Air Fryer Churros
Churros usually mean a pot of hot oil, but a stiff choux-style dough holds its shape well enough to cook in the air fryer. A short spell in the freezer keeps the ridges sharp, and a brush of melted butter helps the cinnamon sugar stick. The chocolate dip is just hot cream poured over chopped chocolate.
Published
- Prep Time
- 25 mins
- Cook Time
- 35 mins
- Freeze
- 20 mins
- Total Time
- 1 hr 20 mins
- Servings
- About 24 churros
How do you make Air Fryer Churros?
Boil 240 ml water with 85 g butter, sugar and salt, stir in 130 g flour until it forms a ball, then beat in 2 eggs and vanilla. Pipe 10 cm lengths through a large star tip, freeze for 20 minutes, spray with oil and air fry at 190°C (375°F) for 10-12 minutes. Roll in cinnamon sugar and serve with a warm chocolate dip.
- Total time
- 1 hr 20 mins
- Calories
- 350 per serving
- Protein
- 4.5 g
- Yield
- About 24 churros
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Method
- Air frying
Ingredients
Churro dough
Cinnamon sugar
Chocolate dip
Equipment
Air fryer · Medium saucepan · Wooden spoon · Mixing bowl · Piping bag with a large open star tip · Baking tray · Parchment paper · Pastry brush · Heatproof bowl
Quick Directions
Cook the dough
Bring the water, butter, 1 tbsp sugar and salt to a boil in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
Beat in the eggs
Tip the dough into a bowl and cool for 5 minutes so the eggs don't scramble.
Pipe and freeze
Spoon the dough into a piping bag fitted with a large open star tip, about 1-1.5 cm wide.
Air fry
Preheat the air fryer to 190°C (375°F).
Coat in cinnamon sugar
Mix the 100 g sugar and the cinnamon on a plate.
Make the chocolate dip
Heat the cream until steaming, in the microwave for 45-60 seconds or in a small pan.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these detailed steps to make the perfect air fryer churros.
Cook the dough
Bring the water, butter, 1 tbsp sugar and salt to a boil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Take the pan off the heat, add the flour all at once and stir hard with a wooden spoon until it forms a smooth ball. Return to low heat and stir for 1 minute to dry the dough slightly.
Beat in the eggs
Tip the dough into a bowl and cool for 5 minutes so the eggs don't scramble. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then the vanilla, until the dough is thick, smooth and glossy. It should hold a soft peak and keep its shape when piped.
Pipe and freeze
Spoon the dough into a piping bag fitted with a large open star tip, about 1-1.5 cm wide. Pipe 10 cm (4 inch) lengths onto a parchment-lined tray, snipping the dough off with scissors. Freeze for 20 minutes, until firm enough to pick up.
Air fry
Preheat the air fryer to 190°C (375°F). Lift the frozen churros into the basket on a piece of parchment cut to fit, with space between them, and spray or brush them lightly with oil. Air fry for 10-12 minutes, until deep golden and crisp. Work in batches, keeping the rest in the freezer.
Coat in cinnamon sugar
Mix the 100 g sugar and the cinnamon on a plate. Brush each hot churro with melted butter and roll it in the cinnamon sugar until coated.
Make the chocolate dip
Heat the cream until steaming, in the microwave for 45-60 seconds or in a small pan. Pour it over the chopped chocolate in a heatproof bowl, leave for 2 minutes, then stir until smooth and add the pinch of cinnamon. Serve warm with the churros.
Recipe Tips
- Use a star tip, not a plain one. The ridges help the churros cook through evenly, and smooth churros are more likely to split open.
- Do not skip the freezer. Firm dough keeps its ridges and holds its shape instead of sagging through the basket.
- Only put parchment in the basket once the churros are sitting on it. Loose paper can blow up into the heating element.
- Roll the churros in cinnamon sugar while they are hot so the butter and sugar stick.
Variations
- Churro bites: pipe 3-4 cm (1 1/2 inch) pieces and air fry them for 7-9 minutes.
- Spiced chocolate: stir a pinch of cayenne or chili powder into the chocolate dip with the cinnamon.
- Dulce de leche dip: serve the churros with warmed dulce de leche instead of the chocolate.
Nutrition (per serving)
| Calories | 350 |
|---|---|
| Protein | 4.5 g |
| Carbs | 32 g |
| Fat | 23.5 g |
| Saturated fat | 14 g |
| Fibre | 1.5 g |
| Sugar | 18 g |
| Sodium | 95 mg |
Estimated from the listed ingredients; values vary by brand.
Related Recipes
Storing & Reheating
- Fridge
- Churros are best within an hour or two of cooking. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours in an airtight container for up to 2 days, and the chocolate dip for up to 5 days.
- Freezer
- Freeze piped, uncooked churros on the tray, then pack them into a freezer bag for up to 1 month. Air fry from frozen, adding 1-2 minutes.
- Reheat
- Re-crisp cooked churros in the air fryer at 180°C (350°F) for 2-3 minutes and roll them in more cinnamon sugar if needed. Warm the dip in the microwave in 15-second bursts, stirring each time.
Air Fryer Churros FAQs
Can you make churros in an air fryer?
Yes. Use a stiff choux-style dough, pipe it through a large star tip, freeze the churros for 20 minutes and spray them with oil. Air fry at 190°C (375°F) for 10-12 minutes. They come out lighter and less greasy than deep-fried churros, with a slightly softer crust.
Why did my air fryer churros lose their shape?
The dough was too soft or went in unfrozen. Cook the flour mixture until it forms a smooth ball, beat the eggs in one at a time, and freeze the piped churros until firm before air frying.
Why are my churros doughy inside?
They were piped too thick or came out too early. Use a star tip no wider than about 1.5 cm and cook until the churros are deep golden all over. Break one open to check the first batch.
Can I make churros without a piping bag?
Yes. Snip the corner off a sturdy zip-top freezer bag and push a star tip through the hole. Without a star tip the churros come out smooth and are more likely to split, but they still taste good.
Disclaimer
- Nutrition information is an estimate based on the listed ingredients. It changes with the brands, portion sizes and swaps you use.
- Read ingredient labels for allergens and for diet claims such as gluten-free or vegan. Products and their ingredients can change.
- Cooking times are a guide, since ovens, air fryers and slow cookers all run differently. Use a food thermometer and cook meat, poultry and fish to the safe internal temperatures in government food safety guidance.
- This recipe is general information, not medical or nutrition advice. If you have an allergy, a health condition or a special diet, check with a qualified health professional.
