These homemade air fryer churros bring the magic of street fairs right to your kitchen – in just 25 minutes! Crispy, golden, and dusted with cinnamon-sugar, these lightened-up treats pack all the authentic churro flavor with less oil.
At only 24 calories each, you can indulge in these warm, doughy delights without the guilt. The air fryer transforms simple ingredients into irresistible Spanish-style pastries that are crisp outside and tender inside.
Ingredients for Air Fryer Churros
- Water: 1 cup, room temperature
- Butter: 4 tablespoons, unsalted
- Granulated Sugar: 2 tablespoons (plus extra for coating)
- Kosher Salt: ½ teaspoon
- Eggs: 1 large egg plus 1 egg yolk
- Vanilla Extract: 1 teaspoon, pure
- All-Purpose Flour: 1 cup
- Cinnamon Sugar Coating: ½ cup sugar mixed with 1 tablespoon cinnamon
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preparation: Gather all ingredients and measure them accurately for best results.
- Create Base Mixture: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine water, butter, sugar, and salt until butter melts.
- Form Dough: Reduce heat to medium-low, add flour, and stir until mixture forms a ball. Let cool for 5 minutes.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Mix in egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract until you achieve a smooth, thick batter.
- Piping Preparation: Transfer dough to a piping bag with star tip. Pipe 2.5-inch churros onto lined baking sheet.
- Chill Time: Place churros in freezer for 15 minutes until firm.
- Air Fryer Setup: Preheat air fryer to 350°F/180°C. Coat basket with cooking spray.
- Cooking: Air fry churros for 10 minutes until golden brown, avoiding overcrowding.
- Final Touch: Roll warm churros in cinnamon sugar mixture immediately after cooking.
Cooking Tips for Perfect Churros
Hey there! Let’s make these air fryer churros come out amazing! The secret is in the dough – it needs to be just right. When you’re mixing in the eggs, take your time and stir until the dough is super smooth. If your piped churros aren’t holding their shape well, pop them in the freezer for an extra 5 minutes. And here’s a little trick: spray your air fryer basket really well with cooking spray to prevent sticking – trust me, it makes cleanup so much easier!
Serving Ideas
Want to make your churros extra special? While they’re wonderful with just cinnamon sugar, you can create a fun churro dessert bar! Set out some warm chocolate sauce for dipping, or try caramel sauce if you’re feeling fancy. These churros are perfect for parties – I love serving them on a pretty platter with little bowls of different dips. They’re best enjoyed right away while they’re still warm and crispy!
Storage & Reheating
Made too many churros? No problem! You can keep your cooked churros in an airtight container for up to 2 days. To bring back their crispiness, just pop them in your air fryer at 350°F for 2-3 minutes. The best part? You can freeze the uncooked piped dough for up to a month – just pipe them onto a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. Cook them straight from frozen, adding just 1-2 minutes to the cooking time.
Simple Variations
Want to mix things up? Try coating your churros in different toppings! Mix some cocoa powder into your cinnamon sugar for a chocolate version, or use pumpkin pie spice instead of cinnamon for a fall twist. You can also make them mini-sized (about 1.5 inches) for cute bite-sized treats – just reduce the cooking time by 2-3 minutes. These little changes can make each batch feel special and new!
Air Fryer Churros
Equipment
- Air Fryer
- Piping Bag with Star Tip
- Saucepan
- Baking Sheet
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 4 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1 large egg plus 1 egg yolk
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup all purpose flour
For Coating
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar plus 1 tablespoon cinnamon, for rolling
Instructions
- Gather your ingredients.
- Add the water, butter, sugar, and salt to a medium saucepan set over medium heat.
- When the butter has melted and the sugar has dissolved, turn the heat to medium-low and add the flour. Stir until the dough comes together in a ball. Remove the pan from the heat and set it aside to cool for 5 minutes.
- When the dough has cooled slightly, add the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla. Use a wooden spoon to incorporate the eggs into a smooth, thick batter. Transfer to a piping bag fitted with a star tip. Pipe 2.5″ long churros onto a lined baking sheet. Place in freezer for 15 minutes until stiff.
- Preheat air fryer to 350°F/180°C. Spray basket with cooking spray and add churros without overcrowding.
- Cook for 10 minutes until golden brown. Remove and immediately roll in cinnamon sugar. Serve warm.
