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Air Fryer Churros Recipe

ByTaylor
Jump to Recipe· 4.9 from 12 reviews

If you love churros but want a lighter, less greasy version, you’re going to adore this Air Fryer Churros Recipe. It’s the perfect way to enjoy that classic cinnamon-sugar crunch without the mess or heaviness of deep frying. I honestly can’t resist piping that dough into pretty little sticks and watching them turn golden in the air fryer – it feels like magic every time!

This recipe also shines when you’re craving a quick dessert that doesn’t require hours in the kitchen. The air fryer crisps them up perfectly in under 15 minutes, and they still taste like they came from a street cart. Plus, you get to control the sweetness and dunk them in your favorite dipping sauce – trust me, this Air Fryer Churros Recipe will become your new go-to treat.

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Why This Recipe Works

  • Healthier Twist: Air frying means you cut down on oil but still get that crispy texture you crave.
  • Simple Ingredients: You probably have everything on hand already, which makes it easy to whip up anytime.
  • No Deep Frying Required: Less mess, less stress, and no need to monitor hot oil constantly.
  • Perfect Crispy Finish: The air fryer’s even heat gives the churros a beautiful golden-brown crunch every single time.
A close-up view of several golden brown churros stacked in a slightly messy pile on a white marbled surface. Each churro has a ridged texture with a crispy outer layer and is covered evenly with fine sugar granules. The churros have a light, warm yellow color with hints of darker toasted edges, showing their crunchy coating. The white sugar contrasts with the warm tones of the churros, and some sugar is scattered around them on the surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7 this …

Ingredients & Why They Work

The ingredients in this Air Fryer Churros Recipe come together beautifully to create that airy, crispy texture with a perfect balance of sweetness and warmth from cinnamon. Each one plays a key role in crafting churros that feel indulgent yet light.

  • Water: Helps create steam in the dough, which puffs up the churros inside while the outside crisps.
  • Unsalted Butter: Adds richness; I find cubed butter melts evenly into the dough.
  • Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the dough and is perfect for the cinnamon-sugar coating.
  • Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances the overall flavor.
  • All-Purpose Flour: The base that gives our churros structure.
  • Eggs: Provide moisture and help bind the dough, giving it that chewy interior.
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds a subtle, warm flavor that really rounds out the sweetness.
  • Oil Spray: Ensures the churros crisp up nicely in the air fryer without sticking.
  • Cinnamon and Sugar: Classic churro coating—with just the right spice and sweetness for that authentic finish.
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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Tweak to Your Taste

I love making this Air Fryer Churros Recipe my own depending on the season or my mood. You can easily adjust the cinnamon level or even toss the churros in different coatings that suit your cravings. Feel free to get creative — churros are surprisingly flexible!

  • Cinnamon Kick: Sometimes I add a pinch of nutmeg or cayenne to spice things up for a cozy fall vibe.
  • Sweet Dip Options: Besides classic chocolate or Nutella, I’ve tried dulce de leche and even berry compotes for a fruity touch.
  • Gluten-Free: Swap in gluten-free flour blends one-to-one if you want a gluten-free version — just expect a slightly different texture.
  • Mini Churros: Piping smaller churros works great for bite-sized treats at parties or snack time.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Air Fryer Churros Recipe

Step 1: Cook the Dough on the Stove

Start by bringing water, butter, sugar, and salt just to a boil in a saucepan — keep an eye out so it doesn’t boil over. Then stir in the flour, lowering the heat, and cook while stirring steadily until the dough clumps and smooths out into a thick ball. This step is crucial because it cooks off excess moisture, allowing your churros to puff perfectly in the air fryer later.

Step 2: Mix in Eggs and Vanilla

Once off the heat and slightly cooled, transfer the dough to a mixing bowl. Add the eggs and vanilla, then mix using a hand or stand mixer. At first, it looks like gluey mashed potatoes, but keep going — the dough will come together into a thick, smooth ball. I usually use my hands to press any stubborn lumps together, which makes piping easier.

Step 3: Pipe and Chill the Churros

Fit a piping bag with a large star tip, then load in your dough. Pipe 4-inch churros onto a silicone mat-lined baking sheet that you’ve sprayed lightly with oil — scissors help to cut the dough cleanly. This chilling step is not just about patience; refrigerating for one hour firms them up, so they hold their shape while air frying, which is key for that perfect crisp edge.

Step 4: Air Fry ‘Em to Golden Perfection

Transfer your churros to the air fryer basket carefully, spacing them about half an inch apart for even cooking. A light spray of oil on top gives them that irresistible crunchy exterior. I set the air fryer to 375°F and cook for 10-12 minutes, keeping an eye for that gorgeous golden brown color. It’s better to do this in batches than overcrowd the basket, so each churro crisps up just right.

Step 5: Toss in Cinnamon Sugar & Serve

Mix granulated sugar and cinnamon in a shallow bowl, then immediately toss your hot churros to coat. The warmth helps the sugar stick beautifully. I always serve mine with a luscious chocolate or Nutella dipping sauce — it’s total comfort food magic.

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Pro Tips for Making Air Fryer Churros Recipe

  • Dry Ingredients Have to Be Cooked Well: Don’t rush the dough cooking step on the stove; it should pull away smoothly from the pan.
  • Chill Before Air Frying: I’ve learned chilling the piped churros makes all the difference for shape and texture.
  • Use a Large Star Tip for Piping: It creates those beautiful ridges that hold on to cinnamon sugar perfectly.
  • Air Fry in Batches: Crowding the basket leads to soggy churros, so give them space to crisp evenly.

How to Serve Air Fryer Churros Recipe

A close-up shows a golden brown churro covered in sugar being dipped into a smooth, thick, dark chocolate sauce inside a white bowl. The churro is held by a woman's hand, bringing it into the creamy chocolate, with more churros visible blurred in the background. The scene is set on a surface with a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

I usually stick with the classic cinnamon-sugar dusting because it’s just right, but sometimes I sprinkle a little powdered sugar for a touch of elegance. For extra indulgence, a drizzle of caramel or chocolate sauce on top never hurts. When I’m serving guests, adding fresh berries or whipped cream alongside the dipping sauce makes it feel festive.

Side Dishes

These churros are perfect with a warm cup of coffee or a rich hot chocolate. Sometimes, I pair them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream if I want to turn it into a dessert. For brunch, they work surprisingly well alongside fresh fruit salad or even creamy yogurt.

Creative Ways to Present

For birthdays or celebrations, I’ve arranged churros in a decorative spiral or stacked them in a cute cone paper holder. Dipping sauces can be served in small individual glasses for a fancy touch. Another fun idea is to dust churros with colorful sugar sprinkles or edible glitter to wow the kids or guests.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover churros are best stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one day. From my experience, they lose their crispness fairly quickly, so it’s hard to keep that fresh crunch overnight. If you’re planning ahead, I suggest reheating them promptly.

Freezing

I’ve frozen the piped, uncooked churros after the chilling step on the baking sheet (wrapped tightly with plastic wrap), then stored them in freezer bags. When ready, I let them thaw slightly before air frying as usual. This little trick saves time on busy days and yields nearly fresh churros.

Reheating

To revive leftover churros, pop them back into the air fryer at 350°F for 2-3 minutes. This brings back some of the crunch and warms them up nicely without drying them out. Avoid microwaving as it tends to make them soggy.

FAQs

  1. Can I use regular flour instead of all-purpose flour in this Air Fryer Churros Recipe?

    All-purpose flour is ideal because it has the right protein content to give churros structure and chewiness. Using other flours like cake or bread flour can alter the texture — cake flour will be too soft and bread flour might make them too dense. If you want gluten-free options, special blends designed for baking work best with some experimentation.

  2. Why do I have to chill the churros before air frying?

    Chilling helps the churros firm up so they hold their shape while air frying, preventing them from flattening out or losing their ridged texture. It keeps the dough stable, which is especially important since this recipe skips deep frying where hot oil firms the dough immediately.

  3. How long do I air fry churros for best results?

    For this recipe, air frying at 375°F for about 10-12 minutes gives a golden, crispy finish. Because air fryer models vary a bit, start checking at 10 minutes so you don’t burn them — you want a deep golden color and crispy exterior but not dry inside.

  4. Can I make these churros dairy-free?

    Yes! You can substitute the butter with a dairy-free alternative like coconut oil or vegan margarine. The texture might vary slightly, but you’ll still have delicious air-fried churros. Just make sure your cinnamon sugar and dipping sauces are dairy-free too.

  5. What’s the best way to serve the churros?

    Serve the churros warm right after coating them with cinnamon sugar. Pair with chocolate or Nutella dipping sauce, or try caramel, dulce de leche, or fresh fruit dips. A sprinkle of powdered sugar or a side of whipped cream adds a nice touch for sharing occasions.

Final Thoughts

This Air Fryer Churros Recipe has quickly become a favorite in my kitchen – it hits the spot whether as a treat for the family or a sweet surprise when friends pop over. I love how fuss-free it is, especially since I don’t have to babysit a pot of hot oil. If you’ve been hesitant to try churros at home, this recipe makes it so accessible and fun. I promise you’ll enjoy every crispy, cinnamon-sugar-coated bite!

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Air Fryer Churros Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.9 from 12 reviews
  • Author: Taylor
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 12 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour 27 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Air Frying
  • Cuisine: Spanish
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Description

Deliciously crispy Air Fryer Churros coated in cinnamon sugar, made with a simple dough of flour, eggs, and butter. This healthier twist on the classic fried churros delivers all the authentic flavor and crunch using an air fryer for easy cleanup and less oil.

Ingredients

Units Scale

Dough

  • 1 cup water
  • 1/3 cup unsalted butter, cut into cubes
  • 2 Tbsp granulated sugar
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • Oil spray, for greasing and air frying

Cinnamon-Sugar Coating

  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 3/4 tsp ground cinnamon

Instructions

  1. Prepare the baking sheet: Place a silicone baking mat on a baking sheet and spray it lightly with oil spray to prevent sticking.
  2. Make the dough: In a medium saucepan, combine water, butter, sugar, and salt. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
  3. Add flour and cook dough: Reduce heat to medium-low and add the flour. Stir constantly with a rubber spatula until the dough forms a smooth, cohesive ball and pulls away from the sides of the pan.
  4. Cool the dough: Remove the pan from heat and transfer the dough to a mixing bowl. Allow it to cool for 4 minutes to avoid cooking the eggs in the next step.
  5. Incorporate eggs and vanilla: Add eggs and vanilla extract. Using an electric hand mixer or stand mixer, beat until the dough comes together into a sticky, smooth mass resembling gluey mashed potatoes. Use your hands to press any lumps together into a ball.
  6. Pipe the churros: Transfer the dough ball into a large piping bag fitted with a large star-shaped tip. Pipe 4-inch lengths onto the greased baking mat. Cut the dough with scissors after each churro.
  7. Refrigerate the churros: Refrigerate the piped churros on the baking sheet for 1 hour to help them set properly.
  8. Preheat air fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 375 degrees F.
  9. Air fry churros: Carefully transfer churros to the air fryer basket, spacing them about 1/2 inch apart. Spray them lightly with oil spray. Depending on the size of your air fryer, cook in batches if needed. Air fry for 12 minutes or until golden brown and crispy.
  10. Coat with cinnamon sugar: In a shallow bowl, mix granulated sugar and ground cinnamon. Immediately toss the hot churros in the mixture until evenly coated.
  11. Serve: Serve churros warm with your favorite dipping sauce such as Nutella or chocolate sauce.

Notes

  • Ensure the dough cools before adding eggs to prevent scrambling.
  • Use a star-shaped piping tip to achieve the classic churro ridged texture.
  • Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking.
  • The resting time helps the churros firm up for frying without losing shape.
  • For extra crispiness, lightly mist churros with oil spray before air frying.
  • Store leftover churros in an airtight container and reheat in the air fryer to restore crispness.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 220 kcal
  • Sugar: 15 g
  • Sodium: 150 mg
  • Fat: 9 g
  • Saturated Fat: 5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 28 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 4 g
  • Cholesterol: 65 mg

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