I found a way to get those golden, crispy churro bites without deep frying: air fryer! These treats are bite‑sized dough snaps, coated in cinnamon sugar, with less mess and with results that still feel indulgent.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I love this recipe because:
-
It’s quick and easy — churro bites come together in about 30‑45 minutes, perfect for a last‑minute dessert craving.
-
The ingredients are simple pantry staples — flour, butter, egg, sugar, vanilla, etc. I don’t need to make any special trip to the store.
-
It’s a healthier twist — using the air fryer instead of oil for deep frying means less oil, less mess, and less risk.
-
Portion control is built in — bite‑sized pieces mean I can share, or just eat a few without overindulging.
-
It’s fun to make, especially with kids — rolling in cinnamon sugar, piping the dough, etc. It turns baking into a hands‑on family activity.
Ingredients
(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
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
Directions
-
In a pan, I combine water, butter, salt, and sugar. I bring it to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, I reduce the heat and gradually add in the flour. I stir continuously until the dough comes together smoothly, then turn off the heat and remove it from the stove.
-
I transfer the dough into a mixing bowl and let it cool for about 4‑5 minutes. Once slightly cooled, I add in the egg and vanilla essence. I use an electric hand mixer to mix until smooth.
-
I transfer the churro dough into a piping bag. I preheat my air fryer to 375°F (190°C). I spray the air fryer basket with a nonstick cooking spray. Then I pipe bite‑sized churros into the basket, making sure not to overcrowd.
-
I lightly brush some butter on top of the churros, then cook in the air fryer for 10–12 minutes until golden brown. Depending on the air fryer size, I do batches to avoid overcrowding.
-
Meanwhile, I mix together sugar and cinnamon in a shallow bowl. Once the churro bites are cooked, I immediately transfer them to the sugar‑cinnamon mixture. I toss gently to coat evenly. If needed, I brush with melted butter (or spray lightly) before rolling to help the coating stick.
-
I serve them warm by themselves, or with my favorite dips like chocolate syrup, honey, or Nutella.
Servings and timing
-
Makes 4 servings
-
Prep time: about 12 minutes
-
Cook time: about 25 minutes
-
Total time: about 37 minutes
Variations
-
I sometimes swap vanilla essence for almond extract for a nutty note.
-
For a seasonal flavor, I’ve used pumpkin pie spice or added a pinch of nutmeg into the cinnamon coating.
-
If I want even less sugar, I reduce the sugar in the coating or use a sugar substitute (though texture or taste may change).
-
Instead of piping, dropping by spoonful makes more rustic bites.
-
I’ve also tried mixing in a flavor — like cinnamon‑maple or chocolate swirls, by adding cocoa powder or drizzling after cooking.
storage/reheating
I store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. They lose a bit of crispiness over time, but they’re still tasty. To refresh, I reheat them in the air fryer for 1‑2 minutes at about 350°F (175‑180°C), then roll quickly in the cinnamon‑sugar again while warm.
FAQs
What if my dough is too wet or too dry?
I learned that if the dough feels too wet it can spread and lose shape during cooking. If too dry, it becomes tough and hard to pipe. I aim for a smooth, pipeable dough that holds shape. If needed, I adjust by adding a little flour (if too wet) or a splash of water (if too dry).
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes — I’ve made the dough up to 24 hours in advance, storing it in the fridge. When ready to use, I let it come to room temperature for about 30 minutes, then pipe and cook. That helps with planning ahead.
Can I air fry without a piping bag?
I can. If I don’t have a piping bag, I drop spoonfuls of dough into the basket. The bites are less uniform but still delicious.
What dips go best with churro bites?
I enjoy chocolate sauce (melting chocolate chips with a bit of cream), dulce de leche, vanilla ice cream, or even cream cheese frosting. Warm dips contrast nicely with the warmth and crunch of the churro bites.
How do I keep them crispy?
I find avoiding overcrowding in the air fryer helps. Also, brushing or spraying lightly with oil or butter helps develop a crisp exterior. If leftovers get soggy, reheating in the air fryer for a minute or two restores crispness.
Conclusion
I’m always happy when I can enjoy a dessert that feels like a fair treat but is simpler to make and cleaner on the cleanup. These air fryer churro bites hit that balance perfectly: crispy, sweet, fun to make, and just indulgent enough. I’ll definitely be keeping this recipe in my regular rotation.
Print
Sweet Air Fryer Churro Bites
- Prep Time: 12 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 37 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: Spanish
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Golden, crispy churro bites made in the air fryer, coated in cinnamon sugar for a healthier, less messy twist on the traditional fair treat.
Ingredients
- 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
- 1 cup white sugar (for coating)
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon powder (for coating)
Instructions
- In a pan, combine water, butter, salt, and sugar. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat and gradually add in the flour, stirring continuously until smooth. Remove from heat.
- Transfer the dough into a mixing bowl and let cool for 4–5 minutes. Add the egg and vanilla essence. Mix until smooth using an electric hand mixer.
- Transfer dough to a piping bag. Preheat air fryer to 375°F (190°C) and spray the basket with nonstick spray. Pipe bite-sized churros into the basket without overcrowding.
- Brush the churros lightly with butter. Air fry for 10–12 minutes until golden brown, in batches if needed.
- Mix sugar and cinnamon in a shallow bowl. Once cooked, transfer churros into the sugar mixture and toss to coat. Brush with melted butter if needed to help coating stick.
- Serve warm as is or with dips like chocolate syrup, Nutella, or honey.
Notes
- You can prepare the dough up to 24 hours in advance and store in the fridge.
- If dough is too wet, add a little flour; if too dry, add a splash of water.
- Leftovers can be reheated in the air fryer at 350°F for 1–2 minutes.
- Try almond extract or pumpkin pie spice for flavor variation.
- Dipping options include chocolate sauce, dulce de leche, and cream cheese frosting.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 280mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 75mg