Air Fryer Churros
My obsession with churros goes way back to childhood trips to the local fair, where I’d beg for one (okay, two) every single time. After years of avoiding homemade churros because deep frying felt like too much of a production, the air fryer completely changed my approach.
These come out golden, crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, and coated in that irresistible cinnamon sugar — no oil splatter required. Fair food has never been so easy to pull off at home.
Variations & Substitutions
Swap the all-purpose flour for a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend if you need a gluten-free option — the texture will be slightly different but still delicious. For the dipping sauce, swap dark chocolate for white chocolate or butterscotch chips to change things up.
You can also add a pinch of cayenne or cardamom to your cinnamon sugar for a spiced twist. Dulce de leche makes a fantastic dipping alternative to chocolate and gives these churros a rich, caramel depth.
Tips & Tricks for Perfect Results
Do not skip the freezer step — it is the single most important step for keeping your churros shaped and crisp rather than spreading into blobs. Use a large open star tip for that classic ridged look; a plain round tip just won’t give you the same texture or caramelization on the outside.
Always preheat your air fryer and never crowd the basket. Working in batches might feel tedious, but spacing them out ensures even browning all the way around. Roll them in cinnamon sugar the moment they come out for maximum coating stick.
Serving Suggestions
Serve these churros fresh out of the air fryer alongside a rich chocolate dipping sauce or a bowl of warm dulce de leche. They pair beautifully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a simple but impressive dessert plate.
For a fun spread at a party or movie night, set up a little dipping station with two or three sauce options — chocolate, caramel, and strawberry jam all work wonderfully. A sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top before serving adds a nice sweet-and-salty contrast that guests always love.
Equipment Needed
Having the right tools on hand makes this recipe much smoother from start to finish.
- Tongs or a spatula for flipping
- Air fryer (any basket-style works well)
- Medium saucepan
- Piping bag with a large star tip (1M recommended)
- Parchment paper or silicone mat
- Mixing bowls
- Microwave-safe bowl (for dipping sauce)
- Cooking spray
Prep Ahead Tips
You can make the churro dough up to 24 hours in advance and store it in a sealed piping bag in the refrigerator. When you are ready to cook, let it sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes to soften slightly before piping.
You can also pipe the churros onto a parchment-lined sheet, freeze them solid, then transfer to a zip-top bag for up to one month. Cook straight from frozen — just add 2–3 extra minutes to the air fry time. The chocolate dipping sauce can also be made ahead and reheated gently.
Budget Tips
Churros are one of the most wallet-friendly desserts you can make from scratch since the ingredient list is almost entirely pantry staples. Buy cinnamon and sugar in bulk to keep costs down, and skip the chocolate chips in favor of a chopped-up store-brand chocolate bar for the dipping sauce — it melts just as well for a fraction of the price.
Eggs, butter, and flour are all affordable staples, making this recipe easy to scale up for a crowd. A single batch costs roughly $2–3 total to make at home.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftover churros in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. They will soften slightly overnight, but a quick 3–4 minutes back in the air fryer at 350°F brings the crisp back beautifully. Avoid storing them in the refrigerator as the moisture causes them to go soggy faster.
For longer storage, freeze cooled churros in a single layer, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to one month. Reheat directly from frozen in the air fryer at 370°F for about 5–6 minutes. Store the dipping sauce separately in the fridge for up to a week.
Air Fryer Churros
Ingredients
For the Churro Dough:
- 1 cup water
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Cinnamon Sugar Coating:
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- For the Dipping Sauce:
- ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ¼ cup heavy cream
Instructions
- Make the dough: Combine water, butter, sugar, and salt in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil, then remove from heat. Stir in the flour until a smooth ball forms.
- Add the eggs: Let the dough cool for 5 minutes, then beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract, until fully incorporated and smooth.
- Pipe the churros: Transfer dough to a piping bag fitted with a large star tip (1M). Pipe 4–5 inch strips directly onto a parchment-lined tray or directly into your air fryer basket.
- Freeze briefly: Pop the piped churros in the freezer for 10 minutes — this helps them hold their shape while cooking.
- Air fry: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F. Lightly spray the basket with cooking spray, then add churros in a single layer without touching. Air fry for 9–11 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden brown.
- Coat immediately: While still warm, roll churros in the cinnamon sugar mixture.
- Make the chocolate dipping sauce: Microwave chocolate chips and heavy cream in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until smooth and glossy.
- Serve warm with chocolate sauce and enjoy!
