These golden, crispy-on-the-outside, soft-on-the-inside churros are a delightful treat without the guilt of deep frying! With just a handful of pantry staples and the magic of your air fryer, you can whip up this classic Spanish-inspired dessert in no time. Perfect for dipping in chocolate or enjoying with a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup water
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Cooking spray
- 1/2 cup sugar (for coating)
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon (for coating)
Instructions:
- Prepare the Dough
- In a medium saucepan, combine water, butter, sugar, and salt. Heat over medium heat until the butter melts and the mixture begins to boil.
- Reduce the heat to low and add the flour all at once. Stir vigorously with a wooden spoon until the dough comes together and pulls away from the sides of the pan. Cook for an additional minute, stirring constantly.
- Cool and Add Egg
- Remove the pan from heat and let the dough cool for 5 minutes.
- Stir in the egg and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and sticky.
- Preheat Air Fryer
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 5 minutes.
- Pipe the Churros
- Transfer the dough to a piping bag fitted with a large star tip. Pipe 3-4 inch strips of dough onto parchment paper. Cut the ends with scissors to separate each churro.
- Air Fry the Churros
- Lightly coat the churros with cooking spray. Place them in the air fryer basket, leaving space between each one.
- Air fry for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and crisp.
- Cinnamon Sugar Coating
- Mix the sugar and cinnamon in a shallow dish. Roll the warm churros in the mixture until fully coated.
- Serve and Enjoy
- Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce, like chocolate ganache or caramel.
Tip: For extra crispy churros, air fry in small batches to avoid overcrowding.