Crispy Air Fryer Churros: Easy Homemade Recipe (No Deep Frying!)

Indulge in the sweet, cinnamon-spiced delight of classic churros without the mess and oil of deep frying! These **Air Fryer Churros** offer a lighter, healthier twist on the beloved Spanish treat, delivering a perfectly crispy exterior and a wonderfully soft interior, all coated in a generous layer of cinnamon sugar. Made easily at home with everyday ingredients, they’re the ultimate fun and delicious dessert for any occasion. Forget the long lines at the fair or the complicated frying process; your air fryer is about to become your new best friend for creating this irresistible snack.

Air Fryer Churros are a game-changer for anyone craving this iconic dessert. They bring all the authentic flavors and textures you adore, but with a significantly reduced fat content and a much simpler cleanup. Imagine a warm, golden churro, fresh from your kitchen, dusted with a sparkling cinnamon sugar mixture that adheres perfectly to its signature ridged surface. Whether you’re hosting a gathering, enjoying a cozy family movie night, or simply treating yourself to something sweet, these homemade churros come together surprisingly quickly. They taste remarkably similar to those nostalgic treats from carnivals and theme parks, yet they’re made right in your own home with a lighter touch.

For more delightful churro-inspired creations, don’t miss our Cream Cheese Churro Cheesecake, a rich and creamy dessert with a churro twist, our decadent Churro Cake, or the wonderfully snackable Air Fryer Churro Chips. Each recipe explores the delicious versatility of cinnamon and sugar goodness!

Why You’ll Adore This Air Fryer Churros Recipe

• No Deep Frying Required: This is arguably the biggest advantage! You get all the desirable crispy, golden goodness of traditional churros without the excessive oil, messy splatter, or the guilt associated with deep-fried foods. The air fryer circulates hot air to achieve a beautifully crisp texture, making this a much healthier and cleaner way to enjoy your favorite treat.
• Simple, Accessible Ingredients: You won’t need any exotic items for this recipe. It relies on common pantry staples like flour, butter, sugar, and cinnamon. This makes it incredibly convenient to whip up a batch whenever a churro craving strikes, without a special trip to the grocery store.
• Kid-Friendly and Fun to Make: The process of making these churros, especially the piping and coating in cinnamon sugar, is a delightful activity for all ages. It’s a fantastic way to get kids involved in the kitchen and create lasting memories, making it perfect for weekend treats or family baking projects.
• Ready in Minutes: Thanks to the efficiency of the air fryer, these churros cook much faster than traditional methods. From mixing the dough to coating and serving, you can go from craving to a warm, delicious snack in no time, making it ideal for spontaneous dessert moments.
• Authentic Taste with a Lighter Touch: Despite being air-fried, these churros don’t compromise on flavor or texture. They achieve that satisfying crunch on the outside and tender chewiness on the inside, infused with warm cinnamon, truly reminiscent of their classic counterparts but with a lighter feel that’s hard to resist.

Essential Ingredients for Perfect Churros

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

• Water: This forms the essential base of our choux pastry, helping to create steam during cooking, which gives churros their characteristic hollow interior and light texture.
• Unsalted Butter: Using real, unsalted butter is crucial for superior flavor and a rich texture in your churro dough. Unsalted butter allows you to control the overall saltiness of the final product.
• Ground Cinnamon: This spice is a star in churros, providing that classic warm, aromatic flavor. You’ll use it in two ways: a touch in the dough for subtle depth, and the majority mixed with sugar for the iconic coating. Feel free to adjust the amount to suit your personal preference for cinnamon intensity.
• Salt: A pinch of salt might seem small, but it’s vital for balancing the sweetness and enhancing all the other flavors in the churro dough.
• All-Purpose Flour: This provides the necessary structure for the churro dough. For the most accurate measurement, always spoon the flour into your measuring cup and then level it off with a straight edge. Avoid scooping directly from the bag, as this can compact the flour and lead to an incorrect amount, affecting the dough’s consistency.
• Large Eggs: Eggs act as a binding agent and contribute to the rich color and tender texture of the churros. It’s best to use large eggs at room temperature. This ensures they incorporate smoothly into the dough, leading to a more consistent and pliable mixture.
• Granulated Sugar: Essential for the irresistible cinnamon sugar coating, granulated sugar provides the sweetness and classic crunch that makes churros so delightful.

You can find the complete list of ingredients with precise measurements at the bottom of the page in the detailed recipe card.

Step-by-Step Instructions: Making Air Fryer Churros

Follow these simple steps to create perfectly crispy and delicious Air Fryer Churros right in your own kitchen. Remember, patience in each stage ensures the best results!

Step 1. Combine water, butter, cinnamon, and salt in a small saucepan. Stir well and bring the mixture to a rolling boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low.

Step 2. Quickly add all of the flour to the hot mixture. Stir vigorously with a wooden spoon until a cohesive dough ball forms and pulls away from the sides of the pan. Remove from heat and let it cool for 5 minutes.

Step 3. Add the eggs into the cooled dough mixture one at a time. Ensure each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next.

Step 4. Continue to stir until the entire mixture is well blended, smooth, and has a glossy appearance, forming a perfect choux pastry dough.

Step 5. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Fit a large star tip onto a piping bag, then spoon the dough into it. Pipe 3-4 inch long strips, cutting cleanly with a knife or scissors. Freeze for 30 minutes until firm.

Step 6. Remove the frozen churros and arrange them in a single layer in the air fryer basket, working in batches if necessary. Air fry at 375°F (190°C) for 10-12 minutes, until golden brown and crispy.

Step 7. In a small, shallow bowl, combine the granulated sugar and the remaining ground cinnamon. As soon as the churros come out of the air fryer, immediately toss them in this cinnamon sugar mixture while they are still warm to ensure the coating adheres perfectly.

Step 8. Serve your warm, crispy, and perfectly coated churros without delay. Enjoy them as is, or with your favorite dipping sauces!

Delicious Serving Suggestions

While Air Fryer Churros are absolutely divine on their own, serving them with a dipping sauce or an accompaniment elevates the experience. Here are some fantastic ideas to make your churro dessert even more special:

• Homemade Caramel Sauce: The rich, buttery sweetness of caramel perfectly complements the warm cinnamon sugar. You can drizzle a generous amount over your churros, or provide a small bowl for dipping. For an extra touch, sprinkle a tiny bit of sea salt on top of the caramel.
• Warm Hot Fudge or Chocolate Sauce: A classic pairing! Chocolate lovers will rejoice at the opportunity to dip their crispy churros into a decadent hot fudge sauce or a smooth melted chocolate ganache. Experiment with dark chocolate for a richer flavor or milk chocolate for a sweeter, creamier dip. Our kids especially love this option!
• Fresh Strawberry Sauce: For a vibrant, fruity twist, serve your churros with an easy homemade strawberry sauce. The bright, tangy notes of the berries offer a delightful contrast to the sweet, spiced churros. This also works wonderfully with raspberry or mixed berry sauces.
• Light and Fluffy Whipped Cream: A dollop of freshly made whipped cream provides a cool, airy contrast to the warm churros. It’s delicious on its own or as a refreshing accompaniment to any of the other dipping sauces. Add a hint of vanilla extract to your homemade whipped cream for extra flavor.
• Nutella or Dulce de Leche: These creamy spreads are instant crowd-pleasers. Their rich, sweet profiles are a natural fit for churros and offer a quick and easy dipping option.
• A Scoop of Ice Cream: Serve warm churros alongside a scoop of vanilla bean or cinnamon ice cream. The temperature contrast and creamy texture are simply irresistible.
• Coffee or Hot Chocolate: For an authentic experience, enjoy your churros dipped into a cup of strong coffee, espresso, or a comforting mug of hot chocolate.

Storing and Reheating Your Churros

While air fryer churros are undeniably at their best when enjoyed fresh and warm, you might find yourself with a few leftovers. Here’s how to store them properly and bring back their delicious crispness:

Room Temperature:
If you have any leftover churros, they can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. To prevent them from becoming soggy, ensure they are completely cooled before placing them in the container, and keep them in a cool, dry place. However, be aware that their crispiness will diminish significantly with time.

Reheating:
To revive the delightful crisp texture of your churros, reheating them in the air fryer is the best method. Simply place them in your air fryer basket in a single layer (without overcrowding) and reheat at 350°F (175°C) for approximately 3-4 minutes. This quick burst of heat helps them regain that satisfying, just-fried crunch without overcooking or drying them out. You can also use a conventional oven at 375°F (190°C) for 5-7 minutes until 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 freeze until solid. Once frozen, transfer the churros to a freezer-safe bag or an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to enjoy them, reheat directly from frozen in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 5-6 minutes, or until thoroughly heated through and crispy. No need to thaw!

Can You Prepare Air Fryer Churros in Advance?

Absolutely! Preparing churros in advance is a fantastic way to streamline your dessert plans, making them perfect for entertaining or a quick weeknight treat. Here are a couple of methods:

Prepare the Dough Ahead:
You can make the churro dough up to 1 day in advance. Once you’ve prepared the choux pastry dough and incorporated the eggs, transfer it to an airtight container or cover it tightly with plastic wrap. Refrigerate the dough. When you’re ready to cook, remove the dough from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes. This will allow it to soften slightly, making it much easier to pipe into strips.

Pipe and Freeze (Uncooked Churros):
This is an excellent strategy for having ready-to-fry churros on hand. After you’ve prepared the dough, pipe the churros onto a parchment-lined baking sheet as described in the instructions. Once all the churros are piped, place the entire baking sheet in the freezer until the churros are completely solid (this usually takes at least 30 minutes, but can be longer). Once frozen, you can transfer the individual churro pieces to a freezer-safe bag or container, layered with parchment paper to prevent them from sticking together. When you’re ready to air fry, there’s no need to thaw! Simply cook them straight from frozen. Just add a couple of extra minutes (typically 2-4 minutes) to the usual air frying time until they are golden brown and cooked through.

Expert Tips for Air Fryer Churro Success

Achieving the perfect air fryer churros is all about a few key techniques. Follow these expert tips for a truly exceptional homemade dessert:

• Utilize a Star Piping Tip: A large star tip is indispensable for authentic-looking churros. The ridged shape not only provides the classic aesthetic but also creates more surface area, which helps the churros crisp up beautifully in the air fryer and allows more cinnamon sugar to adhere for maximum flavor.
• No Piping Bag? No Problem: If you don’t own a piping bag, don’t let that stop you! A sturdy zip-top bag with one corner snipped off (creating about a ½-inch opening) can work as a makeshift piping bag. While it might not create the perfectly defined ridges, it will still allow you to form the churro strips effectively.
• Freeze Before Air Frying: This step is critical! Always freeze the piped churros for at least 30 minutes (or until firm) before placing them in the air fryer. Freezing helps the dough firm up, preventing the churros from spreading or losing their shape during cooking and ensuring they hold their distinct form and texture.
• Avoid Overcrowding the Air Fryer: For optimal crispiness, it’s essential to leave adequate space between each churro in the air fryer basket. Proper air circulation is the secret to achieving that coveted golden, crispy exterior on all sides. Cook in batches if necessary, rather than stacking them.
• Coat Immediately in Cinnamon Sugar: As soon as the churros emerge from the air fryer, they need to be rolled in your cinnamon sugar mixture while they are still piping hot. The warmth helps the sugar and cinnamon adhere perfectly to the churro’s surface, creating that irresistible sweet and spiced coating.
• Serve Warm and Fresh: Air fryer churros, like their deep-fried counterparts, are unequivocally best enjoyed fresh and warm. At this stage, they are at their peak crispness on the outside and wonderfully soft on the inside. While they can be reheated, plan to enjoy them shortly after coating for the ultimate experience.
• Don’t Overmix the Dough: Once the flour is added to the wet ingredients, mix only until a smooth ball forms. Overmixing at this stage can develop too much gluten, leading to tough churros.
• Monitor Dough Temperature: When incorporating the eggs, ensure the flour mixture has cooled slightly (about 5 minutes). If the dough is too hot, it can scramble the eggs; if it’s too cool, the eggs won’t emulsify properly.
• Light Oil Spray for Extra Crispness: For an even more golden and crispy finish, lightly spray the frozen churros with cooking oil spray (like avocado or olive oil) before placing them in the air fryer. This helps with browning and adds to the crunch.
• Experiment with Seasonings: While cinnamon sugar is classic, don’t hesitate to get creative. A pinch of nutmeg, a dash of ginger, or a hint of orange zest can add exciting dimensions to your churro dough or coating.

More Easy Air Fryer Desserts to Try

The air fryer is a versatile kitchen gadget that extends far beyond savory dishes. It’s a fantastic tool for creating quick, easy, and often lighter versions of your favorite desserts. If you loved making these churros, you’ll definitely want to explore these other simple and delightful air fryer dessert recipes:

• Air Fryer S’mores: Get that campfire taste indoors in minutes with gooey marshmallows and melted chocolate.
• Air Fryer Hand Pies: Individual fruit-filled pastries that are golden and flaky, perfect for a personal treat.
• Air Fryer Twinkies: A fun, elevated twist on a classic snack cake, crispy on the outside and soft inside.
• Easy Air Fryer Brownies Recipe: Achieve perfectly fudgy brownies with crispy edges, all with minimal effort.
• Air Fryer Fried Oreos Recipe: Recreate the fairground favorite with less oil, offering a warm, cake-like exterior and melted cookie interior.
• 3 Ingredient Air Fryer Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe: Incredibly simple and delicious cookies that come together with just three pantry staples.

These recipes prove that your air fryer can be a true dessert hero, making sweet indulgences quicker and easier than ever before. Enjoy experimenting!

Serve these delicious homemade churros for the best dessert. Once you try them, please come back and leave a comment! We love to hear your feedback and how these crispy treats turned out for you.