Indulge in a delightful treat with these air fryer churros. Perfectly crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, these churros are a healthier alternative to the traditional deep-fried version. With a touch of cinnamon and sugar, they make for an irresistible snack or dessert.
Most of the ingredients for this recipe are common pantry staples. However, you may need to ensure you have unsalted butter and vanilla extract on hand, as these might not be as readily available in every household. Additionally, a piping bag fitted with a star tip is essential for achieving the classic churro shape.
Ingredients for Air Fryer Churros Recipe
Water: Used to create the dough base.
Sugar: Adds sweetness to the dough and coating.
Salt: Enhances the flavor of the churros.
Unsalted butter: Provides richness and helps bind the dough.
All-purpose flour: The main structure of the churro dough.
Vanilla extract: Adds a hint of vanilla flavor to the dough.
Eggs: Helps to bind the dough and adds richness.
Ground cinnamon: Mixed with sugar for the classic churro coating.
Technique Tip for Making Churros
To achieve the perfect texture for your churros, ensure that the dough is smooth and lump-free before transferring it to the piping bag. When adding the eggs, mix thoroughly until the dough is glossy and well-combined. This will help in creating churros that are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
water - Substitute with milk: Milk adds a richer flavor and can make the dough slightly more tender.
sugar - Substitute with honey: Honey provides a natural sweetness and adds a slight floral note to the churros.
salt - Substitute with sea salt: Sea salt can enhance the flavor with its mineral content and slightly different texture.
unsalted butter - Substitute with coconut oil: Coconut oil adds a subtle coconut flavor and is a good dairy-free alternative.
all-purpose flour - Substitute with whole wheat flour: Whole wheat flour adds more fiber and a slightly nutty flavor, though it may make the churros denser.
vanilla extract - Substitute with almond extract: Almond extract provides a different but complementary flavor profile.
large eggs - Substitute with flax eggs: Flax eggs are a vegan alternative made by mixing ground flaxseed with water, which can help bind the dough similarly to eggs.
sugar (for coating) - Substitute with coconut sugar: Coconut sugar has a lower glycemic index and adds a caramel-like flavor.
ground cinnamon - Substitute with pumpkin pie spice: Pumpkin pie spice includes cinnamon along with other spices like nutmeg and cloves, adding a more complex flavor.
Other Alternative Recipes Similar to Churros
How to Store / Freeze Your Churros
- To keep your churros fresh and delightful, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. This will help maintain their crispy exterior and soft interior.
- If you want to enjoy your churros later, freezing is a great option. Place the cooled churros on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, ensuring they are not touching each other. Freeze until solid, about 1-2 hours.
- Once frozen, transfer the churros to a resealable freezer bag or airtight container. Label with the date and store in the freezer for up to 2 months.
- When you're ready to indulge, reheat the frozen churros in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes, or until heated through and crispy. You can also reheat them in the oven at the same temperature for about 10 minutes.
- For an extra touch of sweetness, roll the reheated churros in the sugar and cinnamon mixture once more before serving.
How to Reheat Leftovers
Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Place the leftover churros in a single layer in the basket, ensuring they don't touch. Air fry for 3-4 minutes until they are warm and crispy.
If you prefer using an oven, preheat it to 375°F (190°C). Arrange the churros on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 5-7 minutes until they regain their crispiness.
For a quick fix, use a microwave. Place the churros on a microwave-safe plate and cover them with a damp paper towel. Microwave on medium power for 20-30 seconds. Note that this method might make them slightly softer.
If you have a toaster oven, preheat it to 350°F (175°C). Place the churros on the rack or a baking sheet and heat for 3-5 minutes until they are warm and crispy.
For a stovetop method, heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Place the churros in the skillet and heat for 2-3 minutes on each side until they are warm and crispy.
Best Tools for Making Churros
saucepan: used to combine water, sugar, salt, and butter and bring them to a boil
mixing spoon: essential for stirring the flour into the boiling mixture until it forms a ball
piping bag: needed to pipe the churro dough into 4-inch strips
star tip: attached to the piping bag to give churros their classic ridged shape
parchment paper: used to pipe the churro dough onto before transferring to the air fryer
air fryer: cooks the churros to a golden brown perfection
shallow dish: for combining sugar and cinnamon to roll the warm churros in
measuring cups: to accurately measure water, sugar, flour, and butter
measuring spoons: for precise measurement of salt, vanilla extract, and cinnamon
mixing bowl: to mix the dough with vanilla and eggs after it has cooled
whisk: helps in mixing the eggs and vanilla into the dough smoothly
How to Save Time on Making Churros
Prepare ingredients in advance: Measure and set out all ingredients before starting to streamline the process.
Use a stand mixer: Mixing the dough with a stand mixer can save time and ensure a smooth consistency.
Pre-cut parchment paper: Cut parchment paper into strips ahead of time to quickly pipe out the churros.
Batch air frying: Air fry multiple churros at once to reduce cooking time.
Combine sugar and cinnamon early: Mix the sugar and cinnamon coating while the dough is cooling to save time later.
Air Fryer Churros Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 2 tablespoon sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ⅓ cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup sugar (for coating)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- 1. In a saucepan, combine water, 2 tablespoon sugar, salt, and butter. Bring to a boil.
- 2. Reduce heat to low, add flour, and stir until mixture forms a ball. Remove from heat.
- 3. Let the dough cool for 5 minutes. Add vanilla and eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
- 4. Preheat air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
- 5. Transfer dough to a piping bag fitted with a star tip. Pipe 4-inch strips onto parchment paper.
- 6. Air fry churros in batches for 10 minutes or until golden brown.
- 7. Combine ½ cup sugar and cinnamon in a shallow dish. Roll warm churros in the mixture.
Nutritional Value
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