Homemade Air-Fryer Churros

Total Time

Prep: 15 min. + chilling Cook: 15 min.

Makes

1 dozen

Updated: Dec. 01, 2023
Serve these cinnamon-sugar air-fryer churros fresh and hot with a cup of coffee or hot chocolate. They're sure to become a family favorite! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Homemade Air-Fryer Churros Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/2 cup 2% milk
  • 1 tablespoon canola oil
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 1/4 teaspoon grated lemon zest
  • Cooking spray
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions

  1. In a large saucepan, bring water, milk, oil and salt to a boil. Add flour all at once and stir until a smooth ball forms. Transfer to a large bowl; let stand for 5 minutes.
  2. Beat on medium-high speed for 1 minute or until the dough softens. Add egg and lemon zest; beat for 1-2 minutes. Set aside to cool. Insert a large star tip in a pastry bag; fill with dough. Pipe dough into 4-in. strips 1 in. apart onto a parchment-lined sheet. Chill for 1 hour.
  3. Preheat air fryer to 375°. Transfer piped churros to air fryer; spritz with cooking spray. Cook until golden brown, 15-20 minutes. Combine sugar and cinnamon; sprinkle over churros. Serve warm.

Air-Fryer Churros Tips

Can you make air-fryer churros ahead of time?

You can make the dough a day or two in advance—just keep it refrigerated in an airtight container. Because the churros are best served warm, though, we recommend air-frying them right before serving.

What are some good dips to serve with churros?

Churros are designed for dunking! Serve them with Mexican Chocolate Dip, Salted Caramel Sauce or any other sweet dip that suits your fancy.

What's the best way to grease an air-fryer basket?

To grease, rub a small amount of oil on the bottom of the basket. We suggest using an oil with a high smoke point, such as safflower or soybean. For more, check out these air-fryer hacks.

Should air-fryer churros be as crispy as deep-fried churros?

Your air-fryer churros likely won’t be quite as crunchy as the deep-fried version. They’ll have a slightly softer texture but will still be delicious!
—Katie Bandurski, Associate Editor
Air Fryer Cook Times
In our testing, we find cook times vary dramatically between brands of air fryers. As a result, we give wider than normal ranges on suggested cook times. Begin checking at the first time listed and adjust as needed.

Nutrition Facts

1 churro: 97 calories, 2g fat (0 saturated fat), 17mg cholesterol, 60mg sodium, 17g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 0 fiber), 2g protein.