Air Fryer Churros: A Tasty, Healthy Treat?

Churros are a delicious treat, but frying them in oil can be messy and unhealthy. Air fryers offer a convenient alternative to deep-frying, but can they be used to make churros? The answer is yes! Air-fried churros are a healthier option that's easier to make and still taste delicious. They're perfect for a Mexican-themed party or as a sweet snack. Making air-fried churros is easier than you think, and they can be made with simple ingredients like flour, water, oil, and cinnamon sugar. So, if you're craving churros but want to avoid the oil and mess, give air-frying a try!

Air fryer churros recipe

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:

First, put a silicone baking mat on a baking sheet and spray with oil spray. Then, 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. Keep stirring with a rubber spatula until the dough comes together and is smooth.

Remove from heat and transfer the dough to a mixing bowl. Let it cool for about 4 minutes. Then, 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 the piped churros on the baking sheet for 1 hour.

Carefully transfer the 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 need 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 the 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 okay 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.
• 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 for longer than 1 hour or they will dry out.
• Churros taste best served warm. They don't keep well and are not suitable for freezing.

Air fryer churros vs deep-fried churros

Churros are a popular Mexican and Spanish dessert. They are usually deep-fried but can also be made in an air fryer. Air-fried churros are considered a healthier alternative to deep-fried churros as they use less oil and have fewer calories and less saturated fat. They are also easier to make as you don't need to handle hot oil or pre-warm the oil.

The process of making air-fried churros involves creating a dough, piping it into the air fryer basket, and then coating the cooked churros in cinnamon sugar. The dough typically includes flour, water or milk, butter or oil, and sugar, with some recipes also including eggs, vanilla extract, and salt. The use of a piping bag or ziplock bag is recommended to shape the dough into churros, although it is possible to shape them by hand.

When cooking the churros in the air fryer, it is important to ensure they are not overcrowded and to flip them halfway through. The cooking time and temperature may vary depending on the air fryer model, but it typically ranges from 10 to 15 minutes at around 340-400°F (175-200°C).

Deep-fried churros, on the other hand, are made by piping the dough directly into hot oil and frying until golden. This method gives the churros a different texture and taste compared to air-fried churros. The traditional method of deep-frying may be preferred by those seeking an authentic churro experience.

In conclusion, both air-fried and deep-fried churros have their advantages and disadvantages. Air-fried churros are considered healthier and easier to make, but they may not have the same texture and taste as deep-fried churros. Ultimately, the choice between the two comes down to personal preference and the desired level of convenience and healthiness.

How to make air fryer churros

Ingredients

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

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

Method

Start by bringing water, butter, sugar, and salt to a boil in a medium saucepan. You can also add a little milk to the mixture. Once it reaches a boil, reduce the heat and add in the flour. Keep stirring the mixture until it thickens and comes away from the edge of the pan. The batter is ready when it starts to brown at the bottom of the pan.

Remove the batter from the heat and let it cool for around 5 minutes. Then, stir in the eggs until the mixture is smooth. You can now add the mixture to a piping bag with a star-shaped nozzle.

Pipe the churros into 3-4 inch strips on a baking tray lined with baking paper. Place the tray in the freezer for at least half an hour so that the churros can firm up and retain their shape.

When you are ready to cook the churros, preheat your air fryer to between 340-375 degrees Fahrenheit. Brush the frozen churros with a little vegetable oil and place them into the air fryer basket, making sure to leave some space between them. You may need to cook the churros in batches.

Cook the churros for 10-15 minutes, until they are golden brown. While they are cooking, mix together cinnamon and sugar in a shallow bowl. As soon as the churros come out of the air fryer, toss them in the cinnamon sugar to coat them evenly.

Air fryer churros are best served warm, so be sure to enjoy them straight away!

Air fryer churros cooking time

Air fryer churros are a healthier alternative to the traditional deep-fried version, and they're easier to make too! The cooking time for air fryer churros varies depending on the recipe and the size of the churros, but generally, they take anywhere between 5 to 20 minutes to cook at temperatures between 340°F and 400°F (175°C and 200°C).

Some recipes suggest preheating the air fryer for 3 to 5 minutes before adding the churros, while others recommend baking them straight away. It's important to note that air fryer churros may not have the exact same texture as deep-fried churros and will likely be softer.

• Freeze the piped churros for about 30 minutes before air frying to help them keep their shape.
• Preheat your air fryer to ensure even cooking and to help the churros maintain their shape.
• Coat the churros in cinnamon sugar as soon as they come out of the air fryer while they are still hot so that the sugar sticks better.
• Serve the churros immediately as they don't hold their shape and texture well over time.

Now, let's look at a few specific recipes and their cooking times:

Recipe 1:

This recipe suggests cooking the churros at 340°F (175°C) for a total of 9 to 10 minutes.

• Pipe the dough directly into the air fryer basket in six equal strips.
• Air fry at 340°F (175°C) for 5 minutes.
• Flip the churros and cook for an additional 4 to 5 minutes, until golden brown.

Recipe 2:

This recipe has a slightly longer cooking time and a higher temperature.

• Pipe the dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and place it in the freezer for 30 minutes.
• Preheat the air fryer to 360°F.
• Remove the frozen churros from the parchment paper and place them into the air fryer basket.
• Bake for 13 to 14 minutes.

Recipe 3:

This recipe also bakes the churros at a higher temperature of 375°F.

• Pipe the dough onto a greased baking mat in 4-inch strips.
• Transfer the piped churros to the air fryer basket, leaving some space between each.
• Spray the churros with oil.
• Air fry at 375°F for 10 to 12 minutes, until golden brown.

Recipe 4:

This recipe has the longest cooking time and suggests a temperature of 375°F.

• Pipe the dough into 4-inch strips on a parchment-lined baking sheet and chill for 1 hour.
• Transfer the chilled churros to the air fryer basket and spritz with cooking spray.
• Cook at 375°F for 15 to 20 minutes, until golden brown.

Air fryer churros serving suggestions

Air fryer churros are a delicious, healthier alternative to the traditional fried version of this Spanish and Latin American treat. They are best served warm and can be enjoyed at any time of the day, but they are especially good for a Mexican-themed party or as a Cinco de Mayo dessert. Here are some serving suggestions to elevate your air fryer churros:

Dipping Sauces

Churros are designed for dunking, so serve them with a variety of sweet dips such as:

• Nutella
• Mexican chocolate dip
• Salted caramel sauce
• Dulce de leche
• Whipped cream
• Chocolate sauce
• Date caramel
• Vegan ganache

Stuffed Churros

For an indulgent twist, you can stuff your air fryer churros with Nutella or dulce de leche. Simply cut off one end of the churro and use a piping bag to fill them with your chosen treat.

Bite-Sized Churros

If you are serving a large group, consider making bite-sized churros so everyone can enjoy a few without feeling too full.

Spice Up Your Sugar Coating

While the traditional coating for churros is cinnamon sugar, you can experiment with different spices to create a unique flavour profile. Try mixing the sugar with:

• Pumpkin pie spice
• Apple pie spice
• Chai spice mix

Frequently asked questions