Crispy Air Fryer Churros

Craving a delightful dessert that’s both light and incredibly satisfying? Look no further than these golden, crispy Air Fryer Churros. Coated generously in a warm cinnamon sugar mixture, they offer all the magic of the classic Spanish treat without the fuss and mess of deep frying. This recipe makes enjoying churros at home not just possible, but wonderfully easy and guilt-free.

Forget the long lines at the fair or the complicated oil splatters in your kitchen. Our Air Fryer Churros deliver that perfect balance of a crunchy exterior and a soft, pillowy interior, all enveloped in the irresistible aroma of cinnamon. Whether you’re whipping them up for a special occasion, a cozy family movie night, or simply to satisfy a sudden sweet tooth, these churros are a true game-changer. They come together quickly and taste remarkably like their traditional counterparts, but with a lighter touch you’ll appreciate.

If you’re a fan of churro flavors, you might also love exploring other creative desserts. Dive into the rich layers of Cream Cheese Churro Cheesecake, savor a slice of tender Churro Cake, or enjoy a quick snack with Air Fryer Churro Chips.

Why These Air Fryer Churros Are a Must-Try

Our Air Fryer Churros recipe isn’t just another dessert; it’s a celebration of flavor and convenience. Here’s why this recipe will quickly become a favorite in your kitchen:

• No Deep Frying Required: A Healthier, Cleaner Alternative. The biggest advantage of using an air fryer is saying goodbye to the messy, oil-laden process of deep frying. This means significantly less oil, reduced calories, and incredibly easy cleanup. You get all the crispiness and golden-brown perfection of traditional churros, but with a lighter feel that won’t leave you feeling weighed down. It’s a truly guilt-free indulgence that makes dessert nights simpler and more enjoyable.
• Simple Ingredients, Incredible Flavor. You don’t need exotic items to create this spectacular treat. This recipe relies on basic pantry staples like flour, butter, sugar, and cinnamon – ingredients you likely already have on hand. The magic happens when these simple components combine, proving that extraordinary flavor doesn’t require complex shopping lists or hard-to-find items. It’s accessible gourmet for everyone.
• Kid-Friendly Fun for Everyone. Making churros is an inherently fun activity, and the air fryer makes it even more appealing for families. Kids will love helping with the piping process (with supervision, of course!) and watching the dough transform into golden sticks of deliciousness. It’s a wonderful way to spend quality time together in the kitchen, creating sweet memories and a fantastic treat. The interactive nature of piping and coating the churros makes it an engaging experience for all ages.
• Ready in Minutes: Satisfy Cravings Fast. The air fryer’s efficiency dramatically cuts down on cooking time, allowing you to go from craving to indulging in a fraction of the time compared to traditional methods. This quick turnaround makes air fryer churros perfect for impromptu dessert needs, last-minute guests, or when you just can’t wait to enjoy something sweet and satisfying. It’s ideal for busy weekdays or quick weekend treats.
• Authentic Texture and Taste. Despite being air-fried, these churros boast an authentic taste and texture that rivals their deep-fried counterparts. The air fryer circulates hot air, creating a beautifully crisp exterior, while the choux pastry dough ensures a soft, tender inside. The generous coating of cinnamon sugar adheres perfectly to the warm, ridged surface, delivering that classic churro experience with every bite.

Essential Ingredients for Perfect Churros

Crafting perfect air fryer churros starts with understanding the role of each ingredient. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need and why it matters:

• Butter: For the best flavor and texture in your churro dough, always opt for real, unsalted butter. Unsalted butter gives you control over the overall saltiness of the recipe. It adds richness and helps create that desirable tender crumb within the crispy shell.
• Ground Cinnamon: This spice is the heart and soul of churro flavor. You’ll use it both in the dough and for the iconic cinnamon sugar coating. Adjust the amount to your personal preference – some like a subtle hint, while others prefer a bolder cinnamon punch. Freshly ground cinnamon often offers a more vibrant aroma.
• All-Purpose Flour: This forms the foundational structure of your churro dough. Accuracy in measuring flour is crucial for the right consistency. To measure correctly, spoon the flour into your measuring cup until it overflows, then level it off with a straight edge (like the back of a knife). Avoid scooping directly from the bag, as this can compact the flour and lead to too much being used, resulting in a dense dough.
• Eggs: Large eggs, preferably at room temperature, are essential for achieving a smooth, well-emulsified dough. Room temperature eggs mix more easily and integrate better into the dough, contributing to a lighter, more consistent texture. They provide structure and help the churros puff up nicely in the air fryer.
• Water: The liquid base for your choux pastry, water helps to create steam during cooking, which is vital for the churros to become light and hollow on the inside.
• Salt: A pinch of salt enhances all the other flavors, balancing the sweetness and bringing out the depth of the cinnamon. Don’t skip it!
• Sugar: Used for the irresistible coating, granulated sugar provides the sweetness and the granular texture that adheres so well to the warm churros when mixed with cinnamon.

The complete list of ingredients and their exact measurements can be found in the detailed recipe card at the bottom of this page.

Step-by-Step Guide to Air Fryer Churros

Making these delicious Air Fryer Churros is a fun and straightforward process. Follow these steps to create your own batch of crispy, cinnamon-sugar delights:

Step 1: Prepare the Base Mixture. In a small saucepan, combine the water, unsalted butter, a quarter teaspoon of ground cinnamon, and salt. Stir these ingredients together over medium heat until the butter melts and the mixture comes to a rolling boil. Once it reaches a boil, immediately reduce the heat to low to prevent it from scorching.

Step 2: Incorporate the Flour. Gradually add all of the all-purpose flour to the boiling mixture in the saucepan. Stir continuously and vigorously with a sturdy wooden spoon until the dough comes together and forms a cohesive ball, pulling away from the sides of the pan. This process cooks the flour slightly and forms the choux pastry base. Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the dough cool for about 5 minutes.

Step 3: Add the Eggs. Once the dough has cooled slightly (it should still be warm but not hot enough to cook the eggs), add the eggs into the mixture one at a time. It’s important to add them individually to ensure proper incorporation.

Step 4: Blend Until Smooth. After adding each egg, stir vigorously until it is fully combined and absorbed into the dough before adding the next. Continue until all eggs are incorporated and the mixture is smooth, glossy, and has a thick but pipeable consistency. This might take a few minutes of mixing.

Step 5: Pipe and Freeze the Churros. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Fit a large star tip onto a piping bag, then carefully spoon the churro dough mixture into the bag. Pipe 3 to 4-inch long strips of dough onto the prepared baking sheet. You can use a knife or kitchen scissors to cleanly cut the dough from the piping tip. Repeat until all the dough is used. Place the baking sheet with the piped churros into the freezer for at least 30 minutes. This step is crucial for helping the churros maintain their shape during air frying.

Step 6: Air Fry to Golden Perfection. Preheat your air fryer to 375 degrees F (190°C). Carefully remove the frozen churros from the baking sheet and place them in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring there’s at least an inch of space between each one for optimal air circulation. Air fry for 10-12 minutes, or until the churros are beautifully golden brown and crispy. Work in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding.

Step 7: Coat in Cinnamon Sugar. While the churros are still warm from the air fryer, they are ready for their classic coating. In a small, shallow dish, combine the granulated sugar and the remaining ground cinnamon. Roll each warm churro in this cinnamon sugar mixture, ensuring it’s evenly coated on all sides. The warmth of the churro helps the sugar adhere perfectly.

Step 8: Serve and Enjoy. Serve your freshly coated air fryer churros immediately while they are still warm and at their peak crispiness. These are best enjoyed fresh, either on their own or with your favorite dipping sauces!

Delicious Serving Suggestions

While Air Fryer Churros are absolutely irresistible on their own, pairing them with a delicious dipping sauce or topping takes them to the next level. Here are some fantastic ideas to elevate your churro experience:

• Homemade Caramel Sauce: The rich, buttery sweetness of caramel sauce is a match made in heaven for cinnamon sugar churros. Drizzle it generously over a plate of warm churros or offer it as a delightful dipping option. The warmth of the churro gently melts the caramel, creating an even more decadent bite.
• Warm Hot Fudge or Chocolate Sauce: For the ultimate chocolate lovers, a velvety hot fudge or smooth chocolate sauce is a must-have. My kids absolutely adore dipping their churros into a generous bowl of warm chocolate. The contrast between the crispy, cinnamony churro and the rich, gooey chocolate is simply divine.
• Fresh Strawberry Sauce: For a vibrant, fruity twist, serve your churros with an easy homemade strawberry sauce. Its sweet, slightly tart flavor provides a refreshing counterpoint to the richness of the churros, creating a balanced and utterly delicious combination. You can also try other berry sauces like raspberry or blueberry!
• Light & Fluffy Whipped Cream: A dollop or a generous dip into homemade whipped cream adds a wonderful lightness and creaminess to the churros. This is delicious on its own for a simpler indulgence or can be paired with any of the other dipping sauces for an extra layer of texture and flavor. Try adding a hint of vanilla or almond extract to your whipped cream for added depth.
• Dulce de Leche: This rich, caramelized milk spread is a classic pairing for churros. Its deep, sweet, and slightly smoky flavor complements the cinnamon beautifully.
• Nutella: For a hazelnut-chocolate dream, warm up some Nutella and offer it as a dipping sauce. It’s an instant hit, especially with younger crowds.
• Cream Cheese Glaze: A simple glaze made from cream cheese, powdered sugar, and a splash of milk or vanilla extract can add a delightful tangy sweetness, reminiscent of a churro cheesecake.
• Ice Cream: Serve warm churros alongside a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream. The hot and cold contrast, combined with the melting ice cream, is a heavenly experience.

Storage and Make-Ahead Tips

While air fryer churros are undeniably best enjoyed fresh and warm, you can certainly prepare them in advance or store leftovers. Here’s how to ensure they remain delicious:

Storage:

Room Temperature: Air fryer churros are at their peak freshness when served immediately. However, if you have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. To prevent them from becoming soggy, ensure they are completely cool before storing, and keep them in a cool, dry place.

Reheating: To revive their wonderfully crisp texture, reheat churros in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 3–4 minutes. This method helps them regain that desirable crunch without overcooking or drying them out. Avoid using a microwave, as it will make them soft and chewy rather than crispy.

Freezing Cooked Churros: Yes, you can freeze cooked churros for longer storage. First, let them cool completely after cooking. Then, arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet and flash freeze them until solid. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container, removing as much air as possible. They will keep well for up to 2 months. To reheat, air fry directly from frozen at 350°F (175°C) for 5–6 minutes, or until thoroughly heated through and crisp.

Can You Make In Advance?

Absolutely! Preparing churros in advance is a fantastic way to streamline your dessert preparation, especially when entertaining.

Prepare the Dough Ahead: You can make the churro dough up to 1 day in advance. After preparing the dough, cover it tightly with plastic wrap (pressing the wrap directly onto the surface of the dough to prevent a skin from forming) and refrigerate. When you’re ready to pipe and cook, let the dough sit at room temperature for about 15–20 minutes to soften slightly, making it easier to work with a piping bag.

Pipe and Freeze (Uncooked): This is the best make-ahead method for fresh-tasting churros. Pipe the churro dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet as instructed in Step 5. Freeze the piped churros until they are completely solid (this usually takes 1-2 hours). Once frozen, transfer the individual, solid churros to a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 1 month. When you’re ready to air fry, cook them straight from frozen – there’s no need to thaw! Just add a couple of extra minutes to the usual cooking time until they are golden and crispy.

Expert Tips for Churro Perfection

Achieving bakery-quality churros in your air fryer is simple when you follow these expert tips. These insights will help you avoid common pitfalls and ensure your churros are consistently delicious:

• Use a Star Piping Tip: A large star tip is not just for aesthetics; it’s key to creating churros with their signature ridged shape. These ridges not only give your churros an authentic look but also significantly increase the surface area, allowing more cinnamon sugar to adhere to them, enhancing every bite.
• No Piping Bag? No Problem: If you don’t have a dedicated piping bag, a sturdy zip-top bag can come to the rescue. Simply snip off one corner to create an opening. While it might not offer the same precise ridges as a star tip, it still allows you to pipe the dough effectively. For best results, use a heavy-duty freezer bag that won’t burst under pressure.
• Freeze Before Air Frying is Essential: This is a non-negotiable step for perfect churros. Always freeze the piped churros for at least 30 minutes (or longer if making ahead) before cooking. Freezing helps the dough firm up, preventing it from spreading too much in the air fryer and ensuring they maintain their beautiful shape and develop a wonderfully crisp exterior.
• Don’t Overcrowd the Air Fryer Basket: Proper air circulation is paramount for achieving that desirable golden, crispy texture. Cook your churros in batches if necessary, ensuring there’s ample space between each churro in the air fryer basket. Overcrowding traps moisture and leads to soggy, unevenly cooked churros.
• Coat Immediately in Cinnamon Sugar: Timing is everything for the coating. As soon as the churros come out of the air fryer, while they are still hot, roll them generously in your cinnamon sugar mixture. The warmth helps the sugar melt slightly and adhere perfectly to the surface, creating that iconic sweet and spiced crust. If they cool too much, the sugar won’t stick as well.
• Serve Warm for Best Results: Air fryer churros, like their deep-fried counterparts, are best enjoyed fresh and warm. At this stage, they are perfectly crisp on the outside and soft on the inside. While they can be reheated, their texture is truly unparalleled when served straight from the air fryer. Plan to enjoy them the same day if possible.
• Preheat Your Air Fryer: Just like an oven, preheating your air fryer ensures consistent cooking temperatures from the moment the churros enter the basket. This helps achieve an even cook and optimal crispiness.
• Lightly Spray with Oil (Optional but Recommended): For an extra golden crisp, you can lightly spray the churros with cooking spray (like avocado or canola oil) just before air frying. This helps mimic the “fried” texture even more closely.

Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly is a churro?

A churro is a traditional Spanish and Portuguese fried-dough pastry, typically eaten for breakfast or as a snack. They are made from a choux pastry dough, piped through a star-tipped nozzle, deep-fried until crispy, and then traditionally coated in cinnamon sugar. Our air fryer version provides the same delicious experience with a healthier cooking method.

Why should I make churros in an air fryer instead of deep frying?

Air frying offers several advantages: it uses significantly less oil, resulting in a lighter and potentially healthier treat. It’s also much less messy, eliminates the need for large quantities of hot oil, and simplifies cleanup. The air fryer still produces a wonderfully crispy exterior and a tender interior, closely mimicking the traditional texture without the associated fuss.

Can I use self-rising flour for this recipe?

No, it is highly recommended to use all-purpose flour for this choux pastry recipe. Self-rising flour contains leavening agents that are not needed and can alter the delicate balance and structure required for churros. Using it might result in an unpredictable texture and appearance.

How do I ensure my air fryer churros are extra crispy?

Several factors contribute to crispiness: ensure your dough is the correct consistency (not too wet), don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket (allow plenty of air circulation), and freeze the piped churros adequately before cooking. Lightly spraying the churros with cooking oil before air frying can also help achieve a deeper golden crisp.

What if my dough is too sticky or too runny?

If your dough is too sticky after adding the eggs, it might be that your eggs were too large or you added them too quickly. If it’s too runny, the flour might not have cooked enough in the initial step, or your measurements were off. Choux pastry consistency is crucial; it should be thick enough to hold its shape when piped but still smooth and pliable. Ensure precise measurements and proper cooking of the flour mixture.

Can I make these churros gluten-free or dairy-free?

While this specific recipe is not designed for gluten-free or dairy-free ingredients, it may be possible with modifications. For a gluten-free version, you would need to experiment with a good quality gluten-free all-purpose flour blend (one that works well for baking). For dairy-free, use a plant-based butter substitute. Please note that results may vary, and testing would be required to achieve the best outcome.

How do I get the cinnamon sugar to stick perfectly?

The key is to coat the churros immediately after they come out of the air fryer, while they are still hot. The residual heat from the churros helps the granulated sugar adhere and melt slightly onto the surface. If they cool down too much, the sugar won’t stick as effectively.

Air Fryer Churros Recipe Card

More Irresistible Air Fryer Desserts

The air fryer is a versatile tool for so much more than just savory dishes. It excels at creating quick, delicious desserts with minimal effort. If you loved these churros, you’ll definitely want to explore more sweet treats you can make in your air fryer:

• Air Fryer S’mores: Enjoy this campfire classic indoors with perfectly toasted marshmallows and melted chocolate in minutes.
• Air Fryer Hand Pies: Small, portable, and bursting with fruity fillings, these hand pies are a delightful individual dessert.
• Air Fryer Apple Fritters: Crispy on the outside, soft and apple-filled on the inside, these are a fantastic breakfast or dessert option.
• Air Fryer Pizookie: A giant warm cookie in a dish, perfect for sharing and topping with ice cream.
• Air Fryer Fried Oreos: Recreate the carnival favorite with a lighter, air-fried twist.
• 3-Ingredient Air Fryer Peanut Butter Cookies: Unbelievably easy and delicious, these cookies are a go-to for quick cravings.

Whip up a batch of these homemade air fryer churros tonight for an unforgettable dessert experience. Once you try them, we’d love for you to come back and share your thoughts in the comments!