Oh my goodness, you have to try these air fryer vegan churros! I still remember the first time I experimented with making them—my kitchen smelled like a Spanish café, and that first crispy bite? Absolute magic. What I love most is how the air fryer gives them that perfect golden crunch without all the oil of traditional frying. My kids go crazy for them, and I feel good knowing they’re enjoying a treat that’s actually kinder to our bodies. Trust me, once you taste these warm, cinnamon-dusted sticks of joy, you’ll never look at dessert the same way again!
Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Vegan Churros
Let me tell you why these churros will become your new obsession. First off, they’re crazy crispy without swimming in oil – the air fryer works its magic to give that perfect crunch. You won’t believe how quick they come together either – from dough to delicious in under 20 minutes! I love that I can whip them up when my sweet tooth hits without any guilt. Plus, no eggs or dairy means everyone can enjoy them. The best part? That warm cinnamony sugar coating that clings to every ridge – it’s pure happiness in every bite.
Ingredients for Air Fryer Vegan Churros
Okay, let’s gather our simple but mighty ingredients – these are the building blocks for churro magic! You’ll need:
- 1 cup water – just plain ol’ tap water works fine
- 2 tbsp sugar – I use regular white, but coconut sugar works too
- 1/4 tsp salt – trust me, this tiny bit makes all the difference
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil – plus extra for greasing if needed
- 1 cup all-purpose flour – spoon and level it, don’t pack it down!
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract – the good stuff, not imitation
- 1 tbsp cinnamon + 2 tbsp sugar – for that iconic sweet coating
See? Nothing fancy – just pantry staples ready to transform into something amazing!
Equipment You’ll Need
Alright, let’s talk tools – you won’t need much! Grab your air fryer (of course), a sturdy piping bag with star tip (I use Wilton 1M), and a medium saucepan. That’s it! Oh, and parchment paper helps for piping – learned that the messy way!
How to Make Air Fryer Vegan Churros
Alright, let’s get into the fun part – making these golden beauties! I’ve made this recipe dozens of times, and these are my foolproof steps to churro perfection. Don’t worry if you’ve never piped dough before – we’ll walk through it together!
Preparing the Dough
First, preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) – this is crucial for that instant crisp! In your saucepan, combine water, sugar, salt and oil. Bring it to a rolling boil – you’ll see big bubbles dancing. Take it off heat and dump in all the flour at once. Stir like crazy with a wooden spoon until it forms a smooth ball that pulls away from the sides. Mix in vanilla last. The dough will be thick – that’s perfect! Don’t overmix or your churros might get tough.
Piping and Cooking
Now the fun part! Spoon dough into your piping bag with the star tip. Pipe 4-inch strips onto parchment (they’ll puff, so leave space). Carefully transfer to the air fryer basket – don’t crowd them! I do 6-8 at a time. Cook for 5 minutes, then flip (I use tongs gently) and cook 3-5 more minutes until they’re that perfect golden brown with crispy ridges.
Coating the Churros
While they’re still warm (this is key!), roll each churro in your cinnamon-sugar mix. The heat makes the sugar stick in all those beautiful ridges. Listen for that satisfying crunch when you bite in – that’s how you know you nailed it!
Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Vegan Churros
Let me share my hard-earned tricks for churro success! First, don’t skimp on the piping bag quality – those flimsy ones burst when the dough gets thick (ask me how I know!). Give your churros breathing room in the air fryer – overcrowding leads to sad, soggy sticks. And whatever you do, serve them immediately – that warm, crispy magic fades fast! One more thing: if your dough gets stubborn, run the piping bag under warm water for 10 seconds to loosen it up.
Variations for Air Fryer Vegan Churros
Oh, the fun you can have with this recipe! Try swapping white sugar for coconut sugar in the dough – it adds a caramel-like depth that’s divine. Want chocolate churros? Stir in 1 tbsp cocoa powder with the flour – my kids go wild for this version! For a citrus twist, add orange zest to the cinnamon sugar coating. The possibilities are endless!
Serving Suggestions
Oh, you’ve gotta try these warm churros dunked in vegan chocolate sauce—it’s a match made in dessert heaven! For something lighter, fresh strawberries or a dusting of powdered sugar work magic too. Trust me, no one will resist! If you are looking for other great air fryer desserts, check out these air fryer donut holes.
Storage and Reheating
Okay, confession time – these churros are best fresh, but if you must save some, store them in an airtight container for up to 2 days. To bring back that magic crisp, pop them in the air fryer at 350°F for 2-3 minutes – they’ll taste like new! If you are interested in learning more about the science behind how air fryers work, you can read about air frying technology.
Nutritional Information
Each churro has about 90 calories – but let’s be real, you’ll eat more than one! Nutrition varies slightly based on your exact ingredients.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Can I freeze these vegan churros?
Absolutely! Pipe and freeze them raw on a baking sheet first, then transfer to a bag. When ready, air fry frozen churros for 10-12 minutes at 375°F. The texture stays perfect!
Q2. What size piping tip works best?
I swear by my Wilton 1M star tip – it gives those classic deep ridges that hold all that cinnamony sugar. Anything between 1/2-inch to 1-inch works though!
Q3. Can I make these without an air fryer?
You sure can! Bake at 400°F for 15-18 minutes, flipping halfway. They won’t get quite as crispy, but still delicious. Just avoid deep frying if keeping them vegan. For other baked vegan treats, you might enjoy these air fryer veggie burgers.
Q4. Why did my dough turn out sticky?
Oops! Likely needed 1-2 more minutes of cooking after adding flour. Next time, cook until it forms a smooth ball that pulls from the pan’s sides. A bit more flour helps too!
Rate This Recipe
Did you make these churros? I’d love to hear how they turned out! Leave a comment below and let me know what you think – your feedback helps me (and other readers) so much!
Print
Irresistible Air Fryer Vegan Churros in 20 Minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 12 churros
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Crispy vegan churros made in an air fryer for a healthier twist on the classic dessert.
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp cinnamon
- 2 tbsp sugar (for coating)
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
- In a saucepan, combine water, sugar, salt, and vegetable oil. Bring to a boil.
- Remove from heat and stir in flour and vanilla extract until a dough forms.
- Transfer dough to a piping bag with a star tip.
- Pipe churros onto parchment paper and cut into 4-inch strips.
- Place churros in the air fryer basket, leaving space between them.
- Cook for 8-10 minutes until golden brown.
- Mix cinnamon and sugar in a bowl and coat the churros while warm.
Notes
- Use a sturdy piping bag to avoid bursting.
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket.
- Serve immediately for the best texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: Spanish