Air Fryer Churros

These delicious air fryer Churros are a quick breakfast, snack, or dessert that are done in less than 10 minutes. You can use frozen premade churros or make them from scratch.

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What are Churros?

Churros are a Mexican dessert and street food with a crispy dough on the outside and filled with or dipped in a sauce, most commonly chocolate sauce. They are generally rolled in cinnamon-sugar or powdered sugar. Normally, they are deep-fried in hot oil to a golden brown, so they can be greasy.

The dough they are made with is light and airy. It’s called choux dough. This air fryer version produces the same classic churro texture as deep-fried churros with a fraction of the fat and greasy.

What You Need

For Frozen Churros

• Churros: A box of frozen, premade churros.
• No-Stick Spray: This will give the churros a crispy crust.

To Make Churros from Scratch

• Salt: A small amount of salt balances the sweetness and enhances the flavor.
• Sugar: Sugar slightly sweetens the dough and helps create a golden exterior while cooking.
• Water: Water combines with the flour to form the churro dough.
• Butter: Unsalted butter adds richness and helps create a tender texture inside the churros.
• Flour: All-purpose flour creates the dough for the churros and gives them their classic crisp outside and soft center.
• Eggs: Eggs give the dough structure and help the churros puff up while cooking.
• Vanilla: Pure vanilla extract adds a warm, sweet flavor to homemade churros.
• No-Stick Spray: Prevents the churros from sticking to the air fryer basket and helps them crisp up nicely.

How to Make Them

For Frozen Churros

• Place the churros in the air fryer basket. Leave about an inch of space between them.
• Preheat the air fryer to 350°F.
• Air fry for 4 minutes. Flip each churro and continue to air fry another 4 minutes until they are golden brown and crispy.

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To Make Churros from Scratch

• In a medium saucepan, bring the water, butter, sugar, and salt to a boil over medium-high heat.
• Reduce the pan to medium-low heat and add the flour to the mixture in the saucepan. Stir with a wooden spoon or rubber spatula until a smooth dough comes together.
• Add the eggs and vanilla, then beat with an electric hand mixer in the saucepan, or transfer the dough to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and beat until smooth again.
• Transfer the dough to a large piping bag fitted with a large open star tip. Pipe the churros onto a baking sheet lined with greased wax paper, parchment paper, or a silicone mat. Cut the churros into any length you like.
• Place the baking sheet in the fridge for at least one hour, or in the freezer for about 30 minutes.
• Carefully place the churros in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving about an inch of space between them so they crisp on all sides.
• Preheat the air fryer to 325°F.
• Air fry them for 8 minutes. Carefully flip with tongs and air-fry for an additional 8 minutes, until golden brown.
• Make the cinnamon sugar.
• Let them cool slightly on a wire rack, then toss them in a cinnamon sugar mixture.

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Pro Tips

Test the first batch of churros. Cut one in half in the middle. If the dough is still wet in the middle, air-fry for an additional minute or two to finish cooking.

Every air fryer cooks a little differently, so check the churros a minute or two early the first time you make them.

Serve churros immediately for the best crispy texture.

Use tongs to flip the churros carefully halfway through cooking to avoid breaking them.

Variations

• Toss them in powdered sugar.
• Serve them with dulce de leche sauce
• Make a caramel sauce to dip them in.

How to Store Leftover Churros

Store leftover churros in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate them for up to 4 days.

To reheat, place them back in the air fryer at 325°F for 2–3 minutes until crispy again.

Avoid microwaving them because they can become soft and chewy.

Can You Freeze Churros?

Yes! Homemade churros freeze very well. Freeze uncooked churros on a parchment-lined baking sheet until solid, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container.

Cook frozen homemade churros directly in the air fryer, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.

More Sweet Treats

• Apple Fritters
• Sopapillas
• Fried Dough

Tools that Make this Recipe Work

• Air Fryer
• Stand Mixer
• Baking Sheet

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This Air Fryer Churro Recipe is an easy way to enjoy carnival-style treats at home without the mess of deep frying. Whether you use frozen churros or make them from scratch, they turn out crispy, golden, and perfect for dipping in your favorite sauces.

They are also a fun treat for your Cinco de Mayo parties.