Air Fryer Churros recipe

If you’re craving a sweet treat that feels indulgent but doesn’t leave your kitchen smelling like a deep fryer, this air fryer churros recipe is about to become your new favorite. Churros are crispy on the outside, soft and fluffy on the inside, and coated in cinnamon sugar that practically melts in your mouth. With the air fryer, you can get that irresistible texture without a pot of hot oil.

Air fryer desserts are having a major moment right now, according to Statista, over 40% of U.S. households now own an air fryer. And one of the most popular reasons people love them is the ability to make classic fried foods with less oil and fewer calories.

So let’s learn how to make churros the easy way, with just a handful of ingredients and your trusty air fryer.

What are churros?

Churros originated in Spain and quickly spread across Latin America, becoming a street food icon. Traditionally, churros are piped dough fried until golden, then rolled in cinnamon sugar. They’re often served with a cup of hot chocolate for dipping.

Today, churros pop up everywhere from county fairs to trendy dessert shops. But with this recipe, you can skip the long lines and make them right at home, healthier and just as delicious.

Why make churros in the air fryer?

Deep-fried churros are incredible, but they can be messy and calorie-heavy. Using the air fryer gives you:

• 70–80% less fat compared to deep-frying
• No leftover oil to deal with
• Consistent results every time
• A lighter treat you can enjoy more often

Pro Tip: Spritzing your churros with a little cooking spray before air frying helps them crisp up beautifully without tasting oily.

Ingredients you’ll need

The beauty of this recipe is that you probably already have most of the ingredients in your pantry.

• ½ cup water
• ½ cup milk
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 large egg
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• Cooking spray

For coating:

• ½ cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

Pro Tip: Make sure your egg is at room temperature. It blends more easily into the dough and helps create a smoother churro texture.

Step-by-step churros recipe easy air fryer

This recipe makes about 12–14 churros, which is the perfect amount for sharing with friends, serving at a family movie night, or keeping all to yourself (no judgment!). Each step is simple, but the small details are what make the difference between okay churros and unbelievably good ones.

1. Make the dough
In a medium saucepan, combine the water, milk, butter, sugar, and salt. Place over medium heat and stir occasionally until the butter melts and the mixture comes to a gentle simmer. The sugar should be dissolved at this point, and you’ll notice tiny bubbles forming around the edges of the pan.

Once simmering, remove the pan from the heat and add the flour all at once. Using a sturdy wooden spoon or spatula, stir vigorously until the flour is completely incorporated. The dough will come together quickly and should start pulling away from the sides of the pan. At this stage, it will look thick and slightly sticky but not wet. This method of cooking flour in hot liquid is called panade and it’s the secret to churros having a chewy center with a crisp outside.

2. Add the egg
Let the dough rest for about 5 minutes to cool slightly. This step is important, adding the egg too early could scramble it, and nobody wants eggy chunks in their churros.

Once cooled a little, crack the egg into the dough and add vanilla extract. Stir continuously. The dough may look strange at first (almost like it’s separating), but keep mixing until it transforms into a smooth, shiny dough. The egg gives structure and helps the churros puff slightly in the air fryer, creating that classic airy bite.

Pro Tip: If mixing by hand feels tough, you can use a hand mixer with dough hooks to make the job easier.

3. Pipe the churros
Transfer the dough into a piping bag fitted with a large open star tip. This tip is essential because it creates the ridges that make churros crispier and hold onto the cinnamon sugar later.

Line a tray with parchment paper and pipe strips of dough about 4–5 inches long. If you prefer bite-sized churros, pipe shorter strips (about 2 inches). Use scissors or a butter knife to neatly cut the dough from the piping bag.

Pro Tip: If you’re planning to freeze some churros for later, this is the stage where you can place the tray into the freezer until firm, then transfer the piped churros to a freezer bag. They can be cooked straight from frozen with just a couple extra minutes of air frying.

4. Air fry
Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for about 3 minutes. Preheating ensures even cooking and helps the churros puff up nicely. Place the churros in a single layer in the basket, leaving space between each one so air can circulate. Overcrowding leads to uneven cooking and soggy spots.

Lightly spray the churros with cooking spray. This small amount of oil is what gives you that golden, crispy exterior without deep frying.

Air fry for 8–10 minutes, checking around the 8-minute mark. The churros should be golden brown and firm to the touch. If they look pale or feel too soft, give them an extra 1–2 minutes. Every air fryer is a little different, so it’s okay to adjust.

Pro Tip: If your air fryer has a “shake” or “turn food” reminder, flip the churros halfway through for extra even browning.

5. Coat in cinnamon sugar
While the churros are still hot from the air fryer, roll them immediately in a bowl of cinnamon sugar. The heat helps the sugar stick perfectly, giving you that iconic sweet crunch with every bite. If you wait too long, the coating won’t adhere as well.

To make the coating, simply mix ½ cup of granulated sugar with 1 teaspoon of cinnamon. For a flavor twist, add a pinch of nutmeg or even pumpkin spice if you’re making these around the holidays.

Pro Tip: If your churros feel slightly soft after coating, pop them back in the air fryer for 1–2 minutes. This locks in the sugar and adds that final layer of crispiness without drying out the inside.

Making the cinnamon sugar coating

The magic of churros is in the sweet, crunchy coating. To make sure it sticks:

• Coat the churros while they’re still hot.
• Use fine granulated sugar for the best texture.
• Try mixing in a little nutmeg or pumpkin spice for a seasonal twist.

Best dipping sauces for churros

Churros are amazing on their own, but dipping sauces make them next-level. Try these quick favorites:

• Chocolate sauce: Melt chocolate chips with a splash of cream.
• Caramel sauce: Warm up store-bought caramel or make your own with sugar and cream.
• Fruit dips: Blend strawberries or raspberries with a little sugar for a fresh option.

Pro Tip: A drizzle of Nutella over churros instantly upgrades them into a party-worthy dessert.

Storage and reheating tips

Air fryer churros are best enjoyed fresh, but you can save leftovers:

• Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 3–4 minutes.
• Freezer: Freeze piped, uncooked churros. Air fry directly from frozen, adding 2–3 minutes to cooking time.

Nutrition breakdown

For 1 churro (based on 12 per batch):

• Calories: ~120
• Fat: 4g
• Carbs: 18g
• Sugar: 7g
• Protein: 2g

For comparison, a deep-fried churro of the same size averages 200–250 calories. That means air frying cuts nearly half the calories while still keeping the crunch.

Variations to try

Want to mix things up? Try these fun twists:

• Filled churros: Pipe Nutella or dulce de leche inside after cooking.
• Mini churros: Make bite-sized churros for parties or kids.
• Vegan: Swap milk with almond milk and use a flax egg.
• Gluten-free: Use a gluten-free flour blend.

Serving ideas

Churros are perfect for so many occasions:

• Movie night snack
• Dessert after tacos or fajitas
• Birthday party finger food
• With a cup of hot coffee or Mexican hot chocolate

FAQs

Final thoughts

Making this churros recipe easy air fryer at home is a total game changer. It’s faster, lighter, and less messy than traditional frying, but still gives you that irresistible cinnamon-sugar crunch.

Whether you’re making them for a party, a cozy weekend treat, or just because you’re craving something sweet, these churros prove you don’t need a deep fryer to enjoy a classic dessert.

So go ahead, grab your piping bag, fire up the air fryer, and get ready to impress yourself with how easy homemade churros can be.

Air Fryer Churros recipe

0

from

0

votes

Course: DessertsCuisine: SpanishDifficulty: Easy

Servings

1

serving

Prep time

10

minutes

Cooking time

10

minutes

Calories

150

kcal

Crispy, golden, and dusted with cinnamon sugar, this easy air fryer churros recipe makes a lighter single-serve dessert that’s ready in minutes.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons water

• 2 tablespoons milk

• ½ tablespoon unsalted butter

• ½ tablespoon sugar

• ¼ cup all-purpose flour

• ¼ large egg (beat 1 egg, use about 1 tablespoon)

• ⅛ teaspoon vanilla extract

• Pinch of salt

• Cooking spray

• 2 tablespoons sugar

• ¼ teaspoon cinnamon

Directions

• Make the dough
  In a small saucepan, combine water, milk, butter, sugar, and salt. Bring to a gentle simmer. Remove from heat and stir in the flour all at once until a dough forms and pulls away from the sides of the pan.
• Add the egg
  Let the dough cool slightly, then mix in the beaten egg portion and vanilla. Stir until smooth and shiny.
• Pipe the churros
  Transfer dough into a piping bag fitted with a star tip. Pipe 3–4 inch strips onto parchment paper.
• Air fry
  Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Place churros in a single layer, lightly spray with cooking spray, and air fry for 8–10 minutes until golden and crisp.
• Coat in cinnamon sugar
  Immediately roll hot churros in the cinnamon-sugar mixture so the coating sticks. Serve warm with chocolate or caramel sauce if desired.