Air-Fried Churros: A Quick, Easy, And Delicious Treat

Churros are a sweet treat that can be made at home in an air fryer with very few simple ingredients. They are a dessert found in Spanish, Portuguese, and Latin American cuisine. They are traditionally deep-fried, but can also be baked in an air fryer with less oil and fewer calories. The dough is piped into long strips and then fried to golden perfection. They are then coated in cinnamon sugar and served warm with a dipping sauce.

The ingredients you'll need

Churros are a sweet treat, perfect for a Mexican-themed party or a Cinco de Mayo celebration. They are traditionally deep-fried, but using an air fryer is a healthier alternative that still produces delicious results.

• Flour: All-purpose flour is the best option, as it provides the perfect amount of structure while keeping the churros tender. You can also use white wheat or white spelt flour. For a gluten-free option, some recipes suggest using gluten-free flour, but this may affect the final result.
• Liquid: Most recipes call for a combination of water and milk, but you can also use just water. The liquid is heated with other ingredients to form a dough.
• Fat: Butter or oil is used, often in combination with the liquid ingredients. Avocado oil is a popular choice due to its health benefits and high smoke point. Other options include canola oil, light olive oil, or melted vegan butter or margarine.
• Sugar: Granulated sugar is typically used, as it adds sweetness and a crunchy texture to the churros. However, other crystal sweeteners like coconut sugar or brown sugar can also be used.
• Flavourings: A pinch of salt is often added to enhance the other flavours. Additionally, vanilla extract or lemon zest can be included to add a unique twist to your churros.
• Cinnamon: This is a key ingredient in the cinnamon-sugar coating that gives churros their signature flavour. It can be combined with sugar and used to coat the churros after air frying.
• Eggs: Eggs are not necessary, but many recipes include them in the dough mixture. They should be at room temperature and added one at a time, mixing well after each addition.

With these ingredients, you'll be well on your way to making delicious air-fried churros!

How to make the dough

To make the dough for air fryer churros, you will need a few simple ingredients: flour, water, butter, sugar, and a pinch of salt. You can also add a little vanilla extract and lemon zest if you like.

Begin by adding the water, butter, sugar, and salt to a medium saucepan and place it on medium to high heat. Bring this mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally. Once it reaches a boil, remove the saucepan from the heat and reduce the heat to medium. Now, add the flour all at once and stir vigorously with a wooden spoon or spatula until a soft, elastic dough ball forms. You may need to keep stirring for a few minutes to ensure the dough is well combined and no longer sticks to the sides of the pot.

At this stage, you can add in the vanilla extract and lemon zest if you are using them. Then, transfer the dough to a mixing bowl or stand and let it cool for a few minutes. This cooling step is important to prevent the dough from cooking the eggs when they are added.

Once the dough is slightly cooler, add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. The dough will become sticky at this point. Now, you can transfer the dough to a piping bag or a ziplock bag with a star-shaped tip. If you don't have a piping bag, you can simply use a spoon to shape the dough.

On a parchment-lined baking sheet, pipe or shape the dough into 3-4 inch long churros. You can use scissors or a knife to cut the dough to the desired length. Place the shaped churros in the freezer for about 30 minutes to chill. This will help them keep their shape during frying.

Now your dough is ready to be fried in the air fryer!

How to form the churros

To form the churros, transfer the dough to a large pastry bag fitted with a star or 1M star tip. Pipe the dough directly onto the air fryer basket. It helps to use a dinner knife or scissors to cut the dough away from the tip. Spray the churros with cooking spray before you cook them – this is the best way to get a crunchy churro, so don’t skip this step!

You can pipe the churros in any shape and size you desire. For example, you can pipe three-inch churros and get approximately 60 total, 4-inch churros will yield about 40-45 churros, or you can make seven-inch ones and get approximately 25 total.

If you want to try, you can use a pastry bag fitted with a large star-shaped tip. Place the dough in the bag when it is still lukewarm. Pipe the dough into churros, and cut with scissors when you push out the length of dough you like.

If you don't have a piping bag, you can use a ziplock bag or a knife to cut out pieces of the cylinder vertically and form small logs of dough about 1/2 inch in thickness. Use a fork to press the four sides of the log and make fork prints. This is optional, you can air fry the churros without marks if you find this step too tricky.

Air-frying the churros

Here's a step-by-step guide to air-frying the perfect churros:

Step 1: Prepare the Dough

First, gather your ingredients: all-purpose flour, butter, milk or water, sugar, eggs, a pinch of salt, and optionally, vanilla extract and lemon zest.

In a medium saucepan, combine the butter, milk or water, sugar, and salt. Bring this mixture to a boil over medium to medium-high heat. Then, reduce the heat to medium and add the flour. Stirsection until a smooth dough forms. You'll know the dough is ready when it pulls away from the sides of the pan.

Step 2: Beat and Pipe the Dough

Transfer the dough to a mixing bowl and let it cool for a few minutes. Then, add the eggs and vanilla extract (if using), and beat the mixture until it comes together. The dough will become sticky.

Now, it's time to pipe the dough.section Transfer it to a piping bag fitted with a large star tip. Pipe the dough directly into the air fryer basket in strips about 3 to 5 inches long, leaving some space between them as they will expand slightly. If you don't have a piping bag, you can use a ziplock bag or shape the dough by hand.

Step 3: Air-Fry the Churros

Before air-frying, it's important to spritz or brush the churros with oil. Preheat your air fryer to between 340°F and 375°F. Place the churros in the air fryer basket and cook for 10 to 15 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crispy. Keep an eye on them, as air-frying times can vary.

Step 4: Coat in Cinnamon Sugar

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

And there you have it! Homemade, air-fried churros that are golden, crispy, and delicious. Enjoy them warm with your favorite dipping sauce, such as Nutella, chocolate sauce, caramel sauce, or dulce de leche.

Coating the churros

Preparing the Cinnamon-Sugar Mixture:

Before you begin air-frying the churros, it is essential to prepare the coating mixture. In a shallow bowl or plastic bag, combine granulated sugar and ground cinnamon. The amount of cinnamon and sugar can vary according to taste preferences, but a typical ratio is 1/2 cup of sugar to 3/4 teaspoon of cinnamon. Mix these ingredients until they are well combined and homogeneous. You can also add a pinch of salt to enhance the flavour.

Once the churros are baked to perfection in the air fryer, it's time to coat them. Remove the churros from the air fryer and immediately place them in the bowl with the cinnamon-sugar mixture. Gently toss the churros in the mixture, ensuring that all sides are evenly coated. You can use a spoon or your hands to help coat the churros thoroughly. If using a plastic bag, seal it and shake it gently to coat the churros evenly.

Ensuring Adhesion:

To ensure that the cinnamon-sugar mixture adheres well to the churros, it is recommended to brush the surface of the churros with melted butter or spray them with cooking oil before tossing them in the coating mixture. This step will help the sugar stick to the churros and create a delicious, crunchy exterior.

Coating Consistency:

For the best results, coat the churros in the cinnamon-sugar mixture while they are still warm. The warmth of the churros will help the sugar stick to them, creating a consistent and even coating. If the churros cool down too much before coating, the sugar may not adhere properly, resulting in a patchy coating.

Presentation and Serving:

After coating the churros, place them on a serving plate or baking sheet lined with parchment paper. You can sprinkle any remaining cinnamon-sugar mixture over the coated churros for added presentation and flavour. Serve the churros warm, as they are best enjoyed fresh out of the air fryer. They pair well with dipping sauces such as dulce de leche, sweetened condensed milk, Nutella, chocolate sauce, or caramel sauce.

Frequently asked questions