If you’re like me, sometimes you just need a perfect, warm, cinnamon-dusted treat, and you need it yesterday. Forget the long lines at the fair! I’ve found the ultimate shortcut for satisfying those deep, fried dough cravings. Seriously, these Air Fryer Churro Cookies are a game-changer for simple desserts.
I was pleasantly surprised by how well these baked up in the air fryer. They cook quickly, cook evenly, and have that strong, unmistakable churro flavor we all adore. They come together so fast—we’re talking less than 20 minutes total time. These are officially my go-to when I need easy treats in a flash!
Why You Will Love These Air Fryer Churro Cookies
Seriously, these are such easy dessert ideas! They hit the sweet spot anytime a craving strikes. I’ve made these for movie nights and quick afternoon snacks, and they disappear every time. Trust me, you’ll want to keep the ingredients stocked!
- They are lightning fast—ready in under 20 minutes total!
- The air fryer gives you those perfect crisp edges without any messy deep frying.
- That intense cinnamon sugar coating tastes exactly like your favorite fair treat.
If you’re looking for other fast options, you should check out my guide on easy healthy snack ideas, though sometimes you just need pure cookie joy!
Essential Ingredients for Perfect Air Fryer Churro Cookies
The beauty of these cookies is that they fall squarely into the category of easy desserts with few ingredients. You probably have most of this stuff in your pantry right now, which is why they make such fantastic homemade desserts when that baking idea strikes!
We need to separate our components, though. We have the dough base, which holds everything together, and then the glorious cinnamon sugar coating that makes them taste exactly like a churro. No fancy extracts or weird binders needed here, trust me. Just focus on these simple items!
For the Air Fryer Churro Cookies Dough
For the dough, melt your butter first. That melted butter is key! It mixes into the flour and sugar beautifully without needing hours of creaming time, which is why this is one of my favorite easy dessert ideas.
- 1 cup of all-purpose flour (scoop lightly, don’t pack it in!).
- 1/3 cup of white sugar.
- 1/2 tsp baking powder—this gives them just a tiny bit of lift.
- 1 tsp of ground cinnamon—this is where the churro flavor starts building!
- 1 large egg.
- 3 tablespoons of melted butter. Make sure it’s fully melted, please!
For the Cinnamon Sugar Coating
This is the final, essential step for getting that incredible texture. You can make a quick batch of this, or if you have leftover sugar/cinnamon mix from another recipe, you can totally reuse that. But I like making a fresh coating just for the cookies.
- Extra cinnamon sugar for tossing.
When you mix your coating, aim for a generous amount of cinnamon mixed with white sugar. You need enough to really coat those warm cookies well!
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Air Fryer Churro Cookies
Okay, once you have your ingredients ready, this process is shockingly fast. That’s the magic of the air fryer, honestly! We’re going to mix everything up, roll them fast, and get them baking before your oven even has a chance to preheat. Pay close attention to when you add the wet versus the dry ingredients, as that keeps these cookies from getting tough.
If you want to see how professionals tackle the classic churro flavor, I sometimes peek at guides like this one on classic churros recipes, just to remind myself how good that cinnamon flavor is supposed to be. For more baking secrets, especially around dough handling, I always reference my notes on secrets to perfect dough handling. But these cookies? They are WAY easier!
Mixing the Air Fryer Churro Cookies Dough
You start by grabbing that bowl with your flour, sugar, baking powder, and cinnamon. Give those dry things a really good whisk. We want that baking powder and cinnamon evenly distributed! Once that’s looking uniform, just drop in the egg and that melted butter. Mix it gently with a spoon or spatula until it just comes together into a soft ball of dough. Seriously, stop mixing as soon as you don’t see dry streaks anymore. Overmixing dough like this makes for tough cookies, and we want tender ones!
Shaping and Air Frying Your Air Fryer Churro Cookies
Now, this is important: Roll your dough into small balls. They should be about the size of a walnut, maybe a little smaller since they do spread slightly. Flatten each ball gently with your hand or the bottom of a glass. Next, every air fryer needs a minute to warm up! Preheat your air fryer to 180°C, which is the same as 350°F—that’s the sweet spot for these beauties. Place the cookies in a single layer in the basket. Do not overlap them! If you have too many, cook them in batches. They only need about 8 minutes in there. That’s my expert tip: don’t overcrowd the basket, or they steam instead of bake!
Applying the Final Churro Coating
This step is everything! As soon as those 8 minutes are up, you need to work fast. Take the cookies out while they are piping hot and immediately toss them—and I mean really toss them—into your prepared cinnamon sugar. The heat is what melts the sugar slightly and makes it stick perfectly to every nook and cranny. If they cool down, the coating won’t adhere, and you’ll end up with dry, sandy cookies. We want that crisp, sugary shell, so get tossing right away!
Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Churro Cookies Every Time
Look, even with easy dessert ideas, sometimes things go sideways, and I want to make sure that doesn’t happen to your batch! The main thing with air frying cookies is airflow. Don’t be tempted to cram too many onto that basket. If they are touching, they will steam, and you’ll end up with soft, pale cookies instead of those gorgeous, crisp-edged ones we want.
If your dough seems way too sticky to roll—and this sometimes happens based on the humidity that day—just pop it into the fridge for about ten minutes. That little chill firms up the melted butter just enough so you can handle it without making a huge mess. Seriously, a little chill time goes a long way for manageable dough! For more inspiration on toppings and crumbles, check out this great post on the perfect dessert topping.
Also, remember that every air fryer is a little different! Start checking your cookies at the 7-minute mark, just in case yours runs hot. We are looking for golden brown edges, not burnt ones!
Variations for Your Air Fryer Churro Cookies
Okay, while the classic cinnamon sugar is absolutely perfect—it’s why they’re called churro cookies, after all—we can always jazz things up a bit! If you’re feeling adventurous and looking for truly unique cookie recipes, try adding a tiny pinch of nutmeg or even a whisper of cardamom into your dry dough ingredients. It smells amazing while it bakes, trust me!
When it comes to the coating, try swapping out some of that white sugar for brown sugar for a deeper, molasses flavor. Or, if you want a real kick, mix in a tiny bit of cayenne pepper into your cinnamon sugar for a Mexican hot chocolate vibe! You can find some other fun flavor combinations when you peek at my ideas for all the different cookie flavors out there. These little tweaks make them all your own!
Serving Suggestions for These Easy Treats
These Air Fryer Churro Cookies are such simple desserts, but they look gourmet when presented right! They don’t need much accessorizing, but they pair perfectly with creamy or cold things, especially if you are serving them to a crowd.
I love setting them out next to a bowl of vanilla bean ice cream—the warm cookie with the cold cream is just divine. For parties, whipped cream and a drizzle of chocolate sauce make them look fancy without any extra work! And if you need a great non-alcoholic drink to go alongside them, check out my go-to recipe for a refreshing Christmas punch mocktail!
Storing Leftovers of Your Air Fryer Churro Cookies
Now, if you actually manage to have any of these left over—which is tough since they are such easy treats—storage is simple, but important for texture! For short-term storage, keep them in an airtight container on the counter for up to 3 days. This keeps those edges mostly crisp.
If you need them to last longer, you can actually freeze them! Place them in a freezer-safe bag, making sure to put wax paper between layers so they don’t stick. They’ll last about two months. When you want one, just let it thaw on the counter for about 15 minutes. They are best eaten within a couple of days for that perfect warm-from-the-air-fryer taste!
Frequently Asked Questions About Air Fryer Churro Cookies
I get so many questions about these because everyone wants to make sure they turn out perfectly! They really are one of the easiest dessert ideas, but sometimes new techniques, like using the air fryer for cookies, can cause confusion. I’ve rounded up the top ones here. If you see anything else awesome you’re cooking, you can always browse more trend recipes on the site too!
Can I use store-bought cookie dough for these Air Fryer Churro Cookies?
Oh, sure you can! If you need a super quick fix for a craving, using refrigerated store-bought sugar cookie dough works just fine. The main thing you absolutely cannot skip is rolling those store-bought dough balls in your cinnamon sugar coating *before* they go into the air fryer. Also, since store-bought dough spreads differently, check them right around the 6-minute mark just to be safe, okay?
Are these considered Easy Desserts With Few Ingredients?
Yes, absolutely! These are fantastic because they rely on pantry staples like flour, sugar, and cinnamon. We skip fancy extracts or heavy liquids, which is why I always recommend them when someone asks for easy desserts with few ingredients. They feel decadent, but they are ridiculously simple to put together. Perfect for last-minute desert ideas!
How do I prevent my cookies from sticking to the air fryer basket?
This is crucial for easy cleanup! The best thing you can do is lightly spray the bottom of your air fryer basket with a little cooking spray, or even better, cut out a small parchment paper liner that fits your basket. Remember, you can’t block the air completely, so make sure the paper doesn’t cover too much surface area. A light spray of oil works wonders when baking things like this!
Nutritional Estimates for Air Fryer Churro Cookies
I always want to give you full transparency, even with quick baking ideas like this! I ran the numbers for these Air Fryer Churro Cookies based on standard measurements per cookie (assuming the recipe yields 12 cookies). Remember, these figures are just estimates, so your actual counts might wiggle around a little bit depending on the exact brands of flour or sugar you grab.
If you ever want to read more about where these numbers come from or need a full breakdown of my testing standards, you can always check out the full disclaimer information over here: recipe testing disclaimer. It’s important to know what you’re eating, even when it’s a super easy treat!
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: Approximately 110-125 kcal
- Total Fat: About 5g
- Protein: Around 1.5g
- Total Carbohydrates: Roughly 15g
They are such a nice, moderate little indulgence. You get the cinnamon kick and the sweetness without needing a giant slice of cake! These are definitely one of those easy dessert ideas that fit into a balanced day.
Share Your Homemade Desserts Experience
Wow, we made it! You now have everything you need to whip up the most incredible, crave-worthy Air Fryer Churro Cookies in under 20 minutes flat. I truly hope you loved how quick and simple these were, especially right out of the air fryer when they are still warm and soft!
Making these unique cookie recipes at home is the best feeling, isn’t it? I really, really want to know what you thought. Did the cinnamon sugar stick perfectly? Did you manage to keep any for later? Please pop down below and leave me a quick rating—it helps me know which easy treats to test next. If you run into any snags or just want to send a sweet note, you can always reach out to me directly through the contact page!
Happy baking, and enjoy those amazing homemade desserts!
By Emily Mitchell, Efficiency & Testing Coordinator at Recipes by Betty.
Air Fryer Churro Cookies
Equipment
- Air Fryer
- Mixing Bowl
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup flour
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 egg
- 3 tbsp melted butter
Coating
- extra cinnamon sugar for tossing Use leftover sugar/cinnamon mix or make a fresh batch.
Instructions
- Mix the dry ingredients (flour, sugar, baking powder, and cinnamon) together in a bowl.
- Add the egg and melted butter to the dry mixture. Mix until you form a soft dough.
- Roll the dough into balls. Flatten each ball slightly on a plate or parchment paper.
- Place the cookies in the air fryer basket. Air fry for 8 minutes at 180°C (350°F).
- While the cookies are still warm, toss them in the cinnamon sugar coating until they are fully covered.