Churros with Cinnamon Sugar

Crispy on the outside, soft and fluffy on the inside, coated in a warm cinnamon-sugar hug—these Air Fryer Churros are a game changer for dessert lovers. No deep fryer, no mess, and no standing over a pot of hot oil, just golden perfection straight from your air fryer in under 20 minutes.

Making churros at home used to feel like a weekend project, but with an air fryer, they’re not only easier, they’re healthier. You’ll get that same iconic churro crunch without soaking them in oil, making this a treat you can enjoy guilt-free more often.

✨ Sweet Tooth Saver: I swear by this air fryer with a perfect crisping tray, which gives my churros that flawless golden brown while keeping the inside soft and airy. Once you try it, you’ll never go back to deep frying. 👉  Ninja Foodi MAX Dual Zone Digital Air Fryer, 2 Drawers, 9.5L, 6-in-1

If you’ve only ever had churros at fairs, theme parks, or specialty dessert shops, you’re about to unlock the magic of making them at home. These air fryer churros deliver:

• Less Oil, Same Crunch – Air frying cuts down on oil without sacrificing texture.
• Quick & Easy – From mixing the dough to dusting with cinnamon sugar, you’re done in about 20 minutes.
• Customizable – Roll them in cinnamon sugar, dip in chocolate, or try fun toppings like crushed nuts or caramel drizzle.
• Kid-Friendly – No hot oil splatters makes this safer for baking with kids.

Air Fryer Churros with Cinnamon Sugar

Recipe by AnuCourse: DessertCuisine: SpanishDifficulty: Easy

Servings

4

servings

Prep time

10

minutes

Cooking time

10

minutes

Calories

190

kcal

Crispy, golden air fryer churros coated in cinnamon sugar and served with chocolate dipping sauce—no deep frying required.

Ingredients

• For the Churros:

• 1 cup water

• 2 tbsp unsalted butter

• 1 tbsp granulated sugar

• 1/4 tsp salt

• 1 cup all-purpose flour

• 1 large egg

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• For the Cinnamon Sugar Coating:

• 1/2 cup granulated sugar

• 1 tsp ground cinnamon

• For the Chocolate Dipping Sauce (Optional):

• 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

• 1/4 cup heavy cream

Directions

• Make the Dough
  In a medium saucepan, combine water, butter, sugar, and salt. Bring to a simmer over medium heat. Once the butter melts, reduce the heat to low and stir in the flour all at once. Stir quickly until a smooth dough forms and pulls away from the sides of the pan.
• Add Egg and Vanilla
  Remove the dough from the heat and let it cool for 3–4 minutes. Stir in the egg and vanilla until fully incorporated (the dough will look sticky at first but will smooth out).
• Fill the Piping Bag
  Transfer the dough to a piping bag fitted with a large star tip. This gives churros their signature ridged look.
• Pipe and Air Fry
  Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Pipe 4–5-inch strips of dough directly onto a parchment-lined air fryer basket. Use scissors to snip each strip cleanly.
  Air fry for 8–10 minutes, or until churros are golden brown. Work in batches to avoid overcrowding.
• Coat in Cinnamon Sugar
  Mix the sugar and cinnamon in a shallow dish. Roll the warm churros in the cinnamon sugar until fully coated.
• Make the Chocolate Sauce
  In a small saucepan or microwave-safe bowl, heat heavy cream until just simmering. Pour over chocolate chips and stir until smooth. Serve with warm churros.

Notes

• Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Churros:
  For extra crispness, spray the churros lightly with cooking spray before air frying.
  Don’t skip the resting step before adding the egg—it prevents scrambled egg bits in your dough.
  If your dough is too stiff to pipe, add 1–2 tsp of water to loosen it.
• Flavor Variations:
  Chocolate Churros – Add 2 tbsp cocoa powder to the dough.
  Stuffed Churros – Pipe Nutella or dulce de leche inside with a thin nozzle.
  Holiday Twist – Swap cinnamon for pumpkin spice in the coating.

With this Air Fryer Churro recipe, you don’t have to wait for your next trip to a carnival or café to enjoy one of the most iconic desserts out there. They’re quick, they’re easy, and they taste like they came from a specialty dessert shop—minus the excess oil and guilt.

Pro Tip: A good air fryer with even heat circulation makes all the difference for getting that perfect crunch. This is the one I personally use for all my dessert recipes 👉  Ninja Foodi MAX Dual Zone Digital Air Fryer, 2 Drawers, 9.5L, 6-in-1