Crispy Air Fryer Churros: The Healthier, Guilt-Free Treat You’ll Love!

Churros are one of the most beloved pastries, with their crispy exterior and soft, tender interior.

Traditionally deep-fried and coated with a generous dusting of cinnamon sugar, churros are a treat that has won hearts worldwide.

However, making churros at home usually involves a lot of oil and a mess in the kitchen.

That’s where the air fryer comes in. This recipe for Crispy Air Fryer Churros allows you to enjoy the same delicious churros with a fraction of the oil, making them a healthier and easier option.

Air frying not only reduces the calories but also gives the churros a crispiness that’s just as good (if not better!) than the deep-fried version.

Ready to dive in?

Let’s get started and learn how to make these perfect, crispy churros right in your air fryer.

What Are Churros?

Churros are a traditional Spanish and Mexican pastry made from a simple dough of flour, butter, and eggs.

They are typically fried until golden brown and crispy, then coated in a sweet cinnamon sugar mixture.

Served fresh, churros can be enjoyed on their own or dipped in chocolate sauce, caramel, or even whipped cream.

The origins of churros are debated, but they have been enjoyed for centuries in various forms across Spain and Latin America.

While churros are often seen as a snack or breakfast treat, they are also served at carnivals, fairs, and street vendors around the world.

Whether served in a cup or straight from the fryer, churros are known for their distinct ridged shape, which is formed when the dough is piped through a star-shaped nozzle.

Why Make Churros in the Air Fryer?

Making churros in the air fryer might sound unconventional, but trust us—it’s a game-changer.

The air fryer is a perfect tool for getting that crispy texture while using little to no oil, resulting in a healthier version of this beloved snack. Here’s why you should consider using an air fryer for churros:

Healthier and Less Mess

One of the biggest advantages of using an air fryer is the reduction in oil. Traditional churros are deep-fried, which means they absorb a lot of oil.

With the air fryer, the churros come out just as crispy, but with significantly less oil, making them a better choice for those looking to cut down on fat and calories.

Quick and Easy

Air fryers cook churros quickly and evenly, cutting down on the time you would spend waiting for oil to heat up or flipping churros in a pot. The air fryer also requires very little hands-on attention during the cooking process, leaving you more time to focus on the fun parts—like dipping them in chocolate sauce!

Crispiness Without the Frying

Achieving a perfectly crispy churro without deep frying can be tricky. With the air fryer, the hot circulating air creates that golden, crunchy exterior while keeping the inside soft and airy. No need for a messy oil splash, just crisp perfection in every bite.

Ingredients for Air Fryer Churros

Making crispy air fryer churros requires just a few basic ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need to get started:

• Flour: All-purpose flour works best to give the churros their classic texture.
• Butter: Adds richness and flavor to the dough.
• Water: Used to combine with the butter and flour to create the dough.
• Sugar: Sweetens the dough slightly for a balanced flavor.
• Eggs: Eggs bind the dough together and help achieve the desired texture.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds a hint of warmth to the dough.
• Baking Powder: Gives the churros a little lift, making them light and airy.
• Salt: Balances out the sweetness and enhances flavor.
• Cinnamon Sugar: The perfect coating to add a sweet and spicy flavor after frying.

Optional Ingredients and Substitutions:

If you need to adjust the recipe based on dietary preferences, here are some ideas:

• Gluten-Free: You can swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free flour blend to make the churros gluten-free.
• Dairy-Free: Replace the butter with a plant-based butter or margarine to make the churros dairy-free.

The simplicity of these ingredients is one of the reasons why this recipe is so easy and quick to prepare—no complicated steps, just delicious results.

How to Make Crispy Air Fryer Churros

Making crispy air fryer churros is a straightforward process, and it all starts with preparing the dough. Once you have everything ready, follow these steps to create the perfect churros in your air fryer.

Step 1: Preparing the Dough

Start by combining the butter and water in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir them together until the butter is melted, and the mixture starts to simmer. Once simmering, add the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt all at once. Stir vigorously until the dough comes together and begins to pull away from the sides of the pan.

At this point, remove the saucepan from the heat and let the dough cool slightly for about 5 minutes. Then, add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Once all the eggs are incorporated, stir in the vanilla extract. The dough should be thick, smooth, and slightly sticky, but still pipeable.

Step 2: Shaping the Churros

Now it’s time to shape your churros! Transfer the dough to a piping bag fitted with a star-shaped nozzle. If you don’t have a piping bag, you can use a zip-top bag with a corner cut off. The star-shaped nozzle gives churros their signature ridged appearance, which helps them crisp up beautifully in the air fryer.

Line a tray with parchment paper or lightly grease it. Pipe the dough onto the tray, making 3- to 4-inch long churros. Make sure to leave a little space between each one to prevent them from sticking together during cooking. You can pipe the dough directly into the air fryer basket if you prefer, but make sure they are not touching to ensure even cooking.

Step 3: Preheating the Air Fryer

Before cooking your churros, preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for about 5 minutes. Preheating ensures the churros cook evenly and gives them that crispy texture we all love. While the air fryer is preheating, you can prepare the cinnamon sugar coating.

Step 4: Air Frying the Churros

Once your air fryer is preheated, arrange the churros in the basket. Be careful not to overcrowd the basket; cook them in batches if necessary. Air fry the churros at 375°F (190°C) for 8-10 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crispy. Depending on your air fryer model, you may need to flip them halfway through for an even crisp.

Keep an eye on the churros during the last couple of minutes to avoid overcooking, as they can go from golden to too dark very quickly.

Cinnamon Sugar Coating: The Finishing Touch

Once your churros are perfectly crispy and golden brown, it’s time to add the finishing touch: the cinnamon sugar coating. This simple mixture elevates the churros and gives them that signature sweet, spicy flavor.

How to Coat the Churros

While the churros are cooling slightly (but still warm), prepare the cinnamon sugar coating. In a shallow bowl, combine ½ cup of granulated sugar with 1 tablespoon of ground cinnamon. Mix it well until the cinnamon is evenly distributed throughout the sugar.

To coat the churros, simply roll each one in the cinnamon sugar mixture until it is fully covered. For an extra burst of flavor, you can lightly press the churro into the sugar to ensure it sticks well. Make sure the churros are still warm so that the sugar adheres easily.

Optional Variations

If you’d like to try something a bit different, you can experiment with flavor variations. For instance:

• Chocolate Lovers: Serve your churros with a rich chocolate dipping sauce on the side for an indulgent treat.
• Vanilla Sugar: For a lighter twist, swap the cinnamon for vanilla sugar.
• Extra Spice: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or nutmeg to the cinnamon sugar mix for a unique, spicy kick.

No matter how you choose to coat them, the cinnamon sugar is the essential finish that brings these air fryer churros to life!

Serving and Storing Your Crispy Air Fryer Churros

Serving Suggestions

Now that your churros are perfectly crispy and coated in cinnamon sugar, it’s time to enjoy them! Here are a few fun ways to serve your churros:

• Classic Style: Serve the churros as is, perhaps with a warm cup of hot chocolate or coffee on the side for dipping.
• Chocolate Sauce: For an extra indulgence, serve churros with a rich, melted chocolate dipping sauce or a thick caramel dip. The creamy sauces contrast beautifully with the crispy churros.
• Whipped Cream: A dollop of whipped cream can elevate the experience, adding a light and fluffy texture to balance the cinnamon sugar.
• Sprinkle of Extra Sugar: For those with a sweet tooth, dust the churros with extra cinnamon sugar just before serving for an even sweeter touch.

Storing Leftover Churros

If you have leftovers (though they might be hard to resist!), storing them properly is important to keep their texture as fresh as possible. Here’s how to store your churros:

• Room Temperature: Place any leftover churros in an airtight container at room temperature. They should stay good for 1-2 days.
• Reheating: When you’re ready to enjoy them again, reheat your churros in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for about 2-3 minutes to restore their crispiness.

Freezing Churros

If you want to prepare churros ahead of time, freezing is a great option:

• After piping and shaping your churros, place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze them until solid.
• Once frozen, transfer the churros to a freezer bag or airtight container and store for up to 3 months.
• When ready to cook, air fry directly from frozen for about 10-12 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.

Conclusion

Making crispy air fryer churros at home is a fun, easy, and healthier way to enjoy this delicious treat. The air fryer helps you achieve a perfectly crispy texture with less oil, while the simple dough and sweet cinnamon sugar coating ensure a delightful experience in every bite. Whether you serve them as a snack, dessert, or with a warm beverage, these churros are sure to impress.

Now that you have the recipe, it’s time to get cooking! Don’t forget to share your churro-making experience in the comments below—I’d love to hear how they turned out. Enjoy your crispy, golden churros, and happy air frying!

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I make churros without an air fryer?

Yes, you can make churros by deep frying them in hot oil. Heat the oil to 350°F (175°C) and fry the churros until they are golden brown and crispy, about 2-3 minutes per batch. Keep in mind that deep frying requires more oil and may result in a heavier texture, but it still works great!

2. How can I make gluten-free churros?

To make gluten-free churros, simply swap out the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free flour blend that works well for baking. Be sure to check that your other ingredients (like baking powder and butter) are gluten-free as well.

3. Can I use a different coating for my churros?

Absolutely! While cinnamon sugar is the classic choice, you can experiment with other coatings such as vanilla sugar, chocolate sugar, or even a dusting of powdered sugar. For a chocolate twist, serve churros with melted chocolate sauce for dipping.

4. Why are my churros not crispy?

If your churros aren’t crispy, it may be due to overloading the air fryer basket or not preheating the air fryer properly. Be sure to space out the churros in the basket and avoid overcrowding. If they are too thick, they may need more time to crisp up. Try flipping them halfway through the cooking process for even crispness.

5. How long do churros stay fresh?

Churros are best enjoyed fresh, but if you have leftovers, they can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 2 days. To keep them crisp, reheat them in the air fryer for a couple of minutes before serving.