If you adore the sweet and crunchy delight of churros but want to try something a little unexpected, you are going to fall head over heels for this Air Fryer Churro Pasta Chips Recipe. Imagine tender pasta transformed into golden, crispy chips coated in buttery cinnamon sugar, delivering that classic churro flavor with a fun, crunchy twist. It’s a snack that’s as playful as it is delicious, perfect for sharing (or indulging solo) any time you need a sweet treat with a satisfying crunch.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Air Fryer Churro Pasta Chips Recipe lies in its simplicity—just a handful of ingredients that come together to create incredible flavor and texture. Each element plays a key role, from the pasta’s shape and bite to the buttery cinnamon sugar coating that gives you that signature churro taste.
- 8 oz pasta (rotini or farfalle): Perfect shapes for holding onto that cinnamon sugar, these pasta varieties crisp up beautifully in the air fryer.
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter: Melted for a rich, buttery base that helps the sugar and cinnamon adhere perfectly.
- 1 tablespoon sugar: Adds the essential sweetness necessary for that classic churro charm.
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon: The warm spice that defines churros and brings that familiar comforting aroma.
How to Make Air Fryer Churro Pasta Chips Recipe
Step 1: Cook the Pasta
Start by cooking your pasta according to the package directions until it’s just al dente. This ensures the pasta stays tender on the inside while crisping up nicely in the air fryer. Once cooked, drain well and return the pasta to the pot—this is where the magic begins.
Step 2: Prepare the Cinnamon Sugar Butter
While the pasta is still warm, melt the unsalted butter and mix in the sugar and ground cinnamon until everything is beautifully combined. This luscious cinnamon sugar butter will coat each piece of pasta, making sure every bite bursts with that churro flavor.
Step 3: Coat the Pasta
Pour your cinnamon sugar mixture over the cooked pasta and toss gently but thoroughly. You want each piece to be evenly covered, ensuring a consistent golden crust and that irresistible cinnamon-sugar sweetness in every chip.
Step 4: Preheat the Air Fryer
Set your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) to get it nice and hot. A hot air fryer is crucial for crisping up the pasta evenly and quickly, locking in the flavors without drying them out.
Step 5: Arrange the Pasta in the Basket
Spread the coated pasta in a single layer inside the air fryer basket. Overcrowding will steam the pasta instead of crisping it, so be sure to give each chip plenty of room to air fry to golden perfection.
Step 6: Air Fry Until Crispy
Air fry the pasta chips for about 15 to 20 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through cooking to promote even browning. When the chips turn golden and crispy, you know they’re ready to come out.
Step 7: Cool and Enjoy
Let the churro pasta chips cool slightly before digging in. The brief cooling lets them set up so they’re perfectly crunchy but still delightfully tender inside.
How to Serve Air Fryer Churro Pasta Chips Recipe
Garnishes
Sprinkle a little extra cinnamon sugar over the chips just before serving for an added sparkle and sweetness. A dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of melted chocolate also complements these treats beautifully, adding an extra layer of indulgence.
Side Dishes
Pair your Air Fryer Churro Pasta Chips Recipe with a side of warm chocolate sauce, caramel drizzle, or even a whipped cream dip. These additions turn your snack into a dipping adventure and elevate it to dessert status at any gathering or cozy night in.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve your pasta chips in charming little bowls or rustic paper cones lined with parchment paper to mimic street food vibes. You might even sprinkle some toasted nuts or mini marshmallows on top for a playful and unique texture contrast that surprises and delights.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any leftovers (which is rare because these are so addictive), store them in an airtight container at room temperature to maintain their crispiness. Avoid refrigerating as moisture can soften your crunchy churro pasta chips.
Freezing
While freezing isn’t ideal for retaining the crisp texture of these chips, you can freeze the cooked plain pasta before coating it if you want to prep ahead. When ready, thaw and proceed with the cinnamon sugar coating and air frying.
Reheating
To bring back that fresh-from-the-air-fryer crunch, simply reheat the chips in your air fryer at 350°F for 3 to 5 minutes. This quick refresh will revive their golden crispness beautifully without drying them out.
FAQs
Can I use other types of pasta for this recipe?
Absolutely! Just choose smaller shapes that have nooks or curves like rotini or bowties to hold onto the cinnamon sugar coating and crisp up well in the air fryer.
Is the Air Fryer Churro Pasta Chips Recipe gluten-free?
Traditional pasta contains gluten, but you can easily substitute gluten-free pasta to make this recipe suitable for gluten-sensitive diets without sacrificing the delicious crispiness.
How crunchy do the pasta chips get?
They get wonderfully crispy on the outside while maintaining a slight chew inside, giving you that satisfying contrast that makes every bite fun and delicious.
Can I double the recipe for larger batches?
Yes! Just cook and coat the pasta in batches to avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket, ensuring each chip crisps up perfectly.
What other flavors could I try with this technique?
Try swapping cinnamon sugar for savory seasonings like garlic parmesan or spicy chili powder to make unique snack variations using the same air frying method.
Final Thoughts
This Air Fryer Churro Pasta Chips Recipe is the perfect sweet snack for anyone looking to surprise their taste buds with something fun and easy to make. It turns simple pantry staples into an unforgettable crunchy treat that’s perfect for sharing or enjoying solo. I can’t wait for you to try it and see how this playful twist on churros quickly becomes your new go-to indulgence.
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Air Fryer Churro Pasta Chips Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Snack
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
Description
Delight in this unique and crispy Air Fryer Churro Pasta Chips recipe that transforms ordinary cooked pasta into a sweet, cinnamon-sugar coated snack. These golden bites are perfect for a quick treat made with simple ingredients and air-fried to crunchy perfection.
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 8 oz (about 2 cups) pasta (such as rotini or farfalle)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and return the pasta to the pot to prepare for coating.
- Prepare cinnamon-sugar coating: Melt the unsalted butter in a small pan or microwave, then stir in the sugar and ground cinnamon until thoroughly combined.
- Coat the pasta: Pour the cinnamon-sugar butter mixture over the cooked pasta in the pot and toss gently to ensure all pieces are evenly coated.
- Preheat the air fryer: Set your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and allow it to preheat for a few minutes to ensure even cooking.
- Arrange pasta in air fryer: Spread the coated pasta in a single layer inside the air fryer basket, avoiding overcrowding to promote crispiness.
- Air fry pasta chips: Cook the pasta chips for 15 to 20 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through the cooking time to ensure even browning and crisping.
- Cool and serve: Remove the pasta chips from the air fryer and let them cool slightly on a plate before serving to allow them to crisp up further.
Notes
- Use pasta shapes like rotini or farfalle that hold coating well and crisp nicely.
- Make sure the pasta is well drained to prevent sogginess during air frying.
- Shaking the air fryer basket halfway through cooking is essential for even crispness.
- Serve these churro pasta chips as a sweet snack or dessert alternative.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container to maintain crispiness, but best enjoyed fresh.
