Air-Fried Coconut Flour Churros: A Quick, Crispy Treat!

Churros are a sweet treat that can be made in an air fryer instead of being deep-fried. Air-fried churros are a lighter, healthier alternative to traditionally fried churros, with less oil and fewer calories. They are also safer and less messy to make, without the need for handling hot oil. The air fryer method is also faster, as you don't need to pre-warm the oil or dispose of it afterward. Churros are a popular dessert in Spain, Mexico, Portugal, and Latin America. They are made with a pate a choux dough, which is piped into a star shape and then fried. The traditional method of making churros involves deep-frying the dough, but air-frying is a healthier alternative that gives a similar taste and texture.

Choosing the right ingredients

Coconut Flour:

• Coconut flour is a great gluten-free alternative to traditional wheat flour. It has a unique flavour and texture that can enhance your churros. Look for finely ground coconut flour to ensure a smooth and consistent dough.
• When substituting coconut flour for wheat flour, keep in mind that coconut flour is highly absorbent. You may need less coconut flour than wheat flour in your recipe. Start with a smaller amount and adjust as needed.

Eggs:

• Eggs play a vital role in binding the ingredients together and providing structure to your churros. Use large or extra-large eggs at room temperature for the best results.
• If you are unable to use eggs, you can try a flax egg or a commercial egg replacer as a substitute. However, the texture and flavour may vary.

Milk:

• Milk adds richness and moisture to your churro dough. For the best results, opt for whole milk or full-fat milk.
• If you prefer a dairy-free option, you can use non-dairy milk alternatives such as almond milk, soy milk, or oat milk. Keep in mind that the flavour of the milk may subtly influence the taste of your churros.

Butter:

• Butter contributes to the flavour and texture of your churros. Use unsalted butter to control the amount of salt in your recipe.
• If you wish to make your churros dairy-free, you can substitute butter with a plant-based alternative, such as vegan butter or margarine.

Sugar:

• Sugar sweetens your churro dough and enhances the flavour. You can use granulated sugar or alternative sweeteners like coconut sugar or brown sugar.
• If you prefer a simpler coating, you can coat your churros in just sugar, as is traditional in Spanish churros.

Cinnamon:

• Cinnamon is a key ingredient in the classic cinnamon-sugar coating for churros. It adds a delightful spice and aroma to your treat.
• Feel free to experiment with different types of cinnamon, such as floral Ceylon, spicy Saigon, or extra cinnamon-y Korintje cinnamon, to give your churros a unique twist.

Oil:

• When preparing your churros in an air fryer, it is essential to use a suitable cooking oil. Avocado oil, canola oil, light olive oil, or melted vegan butter are all excellent options.
• Avoid using oils with low smoke points, as they may not be suitable for the high temperatures of an air fryer.

Salt:

• A pinch of salt enhances the flavour of your churros and balances the sweetness. Use kosher salt or sea salt for the best results.
• Be mindful of the type and brand of salt you use, as different salts have varying levels of saltiness. Adjust the amount used according to your preference.

Remember, the quality of your ingredients can significantly impact the final result. Always opt for fresh, high-quality ingredients to ensure your churros turn out perfectly crispy, tasty, and indulgent!

Making the dough

Firstly, gather your ingredients. For the dough, you will need flour, butter, milk or water, sugar, and a pinch of salt. You can also add a teaspoon of vanilla extract for extra flavour. It is important to use classic flour for the best results, but you can also experiment with white wheat or white spelt flour. If you are making a larger batch, you may need to double the ingredients.

Next, prepare your equipment. You will need a medium-sized saucepan, a wooden spoon or spatula, and a stand mixer or hand mixer. If you plan to pipe the dough, you will also need a piping bag fitted with a star-shaped tip. Some recipes suggest using a rubber spatula to scrape the dough into the piping bag.

Now, it's time to start cooking! Begin by melting the butter in the saucepan over medium to medium-high heat. Once melted, add the milk or water, sugar, and salt, and bring the mixture to a boil. Stir the mixture continuously to combine the ingredients thoroughly.

Once the mixture is boiling, it's time to add the flour. Remove the saucepan from the heat and pour in the flour all at once. Stir vigorously with your wooden spoon or spatula until a soft, elastic dough ball forms. The dough may look crumbly at first, but keep stirring until it comes together.

At this stage, you can add a pinch of salt to enhance the flavour. You can also add a teaspoon of vanilla extract to the boiled water before adding the flour. Just be sure not to add it before boiling, as it will evaporate.

Once the dough has come together, it's important to let it cool down. Transfer the dough ball to a lightly oiled surface or a mixing bowl and let it cool for about 5 minutes, or until it is safe to handle with your hands. This cooling process will take between 3 to 5 minutes.

If you are using a stand mixer or hand mixer, you can transfer the dough to the mixer bowl at this stage. Mix the dough for a few minutes to help it cool down before adding the eggs.

After the dough has cooled slightly, it's time to add the eggs. If you are using a mixer, add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. If you are mixing by hand, simply add the eggs and beat the dough until it is well combined and has a sticky consistency.

Now, you can start shaping the dough. If you are using a piping bag, fill it with the dough and pipe the churros directly into the air fryer basket or onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Pipe the dough into strips or logs, aiming for a length of about 3 to 5 inches. If you don't have a piping bag, you can use a ziplock bag and cut a small hole in one corner to pipe the dough. Alternatively, you can shape the dough by hand, rolling it into cylinders and then cutting it into smaller pieces.

If you have piped the dough onto a baking sheet, place it in the freezer for about 30 minutes to allow the churros to firm up and keep their shape. This step is important, as it will help the churros hold their shape during air frying.

Once your dough is shaped and chilled, you are ready to air fry your churros! Preheat your air fryer to between 340 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Gently place the chilled churros into the air fryer basket, being careful not to crowd them. You may need to cook them in batches to avoid overcrowding.

Air fry the churros for about 10 to 15 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crispy. Flip them halfway through the cooking process to ensure even cooking. The cooking time may vary depending on the size of your churros and the model of your air fryer, so keep an eye on them to avoid overcooking.

And that's it! You have now successfully made churros dough and are ready to enjoy delicious, crispy air fryer churros. Don't forget to coat them in cinnamon sugar for that classic churros flavour!

Shaping the churros

Firstly, you will need to prepare your churro dough. The dough typically includes flour, butter, milk or water, sugar, and a pinch of salt. Bring these ingredients to a boil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Once the mixture is boiling, reduce the heat and add in the flour, stirring continuously until a soft, elastic dough ball forms. You can then transfer the dough to a bowl and let it cool down.

Now, for the shaping! There are two common methods for shaping churros: using a piping bag or shaping them by hand.

If you're using a piping bag, attach a large star-shaped tip to the bag. Fill the bag with the churro dough and pipe the dough directly into the air fryer basket, forming equal-sized strips. You can also pipe the dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and cut the ends with scissors to form the desired length. Place the piped churros in the freezer for about 30 minutes to help them retain their shape.

If you don't have a piping bag, you can shape the churros by hand. Roll the dough into a cylinder and use a sharp knife to cut it into small logs about 1/2 inch thick. Lightly oil your hands and gently roll each log to elongate them to about 4 inches in length. You can use the back of a fork to press the sides of the log and create a textured surface.

Once your churros are shaped, it's time to air fry them! Preheat your air fryer to the recommended temperature, usually around 350-400°F (175-200°C). Lightly oil the air fryer basket and place the shaped churros inside, making sure they don't touch each other. Air fry for 10-15 minutes, flipping them halfway through, until they are golden brown.

And that's it! You've shaped and fried your churros, and they are now ready to be coated in delicious cinnamon sugar. Enjoy your freshly made, crispy, and airy churros!

Air-frying the churros

Step 1: Prepare the Air Fryer Basket

First, ensure that your air fryer basket is well-oiled to prevent the churros from sticking. Use cooking spray to grease the basket generously. This step is crucial, as it will make unmoulding the churros easier while they are still hot.

Step 2: Pipe the Churros

Using a piping bag with a star-shaped tip, pipe the churros directly into the greased air fryer basket. You can also use a ziplock bag with a corner snipped off if you don't have a piping bag. Pipe 3-4 inch long churros, leaving about a thumb's width of space between each one.

Step 3: Air Fry

Now, it's time to air fry your churros! Place the basket in the air fryer and fry the churros at around 340-375°F (175-190°C) for 10-15 minutes, or until they achieve a golden brown colour. You may need to cook them in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.

Step 4: Prepare the Cinnamon Sugar Coating

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

Step 5: Coat the Churros

Once the churros are done, remove them from the air fryer and immediately toss them in the cinnamon-sugar mixture. Ensure they are well coated. You can use a brush to apply melted butter or oil to the churros before coating for better adhesion.

Step 6: Serve

Finally, serve your freshly made air-fried churros! They are best enjoyed warm, so it's best to serve them immediately. You can also freeze any leftover churros and reheat them in the air fryer when desired.

And there you have it! A delicious, crispy, and airy treat made right in your air fryer with minimal oil. Enjoy!

Coating the churros

Churros are typically coated in cinnamon sugar. You can prepare this by mixing sugar and cinnamon in a bowl. You can also add in a pinch of salt.

Some recipes suggest coating the churros in butter before tossing them in the cinnamon sugar. You can use melted plant-based butter or avocado oil.

You can also experiment with different types of cinnamon, such as floral Ceylon, spicy Saigon, or extra cinnamon-y Korintje cinnamon.

Frequently asked questions