Irresistible Air Fryer Churros

These bite-sized air fryer churros transform traditional fairground favorites into easy homemade treats. Using an air fryer gives them that wonderful crispy outside and soft inside we all love, without drowning them in oil like the classic version.

I came up with this method during lockdown when we were missing festival foods. Now my little girl asks for them almost every week and swears they taste better than what we get at our community fair.

What You'll Need

• All purpose flour: Makes the perfect base for your pastry dough with just the right thickness for genuine churros
• Water: Creates the steam that makes your churros puff up nicely in the air fryer
• Granulated sugar: Gives that slight sweetness to the dough without being too much
• Salt: Brings out all the flavors and makes the sweet notes pop. Try sea salt if you have it
• Unsalted butter: Delivers that rich churro taste we all want. Go for quality butter for extra flavor
• Vanilla extract: Adds that cozy flavor dimension. Stick with real vanilla for the best taste
• Large eggs: Give your churros their fluffy texture. Let them sit out a bit before using
• Cooking spray: Keeps everything from sticking without extra oil. Avocado or olive oil sprays work great
• Cinnamon sugar coating: Creates that signature churro taste everyone loves. Fresh ground cinnamon makes all the difference
• Melted butter for brushing: Makes sure that yummy cinnamon sugar sticks to your warm churros

How To Make Them

Create Your Base:

Mix water, butter, sugar, and salt in a pot over medium heat. Wait for a strong boil where you can see bubbles constantly popping on the surface. This gets everything hot enough for the flour to mix in properly.

Mix In Flour:

Turn heat down low and dump in all your flour at once. Stir hard with a wooden spoon, making sure to get all around the pot. Keep mixing for 2-3 full minutes until you see a ball form and notice a light coating on the bottom of your pot. This step gets rid of extra moisture.

Let Dough Rest:

Put your dough in a bowl that can handle heat and let it sit for 5-7 minutes. It should feel warm but not hot enough to cook eggs. Touch it with your finger to check if it feels comfortable.

Add Your Eggs:

Stir in vanilla then add eggs one at a time using a wooden spoon or mixer. Make sure each egg is fully mixed in before adding another. The mix might look funny at first but keep going until it's shiny and drops from your spoon in a thick strip.

Shape Your Churros:

Put the dough in a piping bag with a star tip. Squeeze out 1-inch pieces onto a tray lined with parchment paper, leaving a bit of space between them. Snip the dough with scissors for neat ends.

Quick Freeze:

Pop the tray in your freezer for just 10 minutes. This short chill helps them keep their shape while cooking but doesn't freeze them solid. Don't skip this part.

Get Air Fryer Ready:

Turn your air fryer to 375°F and let it warm up fully, about 3 minutes. Give the basket a light spray so nothing sticks.

Cook In Small Groups:

Put churro pieces in a single layer in your air fryer, not too many at once. Cook for 8-10 minutes until they puff up and turn golden. Tap them lightly to check if they sound hollow.

Add Sweet Coating:

While still hot, brush each piece lightly with melted butter, then roll them in cinnamon sugar right away. The warmth helps the sugar stick perfectly.

Eat Right Away:

Put them on a plate and enjoy while they're still warm for the best churro experience. They taste amazing by themselves or with dips.

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Cinnamon really makes these special. I found that grinding cinnamon fresh makes them taste so much better. My grandma always told me good cinnamon should feel warm on your tongue without burning, and I think about her words whenever I make these for family get-togethers.

Prep Ahead Tips

You can make your dough up to a day early and keep it in the fridge in a sealed piping bag. When you're ready to cook, let it warm up on the counter for about 30 minutes before shaping. This makes planning for morning treats or party snacks super easy.

Try Different Flavors

The classic cinnamon sugar is great, but you can play around with other tastes too. Mix some cocoa powder with sugar for chocolate churros, or add orange zest to your cinnamon sugar for a fruity kick. For fancy occasions, I sometimes dip them halfway in melted chocolate after they've cooled a bit.

What To Serve With Them

These little bites taste amazing with dipping sauces. My family goes crazy for simple chocolate ganache made with equal parts hot cream and chocolate chips. Dulce de leche, caramel, or even cream cheese frosting goes really well with the cinnamon coating. For breakfast, try serving them with fresh fruit and coffee for a complete sweet meal.

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Common Questions

→ Can I make the dough ahead of time?

You can definitely make the dough up to 24 hours before and keep it in the fridge. Just wait to pipe them until you're ready to cook.

→ What's a substitute for piping bags?

Don't worry if you don't have a piping bag. A zip-top plastic bag with one corner snipped off works just fine.

→ How do I keep the churros from sticking?

Give your air fryer basket a light coating of cooking spray before adding the churro dough to stop them from sticking.

→ Will gluten-free flour work for this?

You can swap in a gluten-free all-purpose flour mix instead of regular flour with good results.

→ What sauces go well with these churros?

Try dunking them in melted chocolate, warm caramel, or a fruity sauce for extra flavor.