Churros in Air Fryer: How to Make Them Crispy and Delicious

If you’re craving those crispy, cinnamon-sugar churros but want something healthier and less messy than deep frying, try making churros in an air fryer. Air fryer churros offer the same crunchy outside and soft, warm inside as traditional churros, but with less oil and effort. This makes them a great choice for an easy dessert, parties, or anytime you want a special treat at home.

Churros, a favorite in Spain and Mexico, are usually made by frying dough piped through a star-shaped nozzle, then rolling them in cinnamon sugar. While deep-fried churros are rich and tasty, air frying makes the process simpler, lighter, and much less greasy. Many people agree that air-fried churros are almost as delicious, just with fewer calories and without the risk of hot oil splatters.

What Are Churros and What Makes Air Fryer Churros Different?

Churros are a type of dough pastry that began in Spain and Portugal and are also eaten widely in Latin America. They’re usually made with a type of choux pastry dough, piped into hot oil, fried until golden, then coated in cinnamon sugar. They’re often served warm with chocolate or caramel sauce for dipping. The unique shape of churros comes from piping the dough through a star tip, which also helps the sugar stick better.

The dough for churros is simple: water, butter, sugar, salt, flour, and eggs. Spanish churros might skip the eggs and cinnamon, while Mexican versions include them for a richer taste and texture. No matter the recipe, churros are known for their crispy outside and soft inside.

What Sets Air Fryer Churros Apart?

Air fryer churros skip the pot of oil. Instead, they cook by hot air moving around the food, needing only a little spritz of oil. This lowers the fat and makes them healthier. You also get less mess in the kitchen and no worries about hot oil. While air fryer churros may be a bit lighter in color and slightly less crunchy, they’re still delicious and satisfy that churro craving. Plus, the method is faster and easier, making them perfect for snacking or parties.

Why Make Churros in an Air Fryer?

Making churros in an air fryer is popular for a few reasons. First, it’s much simpler and cleaner than using hot oil. Air frying is also safer and easier for beginners because you don’t have to handle hot, bubbling oil. The air fryer cooks churros evenly, keeping a steady temperature so they turn out golden and cooked all the way through. Clean-up is much faster, too.

Benefits of Using an Air Fryer

• Healthier Option: Uses much less oil, making the churros lighter and less fattening.
• Less Mess: No oil splatters or leftover oil to throw away.
• Safer: No risk of burns from hot oil, which is especially good if kids are helping.
• Easy Clean-Up: Many air fryer baskets and trays are non-stick and dishwasher safe.
• Quick: Churros cook faster than in traditional methods, and you don’t wait for oil to heat up.

Air Fryer Churros vs. Deep Fried Churros

What Ingredients Do You Need for Air Fryer Churros?

You only need a few basic kitchen staples to make churros. The main dough is similar to choux pastry and is easy to mix up using common ingredients.

• Water (or water mixed with milk for richer flavor)
• Unsalted butter
• Granulated sugar
• Salt
• All-purpose flour
• Eggs
• Vanilla extract (optional for taste)
• Granulated sugar + ground cinnamon for the coating

Churro Dough Basics

1. Heat water (and milk if using), butter, sugar, and salt until boiling.
2. Add flour all at once and stir quickly until you get a dough ball.
3. Let the dough cool for several minutes (about 5-10) so you don’t cook the eggs when you add them.
4. Add eggs and vanilla extract one at a time, mixing until smooth and thick.

Cinnamon Sugar Coating

A mix of sugar and cinnamon is what sets churros apart. You’ll need:

• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 3/4 to 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (adjust for taste)

Roll warm churros straight from the air fryer in this mix for the best coating.

Extra Flavors and Toppings

You can try adding a bit of lemon zest to the dough or use a milk-and-water blend for extra richness. For dipping, go beyond chocolate-try caramel, dulce de leche, Nutella, or your favorite jam. Some people enjoy churros with ice cream or whipped cream on the side, or dusted with different spice blends like pumpkin spice or chai.

What Tools Do You Need to Make Air Fryer Churros?

• Air fryer: Any standard air fryer works, but a bigger basket lets you cook more churros at once.
• Piping bag with star tip: This gives churros their classic ridged shape, helping to hold sugar and giving a crispier finish. Tips like Wilton 1M or Ateco #847 work well.
• Mixing bowls, saucepan, measuring cups, and spoons
• Baking sheet: For piping dough before chilling or freezing.

If you don’t have a piping bag, a sturdy freezer or zip bag with a large star tip can work, but you’ll get the best results with proper tools.

How to Make Churros in an Air Fryer

1. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly spray with oil.
2. Heat water, butter, sugar, and salt in a saucepan until boiling.
3. Remove from heat, add all the flour, and stir until it comes together in a ball.
4. Let the dough cool 4-10 minutes.
5. Add eggs (one at a time) and vanilla, mixing until smooth and thick.
6. Spoon dough into a piping bag fitted with a large star tip.
7. Pipe 3-4 inch lengths onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between them.
8. Refrigerate piped churros on the baking sheet for about 1 hour, or freeze for 20-30 minutes so they hold their shape.
9. Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
10. Carefully place chilled churros into the air fryer basket in a single layer (cook in batches if needed).
11. Lightly spray churros with oil.
12. Air fry for 10-15 minutes until golden and crispy. Thicker churros may need more time.

Finishing With Cinnamon Sugar

1. Mix sugar and cinnamon in a dish or zip bag.
2. As soon as each batch of churros is done and still hot, toss them in the cinnamon sugar to coat thoroughly.
3. Serve warm for best flavor and texture.

Tips for Great Texture and Taste

• Always preheat your air fryer for best results.
• Don’t crowd the basket; leave space for the hot air to circulate.
• Lightly spray churros with oil so they crisp up nicely.
• Coat churros in sugar mix while they’re still hot for the best stick.
• If churros are eggy tasting, add a little extra vanilla or make sure eggs are mixed in well and at room temperature.
• If dough is hard to pipe, cool it slightly and make sure the eggs are fully mixed in.
• If churros are too soft, ensure air fryer is preheated and give churros enough space.

Storing and Reheating Churros

• Best eaten fresh and warm after air frying.
• Uncooked, shaped dough can be frozen on a baking sheet and cooked directly from frozen (add a few minutes to cooking time).
• Cooked churros can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature, but they may get soft.
• To re-crisp, put in a preheated air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 3-5 minutes.
• It’s not recommended to freeze already cooked churros; they might get soggy.

Fun Dips and Ways to Serve Air Fryer Churros

Churros are delicious alone, but dipping sauces make them even better. Try different styles for parties or family desserts.

Popular Dipping Sauces

• Chocolate Sauce: Melt chocolate, or make a ganache for classic “churros con chocolate.” Add some cinnamon or a pinch of chili to give it a twist.
• Caramel Sauce or Dulce de Leche: Warm caramel or thick dulce de leche is rich and creamy, perfect for dipping.
• Cajeta: Goat milk caramel that’s popular in Mexico.
• Nutella or Condensed Milk

Creative Churro Ideas

• Set up a “churro bar” with sauces and toppings like nuts, sprinkles, or mini chocolate chips.
• Make churro sundaes with ice cream and toppings.
• Fill churros with Nutella, dulce de leche, or cream cheese by piping it inside after cooking.
• Serve bite-sized or “mini” churros for sharing.

Frequently Asked Questions About Air Fryer Churros

Can You Make Air Fryer Churros Ahead?

You can prepare the dough and pipe it onto a lined tray, then freeze them before cooking. Once frozen, store in an airtight container or freezer bag. When you’re ready, air fry straight from frozen-just add a few extra minutes to the cooking time. Already cooked churros are best eaten fresh as they get soft if stored.

Are Air Fryer Churros as Crispy as Deep Fried?

Air fried churros are crispy on the outside, but might be a little softer or more hollow inside than traditional deep-fried churros. The difference isn’t huge, and most people are happy with the crunch and flavor, especially with less oil and easier cleanup.