5-Ingredient Air Fryer S’Mores Churros – Irresistibly Easy Magic

Oh my gosh, you guys – I just discovered the most magical dessert hack! These Air Fryer S’Mores Churros combine everything we love about campfire treats with that perfect crispy churro texture, and they’re ridiculously easy to make. I was craving s’mores one rainy afternoon but didn’t want to deal with the mess of sticky marshmallows everywhere. That’s when I had my lightbulb moment – why not pipe churro dough into my air fryer and stuff it with melty chocolate and marshmallows? The result was pure magic – golden brown churros with that irresistible crispy outside giving way to gooey s’mores goodness inside. Trust me, once you try these, you’ll never look at your air fryer the same way again!

Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer S’Mores Churros

Listen, I know you’re going to flip for these churros – they’re the dessert mashup you didn’t know you needed! Here’s why they’re absolutely addictive:

• Crazy easy: No deep frying mess – just pipe and air fry!
• Perfect texture: Crispy golden outside with that dreamy gooey s’mores center
• Ready in minutes: Faster than building a campfire (and way less smoky)
• Total crowd-pleaser: Kids go nuts for them, adults pretend they’re “just tasting one” then eat four
• Fun twist: All the nostalgia of s’mores with that satisfying churro crunch

Seriously, these might just become your new favorite way to use that air fryer – mine hasn’t stopped working overtime since I created this recipe!

Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer S’Mores Churros

Let me count the ways these churros will steal your heart:

• Crazy quick: From dough to done in under 25 minutes – no campfire required!
• Perfect texture: That magical combo of crispy outside and melty s’mores center
• Air fryer magic: All the crunch of deep-fried churros without the oil splatter mess
• Nostalgia bomb: All the flavors of childhood s’mores in a fun, handheld treat
• Total crowd-pleaser: Kids go wild for these, and adults secretly do too (I’ve caught my husband sneaking thirds!)

Ingredients for Air Fryer S’Mores Churros

Here’s everything you’ll need to create these magical treats – I’ve grouped them so you can see how each component comes together:

For the Churro Dough:

• 1 cup water (trust me, boiling it first makes all the difference)
• 2 tbsp granulated sugar (for that perfect sweetness)
• 1/2 tsp salt (balances all the sweetness beautifully)
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil (helps create that signature crispiness)
• 1 cup all-purpose flour (the backbone of our churros)
• 2 large eggs (room temperature blends smoother)

For the S’Mores Goodness:

• 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (or more – I won’t judge!)
• 1/2 cup mini marshmallows (the tiny ones melt perfectly)
• 1/2 cup crushed graham crackers (for that authentic s’mores crunch)

For Cooking:

• Cooking spray (essential for that golden crisp)

Ingredient Notes & Substitutions

Now let’s talk about why these ingredients work and what you can swap if needed:

Flour: All-purpose gives the perfect structure, but you can use gluten-free 1:1 baking flour if needed – just add an extra tablespoon of water since GF flour tends to be thirstier.

Chocolate: Semi-sweet balances the sweetness, but dark chocolate works great for grown-up tastes. Dairy-free chips? Absolutely – just make sure they’re good quality melting ones.

Marshmallows: The minis melt evenly, but in a pinch, you can chop regular marshmallows into small pieces. Pro tip: freeze them first for easier cutting!

Graham crackers: These are non-negotiable for me – they’re the soul of s’mores! But if you must substitute, digestive biscuits or vanilla wafers crushed fine will work in a pinch.

Eggs: Room temp blends smoother into the warm dough – just set them out while you boil the water. For egg-free, try flax eggs but expect a slightly denser texture.

Equipment You’ll Need

Okay, let’s talk tools – you probably have most of these already, but here’s what makes these churros come together like magic:

• Air fryer: Obviously the star of the show! Any size works, but you’ll get the best results with at least a 4-quart basket.
• Piping bag with star tip: I use a 1/2-inch star tip for those perfect ridges – the bigger the tip, the more dramatic the churro shape. No piping bag? A sturdy Ziploc with the corner snipped works in a pinch!
• Medium saucepan: For cooking our churro dough base – nothing fancy needed, just something to boil water in.
• Parchment paper: Absolute must for easy piping and transfer to the air fryer. Pro tip: cut pieces slightly smaller than your air fryer basket.
• Rubber spatula: For scraping every last bit of that precious dough into the piping bag (waste not, want not!).

That’s it! No fancy gadgets required – just basics that make the process smoother. Now let’s get to the fun part…

How to Make Air Fryer S’Mores Churros

Alright, let’s dive into the magic! These churros come together in three simple steps, but I’ll walk you through each one like I’m right there in your kitchen with you. The key is working quickly while the dough is warm – trust me, it’s easier than it looks!

Step 1: Prepare the Dough

First, grab that saucepan – we’re making churro dough that’s so simple, you’ll wonder why you ever bought the frozen kind. Here’s how it goes:

1. Combine water, sugar, salt, and oil in your saucepan and bring to a rolling boil. I like to stir occasionally until the sugar dissolves completely – you’ll see the liquid go from cloudy to clear.
2. Remove from heat and dump in all the flour at once. This is where the arm workout begins! Stir vigorously with a wooden spoon until it forms a smooth ball that pulls away from the sides of the pan. It’ll look like playdough – that’s perfect.
3. Let the dough cool for about 5 minutes (touch test: warm but not hot). Now beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing completely after each. The dough will look weirdly slippery at first, but keep stirring – it’ll come together into a glossy, pipeable consistency.

Pro tip: If the dough feels too stiff to pipe, add a teaspoon of warm water. Too runny? Sprinkle in a bit more flour. You want it thick but still able to hold its shape.

Step 2: Shape & Cook Churros

While your dough rests, preheat that air fryer to 375°F (190°C) – this gives us that perfect golden crunch. Now for the fun part:

1. Scoop dough into your piping bag fitted with the star tip. No fancy techniques needed – just grip firmly and squeeze!
2. Pipe 4-inch strips onto parchment paper (I do about 6 at a time). Don’t stress about perfection – rustic churros have charm! If the ends curl, gently press them down.
3. Lightly spray with cooking oil – this is crucial for that golden color. Carefully transfer parchment with churros into the air fryer basket.
4. Air fry for 8-10 minutes until deeply golden. Check at 8 minutes – they should feel firm but still slightly soft inside. The smell will drive you crazy!

Watch closely in the last 2 minutes – air fryers vary. Mine gets them perfect at 9 minutes flat. They’ll crisp up more as they cool slightly.

Step 3: Assemble S’Mores Style

Here’s where we turn good churros into GREAT ones. Work quickly while they’re still warm:

1. Melt chocolate chips in 30-second microwave bursts, stirring between each. You want it smooth but not scorching hot.
2. Dip one end of each churro into chocolate, then immediately roll in crushed graham crackers. The warmth helps everything stick beautifully.
3. While the chocolate’s still melty, press mini marshmallows along the coated section. The residual heat will make them slightly gooey – exactly what we want!

Serve immediately with napkins handy – these are messy in the best possible way. That first bite of crispy churro giving way to molten chocolate and marshmallow? Pure bliss!

Tips for Perfect Air Fryer S’Mores Churros

After making these churros more times than I can count (okay fine, I’ve lost track because I keep eating them), I’ve picked up some game-changing tricks that’ll make yours turn out perfect every time:

Piping bag pro tip: Use a heavy-duty piping bag – the disposable ones can burst under pressure when you’re squeezing that thick dough. I learned this the messy way (hello, dough explosion!). If you only have flimsy bags, double them up.

Timing is everything: These babies are best served immediately – we’re talking straight from the air fryer to your mouth if you can resist burning your tongue. The crispiness starts fading after about 20 minutes, so don’t make them too far in advance.

Air fryer quirks: Every air fryer runs a little different. Mine runs hot, so I check at 8 minutes. Yours might need the full 10. Look for that deep golden brown color – if they’re pale, they won’t have that signature crunch.

Dough too sticky? If your dough won’t stop sticking to your hands when piping, lightly wet your fingers – just a dab’ll do ya. This helps shape them without the mess.

Size matters: Keep your churros around 4 inches long – any longer and they might not cook evenly. Too short and you lose that satisfying churro shape. I use a butter knife to gently cut the dough from the piping tip.

Storage hack: If you must store leftovers (who are we kidding?), pop them back in the air fryer for 2-3 minutes to revive the crispiness. The marshmallows will get extra toasty – not a bad thing in my book!

Variations to Try

Oh, the possibilities! Once you’ve mastered the basic recipe, it’s time to play. Here are my favorite twists that keep this dessert exciting every time I make it:

Cinnamon Sugar Dust: Before the chocolate dip, roll warm churros in a mix of cinnamon and sugar (I do 1/4 cup sugar + 1 tbsp cinnamon). It adds that classic churro flavor we all love – the cinnamon plays so nicely with the graham cracker crunch!

Dark Chocolate Upgrade: Swap semi-sweet chips for 70% dark chocolate – it cuts the sweetness and gives a sophisticated edge. My book club ladies go wild for this version with a sprinkle of sea salt on top.

Caramel Drizzle: After assembling, zigzag warm caramel sauce over the churros. The way it pools in the ridges? *Chef’s kiss* Pro tip: thin the caramel with a teaspoon of cream so it drizzles smoothly.

Peanut Butter Swirl: Mix 2 tbsp peanut butter into your melted chocolate for a nutty twist. Bonus points for rolling in crushed peanut butter cookies instead of graham crackers!

Spicy Kick: Add 1/4 tsp cayenne to your chocolate before melting – just enough heat to make things interesting. Trust me, the sweet-spicy combo is addictive.

Birthday Cake Style: Use golden Oreos instead of graham crackers and mix rainbow sprinkles into your dough. My niece requests these for every sleepover!

The best part? You can mix and match these ideas. Last week I did dark chocolate with a pinch of chili powder and cinnamon sugar – absolute magic. What combo will you try first?

Serving Suggestions

Okay, let’s talk about taking these already-amazing churros to the next level with some dreamy pairings! Here’s how I love to serve them for maximum wow factor:

• Vanilla bean ice cream: The classic pairing – that cold creaminess against warm churros is heavenly. I like scooping it right onto the plate and letting the churros rest on top so the marshmallows get all melty.
• Warm chocolate sauce: Because more chocolate is always the answer! Drizzle it over for that café-style presentation. My lazy hack? Microwave some chocolate chips with a splash of heavy cream until saucy.
• Whipped cream clouds: Freshly whipped cream with a touch of vanilla makes these feel extra special. Pipe little dollops between the churros for a pretty plate.
• Espresso or cold milk: For grown-ups, a shot of espresso cuts the sweetness perfectly. Kids? They’ll want ice-cold milk to dunk those churros in!

The beauty is, these stand gloriously on their own too – I’ve been known to eat them straight from the air fryer basket when no one’s looking! But for parties, a little extra flair makes them truly showstopping.

Storing & Reheating

Let’s be real – these churros are at their absolute best fresh from the air fryer when they’re still crackly-crisp and the chocolate is gloriously melty. But if you somehow end up with leftovers (miracles do happen!), here’s how to handle them:

Storing: Once completely cooled, tuck them into an airtight container with parchment between layers. They’ll keep at room temperature for about 8 hours, though the texture won’t be quite as magical. The marshmallows might get a bit sticky – just embrace the gooeyness!

Reheating: When the craving strikes again, pop them back in the air fryer at 350°F for 2-3 minutes. Watch closely – they revive beautifully but can go from “perfectly crisp” to “overdone” in seconds. The marshmallows will puff up and toast slightly, which I actually love!

Pro tip: If your churros have been stored overnight, sprinkle them with a tiny bit of water before reheating. The steam helps bring back some of that fresh-baked texture. Just don’t overdo it – we’re not making soup here!

Fair warning: These are never quite as perfect as when first made, so I usually just… uh… “accidentally” eat them all in one sitting. Quality control, you know?

Air Fryer S’Mores Churros Nutritional Info

Now, let’s be real – we’re not eating churros for their health benefits, but it’s still good to know what you’re enjoying! Here’s the nutritional lowdown (because knowledge is power, right?):

Estimated per churro: About 180 calories, 12g sugar, 8g fat (3g saturated), 25g carbs, 1g fiber, and 3g protein.

Important note: These numbers can vary based on your specific ingredients and brands. Used dark chocolate instead of semi-sweet? That’ll change the numbers. Went heavy-handed with the graham crackers? You rebel, you – that’ll add a bit more crunch and calories!

The beauty of homemade treats is you control what goes in. Want to lighten it up? Try reducing the chocolate by a tablespoon or using sugar-free chocolate chips. But personally? I say enjoy every delicious bite – life’s too short not to savor good churros!

Frequently Asked Questions

I’ve gotten so many questions about these churros since I started making them – let me share the answers to the ones that keep popping up!

Can I bake these instead of using an air fryer?
Absolutely! Bake at 400°F for about 12-15 minutes until golden. They won’t get quite as crispy, but still delicious. Pro tip: flip them halfway through for even browning.

How do I prevent the dough from sticking to my hands when piping?
Lightly wet your fingers – just a quick dip in water does the trick! The dough stops sticking immediately. Also works if your piping bag is being stubborn.

My churros came out too soft inside – what went wrong?
They probably needed another minute or two in the air fryer. Next time, do the “tap test” – they should sound slightly hollow when done. Also make sure your air fryer was properly preheated!

Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Honestly? Not really. The dough is best used right after mixing. If you must, cover it tightly and refrigerate for up to 2 hours, but expect slightly denser results.

What’s the best way to reheat leftovers?
Air fryer to the rescue again! 2-3 minutes at 350°F brings them back to life. The marshmallows get delightfully toasty this way too.

Now that you’re armed with all my hard-earned churro wisdom, it’s your turn! Try this recipe and share your results – tag me so I can see your delicious creations!

Print