An embodiment of a torch igniter for a combustor of a gas turbine engine includes a combustion chamber oriented about an axis, a cap defining the axially upstream end of the combustion chamber and situated on the axis, a tip defining the axially downstream end of the combustion chamber, an igniter wall extending from the cap to the tip and defining a radial extent of the combustion chamber, a structural wall coaxial with and surrounding the igniter wall, an outlet passage defined by the igniter wall within the tip, wherein the outlet passage fluidly connects the combustion chamber to the combustor of the gas turbine engine, and a cooling system. The cooling system has an air inlet, a cooling channel, and an aperture. The cooling channel forms a flow path having a first axial section, a second axial section, a radially inward section, and a radially outward section.