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 and then rolled in cinnamon-sugar. However, making them in an air fryer is a healthier alternative that uses less oil. Air-fried churros are also easier to make and are equally delicious.

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 white sugar
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon

Optional

Melted chocolate or Nutella for dipping

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 the 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 mixture 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 (flip halfway through).
• Mix sugar and cinnamon together and place on a plate.
• While the churros are still hot, place them in the sugar mixture and shake until the sugar sticks.

Tips

• If you want to get really fancy, use a different type of cinnamon, like floral Ceylon, spicy Saigon, or extra cinnamon-y Korintje cinnamon.
• You can make the dough a day or two in advance and keep it refrigerated in an airtight container.
• Churros are designed for dunking! Serve them with Nutella, Mexican chocolate dip, salted caramel sauce, dulce de leche, or any other sweet dip that suits your fancy.
• To grease your air fryer basket, rub a small amount of oil with a high smoke point, such as safflower or soybean oil, on the bottom of the basket.
• Your air-fried churros likely won’t be quite as crunchy as deep-fried churros, but they will still be delicious!

Air fryer churros ingredients

Churros are a sweet treat that can be made in an air fryer with just a few simple ingredients. Here is a list of ingredients you will need to make air fryer churros:

For the Churro Dough:

• Water: Use a blend of milk and water for the perfect balance of richness and strength in your dough.
• Milk: Milk adds richness and colour to the churros.
• Butter: Unsalted butter is best, and you will need 3 tablespoons of it.
• Sugar: Granulated sugar is best, with 1 tablespoon needed for the dough and 2 tablespoons for the topping.
• Salt: A pinch of salt will enhance the other flavours.
• Vanilla Extract: This ingredient is optional but adds a nice flavour to the churros.
• Flour: All-purpose flour is best, and you will need 1/2 cup for the dough, plus a little extra for dusting.
• Egg: The egg helps to bind the dough together and gives it structure.

For the Topping:

• Cinnamon: Ground cinnamon is mixed with sugar to create a delicious, sweet coating for the churros.
• Lemon Zest: A little lemon zest adds a fresh, bright flavour to the churros.

Other Ingredients:

• Oil: A small amount of oil is needed to grease the air fryer basket. Use an oil with a high smoke point, such as safflower or soybean oil.
• Cooking Spray: This is used to spritz the churros before air frying, ensuring an even cook and golden colour.

Optional Extras:

• Chocolate Sauce: Churros are traditionally served with a chocolate dipping sauce.
• Dulce de Leche: This sweet treat is another great option for dipping your churros.
• Nutella: Who can resist a warm churro dipped in Nutella?

Air fryer churros cooking tips

Preparation

Before you start making your churros, make sure you have all the necessary ingredients and equipment. The ingredients you will need are:

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

For equipment, you will need a saucepan, a wooden spoon, a mixing bowl, a hand or stand mixer, a piping bag with a star-shaped tip, a baking sheet, a ruler, a knife or scissors, an air fryer, and a shallow bowl or plastic bag.

Making the dough

Start by adding water, butter, sugar, and salt to a saucepan and bringing it to a boil over medium-high heat. Then, reduce the heat to medium and add the flour, stirring until the dough comes together and becomes smooth. Remove the dough from the heat and let it cool for a few minutes before adding the eggs. You can use a hand mixer or a stand mixer to mix the dough and eggs until combined.

Piping and chilling

Once your dough is ready, it's time to pipe it into the desired shape. Use a piping bag with a star-shaped tip to pipe the dough into 3-4 inch long strips on a parchment-lined baking sheet. If you don't have a piping bag, you can use a ziplock bag or a freezer bag. Chill the piped dough in the refrigerator for about an hour to make it easier to handle and to help it keep its shape while air frying.

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 as they will increase in size during baking. Spray the churros with oil and air fry at 360-375°F for 10-15 minutes, or until they are golden brown. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to bake the churros in multiple batches.

Coating and serving

While the churros are cooking, combine sugar and cinnamon 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. Churros are best served warm, so serve them immediately with your favorite dipping sauce, such as Nutella, chocolate sauce, caramel sauce, or whipped cream.

Tips

• If you want to make the dough ahead of time, you can store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days.
• The piped churros can be frozen for up to a month and air-fried directly from frozen.
• To make cleaning easier, grease your air fryer basket with a small amount of oil before adding the churros.
• For the best results, serve the churros immediately as they don't store well and are best enjoyed fresh and warm.

Air fryer churros toppings

Air fryer churros are a delicious treat, and you can get creative with toppings and coatings to elevate this sweet snack. The traditional way to top churros is to roll them in a cinnamon-sugar mixture as soon as they come out of the fryer. This classic topping adds flavour, sweetness, and crunch to the churros.

However, there are many other toppings and dips you can use to elevate your air fryer churros. Here are some ideas:

• Dulce de leche: This sweet, creamy caramel sauce is a perfect pairing for churros. You can dip your churros in dulce de leche or use it as a topping.
• Sweetened condensed milk: For an extra sweet treat, dip your churros in sweetened condensed milk.
• Nutella: Who doesn't love Nutella? This chocolate-hazelnut spread is a perfect pairing for churros and will add a creamy, chocolatey twist.
• Chocolate sauce: For a classic pairing, dip your churros in chocolate sauce or drizzle it on top.
• Caramel sauce: Another classic pairing, caramel sauce will add a sweet and sticky twist to your churros.
• Whipped cream: For a lighter option, top your churros with whipped cream and maybe even some chopped nuts or a sprinkle of cinnamon.
• Ice cream: Why not turn your churros into a sundae? Serve them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and your favourite toppings.

Air fryer churros vs deep-fried churros

Churros are a fried dough dessert popular in Spain and Mexico. They are normally deep-fried, but can also be made in an air fryer. Here is a comparison between air fryer churros and deep-fried churros:

Air Fryer Churros

Air fryer churros are a healthier alternative to deep-fried churros as they use less oil. They are also easier to make, as you don't have to handle hot oil. The recipe is simple and only requires a few basic ingredients, such as flour, butter, sugar, and cinnamon. The dough is piped into the air fryer basket and cooked for a short time, resulting in a delicious cinnamon sugar treat.

Deep-Fried Churros

Deep-fried churros are the traditional way of making this dessert. They are made by piping the dough into hot oil and frying until golden brown. This method gives the churros a different texture and taste compared to air fryer churros. However, deep-frying can be more dangerous due to the use of hot oil and may result in a greasier final product.

Comparison

Both methods produce delicious churros, but air fryer churros are healthier, easier to make, and less greasy. They are also a safer option as there is no risk of hot oil splattering. On the other hand, deep-fried churros have a more traditional texture and taste. Ultimately, the choice between air fryer and deep-fried churros depends on personal preference and the desired level of convenience and healthiness.

Frequently asked questions