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. Sweet Air Fryer Churro Bites

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

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

  6. 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.

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Sweet Air Fryer Churro Bites

Sweet Air Fryer Churro Bites

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  • Author: Lidia
  • 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

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. Brush the churros lightly with butter. Air fry for 10–12 minutes until golden brown, in batches if needed.
  5. 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.
  6. 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

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