Oh my goodness, let me tell you about my absolute favorite kitchen hack—air fryer churros with that irresistible cinnamon sugar coating! I still remember the first time I tried making them—my kitchen smelled like a carnival, but without that lingering greasy mess. These golden, crispy sticks of joy have become my go-to when I’m craving something sweet but don’t want to deal with deep frying (or the guilt that comes with it). What I love most is hearing that crunch when you bite into one—just like the street vendor churros I fell in love with on my trip to Mexico City, but made right in my tiny apartment kitchen. Trust me, once you try these air fryer churros cinnamon sugar delights, you’ll never go back to the oil-splattered stovetop method again!
Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Churros
Listen, I know churros might seem intimidating, but this air fryer version? Absolute game-changer. Here’s why you’re going to become obsessed:
- Crispy perfection every time – That golden exterior with just the right crunch? The air fryer works magic without all the oil
- Ready in under 30 minutes – From dough to delicious in less time than it takes to watch a sitcom episode
- No deep-fry mess – My tiny kitchen stays clean (well, cleaner) without that oil-splatter aftermath
- That signature texture – The star piping tip creates those perfect ridges that hold onto all that cinnamon sugar goodness
- Healthier but still indulgent – All the flavor with way less guilt (we won’t judge if you eat four… or five)
Seriously, once you taste these, you’ll wonder why you ever bothered with the deep-fry method. The air fryer gives you that same satisfying crunch with half the hassle!
Ingredients for Air Fryer Churros Cinnamon Sugar
Okay, let’s gather the good stuff! Here’s what you’ll need for the most magical air fryer churros cinnamon sugar situation:
- 1 cup water – Just plain old tap water works great here
- 2 tbsp sugar – For the dough – I use regular granulated
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil – Plus extra for greasing (or use cooking spray)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (sifted) – Measure it properly – no packing it in!
- 1 large egg (room temperature) – Takes about 30 minutes out of the fridge
- ½ tsp vanilla extract – The good stuff, not imitation
- ¼ cup sugar + 1 tsp cinnamon – For that iconic coating – mix these first!
½ tsp salt – Trust me, this little bit makes all the flavors pop
See? Nothing fancy – just simple ingredients that transform into something magical. If you’re out of something, don’t panic! Brown sugar works for coating, and you can swap the vegetable oil for canola in a pinch.
How to Make Air Fryer Churros Cinnamon Sugar
Alright, let’s get to the fun part! Making these air fryer churros is easier than you think, but I’ve got some tricks to make sure they turn out perfect every time. Follow these steps and you’ll be biting into crispy, cinnamon-sugar heaven in no time!
Preparing the Dough
First things first – that dough! In a medium saucepan, combine your water, sugar, salt, and oil. Bring it to a rolling boil (you’ll see big bubbles popping up). Now here’s the key – remove it from heat immediately and dump in all your flour at once. Stir like crazy with a wooden spoon until it forms a smooth ball that pulls away from the sides. Let it cool for just 2 minutes (this is crucial so you don’t cook the egg!), then beat in the egg and vanilla until glossy. Don’t overmix – just until everything’s incorporated!
Piping and Air Frying
While your dough rests, preheat that air fryer to 350°F – this gives you that perfect crisp. Now the fun part: piping! Use a star tip (I like Wilton 1M) and pipe 4-inch strips onto parchment. Pro tip: twist the bag at the end of each churro to get clean breaks. Arrange them in the basket with some space – they’ll puff! Lightly spray with oil (just a quick spritz does it). Air fry for 6 minutes, flip carefully with tongs, then another 4-6 minutes until golden brown. Peek at 5 minutes – all air fryers vary!
Coating in Cinnamon Sugar
Here’s where the magic happens! While the churros are still piping hot, toss them in your cinnamon sugar mix. I like to do this in a shallow bowl, rolling them around gently. For extra indulgence, do a double coat – just wait 30 seconds between coatings. The warmth helps the sugar stick perfectly. Serve immediately (if you can resist eating them straight from the bowl – no judgment here!).
Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Churros
Want churros that’ll make your friends think you’ve been to pastry school? Here are my hard-won secrets:
- Star tip matters – Use at least a ½ inch tip (Wilton 1M is my go-to) for those gorgeous ridges that crisp up perfectly
- Don’t crowd the basket – Give them breathing room or they’ll steam instead of crisp (I do batches of 4-5 at a time)
- Reheat like new – Leftovers? 2 minutes at 300°F brings back that fresh-from-the-fryer crunch
- Paper towel trick – Lay one under your piping bag to catch drips while you work – saves so much cleanup!
Follow these and you’ll get churros so good, you might start a side hustle selling them at your local farmer’s market!
Ingredient Substitutions & Variations
Look, I know we don’t always have every ingredient on hand – here’s how to improvise without sacrificing that perfect churro magic!
- Flour swap: Cup-for-cup gluten-free flour works like a charm (I’ve tested it!)
- Sugar alternatives: Coconut sugar gives a caramel-like depth to the coating
- Flavor twists: Add orange zest to the dough or cardamom to the cinnamon sugar
- Dipper’s delight: Melt some chocolate with a splash of cream for dunking – midnight snack perfection!
My latest obsession? Rolling them in crushed freeze-dried strawberry powder mixed with sugar – tastes like churro fairy dust!
Serving Suggestions for Air Fryer Churros
Oh, the possibilities! I love serving these warm churros with a little dish of dulce de leche for dipping – it’s pure magic. They’re perfect with morning coffee or as a party dessert alongside fresh berries. My friends always go crazy when I bring these to game night!
Storage and Reheating
Got leftovers? (Though, let’s be real, that’s rare!) Pop them in an airtight container—they’ll stay fresh for up to 2 days. When you’re ready for round two, just reheat in the air fryer at 300°F for 3 minutes. They’ll come out crispy and warm, like they were just made!
Air Fryer Churros Cinnamon Sugar Nutrition
Here’s the scoop on nutrition per churro (about 1/12th of the batch): roughly 90 calories, 3g fat, and 14g carbs. Remember, these are estimates—your exact numbers will vary based on ingredients and how generously you coat them in that heavenly cinnamon sugar!
FAQs About Air Fryer Churros
Let’s tackle those burning churro questions I get all the time from friends trying this recipe!
Can I freeze these churros?
Absolutely! Pipe and freeze unbaked dough on parchment, then transfer to bags. When craving hits, air fry frozen churros at 350°F for 12-14 minutes. Already cooked? Just reheat frozen ones for 4-5 minutes – they’ll crisp right up!
Why did my churros come out soggy?
Usually means they needed more time (peek at 5 minutes!) or were overcrowded in the basket. That quick oil spritz is key too – helps them crisp without drying out.
No piping bag – now what?
No sweat! Use a sturdy ziplock with the corner snipped (about ½ inch). Not as pretty, but just as tasty. Or roll dough into balls for churro bites!
Can I make these ahead for a party?
Best served fresh, but you can prep dough 2 hours ahead (keep covered). Piping and frying takes just minutes when guests arrive – the smell alone will wow them!
Perfect Air Fryer Churros Cinnamon Sugar in 30 Minutes
- Total Time: 22 mins
- Yield: 12 churros
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Crispy, golden churros made in an air fryer, coated in cinnamon sugar for a delicious treat.
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- Cooking spray
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
- In a saucepan, boil water, 2 tbsp sugar, salt, and oil. Remove from heat.
- Stir in flour until a dough forms.
- Beat in egg and vanilla until smooth.
- Transfer dough to a piping bag with a star tip.
- Pipe 4-inch strips onto parchment paper, then place in the air fryer basket.
- Lightly spray with cooking oil.
- Air fry for 10-12 minutes until golden brown.
- Mix 1/4 cup sugar and cinnamon in a bowl.
- Toss warm churros in cinnamon sugar mixture.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
- Use a star piping tip for traditional ridges.
- Check churros halfway and flip if needed.
- Best eaten fresh, but can be reheated in the air fryer.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 12 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: Mexican