Tradicija Nikole - povijest ne možemo promijeniti, ali je možemo doživjeti na moderniji način

Are you looking for a way to celebrate St. Nicholas Day (Mikuláš) this year without stress, while enjoying time together with your children? In this article, you will find not only the history and evolution of the tradition, but also a tip for a modern sweet treat – homemade churros from the Orava FR-111 air fryer.”

The tradition of St. Nicholas Day has been with us for hundreds of years. Although it is an old legend, we keep giving it increasingly modern forms. The characters of St. Nicholas, the Devil, and the Angel visit homes and squares to give children small sweets or a healthier St. Nicholas treat.

However – and more and more parents admit this – the childhood trauma of St. Nicholas, the Devil, and the Angel is not a myth. Many people remember the fear, crying, or shame. Today, the trend is clear:

St. Nicholas no longer has to be about fear, but about understanding
the holiday can be experienced educationally
a gift can also be an experience, not just a chocolate figure

That is why the form of the treat is also changing – less sugar, more quality, more originality, and shared experiences.

How the Tradition of St. Nicholas Day Arose

Saint Nicholas helped families with secret gifts – and this is the basis of the St. Nicholas treat.
Gifts in boots, nuts, fruit, or a small surprise – a symbol of goodness and generosity.

What do people put in the St. Nicholas package today?

The traditional St. Nicholas treat includes:

·    chocolate figures

·    mandarins, apples, oranges

·    nuts and dried fruits

·    advent calendars

·    small gifts or toys

However, modern parents are increasingly choosing other options – homemade treats or a jointly prepared delicacy that becomes part of the evening.

Churros – A Non-Traditional Reward and Treat for St. Nicholas Day

When you say St. Nicholas package, we usually think of store-bought sweets. But what if we do something different this year?
Churros as a non-traditional reward is an experience – unusual, modern, and yet easy to prepare. You can find the official description on Wikipedia here

Children can help with the dough, decorating, and choosing the topping.
Churros will become a sweet end to the evening, around which the family truly gathers.

And it tastes great even with a lighter preparation method.

Churros in a healthier version – thanks to the ORAVA FR-111 Compact Fryer

Not everyone wants to serve an extra layer of oil on St. Nicholas Day.
That's why recipes adapted for air fryers are popular. And this is where it shines:

Orava FR-111 Compact Fryer

·    minimal amount of fat

·    crispy churros without burnt oil

·    ideal for families

·    a great choice for regular homemade treats

Delicious.  Aromatic.  Lighter.

Its character fits exactly into the trend – a sweet reward, but more modern and healthier. Definitely Try the Orava FR-111 and discover that even sweet traditions can be healthier and full of well-being with many other recipes

Experiences of one of the mothers from ORAVA

“We tried churros from the Orava FR-111 and the children were thrilled – crispy yet light,” says Martina from Prague. Although there are a wide variety of traditional recipes, churros is truly something modern and delicious

Recipe: Churros – quick, simple, and homemade

Ingredients:

·    250 ml water

·    2 tablespoons sugar

·    2 tablespoons butter

·    a pinch of salt

·    200 g plain flour

·    1 egg

Instructions:

1. Bring water, butter, sugar, and salt to a boil.

2. Add the flour and stir until a firm mass is formed.

3. Let it cool slightly, then mix in the egg.

4. Place the dough into a piping bag with a star tip.

5. Either briefly deep-fry, or prepare in the Orava FR-111 – 180 °C – approx. 10–12 min.

The result?
Crispy, aromatic sticks – perfect for dipping.

Most common mistakes?

“Dough that is too runny loses its shape, low temperature in the fryer increases fat absorption, and an overcrowded basket prevents even cooking.” Practical tips increase the content value for users.

Toppings and Sauces for Churros – A Sweet Finale

Nutella topping for churros

·    Nutella + milk → briefly heat
A sweet classic delight.

Cinnamon and chocolate

·    Melted chocolate + butter

·    Cinnamon sugar for sprinkling
The scent of Christmas in a second.

Banana sauce

·    Banana + honey + lemon
Fruity, fresh, lighter.

Other sauces we recommend

·    salted caramel

·    coconut milk

·    peanut butter

·    date caramel

St. Nicholas Without Fear – A Taste Memory Instead of Trauma

Today we know that the childhood trauma of St. Nicholas, the Devil, and the Angel is not just an amusing anecdote.
The holiday can be an important moment when:

we teach children kindness
we safely explain the differences between good and naughtiness
we spend the evening together

And the joint preparation of churros as a non-traditional reward can be exactly what shifts the tradition elsewhere – closer to children, further away from fear.

“A child psychologist points out that scaring children with devils can cause anxiety. A much healthier approach is based on understanding and joint activity – such as baking or crafting.” Such an element reinforces the article's credibility.

St. Nicholas Day does not have to be about fear or an excess of sugar. When the scent of cinnamon joins children's laughter, a tradition is created that has real meaning – joy, understanding, and a shared experience

Conclusion – St. Nicholas Day can be a tradition and an opportunity for innovation

Traditions deserve respect, but they can grow with us.
This year, the St. Nicholas treat can be more than a package of sweets:

it can smell homemade
it can be lighter
it can be unique

And the ORAVA FR-111 – a compact fryer for modern and healthier treats not only for St. Nicholas Day – will help you with that.

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions about churros, dough preparation, and storage

How long do churros stay fresh?

They are best immediately after preparation, when they are crispiest.
 If you want to store them:

Storage Method	How long
room temperature	6–8 hours
refrigerator	until the next day
freezing	up to 2 months

Tip: Before serving, it is ideal to reheat them in the ORAVA FR-111 air fryer, which will restore their crispiness without extra fat.

Can churros dough be prepared in advance?

Yes, but with rules:

• The dough can be prepared up to 24 hours in advance and stored in the refrigerator.

• Keep it tightly sealed so it does not dry out.

• Before use, let it soften for 20 minutes so that it can be easily piped.



Professional tricks:

• You can also pipe it into shapes in advance, let it firm up in the refrigerator, and bake directly in the Orava fryer.

• For the freezer, prepare the sticks on a tray → freeze → then store in a bag.



Can I use a different flour than classic plain flour?

Yes, but the result will change:

Type of Flour	Result
plain wheat flour	classic taste
spelt	slightly nutty taste
gluten-free mix	works, but add an extra egg
whole grain	heavier, less airy