Air Fryer Churros
Crispy outside, soft inside homemade churros made in the air fryer and rolled in cinnamon sugar, with a quick two-ingredient chocolate dipping sauce.
Churros are fried dough sticks rolled in cinnamon sugar, crisp on the outside and soft and tender inside. This air fryer version skips the pot of hot oil and still gets you that crunchy, sugary crust.
The dough is a simple choux-style paste of water, butter, flour and eggs, piped through a large star tip so the ridges crisp up. A short stay in the freezer helps the churros hold their shape in the air fryer.
Dip them in a warm, two-ingredient chocolate sauce for the full churro stand experience.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- No deep frying
- Crisp ridges and soft centers
- Easy chocolate dipping sauce
- Fun to make with kids
Ingredient Notes
Piping tip: A large open star tip (about 1/2 inch) creates the ridges that make churros crispy. A zip-top bag with the corner cut will work, but they will be smooth.
Eggs: Add them one at a time to the slightly cooled dough so they do not scramble.
See the recipe card below for full measurements.
How to Make Air Fryer Churros
Make the dough
Bring the water, butter, sugar and salt to a boil in a saucepan. Lower the heat, add the flour all at once and stir hard with a wooden spoon for 1 to 2 minutes, until a smooth ball forms and pulls away from the pan.
Add the eggs
Move the dough to a bowl and cool 5 minutes. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then the vanilla, until smooth and glossy.
Pipe and chill
Spoon the dough into a piping bag fitted with a large star tip. Pipe 4 inch lengths onto a parchment-lined tray and freeze 20 minutes, until firm.
Air fry
Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Place the churros in the basket on a piece of air fryer parchment, spaced apart, and spray with oil. Air fry 10 to 12 minutes, until deep golden and crisp.
Coat
Brush the hot churros with melted butter and roll them in the cinnamon sugar.
Make the sauce and serve
Heat the cream until steaming, pour it over the chopped chocolate, wait 2 minutes and stir until smooth. Serve the churros warm with the sauce.
Tips for the Best Results
- Freezing the piped dough is the key to churros that keep their shape.
- Cook in batches so they do not touch.
- Coat them while hot so the sugar sticks.
- Churros are best eaten within an hour.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
| Mistake | How to fix it |
|---|---|
| Raw centers | Pipe thinner churros, about 3/4 inch wide, and cook until deep golden. |
| Flat churros | Freeze the piped dough before air frying. |
| Sugar not sticking | Brush with melted butter right out of the air fryer. |
Substitutions
- Chocolate sauce: Dulce de leche, caramel or Nutella.
- Cinnamon sugar: Powdered sugar.
- Butter for brushing: Coconut oil.
What to Serve With It
- Rich homemade hot chocolate
- Vanilla ice cream
- Copycat iced brown sugar shaken espresso
- Fresh strawberries
Storage and Reheating
Fridge: Best eaten fresh. Keep leftovers in a container at room temperature for 1 day.
Freezer: Freeze piped, uncooked churros for up to 1 month and air fry from frozen.
Reheat: Re-crisp in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 2 to 3 minutes.
Tools That Make This Easier
- Large star piping tip setMakes the classic ridged churro shape.Check price on Amazon
- Reusable piping bagsSturdy enough for thick churro dough.Check price on Amazon
- Air fryer parchment linersKeeps soft dough from sticking to the basket.Check price on Amazon
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Air Fryer Churros
Crispy outside, soft inside homemade churros made in the air fryer and rolled in cinnamon sugar, with a quick two-ingredient chocolate dipping sauce.
Ingredients
Churro dough
Cinnamon sugar
Chocolate sauce
Instructions
- Bring the water, butter, sugar and salt to a boil in a saucepan. Lower the heat, add the flour all at once and stir hard with a wooden spoon for 1 to 2 minutes, until a smooth ball forms and pulls away from the pan.
- Move the dough to a bowl and cool 5 minutes. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then the vanilla, until smooth and glossy.
- Spoon the dough into a piping bag fitted with a large star tip. Pipe 4 inch lengths onto a parchment-lined tray and freeze 20 minutes, until firm.
- Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Place the churros in the basket on a piece of air fryer parchment, spaced apart, and spray with oil. Air fry 10 to 12 minutes, until deep golden and crisp.
- Brush the hot churros with melted butter and roll them in the cinnamon sugar.
- Heat the cream until steaming, pour it over the chopped chocolate, wait 2 minutes and stir until smooth. Serve the churros warm with the sauce.
Nutrition (per serving)
- Calories
- 380 kcal
- Protein
- 5 g
- Carbohydrates
- 40 g
- Total Fat
- 23 g
- Saturated Fat
- 14 g
- Fiber
- 1 g
- Sugar
- 24 g
- Sodium
- 140 mg
Nutrition is an estimate per serving without optional sauces, calculated from standard USDA values. It will vary with brands and portion sizes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you make churros in an air fryer?
Yes. Pipe and freeze the dough, spray with oil and air fry at 375°F (190°C) for 10 to 12 minutes. They are crisp outside and soft inside.
Why are my churros hollow or raw inside?
They were too thick or not cooked long enough. Pipe them about 3/4 inch wide and cook until deep golden.
Can I make churro dough ahead?
Yes. Pipe and freeze the churros on a tray, then bag them for up to 1 month. Air fry straight from frozen.
What sauce goes with churros?
Chocolate sauce is classic. Dulce de leche and caramel are also popular.
