If you have a sweet tooth and a craving for a crispy, cinnamon-sugar treat, you will absolutely adore this Air Fryer Churros Recipe. It is a delightful twist on the classic Spanish-inspired dessert that lets you enjoy all the crunchy goodness and rich flavors, without the mess and excess oil of traditional frying. Each churro is perfectly golden and crisp on the outside, tender and airy on the inside, and coated in a warm, fragrant cinnamon sugar blend that will instantly become a favorite comfort dessert for your whole family.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Air Fryer Churros Recipe uses a handful of simple ingredients, yet each one plays a crucial role in creating the perfect texture and irresistible flavor that churros are known for.
- Water: The base liquid that helps create the dough’s structure and moisture.
- Granulated sugar: Added to the dough for a hint of sweetness and also used for coating to add that classic crunchy cinnamon sugar finish.
- Salt: Enhances and balances the flavors throughout the churro.
- Unsalted butter: Adds richness and a tender crumb to the dough.
- All-purpose flour: The foundation of the churro dough, providing the perfect consistency to pipe and crisp up when cooked.
- Eggs: Bind the dough and help create that light, airy interior texture.
- Vanilla extract: Adds a warm, sweet aroma that elevates the overall flavor.
- Ground cinnamon: Essential for the signature churro coating that’s both fragrant and comforting.
- Cooking spray or melted butter: Used to ensure the churros crisp perfectly in the air fryer.
How to Make Air Fryer Churros Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
Start by heating water, sugar, salt, and butter together in a saucepan until it boils, creating the perfect hot liquid base for your dough. Once boiling, remove from heat and quickly stir in the flour until a dough forms that pulls away from the sides of the pan. Let the mixture cool for about 5 minutes to avoid cooking the eggs prematurely in the next step.
Step 2: Mix in Eggs and Vanilla
Add the eggs one at a time while stirring vigorously; this part takes a little muscle but ensures a smooth, glossy dough that’s perfect for piping. Stir in the vanilla extract last to infuse the dough with a subtle fragrant sweetness.
Step 3: Pipe the Churros
Transfer your dough into a piping bag fitted with a large star tip to achieve the classic ridged churro shape. Pipe 4 to 5 inch strips onto parchment paper, trimming with scissors as needed. This piping step is fun and lets you create the characteristic look of churros that hold the cinnamon sugar coating beautifully.
Step 4: Air Fry Until Golden and Crisp
Carefully place the churros into a single layer in your air fryer basket, making sure not to overcrowd so they cook evenly. Lightly spray with cooking spray or brush with melted butter to guarantee a golden crust. Cook at 375°F (190°C) for about 10 to 12 minutes, until they’re delightfully crisp and smelling amazing.
Step 5: Coat with Cinnamon Sugar
While still warm, roll your fresh churros in a mixture of granulated sugar and ground cinnamon for that signature sweet and spicy coating that churros are famous for. This final touch makes each bite perfectly indulgent.
How to Serve Air Fryer Churros Recipe
Garnishes
You can keep it traditional with extra cinnamon sugar, or get creative by adding a dusting of powdered sugar, drizzling melted chocolate, or even sprinkling chopped toasted nuts for a crunchy contrast. Fresh fruit like strawberries or raspberries can also add a lovely fresh burst alongside your churros.
Side Dishes
Air fryer churros go fabulously with rich dips such as chocolate sauce, caramel sauce, or dulce de leche. Serving them alongside aromas of warm coffee or a chilled glass of milk creates a comforting, cozy experience that’s hard to beat.
Creative Ways to Present
Try stacking churros in a tall glass or rustic wooden board, pairing with small ramekins of multiple dipping sauces. You can also turn them into churro skewers for a fun, interactive dessert party centerpiece that invites everyone to grab and dip.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers, store your air fryer churros in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. This keeps them crisp without getting soggy, ready to enjoy later as a quick snack or dessert fix.
Freezing
You can freeze leftover churros by placing them in a single layer on a baking sheet first, freezing until firm, then transferring to a freezer-safe bag or container. They keep well for up to one month, making for a convenient treat whenever the mood strikes.
Reheating
To refresh your churros and restore their crispness, simply pop them back into the air fryer at 350°F for 2 to 3 minutes. This quick reheat method gives you that fresh-out-of-the-air-fryer crunch without drying them out.
FAQs
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
The dough is best used fresh to pipe and cook right away, as it can firm up and become difficult to work with if refrigerated. If needed, you can store the dough covered at room temperature for a couple of hours, but avoid overnight storage.
What type of flour is best for these churros?
All-purpose flour is ideal for this Air Fryer Churros Recipe because it provides the perfect balance of structure and tenderness. Using cake or bread flour may alter the texture.
Do I need a special air fryer to make churros?
Any standard air fryer will work for this recipe as long as it can maintain a steady temperature of 375°F and has enough space to avoid overcrowding the churros. Cooking in batches ensures the best results.
Can I use an alternative to butter for cooking spray?
Yes, melted coconut oil or non-stick cooking spray works well as alternatives. These options will still help the churros develop a crisp exterior without sticking to the basket.
Are these churros vegan-friendly?
This recipe uses eggs and butter, which are not vegan. However, you could experiment with vegan butter and egg substitutes, though texture and flavor might vary from the traditional version.
Final Thoughts
This Air Fryer Churros Recipe is a wonderful way to bring a little bit of joyful indulgence into your kitchen without fuss or deep frying. Crispy, sweet, and utterly delicious, these churros are sure to brighten up any dessert table or snack time. Give it a try and watch the smiles light up as you share these golden treats fresh from your air fryer!
Print
Air Fryer Churros Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 12 churros 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: Spanish-Inspired
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Enjoy a healthier twist on a classic Spanish treat with these Air Fryer Churros. Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, these cinnamon-sugar coated churros are easy to make without the mess of deep frying. Perfectly golden and flavorful, they’re ideal for a quick dessert or snack served with your favorite chocolate or caramel dipping sauce.
Ingredients
Dough
- 1 cup water
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Coating
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
For Spraying
- Cooking spray or melted butter (for crisping)
Instructions
- Prepare the dough: In a medium saucepan, combine water, sugar, salt, and butter. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, then remove from heat and immediately stir in the flour until a smooth dough forms. Allow the dough to cool for 5 minutes.
- Incorporate eggs and vanilla: Add eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition until the dough is smooth and well combined. Stir in the vanilla extract to flavor the dough.
- Pipe the churros: Transfer the dough into a piping bag fitted with a large star tip. Pipe 4- to 5-inch strips onto parchment paper, using scissors to cut the dough if necessary.
- Prepare for air frying: Carefully place the churros into the air fryer basket in a single layer without overcrowding. Lightly spray the churros with cooking spray or brush with melted butter to help them crisp during cooking.
- Air fry churros: Cook at 375°F (190°C) for 10–12 minutes, or until the churros turn golden and are crispy to the touch.
- Coat with cinnamon sugar: While still warm, roll the churros in a mixture of granulated sugar and ground cinnamon to coat evenly.
- Serve: Enjoy immediately with chocolate sauce, caramel dip, or your favorite accompaniment for a delicious dessert experience.
Notes
- To reheat leftovers, air fry for 2–3 minutes at 350°F to refresh their crispiness.
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket; cook in batches if necessary to ensure even cooking and crisp texture.
