Name: Air Fryer Churros That Are Golden, Crispy, and Incredibly Easy
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 22 min
Ingredients: 1 cup water; 2 tablespoons butter; 1 tablespoon sugar; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1 cup all-purpose flour; 1 large egg; 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1/2 cup sugar (for coating); 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (for coating); Nonstick cooking spray or oil spray

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Golden, crispy, and full of cinnamon-sugar magic—these air fryer churros are the dessert I turn to when I’m craving something sweet but don’t feel like turning my kitchen into a deep-fried mess. Made with just a handful of pantry staples and zero oil splatter, they’re the kind of treat that feels like a fairground snack but without the long lines or greasy fingers. I first tested this recipe on a rainy Sunday, and let me tell you—my house has never smelled better. The dough comes together in one pot, and thanks to the air fryer, the churros puff up and brown beautifully without all the drama of deep-frying. The moment they hit that cinnamon-sugar bath? Absolute bliss. If you’ve got kids, they’ll love helping shake them in the coating (and probably sneak a few too). This is my go-to for last-minute desserts or when I need a little pick-me-up. It’s a quick win with ingredients you probably already have, and it always brings a smile. Ready to get a little messy in the best way possible?

1) Key Takeaways
2) Easy Air Fryer Churros Recipe
3) Ingredients for Air Fryer Churros
4) How to Make Air Fryer Churros
5) Tips for Making Air Fryer Churros
6) Making Air Fryer Churros Ahead of Time
7) Storing Leftover Air Fryer Churros
8) Try these Desserts next!
9) Air Fryer Churros
10) Nutrition

1) Key Takeaways

You only need pantry staples for this dessert
There’s no oil frying involved—just an air fryer
Golden crispy outside, soft inside, with cinnamon-sugar
Perfect last-minute treat that feels like a carnival snack

2) Easy Air Fryer Churros Recipe

If you’ve never made churros before, this is your moment. No hot oil. No deep fryer. Just your air fryer, some basic ingredients, and a few minutes. These churros are crisp on the outside, soft on the inside, and completely smothered in that magical cinnamon sugar combo that’s basically dessert royalty.

I remember the first time I tried air fryer churros. I was skeptical. I mean, could they really be as good as the ones at the fair? Honestly, yes. And without that lingering smell of oil hanging around for hours after. The dough cooks up golden and beautiful, and the sugar sticks just right while they’re still warm.

This easy air fryer dessert recipe might ruin other desserts for you. You’ve been warned. It’s fast, simple, and doesn’t leave you with a sink full of greasy dishes. If you’re into quick sweets that feel indulgent but don’t take all afternoon, this one’s your new go-to.

3) Ingredients for Air Fryer Churros

Water: This is your starting point. It helps melt everything together and makes the dough come alive.

Butter: Adds flavor and richness. Real butter makes a difference here—go with salted if that’s what you’ve got.

Sugar: Just a bit in the dough to balance the flavor before that cinnamon sugar bath at the end.

Salt: A pinch sharpens all the other flavors and keeps things from tasting flat.

Flour: All-purpose works best. It thickens the mixture into that perfect dough consistency.

Egg: One egg makes the dough smooth and helps give the churros that classic texture inside.

Vanilla Extract: Just a splash adds warmth and makes these smell as good as they taste.

Sugar and Cinnamon: For coating. Shake them together in a bowl and roll the churros while they’re hot.

Nonstick Cooking Spray: Keeps the churros from sticking to your air fryer and helps them crisp up nicely.

4) How to Make Air Fryer Churros

Step 1. Pour the water, butter, sugar, and salt into a saucepan and bring to a simmer. Once it’s bubbling and the butter’s melted, take it off the heat.

Step 2. Stir in the flour all at once. Keep mixing until it turns into a soft dough that pulls away from the sides of the pan.

Step 3. Let it cool for a few minutes—just long enough that it won’t scramble your egg. Then stir in the egg and vanilla until the dough is smooth again.

Step 4. Transfer the dough into a piping bag with a star tip. Pipe out 3 to 4 inch strips directly onto a sprayed air fryer basket.

Step 5. Air fry them at 375°F for about 10 to 12 minutes until golden and puffed.

Step 6. While they’re hot, roll them in the cinnamon sugar. That coating sticks best when the churros are warm.

5) Tips for Making Air Fryer Churros

If your dough looks a bit lumpy when adding the egg, don’t panic—just keep mixing. It smooths out with a little effort. And don’t skip letting the dough cool. It matters more than you’d think.

When you pipe the dough, give yourself some space in the air fryer basket. Crowding makes the churros steam instead of crisp. That’s not what we’re after. You want that light crunch with a tender inside.

For the cinnamon sugar, make extra. Trust me. You’ll find excuses to dip other things in it. It’s part of what makes this one of my favorite easy air fryer dessert recipes.

6) Making Air Fryer Churros Ahead of Time

You can prep the dough ahead. Just store it in an airtight container in the fridge and bring it back to room temp before piping. It keeps well for a day or two.

If you’re making a big batch, fry them right before serving for that best-fresh texture. The cinnamon sugar sticks better when they’re warm, anyway.

Reheat leftovers in the air fryer for a couple minutes to bring back the crisp. They’ll never be quite as perfect as fresh, but they come pretty close—another reason I love air fryer desserts easy recipes like this.

7) Storing Leftover Air Fryer Churros

Let them cool before storing. Pop them in a container and keep them at room temp for a day or in the fridge for up to three days.

For reheating, skip the microwave. The air fryer brings the crisp back with just a couple minutes at 350°F. No soggy churros here.

If they’ve lost some of that cinnamon sugar magic, roll them again while warm after reheating. That’s the trick that makes even leftovers taste fresh from the fryer.

8) Try these Desserts next!

9) Air Fryer Churros