Description
These air fryer churros are crispy on the outside, light and fluffy on the inside, and coated in a sweet cinnamon sugar mixture. They deliver classic churro flavor with less mess than deep frying, making them perfect for dessert or special occasions.
Ingredients
⅔ cup water
¼ cup unsalted butter, diced
2 teaspoons granulated sugar
¼ teaspoon salt
¾ cup all-purpose flour
2 large eggs
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
½ cup granulated sugar (for coating)
1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Combine the water, butter, sugar, and salt in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil, then remove from the heat.
- Add the flour all at once and stir vigorously until a dough forms.
- Return the pan to medium-low heat and cook for 1–2 minutes, stirring constantly, until the dough forms a smooth ball and pulls away from the sides.
- Transfer the dough to a mixing bowl and beat for about 3 minutes to cool slightly.
- Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract until the dough is smooth, glossy, and thick.
- Transfer the dough to a piping bag fitted with a large star tip and pipe 4-inch churros onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Freeze the piped churros for 30 minutes.
- Arrange the chilled churros in the air fryer basket, leaving space between each one.
- Air fry at 375°F (190°C) for 8 minutes.
- Flip the churros, reduce the temperature to 325°F (165°C), and cook for another 8 minutes until golden brown.
- Mix the remaining sugar and cinnamon in a shallow bowl.
- While the churros are still warm, coat them thoroughly in the cinnamon sugar mixture.
- Serve immediately with chocolate sauce, caramel sauce, or dulce de leche if desired.
Notes
Add a pinch of nutmeg or pumpkin pie spice to the cinnamon sugar for extra warmth.
Drizzle with melted dark or white chocolate for a richer dessert.
Fill cooked churros with chocolate ganache, pastry cream, or dulce de leche for a bakery-style treat.
Mix orange or lemon zest into the sugar coating for a citrus twist.
Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 4 days.
Freeze for up to 2 months and reheat in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 3–5 minutes until crisp.
Avoid microwaving, as it softens the crispy exterior.
- Prep Time: 14 minutes
- Cook Time: 16 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Air Fry
- Cuisine: Spanish
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 163 kcal
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 90 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 61 mg
