I start by whisking granulated sugar with cinnamon. This simple mix will coat the churros once they’re baked, giving them that classic sweet, spicy crunch. Set it aside while you make the dough.
In a saucepan, I combine water, milk, vanilla, butter, salt, sugar, and a pinch of cinnamon. I bring it to a rolling boil, then reduce heat and stir in flour until it forms a thick ball that pulls away from the pan’s sides.
After cooling slightly, I transfer the dough to a bowl and beat in eggs one at a time with a hand mixer. This makes the dough silky, smooth, and ready to pipe.
I pipe the dough into a bag with a star tip and let it chill for 30 minutes in the fridge. This step makes the churros hold their shape during cooking.
While the dough chills, I preheat my air fryer to 380°F and spray the basket lightly with nonstick spray to prevent sticking.
I pipe 2.5-inch strips of dough directly into the air fryer basket, cutting them with scissors. I cook each batch for 8–10 minutes until golden brown and crisp.
I brush the warm churros with melted butter and roll them in the cinnamon-sugar mixture for that iconic flavor and texture. Repeat with remaining dough.
I melt chocolate chips with heavy cream over low heat until smooth and glossy. This makes a perfect dip for the churros.