Description
Crispy and golden Air Fryer Churros coated in cinnamon sugar, made with a simple batter and cooked to perfection in an air fryer for a healthier twist on the classic fried treat. Perfect as a sweet snack or dessert, served warm with your favorite dipping sauce.
Ingredients
Batter Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, diced into small pieces
- 2 tablespoons white granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Cinnamon Sugar Coating
- 1/2 cup white granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Prepare Cinnamon Sugar: In a shallow dish, whisk together 1/2 cup sugar and 2 teaspoons cinnamon. Set aside for coating the churros later.
- Make the Batter: In a large saucepan, combine water, unsalted butter, 2 tablespoons sugar, 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low and quickly stir in the flour with a rubber spatula, stirring constantly until the mixture becomes shiny and smooth with no lumps.
- Cool and Combine: Transfer the dough to a large mixing bowl and let it cool for 5 minutes. Using a hand mixer, beat in vanilla extract and the egg until fully incorporated and smooth. The mixture may separate briefly but continue mixing until combined.
- Pipe Churros: Fill a piping bag fitted with a 1/2 inch star tip with the batter. Line a baking sheet with a silicone mat or waxed paper and spray lightly with oil. Pipe the batter into 4-inch lengths and cut the ends with scissors.
- Chill: Refrigerate the piped churros on the baking sheet for 1 hour to firm up before cooking.
- Preheat Air Fryer: Set the air fryer to 375°F (190°C) and let it preheat while the churros chill.
- Air Fry Churros: Carefully transfer the chilled churros to the air fryer basket using a spatula, spacing them about 1/2 inch apart. Lightly spray the churros with oil. Cook in batches if necessary. Air fry for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown and crisp.
- Coat in Sugar: Immediately after air frying, toss the churros in the prepared cinnamon sugar mixture to coat evenly.
- Serve: Serve the churros warm with your favorite sweet dipping sauce for the best enjoyment.
Notes
- Make sure the egg is at room temperature to properly incorporate into the batter.
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket; fry in batches for even cooking and crispiness.
- Use a star tip piping nozzle for the classic churro ridges and better sugar coating.
- The hour-long chilling step helps the churros hold their shape during air frying.
- If you don’t have an air fryer, these churros can be baked at 400°F for about 15-18 minutes or until golden brown, flipping halfway through.
- Be careful when handling hot churros immediately after air frying to avoid burns.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes per batch
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: Mexican
