer basket, allowing about an inch of air space around each one for expansion during cooking
  • Cook on the air fry setting for 6-8 minutes, until they are puffed up and lightly browned
  • If you want a darker, crunchy crust, you may continue cooking them for another 3-5 minutes
  • While the swirls are cooking, combine the melted butter and honey in a small bowl
    1 Tbsp butter, ยฝ Tbsp honey
  • When your cornbread is done, while still hot, drizzle or brush the honey butter over the tops of the swirls
  • Serve warm!

Notes

  • You can typically find Pillsbury cornbread swirls in your grocery storeโ€™s refrigerated section, often near cheese. A standard tube contains 6 cornbread swirls. However, you can make as many as a time as you like, so long as they fit in your air fryer or you cook in batches
  • If you donโ€™t want the honey for sweetness, feel free to skip it or swap in something savory like barbecue seasoning or garlic powder if preferred
  • You donโ€™t have to flip the cornbread swirls during cooking. However, if you want a very browned bottom as well, flip them in the last few minutes
  • As pictured, these were cooked for 8 minutes total in a Ninja Dual Zone air fryer. Other air fryers may vary slightly, but this is a good reference point
  • Store leftover cooked cornbread swirls in the refrigerator for up to one week. They may also be frozen (after cooking) for up to 2 months
  • Reheat cornbread muffins in the air fryer for 3-5 minutes at 350ยฐF, or in the microwave for 30-45 seconds (though it will lose any crunchiness in the microwave)
  • Exact nutritional values will vary based on any sauces or sides added, and quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only

Nutrition

Serving: 57.8gCalories: 197kcalCarbohydrates: 25.9gProtein: 3gFat: 8.9gSaturated Fat: 4.2gCholesterol: 5mgSodium: 445mgPotassium: 2.4mgFiber: 1gSugar: 7.9gVitamin A: 53IUCalcium: 0.8mgIron: 0.9mg
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pillsbury cornbread swirls in the air fryer dinners done quick pinterest
Katie Vine