Air-Fried Churros: A Quick, Crispy Treat

Churros are a popular treat in Spain, Portugal, and Latin America. They are made by deep-frying dough, usually choux pastry, and coating it in cinnamon sugar. However, you can make a lighter version of this treat by using an air fryer instead of a deep fryer. This method uses less oil, making the churros healthier and easier to make, without compromising on taste or texture.

How to make the dough

To make the dough for air fryer churros, you will need a few simple ingredients: flour, water, butter or oil, and a pinch of salt. Some recipes also call for sugar and vanilla extract, but these are optional. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make the dough:

Step 1: Boil the Liquid Ingredients

Begin by adding water, butter or oil, and salt to a medium saucepan. You can also add sugar at this stage if you like. Turn the heat to medium and bring the mixture to a boil. Once it reaches a boil, reduce the heat and continue to the next step.

Step 2: Add the Flour

Add the flour to the saucepan all at once and stir vigorously with a wooden spoon or spatula. Continue stirring until the mixture forms a soft, elastic dough ball. The dough will be ready when it pulls away from the sides of the pan and the bottom of the pan is clean.

Step 3: Let the Dough Cool

Transfer the dough to a mixing bowl and let it cool down for a few minutes. This is an important step as it will make it easier to handle the dough and add the remaining ingredients. The dough should be cool enough to handle but still warm.

Step 4: Add the Eggs

Once the dough has cooled slightly, you can start adding the eggs. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. The mixture will become sticky and glossy. At this point, you can also add vanilla extract if using.

Step 5: Transfer to a Piping Bag

Once all the ingredients are incorporated, transfer the dough to a piping bag fitted with a star-shaped tip. If you don't have a piping bag, you can use a ziplock bag and cut a small hole in one corner.

Step 6: Pipe the Churros

Pipe the churros onto a parchment-lined baking sheet or directly into the air fryer basket. For the traditional churro shape, pipe 4- to 5-inch long strips, cutting the end with scissors when you've reached the desired length. You can also use a fork to press marks into the dough to give it that classic churro texture.

Step 7: Chill the Churros (Optional)

This step is optional but can help the churros hold their shape better during air frying. Place the piped churros in the freezer or refrigerator for about 30 minutes before air frying.

And that's it! You've now made the dough for air fryer churros. The next step is to air fry them until golden and crispy, and then coat them in cinnamon sugar for that classic churro taste. Enjoy!

How to pipe the churros

To pipe the churros, you will need a piping bag or a ziplock bag, and a star-shaped tip. If you don't have a piping bag, you can use a ziplock bag instead. If you don't have a star-shaped tip, you can use a regular writing tip or a closed star tip. However, the shape of your churros may look slightly different.

Once you have your piping bag and tip ready, follow these steps:

• Transfer the churro dough to the piping bag fitted with the tip.
• Pipe the churros directly into the air fryer basket, making sure to leave some space between each churro as they will increase in size while baking. You can pipe the churros into strips or logs, depending on your preferred shape.
• If you want to be precise, you can measure and mark the desired length of your churros on parchment paper, then flip the parchment over and pipe the dough following the markings.
• If you are using a ziplock bag, snip off a small hole in one corner about 1/4-inch big.
• Pipe the churros onto a parchment-lined baking sheet or a silicone baking mat. Cut the end of each churro with scissors or a knife.
• Place the piped churros in the freezer for about 30 minutes to help them keep their shape.
• If you want to pipe the churros in advance, you can leave them in the freezer until you are ready to bake them. Just make sure to place them directly into the air fryer without letting them thaw first.

How to cook the churros in the air fryer

Step 1: Prepare the dough

First, gather and measure out your ingredients. The exact quantities will vary depending on your recipe, but the basic ingredients for churros are flour, water or milk, butter or oil, sugar, and a pinch of salt. You may also add a teaspoon of vanilla extract for flavour. Combine these ingredients in a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Then, reduce the heat and continue stirring until the mixture thickens and forms a dough.

Step 2: Pipe the churros

Let the dough cool down for a few minutes before adding the eggs. The number of eggs will vary depending on your recipe, but it is usually around one to three. Mix the eggs into the dough until well incorporated. Next, transfer the dough to a piping bag fitted with a star-shaped tip. Pipe the dough directly into the air fryer basket in strips, or onto a parchment-lined baking sheet if you prefer to chill the dough before cooking.

Step 3: Cook the churros

Preheat your air fryer to around 350-375°F. If you have chilled your piped churros, remove them from the refrigerator and place them into the air fryer basket. Cook the churros for 10-15 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crispy. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the churros in batches.

Step 4: Prepare the cinnamon-sugar coating

While the churros are cooking, prepare the cinnamon-sugar coating by combining cinnamon and sugar in a shallow bowl. You can adjust the ratio of cinnamon to sugar to your taste.

Step 5: Coat the churros

As soon as the churros come out of the air fryer, toss them in the cinnamon-sugar mixture to coat them evenly. You can use a brush to coat them with melted butter first, which will help the sugar stick better.

Step 6: Serve

Churros are best served warm and fresh, so be sure to enjoy them immediately! They can be served as a sweet snack or dessert and are often paired with a dipping sauce such as Nutella, chocolate sauce, caramel sauce, or dulce de leche.

How to make the cinnamon sugar coating

Making the cinnamon sugar coating for your air fryer churros is easy. Simply combine sugar and cinnamon in a shallow bowl or plastic bag and mix until well combined. You can adjust the ratio of cinnamon to sugar to your taste, but a good starting point is 1/2 cup of sugar to 3/4 teaspoon of cinnamon, or 1 cup of sugar to 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon. You can also melt some plant-based butter or avocado oil and brush it onto the churros before tossing them in the cinnamon sugar to help the mixture stick better.

It is important to coat the churros in the cinnamon sugar while they are still warm, as this will help the sugar adhere to the churros. If you are making a large batch of churros, you may need to work in batches to ensure that the churros are still warm when you coat them. The cinnamon sugar can also start to clump due to the butter, so you may need to split the cinnamon sugar into smaller batches and replenish it as needed.

How to store the churros

Storing churros depends on how long you want to keep them for and whether you want to freeze them. Here are some tips for storing churros:

Before Storing:

First, make sure your churros are fully cooked and cooled before storing them. It is also recommended to let them cool on a wire rack to prevent condensation, which can make the churros soggy. It is also best to add any coating, such as sugar or cinnamon, just before serving as coatings can become moist and lose their texture when stored.

Storing at Room Temperature:

If you plan to consume your churros within a day or so, storing them at room temperature is a suitable option. Place the cooled churros in an airtight container or wrap them tightly in plastic wrap. Ensure the container or wrapping is sealed to prevent air from entering. Label the container with the date of storage and store the churros in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Churros stored at room temperature are best consumed within a day or two.

Refrigerating Churros:

Refrigerating churros is a good option for short-term storage. Allow the churros to cool completely, then place them in an airtight container or wrap them tightly in plastic wrap. Ensure the container is sealed to prevent air from drying out the churros. Label the container with the date of storage and place it in the refrigerator. Refrigerated churros are best consumed within a day or two. When you're ready to enjoy them, let them come to room temperature for a few minutes or reheat them in the oven at a low temperature or in the microwave for short intervals.

Freezing Churros:

Freezing is a good option if you want to store churros for an extended period. Allow the churros to cool completely, then place them in an airtight container or wrap them tightly. Ensure the container or wrapping is sealed to prevent air from causing freezer burn. Label the container with the date of storage and place it in the freezer. Frozen churros can be kept for up to a month for optimal taste and texture, although they can be stored for up to two months. When you're ready to consume them, thaw them in the refrigerator overnight, then reheat them in the oven at a low temperature or in the microwave.

Storing Churro Dough:

Churro dough can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before use. To freeze churro dough, pipe the batter onto a lined baking tray and freeze for an hour, then transfer the frozen pipes to an airtight container. It is recommended to cook frozen churro dough from frozen rather than thawing it.

Frequently asked questions