Air-Fried Churros: A Tasty, Quick Treat?

Churros are a sweet treat that can be made in an air fryer. They are a dessert made from fried dough that is popular in Spain, Portugal, and Latin America. Traditionally, they are deep-fried, but they can also be made in an air fryer with less oil and fewer calories. Making churros in an air fryer is easier than deep frying as it doesn't require handling hot oil. The process involves cooking the dough, beating it, piping it into strips, and then air frying and coating them in cinnamon sugar.

Air fryer churros recipe

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup water
• 3-4 Tbsp unsalted butter
• 1 Tbsp white sugar
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 Tbsp granulated sugar
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon

Optional:

Melted chocolate or Nutella for dipping

Utensils

• Non-stick pot
• Medium saucepan
• Wooden spoon
• Pastry bag or piping bag
• Air fryer
• Shallow bowl or plastic bag

Method

First, add the butter, water, sugar, and salt to a non-stick pot and mix over medium heat. Once the butter has melted, add the flour and vanilla extract. Keep mixing until the mixture no longer sticks to the pan, then remove from the heat.

Place the mixture into a bowl and let it cool for a few minutes. This is important to prevent the egg from scrambling when added. Add the egg and mix until combined.

Now, place your mixture into a piping bag with a star tip. If you don't have one, you can use a ziplock bag or a plastic water bottle. Pipe the mixture directly into your preheated air fryer, or you can pipe it into a liner and then place the liner in the air fryer.

Add some oil spray on top of the piped mixture. Air fry at 375°F for 10 minutes, flipping the mixture halfway through.

While the churros are cooking, mix the sugar and cinnamon together and place on a plate or in a shallow bowl. As soon as the churros are done, toss them in the cinnamon-sugar mixture while they're still hot so that the sugar sticks.

Serve immediately with melted chocolate or Nutella for dipping, if desired.

Tips

• To make the perfect churros, use a small-ish piping tip.
• Freeze your dough before cooking to help it keep its shape.
• Preheat your air fryer for 3-5 minutes before adding the churros.
• Coat the churros in cinnamon sugar as soon as they come out of the fryer.
• These churros are best served right away, as they don't hold their shape well.

Air fryer churros ingredients

Churros are a popular Mexican and Spanish dessert. The Mexican churro is made with a choux pastry dough, while the Spanish churro is made with a simpler dough of just flour, water, oil, and baking powder. Mexican churros are coated in cinnamon sugar, while Spanish churros are coated in just sugar.

For the Churro Dough:

• Butter
• Milk or Water
• Sugar
• Salt
• Flour
• Eggs

For the Cinnamon-Sugar Coating:

• Sugar
• Cinnamon

Optional Dipping Sauces:

• Dulce de leche
• Sweetened condensed milk
• Nutella
• Chocolate sauce
• Caramel sauce
• Whipped cream

You will also need a piping bag (or a ziplock bag) and a hand mixer or stand mixer to make the churros.

To make the churros, start by melting the butter in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir in the milk or water, sugar, and salt. Bring the mixture to a boil, then quickly add the flour and stir until the dough comes together. Remove the dough from the heat and let it cool for a few minutes before mixing in the eggs.

Transfer the dough to a piping bag fitted with a star tip and pipe the dough into the desired shape on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Place the baking sheet in the freezer for about 30 minutes to allow the dough to firm up.

Preheat your air fryer to 360°F (or 340°F if your air fryer runs hot). Place the frozen churros into the air fryer basket, being careful not to crowd them. Air fry for 10-14 minutes, depending on the size of your air fryer and the number of churros you are cooking at once.

While the churros are cooking, mix together the sugar and cinnamon for the coating in a shallow bowl or plastic bag. As soon as the churros come out of the air fryer, toss them in the cinnamon-sugar mixture to coat them evenly.

Serve your air fryer churros immediately, while they are still warm, with your choice of dipping sauce. Enjoy!

Air fryer churros cooking tips

Churros are a sweet treat that can be made in an air fryer with less oil and fewer calories than the traditional deep-fried method. Here are some tips to help you make the perfect air-fried churros.

Ingredients

The ingredients for air-fried churros are similar to those for traditional churros, but with a few adjustments. You will need:

• Butter
• Flour
• Sugar
• Salt
• Milk (optional)
• Water
• Egg
• Vanilla extract (optional)
• Cinnamon
• Lemon zest (optional)

Preparation

First, melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add milk, water, sugar, and salt, and bring to a boil while stirring continuously. Then, add the flour and keep stirring until the dough comes together. Remove from the heat and let the mixture cool down.

Once the mixture has cooled, add the egg and mix until combined. You can also add vanilla extract and lemon zest for extra flavour. The dough is now ready to be piped into churros.

Air Frying

Pipe the dough into 3-4 inch strips directly into the air fryer basket or onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. If you pipe them onto a baking sheet, place them in the freezer for about 30 minutes to help them keep their shape. Then, preheat your air fryer to 360-375°F and place the churros inside, making sure to leave some space between them. Spray the churros with oil and air fry for 10-15 minutes, or until they are golden brown.

Coating and Serving

While the churros are cooking, mix cinnamon and sugar in a shallow bowl. As soon as the churros come out of the air fryer, toss them in the cinnamon-sugar mixture to coat them evenly. Serve the churros warm with a dipping sauce such as Nutella, chocolate sauce, dulce de leche, or salted caramel sauce.

Tips

• Don't line the air fryer basket with parchment paper, as this can be dangerous.
• Don't add the cinnamon sugar to the dough; instead, coat the churros with it after cooking.
• Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the churros in batches.
• The churros are best served warm, as they don't store well and can dry out if refrigerated for too long.

Air fryer churros vs deep-fried churros

Churros are a sweet treat made from fried dough that is popular in Spain and Mexico. They are usually deep-fried, but can also be made in an air fryer. So, how do the two compare?

The most obvious difference between air fryer churros and deep-fried churros is the cooking method. Air fryer churros are made by piping dough directly into the air fryer basket and cooking at a high temperature for a short period of time. Deep-fried churros, on the other hand, are typically piped directly into hot oil and fried until golden brown.

One of the benefits of using an air fryer is that it requires less oil than deep frying, resulting in a less greasy end product. Air fryer churros are also said to be easier to make than their deep-fried counterparts, as they don't require handling hot oil. In addition, air fryer churros have fewer calories than deep-fried churros.

When it comes to taste, air fryer churros may not have the exact same flavour and texture as traditional deep-fried churros. The oil used in deep frying helps to develop a distinct churro flavour and texture that is difficult to replicate in an air fryer. However, air fryer churros are still delicious in their own right and offer a lighter, healthier alternative to the traditional treat.

In terms of preparation, both air fryer and deep-fried churros require similar ingredients and methods for making the dough. However, air fryer churros may require additional steps such as freezing the dough before cooking to help them keep their shape. It is also important to note that air fryer churros are best enjoyed fresh and do not store well, whereas deep-fried churros may have a longer shelf life.

Overall, both air fryer and deep-fried churros are tasty treats that can be easily made at home. Air fryer churros are a healthier, less greasy option that is perfect for those looking for a lighter dessert. Deep-fried churros, on the other hand, offer a more traditional flavour and texture experience. So, which one will you choose?

Air fryer churros dips

Churros are a sweet treat that can be made in an air fryer with minimal oil and less grease. They are a popular dessert in Spain, Mexico, Portugal, and Latin America. The Mexican churro is made with a choux pastry dough, while the Spanish churro is made with a simpler dough of just flour, water, oil, and baking powder.

• Use a piping bag or a ziplock/freezer bag with a star-shaped tip to pipe the churros.
• Refrigerate the piped churros for about an hour before air frying. This makes them easier to handle and helps them maintain their shape.
• Don't refrigerate the piped churros for longer than an hour, or they will dry out.
• Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the churros in batches. Leave some space between them as they will increase in size while baking.
• Transfer the baked churros to a cinnamon-sugar mixture immediately after air frying. This makes the sugar stick better.
• Serve the churros warm with a dipping sauce. They don't keep well and are best enjoyed fresh.

Now, let's talk about dips for your air fryer churros:

• Nutella or Chocolate Sauce: A classic pairing with churros, the warm, crispy treat is perfect for dipping into warm, melted Nutella or a chocolate sauce.
• Dulce de Leche: This sweet, creamy caramel sauce is a delicious alternative to Nutella or chocolate sauce.
• Caramel Sauce or Salted Caramel Sauce: If you're a caramel lover, a rich, gooey caramel sauce is a perfect dip for your churros. Adding a sprinkle of sea salt on top takes it to the next level.
• Whipped Cream: For a lighter option, whipped cream can provide a sweet and creamy contrast to the crispy churros.
• Mexican Chocolate Dip: Take your chocolate dip up a notch by adding some Mexican spices like cinnamon, chili, or a pinch of cayenne pepper.
• Sweetened Condensed Milk: For an extra sweet and indulgent dip, warmed-up sweetened condensed milk is a great option.
• Ice Cream: While not exactly a dip, serving your warm churros with a scoop of vanilla ice cream creates a delicious contrast of temperatures and textures.

Feel free to experiment with other dips and sauces that suit your taste! The beauty of churros is that they are versatile and can be enjoyed with a variety of sweet treats.

Frequently asked questions