Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a medium saucepan, combine water, butter, sugar, and salt. Bring to a rolling boil over medium-high heat, stirring until butter melts and mixture bubbles vigorously. Reduce heat to low and add all sifted flour at once. Stir rapidly with a wooden spoon until a smooth ball forms that pulls away from the pan's sides. Cook for 1–2 minutes to dry the dough slightly, then remove from heat and let cool for 2 minutes.
- Transfer the warm dough to a mixing bowl. Add the egg and beat with a hand mixer or whisk until the dough becomes smooth, glossy, and slightly stretched when pulled. The texture should be thick but pipeable—add a teaspoon of milk if too stiff, or beat longer if too runny.
- Spoon the dough into a large pastry bag fitted with a star tip (Ateco #806 or Wilton #1M). Lightly grease the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Pipe 6–7 inch straight or coiled churros directly onto the basket, leaving at least 1 inch between each to allow for expansion. Use scissors dipped in oil to cut cleanly.
- Evenly mist the piped churros with cooking spray—this is essential for achieving a crisp exterior during air frying. Do not skip this step; proper oil coating ensures browning and crunch.
- Air fry at 375°F (190°C) for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway through with tongs. Churros should be deep golden brown and puffed. Cooking time may vary slightly depending on air fryer model. Remove when crisp and cooked through.
- Immediately transfer hot churros to a bowl and sprinkle generously with a mixture of 2 tablespoons sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon. Gently toss to coat evenly. Serve warm for best texture and flavor.
Nutrition
Calories: 190 | Carbohydrates: 28 | Protein: 4 | Fat: 8 | Fiber: 1 | Sugar: 9
Notes
STORAGE: Store cooled churros in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 12 hours. Reheat in air fryer at 350°F for 3–4 minutes to restore crispness. Refrigeration causes sogginess—avoid.
MAKE AHEAD: Pipe dough onto parchment, freeze solid, then store in bags. Cook directly from frozen—add 2–3 minutes to air frying time.
SUBSTITUTIONS: Use vegan butter and flax egg for dairy-free/vegan. Gluten-free 1:1 flour blend works well. Coconut sugar or monk fruit can replace granulated sugar in coating.
PRO TIPS: Let dough cool slightly before adding egg to prevent curdling. Spray oil evenly for best browning. Toss in cinnamon sugar immediately after cooking for ideal adhesion.
SERVING SUGGESTIONS: Serve with warm chocolate sauce, dulce de leche, or vanilla ice cream. Pair with fruit salad or coffee for brunch.
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