Air Fryer Churros Recipe

Churros are a classic dessert that everyone loves—crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and coated in sweet cinnamon sugar. Traditionally, churros are deep-fried, but with the help of the Air Fryer Churros recipe, you can make this delicious treat without the hassle or mess of hot oil. Whether you’re making them for a festive occasion or as a fun snack for the family, Air Fryer Churros are the perfect solution for a quick and easy dessert.

The beauty of making Air Fryer Churros is that they turn out just as crispy and delicious as their deep-fried counterparts, but with fewer calories and less oil. In just 10 minutes, you can enjoy churros fresh from the air fryer, ready to be coated in cinnamon-sugar and served with your favorite dipping sauce.

Why Make Air Fryer Churros?

Here’s why Air Fryer Churros should be your go-to recipe for your next dessert:

Less Mess: Air frying eliminates the need for handling hot oil, which makes the process cleaner and safer.
Crispy and Light: The air fryer gives Air Fryer Churros the perfect crispy texture, with less grease compared to deep frying.
Quick and Easy: In less than 15 minutes, you can have freshly made Air Fryer Churros, without spending too much time in the kitchen.

Healthier Option: By using just a spritz of oil, air frying reduces the overall fat content while maintaining that golden crunch.

With these Air Fryer Churros, you can enjoy a guilt-free version of a favorite treat—perfect for parties, Mexican-themed nights, or when you simply crave something sweet.

What Are Churros?

Churros are a popular dessert originating in Spain and Mexico. They are typically made from a dough that’s fried until golden and crispy, then coated in a cinnamon-sugar mixture. Traditionally, churros are enjoyed as street food and are often served with a side of chocolate dipping sauce or caramel for extra indulgence.

While churros are traditionally deep-fried, Air Fryer Churros provide a healthier alternative without sacrificing flavor or texture. The dough is piped into long sticks and air-fried to perfection, making them crispy and light without the need for excessive oil.

What You Need to Make Air Fryer Churros

Making Air Fryer Churros requires just a few basic ingredients that are commonly found in your pantry. Here’s a quick breakdown of what you’ll need:

Ingredients:

1 cup water
1/3 cup unsalted butter, cut into cubes
2 tablespoons granulated sugar (for the dough)

1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 large eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Oil spray (for greasing the air fryer basket)

For the Cinnamon-Sugar Coating:

1/2 cup granulated sugar
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

How to Make Air Fryer Churros

Making Air Fryer Churros is easy and straightforward. Follow these simple steps to create your own crispy, golden churros right at home:

Prepare the Dough:
- In a medium saucepan, combine the water, unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and salt. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low and add the flour. Stir constantly until the dough comes together and is smooth.
- Remove from heat and allow the dough to cool for about 4 minutes.
Mix the Custard:
- Add the eggs and vanilla extract to the dough mixture and mix using a stand mixer or electric hand mixer until smooth and well-combined. The mixture will resemble sticky mashed potatoes.
- Transfer the dough to a large piping bag fitted with a star-shaped tip (like a Wilton 1M tip).
Pipe the Churros:
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spray with oil spray to prevent sticking.
- Pipe the dough into 4-inch lengths onto the prepared sheet. If needed, cut the dough with scissors for the right size.
Refrigerate:
- Refrigerate the piped churros for 1 hour. This step ensures that the churros hold their shape better while air frying.
Air Fry the Churros:
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Once ready, carefully transfer the piped churros to the air fryer basket, leaving about 1/2-inch space between each one.
- Spray the churros lightly with oil spray.
- Air fry for 10-12 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
Coat in Cinnamon Sugar:
- While the churros are baking, combine the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon in a shallow bowl.
- Once the churros are done, immediately transfer them to the cinnamon-sugar mixture and toss to coat.
Serve:
- Serve the Air Fryer Churros warm, alongside a dipping sauce like Nutella, chocolate sauce, caramel, or whipped cream for an extra indulgence.

Tips for the Perfect Air Fryer Churros

To ensure your Air Fryer Churros come out perfectly crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, here are some helpful tips and tricks:

Use a Star-Shaped Tip: The signature shape of churros comes from using a star-shaped piping tip. This ensures that your churros will have the perfect ridges, making them extra crispy and appealing. A Wilton 1M tip or any other large star tip works well.
Chill the Dough: Refrigerating the piped churros for 1 hour helps them maintain their shape during the air frying process. It also makes the dough easier to handle.
Don’t Overcrowd the Air Fryer: Space the churros out in the air fryer basket so they have enough room to expand and cook evenly. If needed, cook the churros in batches.

Spray Lightly with Oil: Air frying works best when the churros are lightly sprayed with oil. This creates the crispy exterior while keeping them lighter than deep-fried versions.
Serve Immediately: Air Fryer Churros are best enjoyed right after cooking while they’re still warm and crispy. If you wait too long, they’ll lose their crunch.

Flavor Variations for Air Fryer Churros

While cinnamon-sugar is the classic topping for churros, you can experiment with various flavor combinations to suit your taste:

Chocolate Coating: After tossing the churros in cinnamon-sugar, drizzle them with melted chocolate or Nutella for a richer, more indulgent treat.
Caramel Churros: Coat the churros in a mix of brown sugar and cinnamon for a deeper flavor, or drizzle caramel sauce over them for an extra sweet touch.

Fruit Toppings: For a refreshing twist, top your churros with fresh fruits like strawberries, blueberries, or mango.
Whipped Cream: Serve your churros with a dollop of fresh whipped cream or vanilla ice cream for a comforting dessert.
Coconut Sugar: For a unique flavor, use coconut sugar instead of regular sugar for a slight caramelized taste.

How to Serve Air Fryer Churros

Churros are a versatile dessert and can be enjoyed in many ways. Here are some serving suggestions to make your Air Fryer Churros even more irresistible:

With Dipping Sauces: Serve your churros with chocolate sauce, caramel sauce, Nutella, or a tangy yogurt dip. The dipping sauce adds a fun interactive element to the dessert.
As a Snack: Perfect for an afternoon snack, serve them alongside a cup of coffee, hot chocolate, or tea for a comforting treat.

For Parties: Make Air Fryer Churros for your next party or celebration. Serve them as a finger food dessert with various sauces and toppings to allow guests to customize their churros.
For Breakfast: Give your churros a breakfast twist by adding some fresh fruit, whipped cream, or a drizzle of honey for a lighter option.

Storing and Reheating Leftover Air Fryer Churros

If you have any leftover Air Fryer Churros, here’s how to store and reheat them:

Storage:

Room Temperature: Store the churros in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. While they’re best fresh, they’ll still taste great the next day.
Refrigeration: If you want to keep them for a longer time, refrigerate the churros for up to 5 days. Just be aware that they may lose some of their crispiness.

Reheating:

Air Fryer: To reheat, place the churros in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for about 3-5 minutes to get them crispy again.
Oven: You can also reheat them in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes, until they are warmed and crisp.

Freezing:

Freeze: You can freeze churros before or after they’re cooked. For frozen uncooked churros, pipe them and place them on a baking sheet, freeze them for 1-2 hours, then transfer them to a freezer bag for up to 3 months.

To Cook Frozen Churros: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) and cook frozen churros for about 12-14 minutes, or until golden and crispy.

Air Fryer Churros: The Perfect Dessert

Air Fryer Churros are the ideal treat for anyone looking for a crispy, golden dessert without all the fuss of deep frying. Whether you’re craving a sweet snack or preparing for a party, churros are always a crowd-pleaser. Thanks to the air fryer, you can now enjoy this traditional Mexican dessert with less oil, fewer calories, and in a fraction of the time.

So, the next time you’re in the mood for a sweet treat, whip up a batch of Air Fryer Churros and enjoy them fresh with your favorite dipping sauce. It’s a dessert everyone will love!

Air Fryer Churros: Crispy, Golden Perfection in Minutes