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Golden air fryer churros coated in cinnamon sugar on a white plate with chocolate dipping sauce, warm and crisp

Air Fryer Churros

Make irresistibly crispy, sweet air fryer churros at home without the hassle of deep frying! This easy recipe creates crunchy cinnamon-sugar coated churros that are soft on the inside, perfect for sharing or enjoying solo. Learn how to make churros in an air fryer with just a few pantry staples for a fun dessert or snack.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Chilling Time 1 hour
Total Time 22 minutes
Servings: 8 people
Course: Dessert
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup water Provides moisture for the dough
  • 1/3 cup unsalted butter cut into cubes, adds richness and helps create that soft interior
  • 2 tbsp granulated sugar Adds slight sweetness to the dough
  • 1/4 tsp salt Balances all the flavors
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour The base of your churro dough
  • 2 large eggs Gives structure and shine to the dough
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract Adds a nice hint of flavor
  • Oil spray Helps the churros crisp up while cooking
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar For the classic cinnamon-sugar coating
  • 3/4 tsp ground cinnamon Adds warm, cozy flavor to the coating

Equipment

  • Air fryer
  • Piping bag with star-shaped tip (Wilton 1M)
  • Silicone baking mat
  • Electric hand mixer or stand mixer

Method
 

  1. Line a baking sheet with a silicone baking mat and spray it lightly with oil spray. This will prevent the churros from sticking.
  2. In a medium saucepan, combine water, butter, sugar, and salt. Bring it to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to medium-low, add the flour, and stir constantly with a rubber spatula until the dough comes together and is smooth. This takes about 1-2 minutes.
  3. Transfer the dough to a mixing bowl and let it cool for 4 minutes. This helps avoid scrambling the eggs when you add them.
  4. Add eggs and vanilla extract to the cooled dough. Using an electric hand mixer or stand mixer, beat until the dough is smooth and resembles thick mashed potatoes.
  5. Transfer the dough into a piping bag fitted with a large star-shaped tip (a Wilton 1M works great). Pipe the dough onto your prepared baking mat in 4-inch lengths, cutting the ends with scissors.
  6. Refrigerate the piped churros for 1 hour. This helps them firm up and hold their shape during air frying.
  7. Preheat your air fryer to 375°F. Carefully transfer the chilled churros to the air fryer basket, leaving about 1/2-inch of space between each one. Spray them lightly with oil spray. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you’ll need to cook them in batches.
  8. Air fry for 10-12 minutes, or until the churros are golden brown and puffed up. Remove them carefully with a spatula.
  9. While the churros are still warm, toss them in a shallow bowl of cinnamon sugar until fully coated. Work in batches for best results. Serve warm with your favorite dipping sauce!

Notes

Chilling the piped dough ensures the churros hold their shape during air frying. Pipe using a large star-shaped tip for classic ridges, like the Wilton 1M. Toss the churros in cinnamon sugar while they’re warm for the best coating.