Air-Fried Churros: A Tasty, Quick Treat?

Churros are a delicious Mexican treat, but they can be time-consuming to make and are often deep-fried, making them less healthy. However, you can make churros in an air fryer, which is easier and healthier than the traditional method. Air-fried churros are just as tasty as deep-fried ones, but they have fewer calories and are simpler to make, as you don't need to handle hot oil. You can make them with just four ingredients and no eggs or dairy, and they're perfect for a Mexican-themed party.

How to make the dough

Yes, you can cook churros in an air fryer. To make the dough, follow these steps:

First, put a silicone baking mat on a baking sheet and spray with oil. In a medium saucepan, add water, butter, sugar, and salt. Bring this mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Once it reaches a boil, reduce the heat to medium-low and add flour to the saucepan. Using a rubber spatula, stir the mixture constantly until the dough comes together and is smooth. It is okay if a few lumps of flour remain.

Remove the dough from the heat and transfer it to a mixing bowl. Allow the dough to cool for about four minutes. Once it has cooled slightly, add eggs and vanilla extract to the mixing bowl. Mix the ingredients using an electric hand mixer or stand mixer until the dough comes together again.

Now, it's time to shape the dough. Oil your hands and roll the dough into logs about 4 inches (10 cm) long. Use the back of a fork to press the four sides of each log and create marks. This step is optional, but it helps mimic the traditional churro shape.

Finally, lightly oil the air fryer basket with cooking oil. Place the churros in the basket, leaving a small gap between each one to prevent them from sticking together. Use a pastry brush or cooking spray to oil the churros on all sides. Your churros are now ready to be air-fried!

How to shape the churros

Churros are a delicious dessert, and you can make them in an air fryer. To shape the churros, you will need to start by rolling the dough into logs. The logs should be about 4 inches long (10 cm). You can then use the back of a fork to press the four sides of the log and make marks. This step is optional, but it will give your churros that classic churro shape. If you find this step too tricky, you can simply air fry the churros without the marks.

Once you have shaped the churros, you will need to place them in the air fryer basket, making sure they don't touch each other. You should also lightly oil the air fryer basket with cooking oil to prevent sticking. Use a pastry brush or cooking spray to oil the churros on all sides.

Air fry the churros at 400°F (200°C) for 15 minutes, flipping them halfway through. They are ready when they are light golden brown and crispy around the edges. If they are not quite crispy enough, you can air fry them for an additional minute or two. The cooking time will depend on the size of your churros, so keep an eye on them to ensure they don't overcook.

Finally, remove the warm churros from the air fryer and place them on a baking sheet. You can then coat them in a cinnamon-sugar mixture for added flavour, sweetness, and crunch.

How to cook the churros

Yes, you can cook churros in an air fryer. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make them:

First, prepare the dough. In a medium saucepan, add water, butter, sugar, and salt. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Then, reduce the heat to medium-low and add flour to the saucepan. Stir constantly with a rubber spatula until the dough comes together and is smooth. Remove from the heat and transfer the dough to a mixing bowl. Let it cool for about four minutes. Next, add eggs and vanilla extract to the mixing bowl and mix using an electric hand mixer or stand mixer until the dough comes together.

Now, it's time to shape the churros. Oil your hands and roll the dough into logs about 4 inches (10 cm) long. Use the back of a fork to press the four sides of each log and create marks. This step is optional, but it gives the churros a traditional look.

Next, prepare your air fryer. Lightly oil the air fryer basket with cooking oil. Place the churros in the basket, leaving a small gap between each one to prevent them from sticking together. Use a pastry brush or cooking spray to oil the churros on all sides.

Set your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and air fry the churros for 15 minutes, flipping them halfway through. The churros are ready when they are light golden brown and crispy around the edges. If they need more time, air fry for an additional minute or until they reach your desired doneness.

While the churros are cooking, prepare the cinnamon-sugar coating. In a small bowl, mix cinnamon and sugar evenly. Set aside.

Once the churros are done, remove them from the air fryer and place them on a baking sheet. While they are still warm, roll them in the cinnamon-sugar mixture to coat evenly. Enjoy your freshly made air-fried churros!

How to make the cinnamon-sugar coating

Yes, you can cook churros in an air fryer. To make the cinnamon-sugar coating, mix together cinnamon and sugar in a small bowl. You can prepare this while the churros are cooking. Once the churros are cooked, remove them from the air fryer and place them on a baking sheet. Then, coat the churros in the cinnamon-sugar mixture.

The cinnamon-sugar coating is an important part of the churro-making process, as it adds flavour, sweetness, and crunch to the churros. You can adjust the ratio of cinnamon to sugar depending on your taste preferences. If you want a more subtle cinnamon flavour, you can use less cinnamon or add more sugar. Conversely, if you prefer a stronger cinnamon flavour, you can increase the amount of cinnamon or reduce the amount of sugar.

It is also important to ensure that the churros are evenly coated in the cinnamon-sugar mixture. To do this, you can use a spoon or your hands to gently toss the churros in the mixture until they are fully coated. You may need to add more cinnamon and sugar to the bowl as you coat the churros, to ensure that there is enough mixture to fully cover them.

The amount of cinnamon-sugar coating you will need will depend on the number of churros you are making. As a general rule, it is better to have too much coating than too little, as you can always save any leftover coating for future use. Simply store it in an airtight container at room temperature, and it will keep for several weeks.

How to serve the churros

Yes, you can cook churros in an air fryer. To serve, coat the churros in a mixture of sugar and cinnamon to add flavour, sweetness and crunch. You can also serve them with a chocolate dipping sauce.

Frequently asked questions