Oh my gosh, you have to try these air fryer churro donuts! I’ve been obsessed with recreating that perfect crispy-on-the-outside, tender-on-the-inside texture of churros without the messy deep-frying. When I finally nailed this ring-shaped version in my air fryer, it was a total game-changer. Now I can whip up a batch of these cinnamon-sugar coated beauties in under 20 minutes whenever the craving hits. The best part? No greasy cleanup, just pure churro magic with that signature crunch we all love. My kids go crazy for these – they disappear faster than I can make them!
Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Churro Donuts
Let me tell you why these little rings of joy will become your new obsession:
- Crazy fast: From bowl to table in under 20 minutes – no waiting for oil to heat up!
- That perfect crunch: The air fryer gives them that crispy churro exterior we all crave
- No greasy mess: Say goodbye to splattered stovetops and lingering fry oil smells
- Fun ring shape: They’re just begging to be dunked in your morning coffee
- Cinnamon-sugar magic: That irresistible coating sticks perfectly to every nook and cranny
Trust me, once you try these, you’ll never go back to store-bought donuts again!
Ingredients for Air Fryer Churro Donuts
Gather these simple pantry staples – I promise you probably have most of them already! The magic happens when these humble ingredients come together:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (spooned gently into the cup and leveled off – no packing!)
- 1 tsp baking powder (make sure yours is fresh for maximum puff)
- 1/4 tsp salt (I use fine sea salt for even distribution)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar (plus extra for that addictive coating)
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon (I’m generous with this – it’s a churro after all!)
- 1/4 cup milk (whole milk gives the richest texture, but any works)
- 1 large egg (room temperature blends better)
- 2 tbsp melted butter (cooled slightly – hot butter cooks the egg!)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (the good stuff makes a difference)
Plus that magical coating: 1/4 cup sugar + 1 tsp cinnamon mixed together in a shallow bowl. Pro tip: Make extra – you’ll want to double dip!
Equipment You’ll Need
Don’t worry – you don’t need any fancy gadgets for these air fryer churro donuts! Here’s what I grab from my kitchen:
- Air fryer (obviously – any size works, just cook in batches)
- 2 mixing bowls (one for dry ingredients, one for wet)
- Whisk (or fork – we’re not picky!)
- Dough scraper (super helpful for portioning)
Optional but fun: A piping bag makes shaping the rings extra easy, but honestly, I usually just roll them by hand – slightly messy fingers are part of the charm!
How to Make Air Fryer Churro Donuts
Okay, let’s get to the fun part – making these magical little rings of happiness! I promise it’s easier than you think, and I’ll walk you through each step to churro perfection.
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
First things first – preheat that air fryer to 350°F (175°C) so it’s nice and hot when we’re ready to cook. Now, grab two bowls. In the first one, whisk together your flour, baking powder, salt, sugar, and cinnamon until they’re best friends. In the second bowl, beat the egg like it owes you money, then whisk in the milk, melted butter (make sure it’s cooled!), and vanilla. Here’s the secret: pour the wet ingredients into the dry and stir just until combined – overmixing makes tough donuts, and we want tender little clouds!
Step 2: Shape the Donuts
Now for the fun messy part! Scoop out tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into skinny snakes between your palms – about 5 inches long. Connect the ends to form perfect little rings. If the dough sticks to your hands (it will!), just dip your fingers in water occasionally. Pro tip: Make all your rings first and set them on parchment paper so they’re ready to air fry in batches.
Step 3: Air Fry to Perfection
Carefully place your rings in the air fryer basket – don’t crowd them! They need personal space to puff up properly. I do 3-4 at a time in my basket. Cook for 6-8 minutes until they’re golden brown and look irresistible. About halfway through, I like to peek and give them a gentle flip if needed. You’ll know they’re done when they sound hollow if you tap them.
Step 4: Coat with Cinnamon Sugar
Here comes the best part! While the donuts are still warm (but cool enough to handle), toss them in that cinnamon-sugar mixture you prepared earlier. Roll them around until they’re completely coated – I like to do this in a shallow bowl so I can really get them covered. The warmth helps the sugar stick in all those perfect little crevices. Warning: You might need to make another batch of coating because you’ll definitely be taste-testing a few!
Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Churro Donuts
After making dozens (okay, maybe hundreds) of batches, I’ve learned all the tricks for churro donut perfection:
- Dough too sticky? Add flour 1 tsp at a time until it’s soft but not tacky. Too dry? A splash more milk saves the day!
- Give them space! Overcrowding leads to sad, flat donuts. Cook in batches – trust me, it’s worth the wait.
- Check early! All air fryers run differently. Start checking at 5 minutes – you want golden, not burnt!
- Keep them warm: If making multiple batches, pop finished donuts in a 200°F oven while you cook the rest.
My biggest tip? Make double – these disappear faster than you can say “¡qué rico!”
Common Questions About Air Fryer Churro Donuts
I get asked about these little beauties all the time – here are the answers to everything you might wonder:
Can I use gluten-free flour? Absolutely! I’ve had great results with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. Just add an extra tablespoon of milk since GF flour tends to absorb more liquid. The texture will be slightly different but still delicious.
How should I store leftovers? (Though let’s be real – leftovers rarely happen!) Pop them in an airtight container at room temp for up to 2 days. They lose some crispness but still taste amazing.
Can I bake these instead? Sure! Bake at 375°F for 10-12 minutes on a parchment-lined sheet. They won’t get quite as crispy but still satisfy that churro craving.
Why ring shape? It’s not just cute – the even thickness cooks perfectly in the air fryer! Though you can make churro bites if you prefer – just reduce cooking time by 1-2 minutes.
Serving Suggestions
Oh, let me tell you how to serve these beauties for maximum joy! They’re absolutely dreamy still warm from the air fryer with:
- Morning coffee – Dunking is basically required
- Dulce de leche for drizzling (or dunking – no judgment!)
- Melted chocolate – Dark, milk, or white all work magic
The key? Serve them warm so that cinnamon-sugar coating stays gloriously crisp. Pop any cooled leftovers in the air fryer for 60 seconds to bring back that fresh-from-the-fryer magic!
Storage and Reheating
Okay, confession time – these rarely last long enough to store at my house! But if you somehow have leftovers (you magical self-controlled human), here’s how to keep them tasting fresh:
Pop them in an airtight container at room temperature – they’ll stay decent for about 2 days. The cinnamon-sugar coating might soften, but no worries! Just toss them back in the air fryer for 1-2 minutes at 350°F to bring back that glorious crunch. Pro tip: Sprinkle on a little extra cinnamon-sugar after reheating for that just-made freshness!
Nutritional Information
Just so you know what you’re indulging in (not that it’ll stop you!), here’s the scoop on these air fryer churro donuts. Remember, these are estimates – your exact numbers might vary based on ingredient brands and how generous you are with that cinnamon-sugar coating!
- Serving size: 1 donut (about 1.5 oz)
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 8g (worth every grain!)
- Sodium: 100mg
- Fat: 4g
- Carbs: 20g
- Protein: 2g
Honestly? I consider these practically health food compared to traditional deep-fried churros. The air fryer magic means less oil while keeping all that crispy, sugary goodness we love. Now go enjoy guilt-free – life’s too short to skip the cinnamon-sugar!
Print
20-Minute Air Fryer Churro Donuts – Irresistibly Crispy
- Total Time: 18 mins
- Yield: 6 donuts
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Crispy air-fried donuts with a churro flavor and ring shape.
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 egg
- 2 tbsp melted butter
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup sugar (for coating)
- 1 tsp cinnamon (for coating)
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
- Mix flour, baking powder, salt, sugar, and cinnamon in a bowl.
- In another bowl, whisk milk, egg, melted butter, and vanilla extract.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients to form a dough.
- Roll dough into small rings and place in the air fryer basket.
- Cook for 6-8 minutes until golden brown.
- Mix sugar and cinnamon for coating.
- Toss warm donuts in the cinnamon-sugar mixture.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
- Keep dough moist but not sticky.
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket.
- Adjust cooking time based on donut size.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 8 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: Mexican