Air Fryer Pumpkin Churros (Easy No-Fry Fall Treat!)

Move over, pumpkin spice latte — these Air Fryer Pumpkin Churros are the cozy fall treat you didn’t know you needed, crisp on the outside, soft in the middle, and rolled in warm cinnamon sugar. Best of all, there’s no messy deep frying, so you can have a batch of golden churros on the table in under an hour.

Air Fryer Pumpkin Churros take the classic Spanish treat and give it a cozy autumn makeover — all without a vat of hot oil. If you have already worked your way through pumpkin spice lattes, pumpkin pie cookies, and pumpkin brownies, here is a fresh way to use that can of pumpkin: warm, fluffy churros piped straight into your air fryer and tossed in cinnamon sugar while they are still hot.

These are light and crisp on the outside, tender in the middle, and faintly spiced with cinnamon, clove, and ginger. They make a perfect afternoon snack, an easy holiday dessert, or a fun project to make with the kids. Serve them with the optional cream cheese frosting dip and they disappear fast.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• No deep frying. The air fryer gives you that signature crisp churro shell with a fraction of the oil and none of the mess.
• Real pumpkin flavor. Canned pumpkin puree keeps the dough moist and gives these churros a true seasonal taste.
• Quick and beginner-friendly. The dough comes together in one saucepan, and you do not need any special equipment beyond a piping or zip-top bag.
• Crowd-pleasing. One batch makes about 25 churros — ideal for parties, bake sales, and fall gatherings.

If you love fall desserts, you may also want to try my Air Fryer Mug Pumpkin Coffee Cake, Air Fryer Pumpkin Rolls, and Air Fryer Pumpkin Pie.

Easy Pumpkin Churro Recipe

This easy pumpkin churro recipe brings a seasonal twist to a classic treat. Made with simple pantry ingredients like canned pumpkin, cinnamon, and sugar, the churros are quick to whip up and perfect for fall.

The dough takes just a few minutes of mixing and stirring on the stovetop. Once it is piped into churro shapes and air-fried, the churros come out golden and crisp outside with a soft, flavorful center. After a quick roll in cinnamon sugar, they are ready to enjoy. They make a delightful snack or dessert for any occasion, especially paired with a warm cup of cider or hot chocolate.

With minimal prep time and a short ingredient list, this is a convenient and delicious way to celebrate autumn flavors.

Ingredients Needed For Air Fryer Pumpkin Churros

For the churros:

• Water: Hydrates the dough and helps it come together with the right consistency.
• Butter: Adds richness and flavor to the dough.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor.
• All-purpose flour: Forms the base of the dough for a light, crispy texture.
• Pumpkin puree: Adds moisture and that signature pumpkin flavor. Use 100% pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling.
• Egg: Binds the dough and gives the churros their structure.
• Granulated sugar: Sweetens the cinnamon-sugar coating.
• Ground cinnamon: The warm, classic churro spice for the coating and dough.
• Clove: A subtle, aromatic spice that complements the pumpkin.
• Ginger: Adds a hint of warmth and spice.

For the optional frosting dip:

• Butter (room temperature): The creamy base of the dip.
• Shortening: Helps create a smooth, stable texture.
• Cream cheese: Adds tangy richness.
• Vanilla extract: Rounds out the flavor.
• Powdered sugar: Sweetens and thickens the dip.

How To Make Air Fryer Pumpkin Churros

Step One: In a saucepan, bring the water, butter, pumpkin, and salt to a boil, mixing to combine. Turn off the heat and stir in the flour until the dough is very thick.

Step Two: Working quickly, add the egg and mix vigorously to combine. Moving fast keeps the egg from scrambling against the hot dough. This step can be a little tricky — if you do not mix fast enough, the churros can taste eggy. A sturdy whisk works best. The egg and pumpkin mixture may seem like they do not want to come together at first, but keep going and the dough will smooth out.

Step Three: Scoop the batter into a pastry bag fitted with a large star or round tip. No pastry bag? Use a zip-top bag and snip off one bottom corner. Preheat the air fryer for 5 to 10 minutes at 375°F. Lightly spray the basket with oil (or line it with parchment), then pipe the batter into any size or shape you like.

Air fry for about 15 to 20 minutes. Cooking time can vary with the size and shape of your churros, so watch the first batch closely to make sure they cook through without overcooking.

Step Four: While the churros cook, stir together the granulated sugar and spices in a bowl or on a plate. As soon as the churros come out and are still hot, toss them in the cinnamon-sugar mixture until well coated. Set aside to cool slightly. They are best served immediately but can be stored in an airtight container.

Optional — Make the dip: Whip the softened butter, softened cream cheese, and shortening until combined. Add 1 cup of powdered sugar and mix slowly until combined, scraping the bowl as needed. Continue adding powdered sugar to taste, then mix in the vanilla and whip on medium-high for about 5 minutes. Transfer to a piping bag (or a zip-top bag with a corner cut) and set aside.

Air Fryer Pumpkin Churros Recipe Tips

• These are best eaten warm.
• The most important moment is when you add the egg — mix the batter really well the instant it goes in.
• For the smoothest dough, use a hand mixer or stand mixer.
• Coat the churros the second they leave the air fryer so the cinnamon sugar sticks. If it is not sticking, brush on a little melted butter first.

How To Serve Air Fryer Pumpkin Churros

These churros are best served warm, right after their cinnamon-sugar bath, but they’re endlessly easy to dress up. Here are some of my favorite ways to serve them:

• With the cream cheese frosting dip. The tangy, sweet dip in the recipe is the perfect partner — set out a little bowl for dunking and watch them disappear.
• Drizzled with chocolate or caramel. A quick drizzle of melted chocolate, dulce de leche, or salted caramel turns a simple snack into a showstopping dessert.
• Alongside a warm drink. Pair them with hot apple cider, hot chocolate, or a pumpkin spice latte for the coziest fall afternoon.
• With a scoop of ice cream. Vanilla bean or cinnamon ice cream next to a few warm churros makes an easy à la mode dessert.
• As part of a fall dessert board. Pile them onto a platter with sliced apples, caramel dip, and a handful of candy corn or pecans for a festive Thanksgiving or Halloween spread.
• Dusted with extra spice. For grown-up flavor, mix a pinch of nutmeg or pumpkin pie spice into the cinnamon sugar before tossing.

However you serve them, eat them while they’re warm — that’s when the crisp shell and tender center are at their absolute best.

How To Store Air Fryer Pumpkin Churros

Churros are always best the day they’re made, while the shell is still crisp and the centers are soft — but if you have leftovers, here’s how to keep them:

• Room temperature: Store cooled churros in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Keep in mind they’ll soften as they sit.
• Refrigerator: For longer storage, refrigerate them in an airtight container for up to a week.
• Freezer (cooked): Freeze cooled churros in a single layer until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 2 months.
• Freezer (uncooked): You can also freeze the piped, uncooked churros. Arrange them on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then move them to a freezer bag and cook straight from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the time.

How To Reheat

To bring back that fresh-fried crispness, skip the microwave (it makes them soft). Instead, reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 3 to 4 minutes, until warmed through and crisp again. If they’ve lost some of their coating, brush on a little melted butter and re-roll in cinnamon sugar before serving.

Air Fryer Pumpkin Churros Recipe FAQs

Can I use canned pumpkin for this recipe? Yes. Canned pumpkin works perfectly — just make sure it is 100% pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling.

How do I store leftover churros? Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to a week.

Can I freeze the churros before cooking? Yes. Arrange uncooked piped churros on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. Cook from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the time.

How do I reheat leftover churros? Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 3 to 4 minutes, until crisp and warmed through.

Can I make these churros without pumpkin? Yes. Omit the pumpkin puree for traditional churros and adjust the spices to taste.

Are air fryer churros healthier than deep-fried churros? They use far less oil than the deep-fried version, so they are generally lighter, though they are still a sweet treat best enjoyed in moderation.

How do I prevent the churros from sticking to the basket? Lightly spray the basket with cooking spray, or line it with parchment, before piping.

What can I use instead of shortening? Butter or a plant-based alternative both work if you would rather skip shortening.

Can I adjust the spice levels? Absolutely. Adjust the cinnamon, clove, and ginger to suit your taste.

How do I make the churros extra crispy? Lightly spray the piped churros with cooking spray before air frying.

Can I use a different type of flour? All-purpose flour is recommended. You can try whole wheat for a different texture, but it will alter the flavor and consistency.

More Easy Air Fryer Pumpkin Recipes

• Air Fryer, The Best Pumpkin Cornbread
• Air Fryer Copycat Starbucks Pumpkin Pound Cake Bread
• Air Fryer Mini Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread
• Air Fryer Homemade Pumpkin Scones With Maple Glaze
• Air Fryer Pumpkin Pie

Don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave a comment below — and tag @forktospoon when you make them!