Can you cook churros in an air fryer?

Certainly! Air fryers excel at cooking churros because they deliver intense, consistent heat that creates a crisp exterior and fluffy interior. Moreover, air frying achieves this texture using only a light spritz of oil, making the process healthier than traditional deep frying.

Why are my churros not crunchy?

If your churros lack crunch, several factors could be responsible. Firstly, skipping the preheat stage prevents proper browning. Secondly, overcrowding the basket reduces airflow, leading to steaming instead of crisping. Lastly, undercooking can leave the exterior too soft. Therefore, always preheat, leave space between churros, and cook long enough for deep golden color.

Can you make dessert in an air fryer?

Absolutely! Air fryers are surprisingly versatile when it comes to desserts. Besides air fryer churros , you can make cookies, brownies, and even small cheesecakes. Moreover, air fryers handle pastries well, giving them that ideal golden exterior.

What cannot be fried in an air fryer?

Generally, air fryers struggle with wet batters. For example, beer-battered fish drips through the basket before it sets. Additionally, delicate soufflés or fragile pastries may not cook evenly. However, structured doughs like churro dough work beautifully.

Air Fryer Churros Recipe - Crispy, Easy & Delicious

Description

Air Fryer Churros are a lighter, easier version of the classic fried treat. These golden, crispy churros have a soft and tender center, coated in a delicious cinnamon-sugar mixture. Made with simple pantry ingredients, they come together quickly, and the air fryer gives them that perfect crunchy texture — without the need for deep frying. Serve them with chocolate sauce or caramel for a sweet and irresistible dessert or snack!

Ingredients

Scale

Churro Dough:

1 cup water
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
¼ teaspoon salt
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 large egg
½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Cinnamon Sugar Coating:

½ cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Optional Dipping Sauce:

Chocolate sauce or caramel sauce

Instructions

Prepare Dough: In a medium saucepan, combine water, butter, sugar, and salt. Heat over medium until the butter melts and the mixture comes to a boil.
Add Flour: Reduce heat to low and stir in flour. Stir vigorously until the dough forms a ball and pulls away from the sides of the pan. Remove from heat and let cool for 5 minutes.
Add Egg & Vanilla: After cooling, add the egg and vanilla to the dough. Stir until the egg is fully incorporated, and the dough becomes smooth and slightly sticky.
Fill Piping Bag: Transfer dough to a piping bag fitted with a star tip (this gives churros their signature ridges).
Pipe & Air Fry: Pipe 4-6 inch strips of dough onto a parchment-lined tray or cutting board. Preheat air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Place churros in the air fryer basket, leaving space between each one. Air fry for 8-10 minutes, until golden brown and crisp.
Coat in Cinnamon Sugar: In a shallow dish, mix sugar and cinnamon. While churros are still warm, roll them in the cinnamon-sugar mixture until fully coated.
Serve: Serve warm with chocolate sauce or caramel for dipping. Enjoy immediately!

Notes

For extra flavor, add a pinch of nutmeg or a splash of citrus zest to the dough.
If you want to make these ahead, store uncoated churros in an airtight container and reheat in the air fryer for 2-3 minutes before rolling in cinnamon sugar.
Need a dairy-free version? Substitute butter with dairy-free margarine or coconut oil.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Cuisine: Mexican-inspired

Nutrition

Serving Size: 2-3 churros per person
Calories: ~90 kcal
Fat: ~3g
Carbohydrates: ~14g
Protein: ~2g