Crispy Deep-Fried Dough Treats Cooked Using an Air Fryer

In the ever-evolving world of culinary delights, the humble churro has found a modern twist with the air fryer churro. This lighter version of the traditional Spanish treat offers a crispy, delicious snack that can be easily prepared at home.

The recipe for air fryer churros is a simple yet delightful journey. To begin, gather your ingredients, including butter, milk, water, sugar, salt, flour, eggs, and cinnamon sugar. For a healthier alternative, the recipe offers a variation that uses less butter and sugar.

To make the choux pastry for the air fryer churros, start by bringing butter, milk, water, sugar, and salt to a simmer on the stovetop. Once simmering, add the flour and cook the resulting paste for a few minutes. After cooling slightly, transfer the dough to a stand mixer with the paddle attachment and slowly beat in the eggs.

Once the dough is ready, pipe it into 4 1/2 to 5-inch long churros directly onto the greased air fryer wire basket. A cooking spray is the best method for greasing the basket, as it prevents the churros from sticking.

Air fry the churros at 350°F for 10 to 12 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crispy. It's essential to work in batches so you can serve the freshly finished products immediately.

While the churros are air frying, melt butter in a shallow bowl and prepare your cinnamon sugar coating in a separate dish. To prevent clumping in the cinnamon sugar, split it into smaller batches.

Upon removal from the air fryer, coat the churros generously in the cinnamon sugar. This sweet, spicy coating adds an irresistible flavour that complements the light, airy texture of the churros.

For those looking to enjoy air fryer churros at a later time, the recipe includes instructions on how to freeze them. Make and serve as many as you want, let them cool uncoated, and transfer to an airtight bag for up to 3 months. To reheat frozen churros, preheat the air fryer to 350°F, air fry without greasing, for 10 minutes, and coat with butter and cinnamon sugar.

The cookbook "Recipes to Fit your Schedule" provides the secrets to baking desserts on a tight schedule and offers this air fryer churro recipe, among others. For an eco-friendly twist, the author suggests using organic xanthan gum as an additive, but natural alternatives such as ground flaxseeds or chia seeds mixed with water can also achieve a similar thickening effect.

Air fryer churros are just as crispy and delicious as traditional churros, thanks to the use of melted butter and lots of cinnamon sugar. So, whether you're looking for a fun weekend project or a quick, tasty snack, air fryer churros are a delightful choice.