Craving a taste of Spain with a light and modern twist? Air Fryer Churros deliver all the golden, cinnamon-sugary crunch of the street-fair favorite—without the mess or heaviness of deep-frying. These irresistible bites are soft and pillowy on the inside, crisp on the outside, and made with pantry basics in less than 30 minutes. They’re the perfect dessert for a weeknight treat or a weekend gathering, and this Air Fryer Churros recipe makes the experience downright fun and hassle-free!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of Air Fryer Churros is in their simplicity—just a handful of staple ingredients come together to build big, bold flavor. Each element plays an important role in creating that swoon-worthy churro texture and iconic flavor. Here’s what you’ll need (plus why):
- Water: The base for the dough, helping everything come together smoothly and create that classic choux texture.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens both the dough and the coating, giving every bite a delicious sugary kick.
- Salt: Just a pinch balances out the sweetness and makes the flavors pop.
- Unsalted butter: Adds richness and helps meld the dough ingredients, ensuring tender churros every time.
- All-purpose flour: The backbone of the dough, creating structure for that trademark crisp shell and fluffy interior.
- Large eggs: These give the churros their signature puff, creating lightness and a lovely golden color.
- Vanilla extract: A splash adds warmth and depth, rounding out the flavor beautifully.
- Nonstick cooking spray or oil spray: Ensures easy release and even crisping in your air fryer basket.
- Granulated sugar (for coating): Coats the churros for that authentic, irresistible finish.
- Ground cinnamon: The finishing touch—rolls together with sugar for a blend that makes churros so iconic.
How to Make Air Fryer Churros
Step 1: Make the Dough Base
Start by combining water, sugar, salt, and butter in a medium saucepan set over medium heat. Let everything come to a lively boil—this quick step helps meld the flavors and prepares your base for churro magic. Once boiling, reduce the heat and pour in the flour, stirring steadily until it forms a cohesive ball and pulls away cleanly from the edges of the pan. This may feel a bit like making pâte à choux if you’ve tried your hand at classic pastry!
Step 2: Cool and Enrich the Dough
Take your pan off the heat and let the dough cool for five minutes. This gives it a chance to settle and ensures your eggs won’t scramble when added (no one wants that!). Add the eggs in one at a time, stirring thoroughly after each addition until smooth and glossy. Finally, stir in the vanilla extract for that comforting aroma and extra depth of flavor.
Step 3: Pipe Your Churros
Spoon the finished dough into a piping bag fitted with a large star tip—the secret to those classic ridged churro shapes! Lightly grease your air fryer basket with nonstick spray. Carefully pipe 4- to 5-inch strips of dough right into the basket, using kitchen scissors to snip dough at the right length. Don’t overcrowd; your churros need plenty of room for crisping up to perfection!
Step 4: Air Fry to Crispy Golden Perfection
Spray the piped dough lightly with oil and set your air fryer to 375°F. Cook the churros for 10 to 12 minutes, watching as they puff and turn beautifully golden-brown. Batch-cook if needed, making sure not to overlap pieces—this is key for that unbeatable crunch and even cooking you love in Air Fryer Churros!
Step 5: Cinnamon-Sugar Finish
Once your churros are hot out of the air fryer, let them cool just briefly so they’re still warm but not steaming hot. Gently roll each churro in the cinnamon-sugar mixture, coating them generously for that classic look and flavor. The sugar will cling to the warmth, but waiting a moment first prevents melting into sogginess.
How to Serve Air Fryer Churros
Garnishes
Add a flourish to your Air Fryer Churros with a dusting of extra cinnamon sugar, a drizzle of chocolate sauce, or even a side of dulce de leche for dipping. You can also add a sprinkle of powdered sugar for a festive look—each bite will be delicious and utterly Instagram-worthy.
Side Dishes
Pair your churros with a warm mug of spiced hot chocolate, creamy café con leche, or a chilled glass of horchata. Serving churros alongside fresh fruit or a scoop of vanilla ice cream takes the indulgence to a whole new level, making dessert hour feel like a celebration.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, pile mini Air Fryer Churros high on a sharing platter with an array of dips—think chocolate, caramel, and berry sauces. Or, bundle them in parchment for a street-fair vibe and serve with colorful napkins. If you’re feeling playful, try shaping churros into hearts or spirals before frying for extra fun and flair!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you happen to have any left (unlikely, but miracles happen!), store leftover churros in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. Resist the urge to refrigerate—they’ll keep their texture best this way. If you coated them heavily, line the container with parchment to help absorb excess moisture.
Freezing
Air Fryer Churros freeze surprisingly well! Arrange cooled churros in a single layer on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to a zip-top bag or airtight container. They’ll keep in the freezer for up to two months. For best results, freeze them before adding the cinnamon sugar—coat just after reheating to bring back that fresh taste and crispness.
Reheating
When you’re ready for round two, simply pop your churros back into the air fryer at 350°F for about 2 to 3 minutes. This refreshes the crisp exterior without drying out the tender centers. If frozen, allow to thaw for a few minutes first, then air fry and roll in cinnamon sugar while warm.
FAQs
Can I use a different type Dessert
All-purpose flour is the classic choice and gives the traditional churro texture. If you need a gluten-free option, try a cup-for-cup gluten-free blend, but note the texture may be slightly different—still tasty, just a bit softer!
Why did my churros come out dense and not fluffy?
This usually happens if the dough was overmixed or eggs weren’t fully incorporated. Make sure to add eggs one at a time and mix until silky, and don’t skip letting the dough cool for a few minutes before adding eggs.
Can I prepare Air Fryer Churros dough in advance?
Yes! You can make the dough up to a day in advance and refrigerate it tightly wrapped. When you’re ready, pipe straight from the fridge—just add about a minute to the air frying time if cold.
What’s the best way to get that classic ridged appearance?
Using a large star piping tip is the secret! If you don’t have one, you can pipe with a zip-top bag and snip off the corner, but for those true churro ridges, a star shape is best for holding on to the cinnamon sugar, too.
Can I double this Air Fryer Churros recipe?
You sure can! Just be sure to air fry in batches so each churro gets the space it needs to turn golden and crispy—avoid crowding the basket for best results every time.
Final Thoughts
If you love sweet rewards with minimal fuss, these Air Fryer Churros are about to become your go-to dessert. Grab a friend or family member, turn up the music, and make a batch to share—because everyone deserves a little bit of churro joy, and there’s no better time to taste happiness than right now!
Print
Air Fryer Churros Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 10–12 churros
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: Spanish
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Air Fryer Churros are a delightful twist on the classic Spanish treat. Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and coated in a cinnamon-sugar mixture, they are perfect for a sweet snack or dessert.
Ingredients
Dough:
- 1 cup water
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Coating:
- nonstick cooking spray or oil spray
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: In a medium saucepan, combine water, sugar, salt, and butter. Cook until a ball forms. Remove from heat, let cool, then add eggs and vanilla.
- Air Fry: Transfer dough to a piping bag, pipe into the air fryer basket, and air fry until golden brown.
- Coat: Roll warm churros in cinnamon-sugar mixture.
- Serve: Enjoy warm with preferred sauce.
Notes
- Spray churros before air frying to prevent sticking.
- Let churros cool slightly before coating.
- Air fry in batches for extra crispiness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 churro
- Calories: 110
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
