Air-Fried Churros: A Quick, Crispy Treat

Churros are a sweet treat that can be made in an air fryer. They are a dessert found in Spanish, Portuguese, and Latin American cuisine. Traditionally, they are deep-fried, but air-frying them turns what is normally a guilty pleasure into a less greasy, healthier alternative. Air-fried churros are also easier to make and require fewer calories. They are best served warm with a dipping sauce such as Nutella, Mexican chocolate dip, salted caramel sauce, or dulce de leche.

Air fryer churros recipe

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. Another difference is that the Spanish churros are coated in just sugar, while the Mexican ones are coated in cinnamon sugar.

Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup unsalted butter, cut into cubes
• 2 Tbsp granulated sugar
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 3/4 tsp ground cinnamon

Method:

Put a silicone baking mat on a baking sheet and spray with oil spray.

In a medium saucepan, add water, butter, sugar, and salt. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.

Reduce 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 heat and transfer the dough to a mixing bowl. Let cool for 4 minutes.

Add eggs and vanilla extract to the mixing bowl and mix using an electric hand mixer or stand mixer until the dough comes together. The mixture will look like gluey mashed potatoes. Use your hands to press lumps together into a ball and transfer to a large piping bag fitted with a large star-shaped tip.

Pipe churros onto the greased baking mat, into 4-inch lengths, and cut the end with scissors.

Refrigerate piped churros on the baking sheet for 1 hour.

Carefully transfer churros with a cookie spatula to the air fryer basket, leaving about 1/2-inch space between churros. Spray churros with oil spray. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may have to fry them in batches.

Air fry at 375 degrees F for 10-12 minutes until golden brown.

In a shallow bowl, combine granulated sugar and cinnamon.

Immediately transfer baked churros to the bowl with the sugar mixture and toss to coat. Working in batches. Serve warm with Nutella or chocolate dipping sauce.

Tips:

• It is ok if a few little lumps of flour remain after adding the flour to the saucepan.
• Depending on the size of your piping bags, you might have to divide the dough into batches.
• Use a star-shaped tip to get the perfect shapes. If you don't have piping bags or tips, you could also use a ziplock or freezer bag.
• Refrigerating the piped churros makes them easier to handle and they will keep their shape better while air frying.
• Don’t refrigerate the piped churros longer than 1 hour or they will dry out.
• If you have leftover dough, you can store it wrapped in plastic wrap overnight. Let it come to room temperature before piping it into shapes, as it is very difficult to pipe cold dough.
• Depending on your air fryer, you might have to bake the churros in batches. They will increase in size a little while baking, so leave some room between them.
• Immediately transfer the baked churros to the cinnamon sugar mixture. This makes the sugar mixture stick better to them.
• Churros taste best served warm. They don’t keep well and are not recommended for freezing.

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 much simpler dough of just flour, water, oil, and baking powder. Another difference between the two is their coating: the Spanish churros are coated in just sugar, while the Mexican churros are coated in cinnamon sugar.

• Butter
• Milk
• Salt
• Flour
• Eggs
• Sugar
• Cinnamon
• Vanilla extract (optional)

You will also need a piping bag, or a ziplock/freezer bag, and a hand mixer or stand mixer.

Some recipes suggest adding a little water to the butter, sugar, and salt mixture.

Air fryer churros cooking tips

Ingredients

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

• Butter
• Flour
• Eggs
• Milk
• Water
• Sugar
• Cinnamon
• Salt
• Lemon zest
• Oil
• Vanilla extract

Preparing the dough

First, melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Then, add the milk, water, sugar, and salt, and bring to a boil. Next, add the flour and stir until a smooth dough forms. Transfer the dough to a bowl and let it cool for a few minutes before adding the eggs. You can use a hand mixer or stand mixer to beat the dough until it softens. Finally, add the lemon zest and cinnamon, and beat until combined.

Piping and chilling

Insert a large star tip into a pastry bag and fill it with the churro dough. Pipe the dough into 4-inch strips about 1 inch apart on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Chill the piped dough in the refrigerator for about an hour.

Air frying

Preheat your air fryer to 360-375°F. Carefully transfer the chilled churros to the air fryer basket, leaving some space between them. Spray the churros with oil and air fry for 10-20 minutes, or until they are golden brown.

Coating

While the churros are cooking, mix sugar and cinnamon in a shallow bowl. As soon as the churros are done, toss them in the cinnamon-sugar mixture to coat them evenly.

Serving

Air fryer churros are best served warm. You can serve them with a variety of dips such as Nutella, dulce de leche, chocolate sauce, or salted caramel sauce. Enjoy!

Air fryer churros vs deep-fried churros

Churros are a sweet treat that is typically deep-fried. However, air fryer churros are a healthier alternative that is just as delicious and much easier to make. Here is a detailed comparison between the two methods:

Taste and Texture:

Air fryer churros have a similar taste to traditional deep-fried churros, but with a slightly different texture. The oil used in deep frying gives the churros a crispier and more flaky texture, while air fryer churros are less greasy and have a lighter texture. Both methods result in golden, crispy treats, but the air fryer version is a healthier option without compromising on taste.

Preparation and Cooking:

Deep-fried churros require handling hot oil, which can be messy and dangerous. Air fryer churros are much easier to prepare as they eliminate the need for dealing with hot oil. The preparation process for air fryer churros is also simpler, with most recipes requiring just a few basic ingredients and simple steps to create the dough and shape the churros. Additionally, air fryer churros can be made in batches, depending on the size of your air fryer, making them a convenient option for larger quantities.

Serving and Storage:

Both air fryer and deep-fried churros are best served warm and fresh. They are typically coated in cinnamon sugar right after cooking to enhance their flavour and texture. Churros, in general, do not store well and are best enjoyed immediately. Freezing the dough before cooking is an option for air fryer churros, but the cooked churros themselves should not be frozen as they will not retain their texture and freshness.

Nutritional Value:

Air fryer churros are a healthier option compared to deep-fried churros as they contain fewer calories and less fat. The absence of excessive frying oil makes air fryer churros a more nutritious choice without sacrificing taste.

In conclusion, air fryer churros are a fantastic alternative to the traditional deep-fried version. They offer a healthier, easier, and safer way to enjoy this popular Spanish and Mexican treat without compromising on flavour. So, if you're looking for a delicious dessert that is simpler to make and has less guilt, air fryer churros are the perfect choice for your next Mexican-themed party or as a sweet snack!

Air fryer churros dips

Churros are a sweet treat that can be made in an air fryer with less oil and fewer calories than the traditional deep-fried version. They are a popular dessert in Spain, Mexico, Portugal, and Latin America. The Mexican variety is made with a choux pastry dough, while the Spanish version is made with a simpler dough of just flour, water, oil, and baking powder. Both are coated in cinnamon sugar.

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

• Butter
• Milk
• Salt
• Flour
• Eggs
• Sugar
• Cinnamon
• Lemon zest (optional)

You will also need a piping bag or a ziplock/freezer bag, and a hand or stand mixer.

• Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Add milk and salt, stirring continuously until the mixture boils.
• Reduce the heat to medium and quickly add the flour, stirring until the dough comes together.
• Remove from the heat and let the mixture cool for 5-7 minutes.
• Mix in the eggs with a wooden spoon until incorporated.
• Spoon the dough into a piping bag fitted with a large star-shaped tip.
• Pipe the dough into 3-4 inch strips onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
• Place the baking sheet in the freezer for about 30 minutes to chill the dough.
• Preheat the air fryer to 360-375°F.
• Remove the chilled dough from the parchment/baking sheet and place the churros into the air fryer basket, leaving some space between them.
• Air fry for 10-15 minutes until golden brown.
• Meanwhile, mix sugar and cinnamon in a shallow bowl.
• As soon as the churros are done, toss them in the cinnamon-sugar mixture to coat evenly.
• Serve warm with a dipping sauce.

Some recommended dips for churros include:

• Nutella
• Chocolate sauce
• Dulce de leche
• Salted caramel sauce
• Whipped cream
• Sweetened condensed milk
• Ice cream

Frequently asked questions