These crispy, sweet churro bites are the perfect indulgence—warm, cinnamon-sugar-coated delights that melt in your mouth. Whether you’re dipping them in chocolate sauce, dulce de leche, or vanilla ice cream, these bite-sized churros are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth. Made in the air fryer for a quick and easy treat, they’re ideal for a fun dessert or a snack to share with friends and family.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Who can resist churros? These churro bites are a fun twist on the classic churro, offering all the crispy, cinnamon-sugar goodness in a bite-sized form. The dough is easy to make, and cooking them in an air fryer results in a crispy exterior without the need for deep frying. Plus, they’re incredibly versatile and can be paired with a variety of delicious dipping sauces, making them a perfect treat for any occasion. Whether it’s a cozy night in or a party dessert, these churro bites will be a hit!
Ingredients
For the Dough:
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1 cup plain flour
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1 cup water
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1/3 cup + 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
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1 teaspoon salt
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2 tablespoons sugar
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1 teaspoon vanilla essence
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1 large egg
For the Coating:
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1 cup white sugar
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1 tablespoon cinnamon powder
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Directions
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Prepare the Dough Base: In a pan, combine 1 cup water, 1/3 cup + 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, salt, and sugar. Bring to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat and gradually add in the flour, stirring continuously until the dough comes together smoothly. Turn off the heat and remove the pan from the stove.
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Cool and Mix the Dough: Transfer the dough into a large mixing bowl and let it cool for about 4-5 minutes. Once slightly cooled, add in the egg and vanilla essence. Use an electric hand mixer to thoroughly combine the ingredients until smooth.
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Pipe the Churros: Transfer the churro dough into a piping bag. Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Spray the air fryer basket with a neutral nonstick cooking spray. Carefully pipe bite-sized churros into the basket, making sure not to overcrowd them. Alternatively, you can drop the dough by the spoonful into the basket.
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Cook the Churros: Lightly brush the churros with some butter and air fry them for 10-12 minutes until they turn golden brown. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook them in batches to ensure even cooking.
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Coat with Cinnamon Sugar: In a shallow bowl, mix together the sugar and cinnamon powder. Once the churros are cooked, transfer them directly into the cinnamon-sugar mixture and toss gently to coat. If needed, brush the churros with melted butter or spray them with water/nonstick cooking spray to help the cinnamon-sugar adhere better.
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Serve and Enjoy: Serve your churros warm with your choice of dipping sauces like chocolate syrup, honey, or Nutella. Enjoy these sweet, crispy bites!
Servings and Timing
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Servings: 3 servings (approx.)
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Prep Time: 10-15 minutes
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Cooking Time: 20-30 minutes
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Total Time: 30-45 minutes
Variations
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Different Coatings: Instead of cinnamon sugar, you can coat the churro bites with powdered sugar, a drizzle of chocolate syrup, or even a dusting of cocoa powder for a different flavor.
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Flavored Dough: Add a bit of orange zest or lemon zest to the dough for a citrus twist, or stir in some cocoa powder for chocolate churros.
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Dipping Sauces: Serve your churro bites with a variety of dipping sauces like chocolate ganache, dulce de leche, or even whipped cream for extra indulgence.
Storage/Reheating
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Storage: Store leftover churro bites in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. They’re best eaten fresh, but can still be enjoyed the next day.
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Reheating: To reheat, place the churro bites in the air fryer at 350°F for 3-5 minutes, or until they’re warm and crispy again.
FAQs
1. Can I make churro bites without an air fryer?
Yes, you can deep-fry the churro bites in vegetable or canola oil if you don’t have an air fryer. Heat the oil to 350°F and fry the churros in batches for about 2-3 minutes until golden and crispy.
2. Can I make the dough in advance?
Yes, you can make the dough in advance. Let it cool and store it in the fridge for up to 2 days before piping and cooking the churros.
3. Can I use a different type of flour?
Plain (all-purpose) flour works best for this recipe, but you can try using gluten-free flour if needed. The texture may vary slightly, but it should still work well.
4. How can I make the churro bites sweeter?
You can add more sugar to the cinnamon-sugar coating for extra sweetness or drizzle some caramel sauce or chocolate syrup over the churros before serving.
5. Can I freeze churro bites?
Yes, you can freeze uncooked churro dough. Just pipe the dough into bite-sized portions, freeze them on a baking sheet, and then store them in a zip-top bag. When ready to cook, air fry them directly from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
6. Can I make larger churros instead of bites?
Yes, you can pipe longer churros instead of bite-sized pieces. Just be sure to adjust the cooking time, as they may take a little longer to cook through.
7. Can I use a store-bought dough for churro bites?
While homemade dough gives the best results, you can use store-bought churro dough if you’re short on time. Just pipe and cook as directed.
8. How do I get the churros crispy without deep frying?
The air fryer is a great tool for achieving crispy churros without deep frying, as it circulates hot air for even cooking. Make sure to spray or brush the churros with a little butter for an extra crispy finish.
9. How do I prevent the cinnamon sugar from falling off the churros?
Brushing the churros with melted butter or spraying them with nonstick cooking spray before coating them in cinnamon sugar will help the sugar stick better.
10. Can I make churro bites without egg?
Yes, you can substitute the egg with a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed + 3 tablespoons water, let sit for 5 minutes) or another egg replacer.
Conclusion
These churro bites are a crispy, sweet treat that’s perfect for satisfying your dessert cravings. With just the right amount of cinnamon sugar, a warm, crispy exterior, and a soft inside, they are the ultimate indulgence. Whether you’re serving them at a party, a movie night, or as a snack, these churro bites are guaranteed to be a hit!
Print
Churro Bites
- Total Time: 30-45 minutes
- Yield: 3 servings (approx.)
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Churro Bites are crispy, cinnamon-sugar-coated delights that are perfect for dipping in chocolate sauce, dulce de leche, or vanilla ice cream. Warm and indulgent, they’re a treat for any occasion!
Ingredients
- For the Dough:
- 1 cup plain flour
- 1 cup water
- 1/3 cup + 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla essence
- 1 large egg
- For the Coating:
- 1 cup white sugar
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon powder
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough Base: In a pan, combine 1 cup water, 1/3 cup + 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, salt, and sugar. Bring to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat and gradually add in the flour, stirring continuously until the dough comes together smoothly. Turn off the heat and remove the pan from the stove.
- Cool and Mix the Dough: Transfer the dough into a large mixing bowl and let it cool for about 4-5 minutes. Once slightly cooled, add in the egg and vanilla essence. Use an electric hand mixer to thoroughly combine the ingredients until smooth.
- Pipe the Churros: Transfer the churro dough into a piping bag. Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Spray the air fryer basket with a neutral nonstick cooking spray. Carefully pipe bite-sized churros into the basket, making sure not to overcrowd them. Alternatively, you can drop the dough by the spoonful into the basket.
- Cook the Churros: Lightly brush the churros with some butter and air fry them for 10-12 minutes until they turn golden brown. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook them in batches to ensure even cooking.
- Coat with Cinnamon Sugar: In a shallow bowl, mix together the sugar and cinnamon powder. Once the churros are cooked, transfer them directly into the cinnamon-sugar mixture and toss gently to coat. If needed, brush the churros with melted butter or spray them with water/nonstick cooking spray to help the cinnamon-sugar adhere better.
- Serve and Enjoy: Serve your churros warm with your choice of dipping sauces like chocolate syrup, honey, or Nutella. Enjoy these sweet, crispy bites!
Notes
- Make sure not to overcrowd the churros in the air fryer for even cooking.
- For extra crispiness, you can give them a light spray of nonstick cooking spray just before air frying.
- Prep Time: 10-15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: Spanish
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 2000-2200 kcal for the whole recipe