Making Churros In An Air Fryer: Is It Possible?

Churros are a traditional Spanish and Mexican dessert. They are usually deep-fried, but can also be made in an air fryer. Air-fried churros are healthier, as they require less oil, and are easier to make, as you don't need to handle hot oil. They are also a safer option, as there is no risk of burning yourself when placing the churros in the air fryer basket. The recipe for air-fried churros typically includes flour, water, oil or butter, sugar, and cinnamon, and sometimes eggs and vanilla extract. The dough is piped into the air fryer basket and cooked at a temperature between 340-400°F (175-200°C) for 5-15 minutes, depending on the desired level of crispiness. The warm churros are then tossed in a cinnamon-sugar mixture and served immediately. They can be enjoyed as a sweet treat or dessert and are perfect for a Mexican-themed party or Cinco de Mayo celebration.

Air fryer churros recipe

Ingredients

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

Optional:

Melted chocolate or Nutella

Method

In a non-stick pot over medium heat, add butter, water, sugar, and salt and mix. Once the butter has melted, add flour and vanilla. Mix well until the mixture no longer sticks to the pan, then remove from heat. Place the mixture into a bowl and let it cool for a few minutes before adding your egg. (If you don’t let it cool, your egg will scramble!)

Place your mix into a piping bag with a star tip. If you don’t have one, you can make your own with a ziplock bag and a plastic water bottle. Pipe directly into your preheated air fryer, or you can pipe it into a liner and then place the liner in your air fryer. Add some oil spray on top.

Air fry at 375°F for 10 minutes, flipping halfway through. While the churros are cooking, mix sugar and cinnamon together and place on a plate. While the churros are still hot, place them in the sugar mixture and shake to coat.

Tips:

• You can pipe the churros directly into the air fryer, or onto a liner, then place the liner into the air fryer.
• You can use a ziplock bag with a plastic water bottle if you don't have a piping bag.
• You can melt some chocolate or Nutella as a side for dipping.
• Make sure to let the mixture cool before adding your egg, or it will scramble.

Air fryer churros ingredients

Air fryer churros are a healthier alternative to the traditional deep-fried version, with less oil and fewer calories. They are also easier to make, without the need for handling hot oil. Here is a list of ingredients you will need to make air fryer churros:

Churros Dough Ingredients:

• All-Purpose Flour– Classic flour works best, but you can also use white wheat or white spelt. You can also experiment with gluten-free flour.
• Liquid– You can use water, milk, or plant-based milk alternatives like almond or soy milk. Some recipes call for boiling the liquid first, which helps create a crispy texture.
• Fat– Butter or oil is used to add flavour and richness to the dough. Options include unsalted butter, avocado oil, canola oil, light olive oil, or melted vegan butter/margarine.
• Sugar– This is added to the dough to sweeten it. You can use regular granulated sugar or other crystal sweeteners like coconut sugar or brown sugar.

Optional Ingredients:

• Salt– A pinch of salt enhances the flavour of the churros.
• Vanilla Extract– This adds a subtle vanilla flavour to the dough. If using, add it to the boiled water, as boiling will cause the alcohol in the extract to evaporate.

Cinnamon-Sugar Coating Ingredients:

• Sugar– Granulated sugar is typically used to make the cinnamon-sugar coating.
• Cinnamon– Ground cinnamon is mixed with the sugar to create a sweet and spicy blend that adds flavour and crunch to the churros.

Other Ingredients for Serving:

Dipping Sauces– Churros are often served with dipping sauces like Nutella, chocolate sauce, caramel sauce, whipped cream, or dulce de leche.

Air fryer churros cooking instructions

Ingredients

To make air fryer churros, you will need the following ingredients:

• Butter (unsalted)
• Flour (all-purpose)
• Sugar (granulated)
• Cinnamon
• Water
• Salt
• Eggs
• Oil spray
• Vanilla extract (optional)

Method

• Melt butter in a saucepan over medium-high heat. You can also add water, sugar, and salt at this stage.
• Stir in milk and salt.
• Bring the mixture to a boil, continuously stirring.
• Quickly add flour all at once and keep stirring until the dough comes together.
• Remove from the heat and let the mixture cool down for a few minutes.
• Add eggs to the mixture and mix well.
• Spoon the dough into a piping bag fitted with a star-shaped tip.
• Pipe the dough directly into the air fryer basket or onto a lined baking sheet/pan.
• Refrigerate the piped churros for about an hour. Do not exceed this time, or they will dry out.
• Spray the churros with oil.
• Air fry at 340-375°F (175-190°C) for 10-15 minutes, flipping them halfway through.
• Meanwhile, mix sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl.
• Remove the churros from the air fryer and brush them with melted butter (optional).
• Toss the warm churros in the cinnamon-sugar mixture to coat.
• Serve immediately. Churros are best enjoyed warm and fresh.

Tips:

• You can use a ziplock bag with a cut-off corner if you don't have a piping bag.
• Do not line the air fryer basket with parchment paper.
• Do not add cinnamon sugar to the dough.
• You can serve churros with Nutella, chocolate sauce, caramel sauce, or whipped cream.

Air fryer churros serving suggestions

Air fryer churros are a delicious treat, perfect for a Mexican-themed party or as a dessert for your family. They are best served warm and fresh, so they don't keep well and are best enjoyed straight from the air fryer.

For an authentic Mexican experience, coat the churros in a mixture of cinnamon and sugar. This adds flavour, sweetness and a satisfying crunch. You can also experiment with different coatings, such as coconut sugar or brown sugar.

To elevate your churros even further, serve them with a dipping sauce. Some popular options include Nutella, chocolate sauce, caramel sauce, whipped cream, dulce de leche, or sweetened condensed milk. For a vegan option, you could make a chocolate sauce by melting dark chocolate chips with a teaspoon of coconut oil.

If you're feeling creative, you can also experiment with different shapes and sizes. For example, you can pipe the dough into different shapes using a strong piping bag and a large star-shaped tip. Alternatively, you can shape the dough by hand, creating small logs or churro logs, which you can press with a fork to create a textured surface.

So, whether you're enjoying them as a sweet snack or a festive dessert, air fryer churros are a fun and delicious treat that can be customised to your taste.

Air fryer churros tips and tricks

Ingredients

Churros are a traditional Spanish and Mexican dessert. They are usually made with flour, oil, sugar, salt, and baking powder, but you can also add vanilla extract and milk. For the coating, you will need cinnamon and sugar.

Preparation

When preparing the dough, it is important to let the mixture cool down for a few minutes before adding the egg to prevent it from scrambling. It is also crucial not to refrigerate the piped churros for longer than an hour, or they will dry out.

Cooking

Pipe the churros into 4-inch lengths for the perfect snack size. Use a star-shaped tip for piping to get the ideal shape. You can use a strong piping bag or a ziplock bag with a plastic water bottle to pipe the dough.

Serving

Air fry the churros at between 340-400°F for 5-15 minutes, flipping them halfway through. Immediately after removing them from the air fryer, toss the warm churros in the cinnamon-sugar mixture so that it sticks better.

Churros are best served warm, as they do not keep well. You can serve them with Nutella, chocolate sauce, caramel sauce, or whipped cream.

Frequently asked questions