These air fryer churros are golden and crisp, with a perfect balance of sweet cinnamon sugar. Each bite offers a soft, pillowy inside with a crunchy exterior, making them the ideal dessert or snack. The best part is that you can enjoy churros without the mess of deep frying!
These churros are incredibly easy to make and require minimal ingredients. You can pair them with your favorite dipping sauces, like chocolate or caramel, for an extra indulgent treat. Whether you’re making them for a family snack or serving them at a party, they’re sure to be a hit!
Full Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 cup water
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Cooking spray
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar (for coating)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (for coating)
Directions:
- In a saucepan over medium heat, combine water, butter, sugar, and salt. Stir occasionally until the butter is melted and the mixture comes to a boil.
- Add flour to the saucepan, and stir continuously until the dough forms a ball and pulls away from the sides of the pan.
- Remove from heat and allow to cool for a few minutes. Once cooled slightly, add eggs one at a time, stirring well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Fill a piping bag fitted with a star tip with the churro dough.
- Line the air fryer basket with parchment paper and lightly spray it with cooking spray. Pipe strips of dough (about 4-5 inches long) into the basket, making sure they don’t touch each other.
- Air fry for 8-10 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.
- While the churros are cooking, mix the granulated sugar and cinnamon in a shallow bowl. Once the churros are done, remove them from the air fryer and immediately roll them in the cinnamon sugar mixture.
- Serve warm with chocolate sauce or caramel for dipping, if desired.
Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 10 minutes | Total Time: 20 minutes
Kcal: 180 kcal | Servings: 6 servings
Introduction to Air Fryer Churros
Churros, a beloved treat originating from Spain, have made their way around the world and become a favorite snack in many countries. Traditionally deep-fried, these delicious pastries are now even more accessible and healthier when made in an air fryer. With their crispy, golden exterior and soft, chewy inside, churros coated in cinnamon sugar are the perfect indulgence for any occasion. This air fryer churro recipe makes the process easier and cleaner than ever before, all while delivering that authentic churro taste.
The beauty of air fryer churros lies not just in their flavor, but in their convenience. You can have this sweet treat ready in less than 30 minutes, making it ideal for a last-minute dessert or a snack during movie night. Unlike their deep-fried counterparts, these churros are not soaking in oil, which makes them slightly healthier without compromising on taste. Let’s explore why air fryer churros have become such a popular recipe and how they compare to traditional churros.
The History of Churros
Churros have a rich history that dates back hundreds of years. Originally, churros were believed to have been brought to Spain by Portuguese sailors. The Portuguese sailors introduced these fried dough pastries, which were quite similar to the “fartura” and “churro” of their home country, but it was in Spain where they gained widespread popularity. Over the years, churros have evolved in various ways, but the classic recipe has remained a favorite throughout Spain and Latin America.
In Spain, churros are often served for breakfast with a cup of thick hot chocolate for dipping. In Latin American countries, churros are also enjoyed as a snack or dessert, with variations like filled churros containing chocolate, dulce de leche, or custard. Regardless of where they are made or how they are served, churros hold a special place in many people’s hearts, thanks to their simplicity and deliciousness.
Why Use an Air Fryer for Churros?
Traditionally, churros are deep-fried, which can create a greasy texture and requires a lot of oil. Deep frying also poses potential health risks from overuse of oils, and it often results in a messy kitchen. Enter the air fryer: a kitchen gadget that uses circulating hot air to cook food and crisp it to perfection, requiring little to no oil.
When it comes to churros, the air fryer provides an easy solution. The result is still a perfectly crispy outer layer and a soft, chewy interior, but with significantly less oil. Not only does this reduce the calorie count, but it also makes air frying churros faster and cleaner. You no longer have to worry about a mess from splattering oil or dealing with the large pots and pans needed for deep frying.
Air fryers also allow you to make churros in batches, ensuring that each churro gets an even crisp. And since air fryers cook food faster than traditional methods, you can have churros ready in about 10 minutes, perfect for when you have guests over or want a quick snack.
Benefits of Making Air Fryer Churros
Making churros in the air fryer comes with several benefits. Here are some of the top reasons to try this recipe:
- Less Oil and Fat – Air fryers require very little oil, which results in churros that are significantly lower in fat compared to their deep-fried counterparts.
- Quick and Easy – With an air fryer, the churro dough cooks in just a few minutes. You don’t have to wait around for the oil to heat up or risk overcooking the dough.
- Crispy Texture – The air fryer gives churros a perfect golden crisp without drying them out. They’re crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside, and simply irresistible.
- Healthier Alternative – As mentioned earlier, the air fryer offers a healthier alternative to traditional frying methods, reducing the overall fat content of your churros.
- Convenience – Air frying churros is a no-fuss process. With minimal clean-up involved, you can enjoy churros without worrying about the mess left behind from deep frying.
Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Churros
To get the most out of your air fryer churros, here are a few tips to help ensure they turn out perfectly every time:
- Use Parchment Paper – Line the air fryer basket with parchment paper to prevent the churros from sticking. Just make sure the paper is trimmed to fit the basket so it doesn’t fly up during cooking.
- Pipe the Dough Properly – Use a piping bag with a star tip to pipe the churros. This gives them the signature ridged shape that makes them so recognizable. Be sure to pipe them about 4-5 inches long to fit comfortably in the air fryer basket.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Basket – Leave space between each churro to allow the hot air to circulate properly, ensuring they cook evenly and crisp up nicely. If necessary, cook the churros in batches.
- Spray with Oil – Lightly spray the churros with cooking spray before air frying to help achieve that perfect crispiness. A little bit of oil goes a long way in creating a golden-brown exterior.
- Adjust Time and Temperature – Depending on the size of your churros and the type of air fryer you use, you may need to adjust the cooking time and temperature slightly. Keep an eye on them as they cook to avoid overcooking.
Customizing Your Churros
While traditional churros are delicious on their own, they also offer plenty of room for customization. Here are some ideas for mixing things up:
- Filled Churros – Once the churros are cooked and coated with cinnamon sugar, you can pipe them with chocolate, caramel, or fruit fillings to make them even more decadent.
- Toppings – Add a drizzle of melted chocolate, dulce de leche, or a dusting of powdered sugar to make your churros even more indulgent.
- Spiced Coatings – While cinnamon sugar is the classic choice, you can experiment with different spice blends like pumpkin pie spice, cocoa powder, or nutmeg for a unique twist.
Conclusion: Air Fryer Churros as a Perfect Snack or Dessert
Air fryer churros are a simple, healthier alternative to the traditional deep-fried version, allowing you to indulge in a beloved treat with fewer calories and less mess. Whether you’re looking for a quick dessert to satisfy a sweet tooth or a fun snack for the family, this recipe delivers all the flavor and crunch you crave. The best part is that it’s versatile and customizable, so you can easily add your favorite toppings or fillings to suit your preferences.
Whether you’re a churro lover or someone new to this Spanish treat, using an air fryer makes this dessert more accessible and easier than ever to prepare. Try making a batch of these crispy churros today and discover just how simple and satisfying homemade churros can be!
The beauty of air fryer churros is not just in their ease of preparation but also in their ability to deliver a delicious treat without the guilt of traditional frying. These churros are crispy, golden, and coated in cinnamon sugar, making them the perfect snack for any occasion. By following a few simple steps and tips, you’ll have the ideal churro in no time, ready to enjoy alone or with your favorite dipping sauce. Whether for a family snack, a party, or just a cozy night at home, air fryer churros are a go-to recipe you’ll come back to again and again.