Name: Air Fryer Churros Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 27 min
Cuisine: Spanish
Ingredients: 1 cup water; 2 tablespoons granulated sugar; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 2 tablespoons unsalted butter; 1 cup all-purpose flour; 2 large eggs; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1/2 cup granulated sugar; 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon; nonstick cooking spray

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If you’ve ever craved the golden, cinnamon-sugar crunch of fresh churros but hesitated at the thought of deep frying, these Air Fryer Churros will absolutely thrill you! This recipe transforms the classic Spanish treat into an easy, lightened-up snack that keeps all the irresistible flavor and texture you love, without the mess or extra oil. Whether you’re making them for a family movie night or a festive party, they come together quickly and guarantee smiles—all you need is a handful of pantry staples and your trusty air fryer.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of Air Fryer Churros lies in their simplicity—every ingredient is familiar but essential, playing its part to create that tender inside and golden, crispy outside. A few thoughtful touches ensure maximum flavor and the signature texture you expect from the very best churros.

Water: Acts as the main liquid, helping form the signature choux pastry dough.
Granulated sugar: Adds just the right sweetness to both the dough and the classic cinnamon-sugar coating.
Salt: Brings out the flavors and balances the sweetness, making the churros truly pop.
Unsalted butter: Melts into the dough for richness and that beautiful golden color.
All-purpose flour: The backbone of the dough, giving the churros their chew and structure.
Large eggs: Bind everything together and help the churros puff up in the air fryer.
Vanilla extract: Adds a layer of warmth and aromatic sweetness to the dough.
More granulated sugar: Essential for rolling the finished churros in, delivering that iconic sugary crunch.
Ground cinnamon: Combines with sugar for the classic churro finish—don’t skip it!
Nonstick cooking spray: Ensures your churros turn out crisp and never stick to the parchment or basket.

How to Make Air Fryer Churros

Step 1: Prep the Dough Base

Begin by grabbing a medium saucepan and combining your water, 2 tablespoons of sugar, salt, and unsalted butter. Bring this mixture to a gentle boil over medium heat—this helps dissolve everything together and preps the liquid base for your classic choux dough. Once you see bubbles and the butter has fully melted, you’re ready to add the flour.

Step 2: Mix in the Flour

With your liquid mixture boiling, stir in the flour all at once. Use a sturdy wooden spoon or spatula and keep stirring until the dough pulls away from the sides of the pan and forms a smooth, cohesive ball. This only takes a minute but is essential for properly developing structure. Remove the pan from heat and let the dough cool for about 5 minutes—just enough so the eggs won’t scramble when you add them.

Step 3: Blend In Eggs and Vanilla

Once slightly cooled, add the eggs one at a time, stirring well after each addition. The dough will look slippery and separated at first, but keep going—it will come together beautifully smooth and glossy. Finish with a generous spoonful of vanilla extract. This is when the batter transforms from basic to fragrant and downright irresistible!

Step 4: Pipe the Churros

Spoon your dough into a piping bag fitted with a large star tip for that classic churro look. Line your air fryer basket with parchment and give it a light mist of cooking spray. Pipe 4 to 6-inch strips directly onto the parchment, leaving enough room for each churro to puff up and crisp perfectly. No piping bag? No problem! You can use a sturdy zip-top bag with a snipped corner—it won’t look as traditional, but it’ll taste amazing.

Step 5: Air Fry the Churros

Set your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Cook the churros for 10 to 12 minutes, or until they’re golden, puffed, and just begging to be eaten. For extra crispiness, let them cool a couple minutes, then pop them back in for a quick 2 to 3 minute blast—your kitchen will smell like a bakery!

Step 6: Roll in Cinnamon Sugar

While your churros are doing their thing, mix together half a cup of sugar with 2 teaspoons of cinnamon in a shallow dish. When each batch is done, lightly spray them with more cooking spray (this helps the sugar stick), then immediately roll each piece in your cinnamon sugar. The coating clings to the warm surface, creating the ultimate sweet-and-spicy shell.

How to Serve Air Fryer Churros

Garnishes

Serve these beauties piled high on a platter, freshly dusted with extra cinnamon sugar if you like. For a little something extra, drizzle with warm chocolate sauce, dulce de leche, or a touch of honey. A dusting of powdered sugar takes them right over the top!

Side Dishes

Air Fryer Churros are definitely the star of the show, but they play well with others! Pair them with a fruit salad for a bright, refreshing contrast, or offer alongside a steaming mug of Mexican hot chocolate or café con leche for classic flair. Cold milk is always a hit with kids and adults alike.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, try threading bite-sized churros onto skewers for easy dipping or serve mini churros in paper cones for a festive “fairground” feel. You could even set up a DIY dipping bar with different sauces—think caramel, chocolate, raspberry, or a rich vanilla cream. It turns dessert into an interactive, crowd-pleasing event!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you somehow have leftover Air Fryer Churros (which never happens at my house!), store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. To keep them as crispy as possible, let them cool completely first before sealing them up.

Freezing

Air Fryer Churros freeze beautifully! After piping, arrange the raw dough strips on a parchment-lined tray and freeze until solid. Transfer to a freezer bag, then air fry straight from frozen as your sweet tooth demands. This is a lifesaver if you love having homemade treats on hand with zero fuss.

Reheating

For that just-made taste, pop your leftover churros back in the air fryer for about 2 to 3 minutes at 350°F until crisp and warm. Microwaving works in a pinch but tends to soften them, so stick to the air fryer when possible to recapture their magic crunch.

FAQs

Can I make Air Fryer Churros gluten-free?

Yes, you can swap the all-purpose flour for a good quality gluten-free 1:1 baking flour blend. The texture may vary slightly, but you’ll still get deliciously crisp churros!

Do I need to use a piping bag with a star tip?

While a star tip gives churros their traditional ridged look, you can absolutely use a sturdy zip-top bag and cut off a corner. The shape won’t be quite as classic, but the taste and texture remain spot on.

How can I make my churros extra crispy?

For extra crunch, let your churros cool a couple of minutes after air frying, then return them to the air fryer for an additional 2 to 3 minutes before rolling in the cinnamon sugar. This trick gives them a satisfyingly crisp shell.

Can I prepare the dough ahead of time?

Definitely! You can pipe the dough onto a tray and freeze until solid, then store in a freezer-safe bag. Air fry directly from frozen for fresh churros anytime—so convenient!

What’s the best dipping sauce for Air Fryer Churros?

Traditional chocolate sauce is a favorite, but don’t hesitate to serve with caramel, dulce de leche, raspberry coulis, or even flavored whipped creams. The possibilities are endless and fun to customize!

Final Thoughts

There’s just something magical about the golden crunch and cinnamon scent of freshly made Air Fryer Churros, and with this recipe, you can treat yourself any night of the week. Dive in and share them with the people you love—homemade churros have a way of bringing smiles to every table!

Air Fryer Churros Recipe

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4.7 from 24 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 27 minutes
Yield: 12 churros 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Learn how to make delicious churros in the air fryer with this easy recipe. These crispy treats are coated in cinnamon sugar and perfect for a sweet snack or dessert.

Ingredients

Scale

Dough:

1 cup water
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Coating:

1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
nonstick cooking spray

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Instructions

Prepare Dough: In a saucepan, boil water, sugar, salt, and butter. Mix in flour until dough forms. Cool slightly, then add eggs one at a time and vanilla. Transfer to piping bag.
Air Fry Churros: Pipe dough strips onto parchment in air fryer. Fry at 375°F (190°C) for 10-12 minutes until golden. Combine sugar and cinnamon in a dish. Roll cooked churros in mixture.
Serve: Enjoy warm with optional chocolate sauce.