Air-Frying Churros: How Long Should You Fry?

Churros are a popular snack and dessert food around the world. They are made by deep-frying choux pastry dough, resulting in golden, crispy, deep-fried sticks of deliciousness. However, you can also make them in an air fryer, which is a healthier alternative to deep-frying as it uses less oil. Air-fried churros are lighter and have fewer calories but are still equally crispy and crunchy. The cooking time for air-fried churros varies depending on the size of the churros and the model of the air fryer, but on average, they take around 10-15 minutes to cook at temperatures between 340-375°F (175-200°C).

How to make the dough for air fryer churros

Churros are a sweet treat popular in Spain and Mexico. They are traditionally deep-fried but can be made in an air fryer for a healthier alternative. Making the dough for air fryer churros is a simple process, and you likely have all the ingredients in your pantry. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make the perfect churro dough for your air fryer.

Ingredients

You will need the following ingredients to make the dough:

• Butter (unsalted)
• Flour (all-purpose)
• Eggs
• Water
• Milk
• Salt
• Sugar (optional)
• Vanilla extract (optional)

Step 1: Cook the Dough

Start by melting the butter in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Add milk, water, sugar (if using), and salt to the saucepan and stir well. Bring this mixture to a boil. Once it reaches a boiling point, reduce the heat to medium or medium-low. Now, quickly add the flour all at once and keep stirring until the dough comes together and forms a smooth ball. You can use a wooden spoon or a rubber spatula for stirring. It is okay if there are a few small lumps of flour remaining in the dough.

Step 2: Cool the Dough

Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the dough cool down for a few minutes. The ideal cooling time is around 4 to 7 minutes. This step is important as it will prevent the eggs from cooking when they are added in the next step.

Step 3: Mix in the Eggs

After the dough has cooled, it's time to mix in the eggs. Add the eggs one at a time and use a wooden spoon or an electric mixer to mix until the eggs are fully incorporated into the dough. The dough will become sticky and may look like gluey mashed potatoes. If you are using vanilla extract, add it along with the eggs.

Step 4: Pipe the Dough

At this point, your dough is ready to be piped! Transfer the dough to a piping bag fitted with a large star-shaped tip. You can use a Wilton 1M tip or a similar size. Pipe the dough onto a greased baking mat or a parchment-lined baking sheet. Pipe the dough into 4-inch strips, about 1 inch apart. You can use a ruler to measure and mark the strips for more precise piping.

Step 5: Chill the Dough

Once you have piped the dough, it's time to chill it. Place the piped dough in the refrigerator for about 1 hour. Chilling the dough will make it easier to handle and help it maintain its shape during the air frying process. Do not chill the dough for longer than 1 hour, as it may dry out.

And there you have it! Your churro dough is now ready to be air-fried. Follow the remaining steps in the recipe to cook and coat your churros, and enjoy this delicious treat.

How to pipe the churros

Piping the churros is a key step in the churro-making process. Here is a detailed, step-by-step guide on how to pipe the churros for that perfect shape and texture.

Firstly, you will need a piping bag or a ziplock/freezer bag. If you are using a ziplock bag, simply cut a small hole in one of the corners of the bag. If you are using a piping bag, fit it with a star-shaped tip. The Wilton 1M tip is a popular choice, but you can also use the Ateco #847 or Ateco #849 pastry tips, depending on your preference for thin and crunchy or thick and crispy churros.

Now, transfer the churro dough to the piping bag. Spoon the dough into the bag and fill it about halfway. Twist the open end of the bag to prevent the dough from coming out of the top. You can also use a rubber band to secure the open end.

Once your piping bag is ready, you can start piping the churros. Pipe the dough directly into the air fryer basket, making strips of equal length. For a classic churro shape, pipe the dough into 3-4 inch long strips. You can use a knife or scissors to cut the dough at the desired length. If you are using a ziplock bag, you may need to be more careful and gentle when piping to ensure the dough comes out smoothly.

After you have piped all the churros, place the air fryer basket in the freezer for about 30 minutes to chill the dough. This step will help the churros keep their shape and texture while air frying. Do not leave the piped churros in the freezer for longer than an hour, as they will dry out.

Once the churros have chilled, they are ready to be air-fried! Preheat your air fryer to 360°F or 375°F, and then carefully transfer the chilled churros to the air fryer basket, leaving some space between each one. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to fry them in batches. Spray the churros with oil, and then air fry for 10-12 minutes, or until they are golden brown.

And that's it! By following these steps, you will have perfectly piped churros that are ready to be cooked to golden perfection. Enjoy your delicious air-fried churros!

Air frying temperature and time

Air-frying churros is a healthier alternative to deep-frying, resulting in a lighter, less greasy treat. The air fryer temperature and time will depend on the desired level of crispiness and the size of the churros.

Air Frying Temperature

The ideal temperature for air frying churros is between 340°F to 375°F (175°C to 190°C). At this temperature range, the churros will cook through and achieve a golden brown colour.

Air Frying Time

The air frying time will vary depending on the size of the churros and the desired level of crispiness. For mini or bite-sized churros, air fry for 10 to 15 minutes. For standard-sized churros, air fry for 13 to 20 minutes. It is important to keep an eye on the churros and check them at the 15-minute mark to prevent overcooking.

Tips for Air Frying Churros

• Preheat the air fryer for 3 to 5 minutes before adding the churros to help them maintain their shape.
• Spray the air fryer basket generously with cooking spray to prevent the churros from sticking.
• Air fry in batches to ensure even cooking and to avoid overcrowding the air fryer.
• Cool the churros on a wire rack for 5 minutes after air frying to allow for easy handling.
• Toss the churros in the cinnamon-sugar mixture while they are still warm to ensure the sugar sticks to the churros.
• Serve the churros immediately as they are best enjoyed fresh and warm.

By following these temperature and timing guidelines, you can achieve perfectly cooked, golden brown churros with a crispy texture, all without the need for deep-frying!

Coating the churros in cinnamon sugar

Once the churros are cooked, remove them from the air fryer and immediately place them in the bowl or plastic bag with the cinnamon-sugar mixture. Toss or roll the churros in the mixture until they are evenly coated. You may need to work in batches, depending on the size of your bowl or bag. If you are using a plastic bag, you can also shake the bag to coat the churros.

The cinnamon-sugar coating will add a delicious crunch to your churros, and your family and friends will surely enjoy this sweet treat!

Dips and sauces to serve with air fryer churros

Churros are a sweet treat that can be served with a variety of dips and sauces. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Nutella

Nutella is a popular choice for dipping churros. Its creamy texture and hazelnut flavour complement the crispy, cinnamon-sugar coating of the churros. The warmth of the freshly fried churros will also slightly melt the Nutella, creating a delightful contrast of temperatures and textures.

Chocolate Sauce

Chocolate sauce is another classic pairing with churros. The rich, indulgent sauce provides a perfect dip for the fried dough sticks. It is a traditional pairing, especially for Mexican churros, and for good reason—the sweet chocolate is a delicious match for the crunchy, cinnamon-coated churros.

Dulce de Leche

Dulce de leche, a sweet, creamy caramel spread, is also a fantastic option for dipping churros. Its smooth texture and deep, caramelised flavour create a wonderful contrast with the crispy exterior of the churros. This combination is sure to satisfy any sweet tooth.

Whipped Cream

For a lighter option, whipped cream can be a great choice to balance out the richness of the fried churros. The cool, airy cream can provide a refreshing contrast to the warm, crunchy treat. It is a simple yet effective pairing that allows the flavour of the churros to shine through.

Caramel Sauce

Caramel sauce is another indulgent option for dipping churros. The sweet, sticky sauce coats the churros, adding a layer of rich, buttery flavour. The combination creates a decadent dessert that is sure to impress.

Salted Caramel Sauce

For a twist on the classic, salted caramel sauce adds a savoury note to the sweet treat. The salty-sweet combination can be irresistible, and the crunchy churros provide a perfect vessel for the sticky sauce.

Sweetened Condensed Milk

For a simpler option, sweetened condensed milk can be a great choice. It has a sweet, creamy flavour that pairs well with the cinnamon-sugar coating of the churros. This combination is especially popular in some Latin American countries, where churros are often served as a street food or snack.

Mexican Chocolate Dip

For a more unique option, try a Mexican chocolate dip. This dip combines the rich flavour of chocolate with traditional Mexican spices, adding a layer of complexity to the pairing. It is a perfect choice for those who want to explore the diverse flavours that churros can offer.

Frequently asked questions