Crunchy Magic: Irresistible Air Fryer Churros Recipe

Churros dance between crispy, golden perfection and soft, pillowy magic right in your air fryer recipe.

This delightful Spanish treat brings restaurant-quality sweetness straight to your kitchen.

Each bite promises a crunchy exterior with a tender center that melts in your mouth.

Traditional churros get a modern twist with minimal oil and maximum flavor.

The air fryer transforms these classic pastries into a guilt-free indulgence that’s quick and simple to make.

Drizzle with chocolate or dust with cinnamon sugar for an irresistible dessert that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.

Prepare to savor a delectable treat that combines crispy texture with sweet satisfaction.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Calories: 260 kcal

Servings: 4

What You’ll Need for Air Fryer Churros

• Water: Essential liquid that helps create smooth, pliable churro texture with perfect consistency.
• Butter: Adds rich flavor and helps create a tender, golden-brown pastry with luxurious mouthfeel.
• Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps achieve beautiful caramelization during cooking.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor profile and balances the sweetness.
• Flour: Structural foundation that gives churros their signature crispy exterior and soft interior.

• Eggs: Bind ingredients together, create structure, and contribute to rich, creamy texture.
• Vanilla Extract: Introduces warm, aromatic depth and complements the cinnamon coating.

• Granulated Sugar: Creates crisp, sweet outer layer with delightful crunch.
• Ground Cinnamon: Provides warm, spicy notes and classic churro flavor profile.
• Melted Butter: Helps cinnamon-sugar coating adhere and adds extra richness.

Gear Up for Golden Air Fryer Churros

• Saucepan: Essential for creating the churro dough base, used to combine and heat initial ingredients.
• Large Star Tip: Crucial for piping the classic churro shape with signature ridges.
• Piping Bag: Needed to shape churros with precise star-tip design.
• Air Fryer: Primary cooking appliance for achieving crispy exterior without deep frying.
• Baking Sheet: Temporary surface for preparing piped churros before air frying.
• Parchment Paper: Prevents churros from sticking during preparation.
• Mixing Spoon/Whisk: Used for stirring dough and incorporating eggs.
• Small Bowl: For mixing cinnamon sugar coating.
• Pastry Brush: Helps coat churros with melted butter before sugar coating.

Simple Steps for Crispy Air Fryer Churros

• Create Churro Base

Heat water, butter, sugar, and salt in a pan until simmering. Add flour rapidly and stir until dough forms a smooth ball. Remove from heat and let cool briefly.

• Blend Wet Ingredients

Incorporate eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition. Mix in vanilla extract until well combined.

• Shape Churro Strips

Load dough into a piping bag with a star-shaped tip. Carefully pipe elongated strips onto a lined surface.

• Cook in Air Fryer

Warm air fryer to 375F. Spritz basket with cooking spray. Arrange churros without crowding. Cook for 8-10 minutes until achieving a beautiful golden-brown color.

• Add Sweet Coating

Brush freshly cooked churros with melted butter. Roll in a delightful cinnamon-sugar mixture until fully covered.

• Serve and Indulge

Present warm churros alongside rich chocolate sauce, creamy caramel, or decadent dulce de leche for an irresistible dipping experience.

Ways to Customize Your Churros

• Perfect Dough Consistency: Use room temperature eggs and mix thoroughly to ensure a smooth, lump-free churro dough that creates a light, airy texture.
• Quick Piping Trick: For clean, even churros, chill the dough for 10 minutes before piping to make it easier to handle and create more defined star-shaped edges.
• Gluten-Free Option: Swap regular flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend to make these churros accessible for those with wheat sensitivities while maintaining the classic crispy texture.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Pipe the churro dough onto parchment paper and freeze unbaked churros for up to 2 weeks. Simply air fry directly from frozen, adding 1-2 extra minutes to cooking time for a quick homemade treat.
• Flavor Twist: Experiment with different coating options like orange-infused sugar, cocoa powder mix, or even sprinkle with finely chopped nuts for a unique spin on the traditional churro recipe.

Serve Up Air Fryer Churros Like a Dessert Cart

• Chocolate Decadence Dip: Melt rich dark chocolate with a splash of cream for a luxurious, silky dipping sauce that perfectly complements the crispy churros.
• Sweet Caramel Companion: Drizzle warm, golden caramel sauce over churros for a gooey, indulgent treat that adds extra sweetness and mouth-watering texture.
• Fruity Refreshing Twist: Serve with a side of fresh berry compote or raspberry coulis to balance the churros' sweetness with a tangy, bright flavor profile.
• Family Fun Platter: Create a churro dessert board with multiple dipping sauces, fresh berries, and whipped cream for an interactive and exciting shared experience.

Best Storage Tips for Leftover Churros

• Quick Refrigeration Tips: Store leftover churros in an airtight container inside the refrigerator for maximum freshness, keeping them crisp and delicious for up to 3 days.
• Cool Down Strategy: Always let churros reach room temperature before storing to prevent moisture buildup, which can make them soggy and less appetizing.
• Reheating Magic: Bring back that fresh-from-the-air-fryer crunch by warming churros in the air fryer at 350F for 2-3 minutes, restoring their crispy exterior and warm interior.
• Freezer-Friendly Option: Freeze uncooked churro dough in a piped form on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 1 month. Thaw in the refrigerator before air frying for a quick dessert anytime.

Crispy Air Fryer Churros Recipe

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4.6 from 32 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Crispy golden air fryer churros bring Spanish street flavor straight to home kitchens. Sweet cinnamon-sugar coating and delicate texture make this dessert irresistible for those craving authentic culinary experiences.

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Ingredients

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• 1 cup (240 ml / 8 fl oz) water
• ½ cup (113 g / 4 oz) unsalted butter
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup (125 g / 4.4 oz) all-purpose flour
• ½ cup (100 g / 3.5 oz) granulated sugar
• 1 tbsp (12.5 g / 0.4 oz) granulated sugar
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• ¼ tsp salt
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 tbsps (30 ml / 1 fl oz) melted butter (for brushing)

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Instructions

1. Dough Preparation: Combine water, butter, sugar, and salt in a saucepan, heating until ingredients blend and gently simmer.
2. Flour Integration: Vigorously stir flour into the hot mixture, creating a compact dough ball that cleanly pulls away from pan sides.
3. Egg Incorporation: Cool dough slightly, then gradually mix in eggs one at a time, developing a smooth, thick consistency while stirring in vanilla extract.
4. Piping Setup: Transfer dough to a piping bag fitted with a star-shaped tip, preparing to create uniform churro shapes on a parchment-lined surface.
5. Air Fryer Preheating: Activate air fryer to 375F (190C), lightly spraying basket with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
6. Cooking Process: Carefully position churros in the basket, maintaining space between each piece for optimal air circulation and even browning.
7. Finishing Touches: Air fry for 8-10 minutes until golden and crisp, then immediately brush with melted butter and roll in a cinnamon-sugar mixture.
8. Serving Suggestion: Present warm churros alongside chocolate, caramel, or dulce de leche dipping sauces for a decadent dessert experience.

Notes

• Monitor Dough Consistency: Achieve a smooth, glossy dough by stirring vigorously and ensuring ingredients meld perfectly without lumps.
• Control Temperature Precision: Rest dough for a few minutes to stabilize and reach optimal mixing temperature, preventing potential egg scrambling.
• Optimize Air Fryer Performance: Space churros evenly in the basket, allowing proper heat circulation for uniform golden-crisp exterior without overcrowding.
• Adapt for Dietary Variations: Substitute all-purpose flour with gluten-free alternatives or use almond flour for low-carb versions, adjusting liquid ratios accordingly.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Air Frying
• Cuisine: Spanish

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 290
• Sugar: 24 g
• Sodium: 36 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 34 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg