Air Fryer Churros – Easy, Crispy & Guilt-Free Cinnamon Treat

Air fryer churros are the ultimate sweet treat—crispy on the outside, soft and fluffy inside, and rolled in cinnamon sugar. But here’s the game-changer: they’re made with little to no oil, right in your air fryer. Whether you’re craving a carnival classic or looking for a healthier dessert option, this air fryer churros recipe brings all the fun without the fryer mess.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to make traditional-style churro dough, pipe it perfectly, and air fry it into golden goodness. We’ll also explore store-bought shortcuts, topping variations, and pro tips for getting that irresistible crunch every time. If you’re into easy, sweet air fryer recipes, this one deserves a top spot in your dessert lineup.

Looking for inspiration? Try our Easy Creamy Vegan Chocolate Oatmeal for a delicious breakfast pairing.

Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Churros

Healthier Than Traditional Fried Churros

Traditional churros are deep-fried, which means they soak up quite a bit of oil—delicious, but heavy. Air fryer churros skip the excess grease but still deliver that crisp exterior you crave. With just a light spray of oil (or even none at all), these churros taste indulgent but won’t leave you feeling weighed down.

• Less oil, fewer calories
• Crisp, golden texture without deep frying
• Perfect for clean eating or light dessert lovers

This makes them ideal for kids, parties, or late-night cravings when you want a treat without the extra fat.

Quick and Easy to Make Anytime

Another reason to love air fryer churros? They’re fast. From dough to fryer to plate in under 30 minutes. No standing over hot oil. No splattering mess.

Here’s why it’s beginner-friendly:

• No need for a thermometer or deep fryer
• Simple choux-style dough (same as cream puffs)
• Piped straight onto parchment and into the air fryer

Whether you’re serving a crowd or just need a last-minute dessert, these churros come through every time.

Key Ingredients for Perfect Air Fryer Churros

Creating flawless air fryer churros starts with a simple list of pantry staples. These ingredients come together to form a light, airy dough that crisps beautifully in the air fryer without needing a vat of oil. Here’s what you need to get it right.

Churro Dough Basics: Simple, Classic, Effective

The foundation of great air fryer churros is a traditional choux pastry dough, which is surprisingly easy to make and requires no yeast. This dough puffs beautifully when cooked and creates the signature soft-and-crunchy churro texture.

You’ll Need:

• 1 cup water
• ½ cup unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Tip: Want extra flavor? Add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg right into the dough.

The butter melts into the water mixture and is combined with flour to form a thick paste. Once cooled slightly, the eggs are mixed in to give the dough its elasticity and rise.

The Essential Cinnamon Sugar Coating

It wouldn’t be churros without that classic, sweet cinnamon sugar finish. After air frying, the warm churros get rolled in this fragrant mixture for that perfect final touch.

Coating Mix:

• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

You can toss the churros in melted butter before coating, or just brush them lightly if you’re watching your fat intake. Either way, it sticks beautifully and adds that authentic churro magic.

Optional Fillings and Fun Add-Ins

Want to take your air fryer churros to the next level? Consider filling or dipping them!

Optional Fillings:

• Nutella
• Dulce de leche
• Vanilla or chocolate pastry cream

Use a piping bag with a narrow tip to inject filling into the center after frying.

Flavor Add-Ins for Dough:

• Swap vanilla for almond or maple extract
• Add citrus zest for a bright twist
• Mix a bit of cocoa powder into the flour for chocolate churros

These customizations let you turn a basic batch of air fryer churros into a dessert that feels bakery-fancy with almost no extra effort.

How to Make Air Fryer Churros Step by Step

Making air fryer churros from scratch might sound intimidating, but it’s actually super simple. The process involves cooking the dough briefly on the stovetop, mixing in eggs, then piping and air frying to golden perfection.

Making the Dough (Choux-Style Technique)

This dough is similar to what you’d use for cream puffs or eclairs. It’s light, holds its shape, and cooks beautifully in the air fryer.

Step-by-Step Dough Instructions:

1. In a saucepan, combine 1 cup water, ½ cup butter, 1 tbsp sugar, and ¼ tsp salt. Bring to a boil over medium heat.
2. Add 1 cup flour all at once and stir vigorously with a wooden spoon until the dough forms a smooth ball and pulls away from the sides (about 1 minute).
3. Remove from heat and let it cool for 5–10 minutes (important—don’t add eggs to hot dough).
4. Once cooled, add 2 eggs, one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition. The dough will look split at first but will come together into a thick, sticky paste.
5. Stir in 1 tsp vanilla extract.

Your churro dough is now ready to pipe!

Piping and Prepping for the Air Fryer

Use a pastry bag with a large star tip (Wilton 1M or 2D works well) to get that classic churro ridged shape.

Piping Instructions:

1. Transfer the dough to a pastry bag.
2. Pipe 4–6 inch strips directly onto small pieces of parchment paper or a lightly greased baking sheet.
3. Lightly spray or brush the dough with cooking spray or melted butter to help it crisp.

Pro Tip: Chill piped dough in the freezer for 10 minutes to help it hold shape in the air fryer.

Place the piped churros on parchment pieces in the air fryer basket (make sure not to overcrowd), and they’re ready to cook.

These steps create a perfect batch of air fryer churros that puff evenly and crisp without the need for deep-frying.

How to Cook Churros in the Air Fryer

Cooking air fryer churros is easy, clean, and incredibly satisfying. Once you’ve piped your dough, the air fryer takes over and turns those soft strips into golden, crispy churros—without deep frying or soaking them in oil. With the right temperature, timing, and spacing, you’ll get consistent, bakery-style results at home.

Temperature, Time, and Spacing Tips

To ensure your air fryer churros turn out evenly cooked and crisp on the outside, getting the basics right matters.

Best Cooking Settings:

• Temperature: 375°F (190°C)
• Cook Time: 10–12 minutes
• Tip: Preheat your air fryer for 2–3 minutes to help the churros start crisping right away.

Why Spacing Is Critical:

• Do not overcrowd the basket. Overlapping churros will steam instead of crisp.
• Use parchment paper under each strip of dough to prevent sticking and help maintain shape.

The result? Air fryer churros that are evenly puffed, golden, and crunchy with soft, doughy centers.

How to Get That Signature Churro Crisp Without Deep Frying

Even though traditional churros are fried in hot oil, you can get that same irresistible crunch by using the air fryer and a few smart tips.

Crispy Air Fryer Churros Pro Tips:

• Lightly spray the piped churros with oil before cooking for better browning.
• Let cooked churros cool slightly before rolling in cinnamon sugar so the coating doesn’t melt off.
• For extra crispy texture, give them a 1-minute blast at 400°F at the end of cooking.
• Avoid dough that’s too wet—it can steam instead of bake.

These techniques will give your air fryer churros the same crispy exterior and soft, tender interior that makes them a fan favorite.

Whether you’re making mini churros or traditional long ones, the air fryer delivers consistent texture and flavor—without a pot of oil or a messy cleanup. Once you master the timing and technique, you’ll never need store-bought or fried versions again.

Best Toppings, Dips & Variations

One of the best things about air fryer churros is how easy they are to customize. Whether you love them classic and simple or drizzled and filled with extras, there are countless ways to dress up your churros and turn them into a next-level dessert.

Classic Cinnamon Sugar Coating

The essential topping for any churro is that sweet and spicy cinnamon sugar blend. After your air fryer churros come out warm and golden, roll them in a generous mix of cinnamon and sugar to create that nostalgic, irresistible crust.

Mix Ratio:

• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

Pro Tip: Lightly brush churros with melted butter (or spray with oil) before coating to help the sugar stick better—especially if you’re skipping deep-frying.

Dips That Pair Perfectly with Air Fryer Churros

Your churros deserve the perfect dip. Whether you’re serving these for a party or a late-night sweet fix, dips turn air fryer churros into a full-on dessert experience.

Favorite Dipping Sauces:

• Chocolate ganache – Classic and rich
• Caramel sauce – Buttery and smooth
• Strawberry or raspberry sauce – Bright and fruity
• Nutella – A crowd-pleaser for chocolate-hazelnut fans
• Vanilla glaze or cream cheese dip – Sweet and creamy

Want to go lighter? Try a dip made with Greek yogurt and honey for a healthier option that still delivers big flavor.

Fun Flavor Variations to Try

Tired of classic? There are tons of ways to remix your air fryer churros and make them unique.

Flavor Upgrades:

• Filled Churros: Use a piping bag with a narrow tip to inject warm Nutella, dulce de leche, or vanilla custard after cooking.
• Chocolate Churros: Add 2 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder to your dough for a chocolatey twist.
• Coconut Sugar Coating: Replace white sugar with coconut sugar for a caramel-like coating.
• Spiced Churros: Add pumpkin spice, cardamom, or cayenne to your sugar mix for seasonal flair.

Churros don’t have to be basic—and the air fryer makes it easy to experiment. Whether you stick to cinnamon sugar or go wild with toppings and dips, you’ll find a version that fits every craving.

Air Fryer Churros – Easy, Crispy & Guilt-Free Cinnamon Treat

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• Author: Laura Mitchell
• Total Time: 27 minutes
• Yield: 12 churros 1x

Print Recipe

Print Recipe

Description

Make these golden, crisp air fryer churros with a light and fluffy inside and a cinnamon-sugar crust—no deep fryer required! A healthier, easy-to-make dessert perfect for any occasion

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Dough:

• 1 cup water

• ½ cup unsalted butter

• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar

• ¼ teaspoon salt

• 1 cup all-purpose flour

• 2 large eggs

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For Coating:

• ½ cup granulated sugar

• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

• 2 tablespoons melted butter (optional, for brushing)

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Instructions

• In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine water, butter, sugar, and salt. Bring to a boil.

• Add flour all at once and stir vigorously until a dough ball forms and pulls away from the sides.

• Remove from heat and let the dough cool for 5–10 minutes.

• Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each. Stir in vanilla extract.

• Transfer dough to a piping bag fitted with a large star tip.

• Pipe 4–6 inch strips onto parchment squares.

• Lightly spray or brush churros with oil or melted butter.

• Preheat air fryer to 375°F (190°C).

• Place churros in the air fryer basket, spacing them out evenly.

• Air fry for 10–12 minutes or until golden brown.

 

• While warm, roll churros in the cinnamon sugar mixture and serve with your favorite dip.

Notes

• For extra crispness, air fry 1 additional minute at 400°F.

• To freeze: pipe churros and freeze raw on a baking sheet, then store in a freezer-safe bag.

• You can reheat cooked churros at 350°F in the air fryer for 3–4 minutes.

• Use gluten-free flour blend for a gluten-free version.

 

• Vegan option: substitute butter with vegan butter and use flax eggs.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Air Fryer
• Cuisine: spanish-American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 churro
• Calories: 140
• Sugar: 7g
• Sodium: 55mg
• Fat: 7g
• Saturated Fat: 4g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 17g
• Fiber: 0.5g
• Protein: 2g
• Cholesterol: 35mg

Keywords: air fryer churros, easy churros, cinnamon sugar churros, churros in air fryer

Air Fryer Churros with Store-Bought Dough

Want air fryer churros without the extra prep? Store-bought dough is your shortcut to fast, easy churros that still satisfy your sweet tooth. While homemade dough gives the most authentic texture, pre-made options can be a time-saving win—especially for beginners or busy weeknights.

Can You Use Pillsbury Dough in the Air Fryer?

Yes, you can! Many home cooks use Pillsbury crescent roll dough or refrigerated biscuit dough to make quick air fryer churros. While the texture isn’t exactly like traditional churros, it still creates a soft interior and a golden, flaky exterior that crisps up well in the air fryer.

How to Use Pillsbury Dough:

1. Unroll the dough and cut into strips or logs
2. Shape into churro-style pieces (you can twist them for a fun shape)
3. Lightly spray with oil
4. Air fry at 350°F for 6–8 minutes, flipping once
5. Roll in cinnamon sugar while warm

These air fryer churros won’t have the ridges of piped dough but are still sweet, golden, and totally snack-worthy.

Pros and Cons of Using Store-Bought Dough

✔ Pros:

• Quick and easy—no cooking or cooling dough
• Less cleanup
• Kid-friendly and perfect for quick desserts

✖ Cons:

• Less authentic churro texture
• Can be more bready or flaky than crisp
• You miss out on that true churro chew from choux pastry dough

Still, for a 10-minute dessert fix, using Pillsbury or crescent roll dough is a solid option. It’s also a fun way to get kids involved in the kitchen or serve up a spontaneous sweet snack.

Storage, Reheating, and Make-Ahead Tips

Air fryer churros are at their best right out of the basket—hot, crisp, and coated in sweet cinnamon sugar. But if you’re prepping ahead or have leftovers (lucky you!), proper storage and reheating can help preserve their delicious texture.

How to Store Leftover Air Fryer Churros

Churros don’t like humidity. Storing them the right way keeps them from turning soft or soggy.

Best Storage Method:

• Let churros cool completely before storing
• Place in an airtight container lined with a paper towel
• Store at room temperature for up to 2 days
• For longer storage, freeze them (see below)

Avoid storing warm churros or sealing them while hot—this traps steam and softens the outer crunch.

Can You Freeze Air Fryer Churros?

Yes! You can freeze both uncooked dough and cooked churros for future treats.

To Freeze Cooked Churros:

1. Let churros cool
2. Arrange in a single layer on a baking sheet
3. Freeze for 1–2 hours, then transfer to a freezer bag
4. Reheat directly from frozen in the air fryer (see below)

To Freeze Uncooked Piped Dough:

• Pipe dough onto parchment
• Freeze until solid
• Store in freezer-safe bags for up to 1 month
• Air fry straight from frozen, adding 1–2 minutes to cook time

This is a perfect way to always have air fryer churros ready to go whenever the craving hits.

Best Way to Reheat Air Fryer Churros

Avoid the microwave—it’ll make them rubbery. For the best texture, reheat churros in the air fryer to bring back that fresh-made crispness.

Reheat Instructions:

• Air Fryer: 350°F for 3–5 minutes
• Oven: 375°F for 5–7 minutes on a baking sheet
• Microwave (only if necessary): 10–15 seconds, but expect a softer texture

Troubleshooting Common Churro Mistakes

Even though air fryer churros are simpler and cleaner than deep-fried ones, a few common mistakes can mess up the texture or flavor. Here’s how to spot and fix them before they ruin your batch.

Dough Too Runny or Too Stiff

If your churro dough is too thin, it won’t hold its shape when piped. Too thick? It won’t puff in the air fryer.

Fixes:

• Too runny: Add 1–2 tablespoons of flour to tighten the dough
• Too stiff: Add a small beaten egg or 1 tablespoon of milk to soften

The perfect air fryer churros dough should be thick, pipeable, and just tacky enough to hold ridges.

Churros Collapse in the Air Fryer

If your churros deflate or flatten during cooking, the dough may have been too warm when the eggs were added.

Fix:

• Let the cooked dough cool for 5–10 minutes before adding eggs.
• Make sure your eggs are at room temperature so they blend smoothly.

Churros Not Crispy

This is a common problem when you undercook or overcrowd the air fryer.

Fixes:

• Air fry at 375°F–400°F for 10–12 minutes
• Don’t crowd the basket—leave space between each churro
• Lightly spray the churros with oil before cooking for extra crispness

Bonus tip: For ultra-crisp churros, give them an extra 1-minute blast at 400°F at the end.

Cinnamon Sugar Doesn’t Stick

If the coating falls off, it’s probably because the churros cooled too much before you added the cinnamon sugar.

Fix:

• Roll churros in the cinnamon sugar while still warm
• Lightly brush with melted butter or spray oil first to help the coating adhere

Overcooked or Dry Churros

Churros can dry out if they’re too small or cooked at too high a temperature for too long.

Fix:

• Keep churros around 4–6 inches long and ½-inch thick
• Monitor the first batch and adjust your air fryer’s cook time as needed

Avoid these pitfalls and your air fryer churros will be golden, crisp, and delicious—every single time.

Air Fryer Churros for Special Diets

Craving air fryer churros but have dietary restrictions? No problem. With a few ingredient swaps, you can make churros that are gluten-free, dairy-free, or even fully vegan—without sacrificing the crispy texture or sweet cinnamon flavor you love.

Gluten-Free Air Fryer Churros

You can make gluten-free churros by replacing the all-purpose flour with a high-quality 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.

Pro Tips:

• Look for a blend that contains xanthan gum for better elasticity
• Add an extra egg if the dough feels too stiff or dry
• Cook slightly longer for a firmer structure

These gluten-free air fryer churros still come out golden and crisp, especially when air fried at 375°F and tossed in your favorite cinnamon sugar blend.

Dairy-Free or Vegan Air Fryer Churros

Traditional churros use butter and eggs, but plant-based substitutions work great in the air fryer.

Dairy-Free Swaps:

• Butter: Use vegan butter or refined coconut oil
• Milk (if used): Sub almond, oat, or soy milk
• Cream cheese dips: Use dairy-free brands or cashew-based dips

Vegan Swaps:

• Eggs: Replace each egg with 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed + 3 tablespoons water (let sit for 5 minutes)
• Butter: Use a neutral-flavored vegan butter or coconut oil
• Sugar: Use organic sugar to avoid animal-based processing

Vegan air fryer churros may be slightly softer, but still crisp on the outside and just as satisfying.

Healthier Sweeteners for Guilt-Free Churros

Looking to reduce refined sugar? Here are some better-for-you options for coating and dipping:

• Coconut sugar – naturally sweet with a caramel-like flavor
• Monk fruit or stevia blends – low-carb, keto-friendly
• Honey or maple glaze – for a sticky-sweet drizzle (add after cooking)

Note: Avoid using honey directly in the air fryer as it burns quickly. Instead, drizzle it on warm churros just before serving.

These modifications let everyone enjoy air fryer churros, no matter their dietary needs.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Conclusion: Sweet, Crispy, and Totally Worth It

Air fryer churros offer the same cinnamon-sugar crunch you love—with a lighter, easier twist. Whether you make the dough from scratch or use a store-bought shortcut, these churros deliver big flavor without deep frying. They’re easy to make, quick to cook, and perfect for any occasion—dessert night, brunch, holidays, or just because.

Once you master your ideal dough and dip, you’ll be making air fryer churros on repeat. Crispy, golden, and guilt-free? That’s dessert done right.