Making Churros With Pancake Mix In An Air Fryer

Churros are a delicious treat, but deep-frying them can be messy and unhealthy. Air fryers provide a convenient alternative to frying, resulting in a healthier version of this sweet snack. Making churros in an air fryer is a quick and easy process that yields a tasty dessert with less oil and fewer calories. This method is also safer as it eliminates the need for handling hot oil. In this article, we will explore the steps to make churros with pancake mix in an air fryer, along with some useful tips and tricks for achieving the perfect air-fried churros.

Churros dough ingredients and preparation

Churros are a sweet treat that can be made in an air fryer with just a few simple ingredients. The dough for churros is typically made with a combination of flour, liquid (water, milk, or a mix of both), fat (butter or oil (avocado oil, canola oil, light olive oil, or melted vegan butter/margarine)), and a sweetener (sugar). Here's a step-by-step guide to preparing the dough:

Step 1: Gather the Ingredients

For this recipe, you will need:

• All-purpose flour
• Unsalted butter or oil (avocado oil, canola oil, light olive oil, or melted vegan butter/margarine)
• Water (boiling or room temperature)
• Granulated sugar
• A pinch of salt
• Optional: vanilla extract, lemon zest, or a pinch of cinnamon for extra flavour

Step 2: Combine the Ingredients

In a medium saucepan, combine the butter/oil, water, sugar, and salt. Place the saucepan over medium to medium-high heat and bring the mixture to a boil, stirring continuously. Once it reaches a rolling boil, remove it from the heat.

Step 3: Add the Flour

Quickly add the flour all at once to the saucepan and stir vigorously. Keep stirring until the mixture comes together to form a soft, elastic dough ball. The dough will initially look crumbly but will soon become a cohesive mass.

Step 4: Let the Dough Cool

Transfer the dough ball to a lightly oiled surface or a mixing bowl and let it cool down for a few minutes. This step is important as it will make the dough easier to handle and pipe. The ideal temperature for piping churro dough is when it's just warm to the touch.

Step 5: Pipe the Churros

Transfer the warm dough to a piping bag fitted with a large star-shaped tip. Pipe the dough into the desired shape, typically long strips, directly onto a parchment-lined baking sheet or into the air fryer basket. If you don't have a piping bag, you can use a strong ziplock bag or shape the dough by hand.

Step 6: Chill the Piped Churros (Optional)

Chilling the piped churros in the refrigerator for about an hour will make them easier to handle and help them retain their shape during air frying. However, this step is optional, and you can proceed to air frying if preferred.

Step 7: Air Fry the Churros

Preheat your air fryer to between 340-375°F (175-190°C). Carefully transfer the chilled or room-temperature churros to the air fryer basket, leaving some space between each one as they will expand slightly during cooking. Lightly spray the churros with oil to promote even cooking and browning. Air fry for 10-15 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crispy.

And that's it! Your churros are now ready to be coated in cinnamon sugar and served with your favourite dipping sauce. Enjoy!

Shaping the churros

Firstly, prepare your piping bag by fitting it with a star-shaped tip. A star-shaped tip will give your churros the classic ridges that are characteristic of this dessert. If you don't have a piping bag, you can use a ziplock bag or a strong plastic bag with one corner cut off. Make sure the bag is large enough to accommodate the churro dough.

Next, spoon the churro dough into the piping bag. This may take some effort, as the dough can be quite sticky. Fill the bag no more than halfway full to allow for easy piping.

Now you're ready to start piping the churros! Hold the piping bag with one hand and use the other hand to guide the tip. Apply even pressure to the bag and pipe the dough directly onto a parchment-lined baking sheet or a silicone baking mat. Pipe the dough into strips that are roughly equal in size and length. The ideal length for churros is around 3 to 5 inches.

Once you've piped all the dough, use a pair of scissors or a knife to cut the end of each churro. This will help create a neat finish. At this stage, you can also use a fork to create ridges or marks on the churros if desired.

Before placing the churros in the air fryer, it's a good idea to chill them. Place the baking sheet in the freezer for about 30 minutes to an hour. Chilling the piped churros will help them hold their shape better during the air frying process.

Finally, when you're ready to cook the churros, preheat your air fryer to the recommended temperature, typically between 350-375°F (175-190°C). Carefully remove the chilled churros from the parchment paper and place them into the air fryer basket, making sure to leave some space between each churro to allow for even cooking. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the churros in multiple batches.

Air-frying the churros

Step 1: Prepare the Air Fryer and Churros

Firstly, ensure your air fryer is preheated to the desired temperature. Most recipes recommend a temperature between 340-375°F (175-190°C). It is crucial to preheat the air fryer for optimal results. Additionally, prepare your churros by piping them onto a greased surface or using a pre-made mix. If you opt for piping, use a star-shaped tip for the best results.

Step 2: Air-Frying

Place the churros into the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded and have space to expand. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the churros in batches. Lightly spray the churros with cooking oil or brush them with oil to enhance crispiness. Air fry the churros for approximately 10-15 minutes, keeping a close eye on them to prevent overcooking. The ideal outcome is a golden brown exterior with a crispy texture.

Step 3: Cinnamon Sugar Coating

While the churros are cooking, prepare a cinnamon-sugar mixture by combining cinnamon and granulated sugar in a shallow bowl or plate. The cinnamon adds a delightful spice, while the sugar provides a crunchy texture. As soon as the churros are done, remove them from the air fryer and immediately roll them in the cinnamon-sugar mixture. This step ensures the sugar adheres to the churros while they are still warm.

Step 4: Serve and Enjoy

Churros are best served warm and fresh out of the air fryer. They tend not to store well, so it is recommended to enjoy them immediately. For an extra indulgent treat, serve your churros with a dipping sauce such as Nutella, chocolate sauce, caramel sauce, or dulce de leche. You can also stuff the churros with fillings like Nutella or dulce de leche for an extra special treat.

Coating the churros in cinnamon sugar

Firstly, prepare the cinnamon sugar mixture by combining sugar and cinnamon in a shallow bowl or plastic bag. The exact measurements may vary depending on your taste preferences, but a good starting point is 1/2 cup of sugar and 3/4 teaspoon of cinnamon. Mix these ingredients until they are well combined and evenly distributed. You can also add a pinch of salt to enhance the flavour.

Next, as soon as the churros come out of the air fryer, transfer them to the cinnamon sugar mixture. This step is crucial, as the residual heat from the churros will help the sugar stick to them. Gently toss the churros in the mixture until they are evenly coated. You can use a spoon or your hands to ensure an even coating.

If you prefer a thicker coating, you can also dip the churros directly into the cinnamon sugar mixture, or even roll them in the mixture. This will create a more generous layer of cinnamon sugar, resulting in a sweeter and crunchier texture.

Finally, serve the churros immediately to enjoy them at their best. Churros are best served warm, as they don't retain their crispness for long. You can also provide various dipping sauces on the side, such as dulce de leche, sweetened condensed milk, Nutella, or chocolate sauce.

Serving the churros

Churros are best served warm and fresh out of the air fryer. They don't keep well, so it's best to make and serve them immediately. If you want to prepare the dough ahead of time, you can pipe it and leave it in the freezer until you're ready to cook and serve them.

Once cooked, churros can be coated in cinnamon sugar. Simply mix together cinnamon and sugar in a shallow bowl or plastic bag, and toss the warm churros in the mixture until they are evenly coated. You can also brush the churros with melted plant-based butter or avocado oil before tossing them in the cinnamon sugar.

Churros are often served with a dipping sauce. Some popular options include warmed-up Nutella, chocolate sauce, caramel sauce, whipped cream, or dulce de leche. You can also fill the churros with these sauces or with Nutella.

Frequently asked questions