Crispy Churros Airfryer

These air fryer churro bites turn a classically deep-fried snack into a simpler, healthier treat you can whip up whenever you want something sweet. They come out with an amazing crispy outside and soft, fluffy inside that's just as good as what you'd find at any festival.

I created these during quarantine when my family missed our favorite Mexican spot's desserts. The way their faces lit up when they tasted these sugar-cinnamon treats was just amazing. They've become our end-of-week family tradition now.

Ingredients

• Water: Creates the foundation for the pastry and helps make that fluffy texture inside
• Unsalted butter: Gives these bites their rich, authentic taste
• Plain flour: Builds the structure; grab regular all-purpose for best outcome
• Salt: Brings out sweetness and rounds out the flavor
• White sugar: Used in both the mixture and coating; finer grains stick better
• Cinnamon powder: Delivers that signature churro taste; try fresh Ceylon for extra flavor
• Vanilla essence: Brings warmth and deeper flavor to the dough
• Large egg: Holds everything together and helps create lightness

Step-by-Step Instructions

Create Your Base:

Mix water, butter, salt, and sugar in a pot over high heat. Keep an eye on it as it reaches a boil, which helps create the right texture. Once boiling, turn heat down to medium-low and dump in all flour at once. Stir hard with a wooden spoon until it forms a smooth ball that pulls away from the pot sides. The mix should look shiny and feel solid.

Let It Rest and Blend:

Move your dough to a bowl and let it sit for 4-5 minutes to cool down. This waiting part matters a lot, or your egg might cook. Add the egg and vanilla, then mix with beaters until it's all combined nicely. Your dough should end up thick, smooth, slightly shiny and easy to pipe. If it's too stiff, add a tiny bit of water.

Shape The Churros:

Put the dough in a piping bag with a star tip to get those classic ridges. Heat your air fryer to 375°F, which works perfectly for these bites. Spray the basket well so nothing sticks. Pipe about 2-inch pieces directly into the basket, leaving room between them. For a more casual look, just drop spoonfuls in.

Air Fry Them:

Lightly brush each piece with melted butter to help them brown. Cook for 10-12 minutes, but check at 8 minutes since air fryers can vary. Look for golden brown outsides and puffy shapes. They should feel hollow when you tap them. Do small batches so they get crispy instead of steamy.

Add Sugar Coating:

Mix sugar and cinnamon in a wide, shallow dish for easy coating. Roll the churros in this mix while they're still hot so the sugar sticks better. If needed, spray them lightly with oil first for extra stickiness. Don't skimp on coating – it's what makes them so tasty.

Time To Eat:

Place your churro bites on a plate while warm. They taste great by themselves, but try them with dips like chocolate sauce, caramel, or vanilla custard. Eat them right away for the best crunch and flavor.

Pin it

I found the secret to perfect churros after playing around with temperatures for a while. Too cool and they get soggy, too hot and they burn outside while staying raw inside. That magic 375°F setting creates exactly the right texture that my family now asks for every week.

Storage Tips

These little treats taste best right away when they're warm and crunchy. If you have extras, keep them in a sealed container at room temp for up to 2 days. Just know the sugar coating will get damp over time, making them less crispy. To make them tasty again, put them back in the air fryer at 350°F for 2-3 minutes, then maybe add fresh cinnamon sugar if needed.

Troubleshooting Tips

Got runny dough? You probably added the egg when your mixture was too hot. No worries, just mix in 1-2 spoons of flour until it thickens up enough to pipe. If your churros aren't puffing up right, your air fryer might not be hot enough. Make sure it's fully heated before you start cooking, and maybe try turning it up by 10 degrees if you need to.

Flavor Variations

The traditional cinnamon sugar mix is only the start. Try rolling your churros in a sugar and cocoa powder blend for a chocolate version. For something fancy, dunk half of each piece in melted chocolate and add crushed nuts or colorful sprinkles on top. You can also mix some orange or lemon zest into the dough for a fruity twist that works really well with the cinnamon sugar.

Pin it

Grab your churro bites while they're hot, crispy and covered in sweet sugar—it's a treat that always hits the spot!

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Is it possible to prep the dough ahead of time?

Sure, you can prepare the dough and keep it in the fridge for up to a day. Use a sealed container or piping bag. Let it sit out for about 30 minutes to warm up before cooking for the best texture.

→ What dips go well with these treats?

You can enjoy these with chocolate sauce, caramel, Nutella, fruit jams, or dulce de leche. They are also fantastic with vanilla ice cream for a fun twist.

→ How do I fix churros that are too soft?

If your churros seem too soft, they likely need more time in the fryer. Add another 2-3 minutes or bump up the temperature a little. Don’t overcrowd the fryer as this reduces airflow needed for crispness.

→ Can cooked churros be stored in the freezer?

Definitely! Freeze churros without the coating for up to a month. Use an airtight container. To reheat, set your air fryer to 350°F for 3-4 minutes, then coat them in cinnamon sugar when warm.

→ Can these churros be made without gluten?

Yes, swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free 1:1 baking blend. The texture might be slightly different, but they’ll still turn out delicious. Double-check that your vanilla and other ingredients are also free of gluten.

→ How can I tell when the churros are ready?

They’re done when they’re golden brown on the outside and fluffy inside. Break one open to check. It shouldn’t be raw or dense in the middle.