The Best Fluffy Pancakes recipe you will fall in love with. Full of tips and tricks to help you make the best pancakes.
Churros In Air Fryer: Crispy, Sweet, and Oil-Free
There’s something magical about biting into a warm churro fresh from the fryer—or in this case, the churros in air fryer! Churros are a beloved Mexican dessert that have gained popularity all over the world. Traditionally, they’re deep-fried in oil until crisp, then coated with a generous layer of cinnamon sugar. While delicious, the deep-fried version isn’t the lightest treat.
Enter the air fryer churro: a modern twist on the classic that skips the oil but keeps all the flavor. These churros are just as golden, crunchy, and satisfying as the traditional ones, but with far less fat. Whether you’re looking for a lighter dessert option, a fun family activity, or just a sweet treat to enjoy with coffee or hot chocolate, this recipe will quickly become a favorite.
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Why You’ll Love Air Fryer Churros
Healthier than fried: No vats of oil needed, just the hot air circulation of the air fryer.
Quick and easy: From start to finish, you can have churros ready in under 30 minutes.
Kid-friendly fun: Kids love piping the dough and rolling the churros in cinnamon sugar.
Perfect for parties: Serve them with dipping sauces and watch them disappear in minutes.
Classic flavor: Despite the healthier method, you still get that authentic cinnamon-sugar crunch.
Air Fryer Churros: Crispy, Sweet, and Oil-Free
Authentically crispy and tender churros with a soft, pipable dough and a classic cinnamon-sugar coating. This magical recipe uses the air fryer to achieve a perfect golden-brown exterior without a single drop of oil for frying, making it a surprisingly light and guilt-free dessert.
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Equipment
Ingredients
- 0.5 cup water
- 0.5 cup milk whole or 2%
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter cut into pieces
- 1 tbsp granulated sugar
- 0.25 tsp salt
- 1 cup all-purpose flour sifted
- 1 large egg room temperature
- 0.5 tsp vanilla extract
- 0.5 cup granulated sugar for coating
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon for coating
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter melted, for brushing
Instructions
- Make Choux Pastry: In a saucepan, combine water, milk, 4 tbsp butter, 1 tbsp sugar, and salt. Bring to a rolling boil over medium heat. Reduce heat to low and immediately add the sifted flour all at once. Stir vigorously with a wooden spoon until the mixture forms a smooth ball that pulls away from the sides of the pan (about 1-2 minutes). Transfer dough to a mixing bowl and let cool for 5 minutes.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Using a hand mixer or wooden spoon, beat in the egg and vanilla extract until fully incorporated and the dough is smooth and glossy. It should have a pipeable consistency.
- Pipe and Cut: Spoon dough into a piping bag fitted with a large star tip (e.g., 1M). Pipe 4-5 inch long strips onto a parchment paper-lined sheet. Use scissors to snip the end of each churro from the piping tip.
- Preheat Air Fryer: Preheat air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
- Air Fry: Carefully transfer piped churros to the air fryer basket in a single layer. You may need to cook in batches. Air fry for 8-10 minutes until golden brown and firm to the touch. Do not open the basket during the first 6 minutes.
- Coat in Cinnamon-Sugar: While still hot, lightly brush churros with melted butter. Roll them immediately in a shallow dish containing the mixture of ½ cup sugar and 1 tbsp cinnamon until evenly coated. Serve warm.
Notes
🔹 Cook the Dough: Cooking the flour mixture in the saucepan is essential to remove the raw flour taste and create the right structure.
🔹 Piping Tips: Pipe directly onto parchment paper for easy transfer. If the dough is too sticky to pipe, chill it for 15 minutes.
🔹 Don’t Open the Lid: Resist the urge to open the air fryer early, as the steam is necessary for the churros to puff up properly.
🔹 Serving Suggestion: Serve with chocolate sauce, dulce de leche, or caramel for dipping.
Nutrition
Calories: 380kcalCarbohydrates: 52gProtein: 6gFat: 17gSaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 80mgSodium: 170mgPotassium: 100mgFiber: 2gSugar: 28gVitamin A: 10IUCalcium: 6mgIron: 10mg
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Expert Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Churros
Don’t skip the star tip: The ridges give churros their signature texture and help them cook evenly.Work in batches: Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket, or the churros won’t crisp properly.
Light oil spray = extra crunch: While this is technically oil-free, a quick mist of oil spray helps achieve that perfect golden brown.
Keep an eye on them: Air fryer models vary, so check around the halfway mark to avoid over-browning.
Serve fresh: Churros are best enjoyed warm. If they cool down, pop them back in the air fryer for a couple of minutes to refresh.
Variations You Can Try
Chocolate-filled churros: Pipe dough around a frozen chocolate stick or Nutella filling before air frying.
Vegan churros: Substitute butter with vegan margarine and eggs with a flaxseed or aquafaba alternative.
Gluten-free churros: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend to make them celiac-friendly.
Spiced sugar: Add a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom to your cinnamon-sugar mix for a flavor twist.
Mini churros: Pipe shorter strips for bite-sized party snacks.
