Step 1 — Preheat: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). If you're using the air fryer, no preheat needed — just set it to 350°F.
Step 2 — Cut the Bread: Cut your soft buns into cubes — I usually cut each bun into fourths. You want them bite-sized but not too small or they'll dry out. Roughly 1-inch pieces is the sweet spot. (WATCH VIDEO BELOW)
Step 3 — Make the Cinnamon Sugar: In a small bowl, mix together the 2 teaspoons cinnamon and 2 tablespoons white sugar. That's your cinnamon sugar mix — simple and perfect.
Step 4 — Coat in Butter: Add your bread cubes to a mixing bowl and pour 2 tablespoons of the melted butter right over the top. Toss to coat every piece.
Step 5 — Add the Cinnamon Sugar: Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture over the buttered bread cubes and toss again until everything is evenly coated. Every cube should have that gorgeous cinnamon sugar coating. (WATCH VIDEO BELOW)
Step 6 — Bake: Transfer the coated bread cubes to a small baking pan — I love using a round (circular) pan, it looks adorable. Spread them out in a single even layer. Bake at 350°F for 8–10 minutes, or air fry at 350°F for 6–8 minutes, until the edges are golden and the cinnamon sugar is caramelized and fragrant. Keep an eye on them — ovens vary!
Step 7 — Make the Glaze: While the bites are baking, whisk together the 4 tablespoons powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon milk, ½ teaspoon vanilla extract, and the remaining 1 tablespoon melted butter in a small bowl. If the glaze is too thick, add a splash more milk. If it's too thin, add a little more powdered sugar. You want it drizzle-able but not completely runny. (WATCH VIDEO BELOW)
Step 8 — Glaze and Serve: The moment the bites come out of the oven, drizzle the vanilla glaze all over the top. Serve them warm — that's when they're at their absolute best!
