Ingredients and tools needed
To make delicious air fryer churros, you’ll need a few simple ingredients and some basic kitchen tools. Here’s what you’ll need to get started:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup water
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar (for coating)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (for coating)
- Non-stick cooking spray or a light brush of oil (for air fryer basket)
Tools:
- Air fryer
- Medium saucepan
- Wooden spoon or silicone spatula
- Piping bag with a large star tip (for shaping the churros)
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Cooling rack
Step-by-step cooking instructions
Now that you have all your ingredients and tools ready, let’s dive into the step-by-step process of making air fryer churros. Follow these instructions carefully to achieve that perfect crispy exterior and soft, fluffy interior.
Step 1: Prepare the dough
- In a medium saucepan, combine 1 cup of water, 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter, 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the butter is fully melted and the mixture comes to a gentle boil.
- Once the mixture is boiling, reduce the heat to low and add 1 cup of all-purpose flour all at once. Stir vigorously with a wooden spoon or silicone spatula until the dough comes together and pulls away from the sides of the pan. This should take about 1-2 minutes.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the dough cool for about 5 minutes. This step is important to prevent the egg from cooking when added.
Step 2: Incorporate the egg and vanilla
- Once the dough has cooled slightly, add 1 large egg and 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Stir the mixture vigorously until the egg is fully incorporated and the dough becomes smooth and glossy. This may take a bit of elbow grease, but keep mixing until the dough is uniform.
Step 3: Preheat the air fryer
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for about 3-5 minutes. This ensures that the churros will cook evenly and develop a nice golden-brown color.
Step 4: Pipe the churros
- Transfer the dough into a piping bag fitted with a large star tip. This will give the churros their signature ridged shape.
- Lightly spray the air fryer basket with non-stick cooking spray or brush it with a small amount of oil to prevent sticking.
- Pipe 4-5 inch strips of dough directly into the air fryer basket, leaving some space between each churro to allow for even cooking. You may need to work in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
Step 5: Air fry the churros
- Air fry the churros at 375°F (190°C) for 10-12 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crispy on the outside. Be sure to flip them halfway through the cooking time to ensure even browning on both sides.
Step 6: Coat the churros
- While the churros are cooking, mix 1/2 cup of granulated sugar and 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon in a shallow bowl.
- Once the churros are done, carefully remove them from the air fryer and immediately roll them in the cinnamon-sugar mixture while they are still warm. This will help the coating stick to the churros.
Repeat the process with any remaining dough, and enjoy your freshly made air fryer churros!
Tips for perfect churros
To ensure your air fryer churros turn out perfectly every time, here are a few tips and tricks that will help you achieve the best results:
- Don’t skip the cooling step: After cooking the dough on the stovetop, it’s important to let it cool for a few minutes before adding the egg. If the dough is too hot, the egg may scramble, which will affect the texture of your churros. Letting the dough cool slightly ensures a smooth, cohesive mixture.
- Use a large star tip for piping: The ridged shape of churros is not just for aesthetics—it also helps them cook more evenly. A large star tip creates grooves that allow the hot air in the fryer to circulate better, resulting in a crispier exterior. If you don’t have a star tip, you can still make churros, but the texture may be slightly different.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer: Air fryers work by circulating hot air around the food, so it’s important to leave enough space between each churro. Overcrowding the basket can lead to uneven cooking and soggy churros. If necessary, cook the churros in batches to ensure they all come out perfectly crispy.
- Flip halfway through cooking: To achieve an even golden-brown color on all sides, make sure to flip the churros halfway through the cooking time. This ensures that both sides get equal exposure to the hot air, resulting in a uniform texture and color.
- Work quickly when coating in cinnamon-sugar: The churros should be coated in the cinnamon-sugar mixture while they are still warm. This helps the sugar adhere better to the surface. If the churros cool down too much, the sugar may not stick as well, and you’ll miss out on that classic churro flavor.
- Adjust cooking time based on your air fryer: Air fryers can vary in terms of power and size, so keep an eye on your churros as they cook. If they seem to be browning too quickly, reduce the temperature slightly. Conversely, if they aren’t browning enough, you may need to increase the cooking time by a minute or two.
- Serve immediately: Churros are best enjoyed fresh out of the air fryer when they are still warm and crispy. If you need to make them ahead of time, you can reheat them in the air fryer for a couple of minutes to restore their crispiness, but they are at their absolute best when freshly made.