Making churros at home doesn’t have to be a daunting task or involve deep frying. With the easy air fryer churros recipe, you can enjoy this beloved treat in a healthier, faster, and mess-free way. The air fryer helps you achieve a crispy exterior and a soft, doughy interior without the need for a large pot of hot oil. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced cook, this recipe will guide you through every step, ensuring your easy air fryer churros come out perfect every time.
In this article, we’ll cover everything from making the choux pastry to coating the churros in cinnamon-sugar. We’ll also provide helpful tips and tricks to avoid common mistakes, ensuring your churros turn out crisp and delicious each time you make them.
What Makes Easy Air Fryer Churros Different?
Traditional churros are deep-fried in oil, giving them their signature crispy texture and soft inside. When you make churros in the air fryer, you skip the oil altogether. Instead, the air fryer circulates hot air around the churros, cooking them to a perfect golden-brown crispiness. The result is a lighter version of this classic treat, with all the crispy, sugary goodness, but with fewer calories and a lot less mess.
These easy air fryer churros are just as tasty as the traditional deep-fried version. The air fryer method offers a healthier option without sacrificing flavor or texture. Plus, they’re quick to make—ready in under 30 minutes!
What You’ll Need to Make Easy Air Fryer Churros
Before we get started, let’s look at what you’ll need to make the easy air fryer churros recipe. Most of these ingredients are basic kitchen staples, making it easy to prepare these churros any time you’re craving them.
Ingredients for Choux Pastry:
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Unsalted butter
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Whole milk
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Granulated sugar
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Kosher salt
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All-purpose flour
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Large eggs
Ingredients for Cinnamon-Sugar Coating:
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Granulated sugar
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Ground cinnamon
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Unsalted butter (melted for coating)
Equipment:
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Air fryer with a wire basket
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Piping bag with a star-shaped tip
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Stand mixer with a paddle attachment (optional, but recommended)
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Cooking spray (to prevent sticking)
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Rubber spatula or spoon
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Shallow bowls for butter and cinnamon sugar
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Wire rack (for cooling)
Step-by-Step Instructions for Easy Air Fryer Churros
Making easy air fryer churros is straightforward and fun. Follow these steps, and you’ll have churros ready to enjoy in no time.
Step 1: Prepare the Choux Pastry
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Simmer the Wet Ingredients
In a medium saucepan, combine the unsalted butter, milk, water, sugar, and salt. Heat over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until the butter melts and the mixture is well-combined. Once melted, increase the heat to medium-high and bring it to a simmer. -
Add the Flour and Cook the Dough
Remove the saucepan from heat and add the flour all at once. Stir quickly until the mixture forms a smooth, paste-like consistency. Return the pan to the heat and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes, until the dough pulls away from the sides of the pan and forms a glossy ball. -
Cool the Dough and Add Eggs
Transfer the dough into the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Allow it to cool for a couple of minutes. Then, one at a time, add the eggs, mixing well after each addition. The dough should have a thick, sticky texture but should still be pipeable.
Step 2: Pipe the Churros
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Prepare the Piping Bag
Transfer the dough into a piping bag fitted with a ¼-inch open star tip. This type of tip is key to achieving the traditional churro shape. You can use a larger tip (½-inch) for thicker churros, but they may resemble eclairs instead. -
Pipe the Dough onto the Air Fryer Basket
Lightly spray the air fryer wire basket with cooking spray to prevent sticking. Pipe 4- to 5-inch long churros, ensuring there is enough space (about 1 inch) between each one. This allows the hot air to circulate and cook the churros evenly.
Step 3: Air Fry the Churros
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Preheat the Air Fryer
Preheat your air fryer to 375°F for at least 10 minutes to ensure it reaches the right temperature for crispy churros. -
Cook the Churros
Place the piped churros in the preheated air fryer basket and cook for 10-12 minutes, or until they turn golden brown and crispy. Check them by tapping the churros gently. They should sound hollow. If they aren’t quite crisp, cook for an additional 1-2 minutes.
Step 4: Prepare the Cinnamon-Sugar Coating
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Make the Cinnamon-Sugar Mixture
While the churros are air frying, combine the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon in a shallow bowl. The standard ratio is 1 cup of sugar to 2 tablespoons of cinnamon, but you can adjust it to your taste. -
Melt the Butter
In a separate shallow bowl, melt the butter for dipping the churros. The butter should be warm but not too hot to avoid making the cinnamon sugar clump.
Step 5: Coat the Churros
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Cool the Churros Slightly
Once the churros are done, remove them from the air fryer and let them cool on a wire rack for about 5 minutes. This cooling step allows them to firm up slightly, making them easier to handle. -
Dip and Coat
Take each churro and dip it into the melted butter, ensuring it’s fully coated. Then, roll it in the cinnamon-sugar mixture, making sure it’s covered on all sides. Repeat this process with the remaining churros.
Troubleshooting Common Issues with Easy Air Fryer Churros
Even with this simple recipe, there can be some challenges along the way. Here are a few troubleshooting tips to help you make perfect easy air fryer churros every time:
Churros Sticking to the Air Fryer Basket:
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Generously Spray the Basket: Be sure to spray the air fryer basket well with cooking spray before piping the churros. A generous coat of spray will ensure they don’t stick.
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Use a Metal Spatula: If your churros stick, gently use a metal spatula to lift them out while they’re still warm. It’s easier to remove them when they haven’t cooled completely.
Churros Not Cooking Evenly:
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Leave Space Between Churros: Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. Space them out to ensure the hot air circulates evenly and crisps each churro properly.
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Flip Midway: If your air fryer has uneven heat, flip the churros halfway through the cooking process to ensure even cooking.
Churros Not Crispy Enough:
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Increase Cooking Time: If the churros are too soft and not crispy enough, cook them for an extra 1-2 minutes. Just be sure to check regularly to avoid overcooking them.
