Oh my gosh, you have to try this Air Fryer Chocolate Chip Churro Dough—it’s my new obsession! I stumbled onto this recipe one lazy Sunday when my kids were begging for something sweet but I didn’t feel like turning on the oven. Twenty minutes later? Crispy-on-the-outside, soft-and-gooey-on-the-inside dough balls rolled in cinnamon sugar, with melty chocolate chips in every bite. The air fryer works magic here, giving that perfect churro texture without the fuss of deep frying. Even my picky eater devoured three before I could blink. Trust me, this is the kind of easy, crowd-pleasing dessert you’ll make again and again!
Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Chocolate Chip Churro Dough
Let me count the ways this recipe will become your new go-to dessert:
- Crazy quick – From bowl to table in 20 minutes flat (that’s faster than my kids can say “I’m hungry!”)
- Minimal mess – One bowl, no greasy deep-fry cleanup – just wipe out your air fryer basket and you’re done
- Kid-approved magic – The cinnamon-sugar coating hides all evidence of flour and eggs – my littles think they’re getting pure dessert
- Texture heaven – Crispy golden shells give way to pillowy centers with melty chocolate surprises
- Forgiving recipe – Overmix? Undercook? This dough bounces back better than my last attempt at yoga
Ingredients for Air Fryer Chocolate Chip Churro Dough
Here’s everything you’ll need to make these irresistible little bites – and trust me, you probably have most of it in your pantry right now! I love recipes like this where I don’t have to make a special grocery run. A quick tip from my many test batches: measure the flour by spooning it into your measuring cup and leveling it off (no packing!). Too much flour makes these dough balls dense instead of delightfully pillowy.
- 1 cup all-purpose flour – That spoon-and-level method I mentioned? Non-negotiable for perfect texture
- 1 tbsp sugar – Just enough to sweeten the dough without competing with the cinnamon-sugar coating
- 1 tsp baking powder – Our little rising agent hero that gives these their airy lift
- 1/4 tsp salt – The secret flavor booster – don’t skip it!
- 1/2 cup milk – Any kind works, but whole milk makes these extra rich
- 1 egg – Room temperature blends in smoother (I’ve forgotten this step and they still turned out fine!)
- 1 tbsp melted butter – Unsalted is my preference, but salted adds a nice contrast
- 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips – The tiny size distributes chocolate perfectly in every bite
- 1/4 cup sugar + 1 tsp cinnamon (for coating) – This dynamic duo makes the signature churro crust
Equipment You’ll Need
Gather these basics—you likely have most already! My air fryer gets all the credit here, but a few simple tools make this recipe foolproof:
- Air fryer (any model works—just adjust cook time if needed)
- Mixing bowl (I use my favorite chipped one—perfection not required!)
- Cookie scoop (or two spoons—but the scoop makes uniform balls so easy)
- Measuring cups/spoons (for that perfectly balanced dough)
How to Make Air Fryer Chocolate Chip Churro Dough
Okay, let’s turn these simple ingredients into magic! The process is so easy you’ll have it memorized after one batch. Just follow these steps—I’ve included all my little “aha!” moments from countless test batches.
Mixing the Dough
First, grab that mixing bowl and let’s get our dry team together:
- Whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt until they’re best friends—no flour lumps allowed!
- In another bowl (or just make a well in your dry ingredients if you’re lazy like me), mix the milk, egg, and melted butter. Pro tip: Let your butter cool slightly so it doesn’t cook the egg!
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and stir just until combined. Some small lumps are totally fine—overmixing makes tough dough balls, and nobody wants that.
- Gently fold in those adorable mini chocolate chips. I sometimes sneak in an extra tablespoon because… well, chocolate.
Shaping and Cooking
Now for the fun part—let’s make those perfect little dough balls:
- Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C) while you scoop. This gives us that instant crisp when the dough hits the hot air!
- Use a cookie scoop or two spoons to portion the dough into 12 balls. Don’t stress about perfection—rustic is charming!
- Arrange them in the air fryer basket with some breathing room (I do 6 at a time). They’ll puff up like little pillows!
- Cook for 8-10 minutes until golden brown. Peek at 8 minutes—all air fryers run a bit different. They’re done when they sound hollow if tapped.
Coating the Dough Balls
The grand finale—that iconic churro crunch:
- While the dough balls bake, mix the sugar and cinnamon in a shallow bowl. I always add a pinch of salt—it makes the sweetness pop!
- As soon as the balls come out of the air fryer (careful, they’re hot!), roll them in the cinnamon sugar. The residual heat helps the coating stick perfectly.
- For extra coverage, toss them in the bowl instead of rolling—my kids love helping with this messy step!
- Let them cool just enough so you don’t burn your tongue reaching for seconds.
Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Chocolate Chip Churro Dough
After making these dozens of times (okay, maybe hundreds—don’t judge my sweet tooth!), I’ve picked up some tricks that guarantee churro dough success every time. These little nuggets of wisdom will save you from the mistakes I’ve already made so you can skip straight to perfection!
- Cookie scoop is your BFF – That little tool isn’t just for cookies! Using a scoop ensures all your dough balls cook evenly. No more giant dough blobs with raw centers next to tiny overcooked ones.
- Watch your air fryer like a hawk – All models run differently. Start checking at 8 minutes—they’re done when golden brown and sound hollow when tapped. My sister’s air fryer needs 9 minutes, mine does best at 8.5. You’ll learn yours!
- Give them space to breathe – Crowding the basket leads to steamed dough instead of crispy perfection. I do batches of 6 at a time, and it’s worth the extra few minutes.
- Light spray of oil – A quick spritz of cooking spray on the basket prevents sticking. Learned this the hard way after losing half my first batch to the basket!
- Store leftovers? Ha! Good luck having any. But if you do, keep them in an airtight container for up to 2 days. They lose some crispness but still taste amazing.
- Reheat magic – Pop cold dough balls back in the air fryer at 350°F for 2 minutes to revive that fresh-from-the-fryer magic. Microwave works in a pinch but won’t crisp them up.
One last tip from my heart to yours: make a double batch. Trust me, you’ll thank me when the first dozen disappears before you can say “churro”! If you’re looking for other quick air fryer desserts, check out my recipe for Air Fryer Cake Donuts.
Variations for Air Fryer Chocolate Chip Churro Dough
The beauty of this recipe? You can twist it a dozen ways to match your mood! Here are my favorite riffs—some born from pantry raids, others from picky eaters’ demands:
- Cinnamon chip swap – Replace chocolate chips with cinnamon chips for double the cozy spice flavor (my winter go-to!)
- Dairy-free delight – Use almond milk and coconut oil instead of milk and butter—works like a charm for my lactose-intolerant niece
- Nutty surprise – Fold in 2 tbsp finely chopped pecans or walnuts with the chocolate chips for crunch
- Citrus zing – Add 1 tsp orange zest to the dough for a bright twist that plays nice with chocolate
The dough’s a blank canvas—have fun with it! Just keep the base ratios the same and your experiments will shine. For more inspiration on using your appliance, see this guide on air fryer cooking techniques.
Serving Suggestions
Oh, the possibilities! These little dough balls are delicious on their own, but here’s how I take them to the next level when
Storage and Reheating
If by some miracle you have leftovers (we never do!), pop them in an airtight container—they’ll keep for 2 days at room temperature. To bring back that just-made magic, toss them in the air fryer at 350°F for 2 minutes. The sugar coating gets all crackly again, and the chocolate gets melty—almost better than fresh! Microwaving works in a pinch, but you’ll lose that perfect crispy exterior we worked so hard for.
Air Fryer Chocolate Chip Churro Dough FAQs
After making this recipe more times than I can count (and answering all my friends’ texts when they try it), here are the questions that come up most often:
Can I freeze the dough balls before cooking?
Absolutely! Scoop the dough onto a parchment-lined tray and freeze solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. When cravings hit, pop them straight into the air fryer—just add 1-2 extra minutes to the cook time. No thawing needed!
What if I want to skip the chocolate chips?
No problem at all! The dough still makes amazing cinnamon-sugar churro bites. To compensate for less moisture without the chocolate, you might add an extra tablespoon of milk if the dough seems too thick.
Help—my dough balls keep sticking to the basket!
Been there! Two tricks: 1) Give your air fryer basket a quick spritz of oil (I use avocado oil spray), and 2) Don’t skip the preheating step—a hot basket creates an instant crust that prevents sticking. If they still stick, wait 30 seconds after cooking before removing.
Can I make these gluten-free?
Yes! Swap the all-purpose flour for a 1:1 gluten-free blend (I like King Arthur’s). The texture will be slightly more delicate, so handle the dough gently. And maybe add an extra tablespoon of chocolate chips—because why not?
Why did my dough balls come out dense?
Two likely culprits: overmixing the dough (stop as soon as ingredients combine) or packing the flour into the measuring cup. Remember—spoon the flour lightly into the cup and level it off with a knife for perfect results every time!
Nutritional Information
Let’s be real – we’re not eating churro dough for the health benefits! But if you’re curious (or just keeping track), here’s the nutritional scoop per dough ball. Remember, these are estimates – your exact numbers might vary depending on ingredients and brands. I calculate mine using a nutrition app when I’m feeling precise, but most days? I just enjoy every delicious bite!
- Serving Size: 1 dough ball (about the size of a ping pong ball)
- Calories: 80
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 60mg
- Fat: 3g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 2g
Try this recipe and share your results in the comments! If you’re interested in learning more about the science behind baking powder, check out this resource on baking science.
Print
Irresistible Air Fryer Chocolate Chip Churro Dough in 20 Minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 12 dough balls
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A quick and easy recipe for chocolate chip churro dough made in an air fryer.
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 egg
- 1 tbsp melted butter
- 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup sugar (for coating)
- 1 tsp cinnamon (for coating)
Instructions
- Mix flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.
- Add milk, egg, and melted butter. Stir until combined.
- Fold in chocolate chips.
- Preheat air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
- Scoop dough into small balls and place in the air fryer basket.
- Cook for 8-10 minutes until golden brown.
- Mix sugar and cinnamon in a bowl.
- Roll cooked dough balls in the cinnamon-sugar mixture.
- Serve warm.
Notes
- Use a cookie scoop for even-sized dough balls.
- Adjust cooking time based on your air fryer model.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: Mexican-inspired