Crispy Air Fryer Churros
Quick and easy dessert, perfect for a sweet crispy treat.
Steps
- 1
In a saucepan, bring water, butter, and salt to a boil. Once butter has melted, add all the flour at once and stir vigorously until a smooth, non-sticky dough forms.
- 2
Let the dough cool slightly, then incorporate eggs one at a time, mixing well after each, until you get a smooth, pipeable paste.
- 3
Transfer the dough to a piping bag with a star tip.
- 4
Line the air fryer basket with parchment paper and pipe strips of dough about 10-12 cm long, in the shape of churros.
- 5
Lightly spray the churros with cooking spray.
- 6
Preheat the air fryer to 180°C (350°F).
- 7
Cook churros in the air fryer at 180°C for 10-12 minutes, turning halfway, until golden and crispy.
- 8
While still hot, roll the churros in a mixture of sugar and ground cinnamon until evenly coated.
Shopping list
250g all-purpose flour, 250ml water, 50g butter, 3 eggs, 1 pinch salt, sugar for coating, ground cinnamon, oil spray
Recipe story
Churros, those golden crispy sticks, originated in 16th century Spain when nomadic shepherds would cook them over open fires, replacing fresh bread with a simple fried dough. Over time, this dessert became a staple at Spanish fairs and festivals, often enjoyed with a cup of hot chocolate. The recipe traveled to Latin America, where it was adapted with fillings like jam or chocolate. Today, churros are popular worldwide, and the air fryer version offers a crispy texture with less oil.
Ingredient Secrets
Sea salt
Sea salt, extracted from ocean waters by evaporation, was one of the most precious goods of antiquity, used both as food and as currency. In ancient Rome, soldiers were paid with salt, which is the origin of the word 'salary'. Salt roads connected entire civilizations, and in the Middle Ages, salt was so valuable it was called 'white gold'.
Cinnamon
In ancient Rome, cinnamon was more precious than gold, used in sacred rituals and royal perfumes. Legends told of fabulous birds called cinnamologus that built their nests from cinnamon sticks on inaccessible cliff tops. The cinnamon trade was long shrouded in mystery, with Arab merchants inventing fantastic stories to protect their sources.
