Brune pinner in the air fryer – also known as kanelstenger (cinnamon sticks) – are a classic cookie that is especially enjoyed at Christmas. They are known for their crisp texture and the warm taste of cinnamon, which instantly brings Christmas cosiness to mind. Making brune pinner in an air fryer is a modern and efficient method that ensures perfect crispness and a quick cooking time. Read on to dive into this Christmas favourite and find out why this particular recipe is worth trying in the air fryer.

Advertisement: The page displays ads and contains advertising links (affiliate links). See our advertisers here.
Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
Table of Contents
- Why make brune pinner in the air fryer?
- I recommend this aromatic tea to go with these crisp brune pinner
- Benefits of using an air fryer for brune pinner
- Brune pinner as a Christmas tradition
- The history of brune pinner
- Where do brune pinner (kanelstenger) come from?
- Alternative versions of brune pinner in the air fryer
- With chocolate
- With nuts
- Gluten-free version
- Spiced versions
- Sugar-free
- Conclusion: brune pinner in the air fryer
- FAQ
Why make brune pinner in the air fryer?
Brune pinner are one of those cookies that win people over with their simplicity and flavour. When they are made in an air fryer, they bake evenly, which brings out their crisp texture and rich flavour. It is a technique that suits this type of cookie especially well, because the air fryer circulates hot air quickly and efficiently, making the cookies both crisp and lightly caramelised on the surface.
Using an air fryer for brune pinner also makes it possible to bake smaller portions at a time, which can be ideal if you want freshly baked cookies for special occasions. This way, you can easily enjoy the scent of freshly baked brune pinner several times during December.
I recommend this aromatic tea to go with these crisp brune pinner
There is nothing like the scent of cinnamon and a hot cup of tea on a cold day. I can highly recommend Just T Apple Moringa Affair envelope tea – its notes of apple go perfectly with the cinnamon flavour.
Benefits of using an air fryer for brune pinner
- Even baking that ensures a crisp texture.
- Quick cooking time, so the cookies are ready in just a few minutes.
- Smaller portions, which make it possible to have freshly baked cookies several times.
Brune pinner as a Christmas tradition
Brune pinner in the air fryer have become a regular part of many Danes’ Christmas traditions, and it is not hard to see why. They are easy to make and need few ingredients, yet they taste like a luxury cookie. Their sweet, spiced flavour makes them perfect for the Christmas table, either as part of a cookie buffet or as a sweet snack with a cup of hot cocoa.
Christmas is about togetherness and cosy moments, and brune pinner contribute to exactly that. When the scent of cinnamon spreads through the kitchen and the cookies are put out on the table, a special atmosphere is created – a reminder of the importance of coming together around the small things. Many families have their own recipes and rituals around baking brune pinner, and for some it may be a tradition to bake them together with the children as part of the Christmas preparations.

Kanel hel ceylon Økologisk – 50 gram – Biogan
Hele stænger af ægte økologisk Ceylon-kanel. Kendt for sin milde, sødmefulde og aromatiske smag samt et lavt indhold af kumarin.
Jeg bruger den i gløgg, varme drikke og gryderetter.
The history of brune pinner
Although brune pinner have their roots in Scandinavia, particularly in Norway, they can also be linked to an international Christmas tradition. In England and the USA, snickerdoodles are a popular cookie that resembles brune pinner in both flavour and texture. Both cookies have cinnamon as the main ingredient and are typically enjoyed in the cold winter months. This makes them an obvious part of global Christmas baking, where the taste of cinnamon is synonymous with cosiness and tradition.
Where do brune pinner (kanelstenger) come from?
Brune pinner, or kanelstenger, originate in Scandinavia, where they have been baked for generations. They are particularly popular in Norway, but they have also found their way onto Christmas tables in Denmark. Their simple ingredients – golden syrup and cinnamon in the dough, and pearl sugar and almonds on top – make them one of the most beloved cookies at Christmas time.
Historically, cookies like brune pinner were a luxury, because sugar and spices were costly ingredients. Baking cookies like these was therefore often linked to special occasions, such as Christmas. Today, fortunately, it has become easier to get hold of the ingredients, but the tradition and history behind them still make them something special.
Alternative versions of brune pinner in the air fryer
Although the classic recipe for brune pinner is hard to beat, it can be fun to experiment with new flavour variations. Here are some ideas for how you can vary the cookies:
With chocolate
- Dip the baked cookies in melted dark or white chocolate.
- Add small pieces of chocolate to the dough for extra flavour.
With nuts
- Swap the chopped almonds for chopped hazelnuts, or sprinkle a few extra nuts on top before baking.
- Add a little finely ground almond flour to the dough for a nutty flavour.
Gluten-free version
- Replace the plain flour with a gluten-free flour blend, so more people can enjoy the cookies.
- Make sure to adjust the amount of flour to get the right consistency.
Spiced versions
- Add a pinch of cardamom or ginger to give the cookies an extra spicy twist.
- Replace some of the cinnamon with star anise or cloves for a new flavour experience.
Sugar-free
- Use a sugar substitute such as erythritol or stevia instead of regular sugar.
- Add a little vanilla powder to make up for the missing sweetness.
Try adding a little finely grated orange zest to the pearl sugar before you sprinkle it over the dough. The orange zest adds a fresh, citrusy note that complements the warm flavour of the cinnamon and gives the cookies an extra festive touch.
Tips and tricks from the author: Morten Jensen
Conclusion: brune pinner in the air fryer
Brune pinner in the air fryer are a modern take on a classic Christmas cookie. By using the air fryer’s efficient baking technique, you can achieve perfect cookies with a crisp texture and rich flavour. At the same time, it is a fun way to bring tradition and innovation together in the kitchen.
Whether you stick to the classic recipe or choose to experiment with new flavour variations, brune pinner in the air fryer are a sure winner at Christmas time.
FAQ
Brush the strips with beaten egg before you sprinkle the pearl sugar and chopped almonds over them. Press the topping lightly into the dough with your fingers – that way it stays put, even when you cut the strips.
Let them cool for about 5 minutes, and cut them diagonally while they are still warm. Cold brune pinner break when you cut into them. Then let them cool completely on a wire rack – only then do they turn crisp.
In an airtight tin, they stay crisp for up to 2 weeks at room temperature. You can also freeze them for up to 3 months and thaw them at room temperature.
Recipe

Brune pinner in the Air Fryer
Cooking Guide
Keep the screen on and follow the recipe step by step while you cook.
Step 1:
Avoid the screen turning off while you cook.
Step 2:
Start the guide and follow the recipe one step at a time.
Cost of the dish
Prices may vary depending on where you shop.
Our estimate is based on average food prices for the current year 2026.
Estimated price for the whole dish:
Airfryer size
All our recipes are tested in a Philips Airfryer 2000 Series NA230/00 – 6.2 L
Does the recipe fit my Airfryer?
If you’re unsure, you can always reduce by one serving in the recipe, or click the 0.5x button.
You can also Ask the AI Chef
It’s easy! Just press the Ask the AI Chef button you see at the bottom.
Shopping list
Ingredients
How to make it
Prepare the dough:
- Whisk 125 g butter, 100 g sugar, 1 tbsp golden syrup and 1 tsp vanilla sugar until light and creamy.
Add the dry ingredients:
Shape the strips:
- Divide the dough in two and roll each piece into a log about 18 cm long. Place them on a piece of baking paper that fits the bottom of the basket, and press them flat to about 6–7 cm wide and 1 cm thick.
Topping:
- Brush with 1 egg, and sprinkle 2 tbsp pearl sugar and 2 tbsp chopped almonds over the top. Press lightly so the topping sticks.
Cooking in the air fryer:
- Preheat the air fryer to 160 °C for 3 minutes.
- Bake one tray at a time at 160 °C for 12–14 minutes, until golden brown around the edges. They spread a little, so bake them in 2 batches if there is not enough space between them.Start the online kitchen timer here
Cool and cut:
- Let them cool for about 5 minutes, and cut them diagonally into pieces of about 1.5 cm while they are still warm (about 12 pieces per strip).
- Let them cool completely on a wire rack (about 15 minutes) – only then do they turn crisp.
Our notes for the recipe
Important about shelf life and nutrition
Nutrition per serving (guideline): Calculations are based on data from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Shelf life (guideline): Shelf life data is provided, as far as possible, by public institutions, including national food authorities. Our information is therefore only indicative, and it is your responsibility to obtain and calculate accurate information about shelf life and nutrition for all recipes on airfryerkogebogen.dk
Easily share the recipe with others:
Via email or on Facebook
Open the recipe on your phone
Scan the QR code with your phone and get the recipe directly on your mobile while you cook.