Oh my gosh, you HAVE to try these homemade churro sticks! I swear, once I discovered how easy it is to make crispy, golden churros in the air fryer, I became completely obsessed. No messy deep frying, no scary-hot oil splatters – just perfect cinnamon-sugar coated sticks of joy in under 30 minutes. My kids think I’m a dessert wizard now (don’t tell them how simple it really is!).
Why You’ll Love These Homemade Churro Sticks (Air Fryer)
Seriously, these churros are life-changing—here’s why:
- Crazy quick: From bowl to table in 25 minutes (faster than running to the bakery!)
- Healthier crunch: All that crispiness without swimming in oil—just a light spritz does the trick
- Easy-peasy cleanup: No greasy stovetop mess, just wipe out your air fryer basket
- Kid-approved magic: My littles go wild piping the dough—it’s like edible playdough that becomes dessert
- Smells like a carnival: That cinnamon-sugar aroma? Pure happiness in the air
Trust me, once you taste that first warm, crispy bite, you’ll be hooked just like we are!
Ingredients for Homemade Churro Sticks (Air Fryer)
Gather these simple pantry staples—I bet you have most already! Exact measurements matter here for that perfect churro texture:
- 1 cup water (just tap temp is fine)
- 2 tbsp sugar (regular granulated—this goes in the dough)
- ½ tsp salt (balances the sweetness beautifully)
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil (plus extra for greasing if needed)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (lightly spooned into the measuring cup—no packing!)
- ½ tsp vanilla extract (the good stuff makes all the difference)
- ½ cup sugar + 1 tsp cinnamon (for that iconic crunchy coating)
- Cooking spray (my secret for ultra-crispy edges)
Essential Tools
Don’t skip these—they’re what take your churros from sad dough blobs to bakery-worthy sticks:
- Sturdy piping bag (I learned the hard way—flimsy ones burst at the worst moments!)
- Star piping tip (#846 or similar) (those ridges = maximum cinnamon-sugar clinging)
- Parchment paper (or pipe right into the air fryer basket if you’re brave)
- Kitchen scissors (for cleanly snipping the dough after piping)
Pro tip: If your piping bag feels slippery when gripped, wrap a rubber band around the top—game changer!
How to Make Homemade Churro Sticks (Air Fryer)
Okay, let’s get to the fun part—making these golden beauties! Follow these steps closely (I’ve learned a few tricks through trial and error):
- Boil the good stuff: In a saucepan, bring water, sugar, salt, and oil to a rolling boil—I mean big bubbles popping! This takes about 3 minutes. Don’t walk away or it’ll boil over (ask me how I know…).
- Stir in the magic: Pull the pan off heat immediately and dump in all the flour at once. Stir like crazy with a wooden spoon until it forms a smooth ball. Add vanilla—it should smell amazing already!
- Pipe with pride: Scoop dough into your prepared piping bag (see tips below!). Pipe 4-inch strips onto parchment—I make mine slightly curved like real churro stands do. Snip ends with scissors dipped in water.
- Air fryer prep: Preheat that baby to 375°F (190°C)—crucial for crispy results! Lightly spray churros with oil (just a mist—they’ll fry beautifully).
- Fry time! Cook 8-10 minutes until deeply golden. No peeking for the first 5 minutes or they’ll deflate! Rotate basket halfway if needed.
- Cinnamon-sugar hug: Mix sugar and cinnamon in a shallow bowl. Roll hot churros in it immediately—the heat makes the coating stick perfectly. Serve while still warm (if you can resist snitching a few!).
Piping Tips for Perfect Churros
Here’s my hard-won piping wisdom: Hold the bag at a 45° angle and squeeze steadily—don’t stop mid-pipe or you’ll get lumpy churros. If dough sticks to the scissors, dip them in water between cuts. Uneven shapes? Just reshape gently with wet fingers before frying!
Serving Suggestions for Homemade Churro Sticks (Air Fryer)
Oh, the dipping possibilities! Warm churros straight from the air fryer are heavenly with:
- Easy chocolate sauce: Melt chocolate chips with a splash of milk (I microwave in 30-second bursts)
- Dulce de leche: That caramel goodness clings to every ridge—store-bought works great!
- Vanilla ice cream: Hot churro + cold scoop = pure bliss (my kids call this “churro sundaes”)
Eat them immediately while crisp! They lose that magical crunch if left sitting too long—not that they ever last that long in my house!
Storage & Reheating Instructions
Okay, real talk—these churros are best eaten fresh, but if you must store them (who has leftovers?!), here’s how: Pop them in an airtight container at room temp for up to 2 days. No fridge—it makes them soggy!
To revive that just-fried crispiness: Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 2-3 minutes. They’ll come out nearly as good as fresh! Microwave reheating? Just…don’t. You’ll end up with sad, chewy sticks—trust me on this one.
Nutritional Information for Homemade Churro Sticks (Air Fryer)
Here’s the scoop on what’s in these tasty treats (per churro, based on my recipe testing):
- 120 calories – Not bad for such a satisfying sweet bite!
- 20g carbs – Mostly from that heavenly cinnamon-sugar coating
- 3g fat – Way less than traditional deep-fried versions
- 0mg cholesterol – All plant-based ingredients here
Psst—these are estimates only. Your exact counts might vary slightly depending on ingredients or how enthusiastically you coat them in sugar (no judgment—I go heavy too!).
Common Questions About Homemade Churro Sticks (Air Fryer)
I’ve gotten so many questions since sharing this recipe—here are the big ones I hear constantly (with my tested answers!):
Can I bake these instead of using an air fryer?
You can, but they won’t get quite as crispy! Bake at 400°F (200°C) for about 12-15 minutes—spray them well with oil first. Flip halfway through. Still tasty, but the air fryer’s rapid heat is what gives that perfect crunch.
Help! My churros turned soggy—what went wrong?
Two likely culprits: Either you didn’t preheat the air fryer (that initial blast of heat is crucial!), or you overcrowded the basket. Give them space! Also—never store them in anything but an airtight container, and always reheat in the air fryer, not the microwave.
Any good sugar alternatives for coating?
For a less sweet version, try half cinnamon-half granulated erythritol. For fun twists, mix in a pinch of cardamom or cocoa powder with your cinnamon sugar! Just avoid powdered sugar—it melts into a sticky mess on hot churros (learned that the messy way).
25-Minute Air Fryer Homemade Churro Sticks You’ll Crave
- Total Time: 25 mins
- Yield: 12 churros
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Crispy homemade churro sticks made easily in an air fryer. Perfect for a sweet treat or dessert.
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup sugar (for coating)
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon (for coating)
- Cooking spray
Instructions
- In a saucepan, bring water, sugar, salt, and oil to a boil.
- Remove from heat and stir in flour and vanilla until a dough forms.
- Transfer dough to a piping bag with a star tip.
- Pipe 4-inch strips onto parchment paper.
- Preheat air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
- Lightly spray churros with cooking spray.
- Air fry for 8-10 minutes until golden brown.
- Mix sugar and cinnamon in a bowl.
- Roll hot churros in the cinnamon-sugar mixture.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
- Use a sturdy piping bag to avoid bursting.
- Pipe churros directly into the air fryer basket if parchment doesn’t fit.
- For extra crispiness, spray churros lightly with oil before frying.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 10 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: Spanish