I’m sharing a quick and delightful recipe for bite-sized churros made without frying—crispy on the outside, soft inside, and rolled in cinnamon sugar. Perfect for snacking or dessert and ready in under an hour.
Why I’ll Love This Recipe
I love how this recipe uses basic ingredients to create a treat that tastes rich and indulgent without deep frying. Air frying keeps it less messy and still gives those golden churro edges I crave. Plus, it’s easy to make in batches and enjoy fresh, warm, or later as leftovers.
ingredients
(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
• Plain (all-purpose) flour
• Water
• Unsalted butter
• Granulated sugar
• Salt
• Vanilla extract
• One large egg
• White sugar and ground cinnamon (for coating)
directions
- I bring water, butter, sugar, and salt to a rolling boil in a saucepan.
- I stir in the flour all at once and mix until the dough pulls away from the pan forming a smooth ball.
- I transfer the dough to a bowl and let it cool for 4–5 minutes. Then I beat in the egg and vanilla until smooth and pipeable
- I fill a piping bag with a star nozzle and pipe bite-sized 1–2-inch strips directly into the greased air fryer basket (or drop by spoonful if I don’t use a bag)
- I preheat the air fryer to 375 °F (190 °C) and cook the churro bites for about 12–15 minutes until golden brown and crisp, working in batches without overcrowding
- While still warm, I either brush them lightly with melted butter or cooking spray and immediately toss them in a mix of sugar and cinnamon so the coating sticks
- I serve these warm with optional chocolate syrup, honey, Nutella, or caramel
Servings and timing
This recipe yields approximately 4 servings (about 30 bites).
Prep time: ~10 minutes; cook time: ~12–15 minutes per batch; total time: around 30–40 minutes, depending on batch size.
Variations
I’ve played with a few tweaks:
• Swapping sugar‑cinnamon for cocoa-sugar, pumpkin spice sugar, or adding orange or cardamom zest in the coating.
• Using different dipping sauces—chocolate ganache, dulce de leche, caramel, or whipped cream.
• Freezing piped dough (or baked bites) for later use. Some sources recommend freezing before cooking to help hold shape, while others freeze cooked bites for convenience.
storage/reheating
I store leftover churro bites in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days; they stay crispiest that way.
To reheat and restore crunch: I air‑fry them at 350 °F (175 °C) for 1–2 minutes, or for a few minutes in a preheated oven or regular air fryer until warmed and crisp. Sometimes I toss again in cinnamon sugar after reheating to refresh flavor.
FAQs
Can I use the dough without piping and just drop by spoonful?
Yes. I sometimes skip piping and drop spoonfuls directly into the fryer basket, which works well and saves time.
Should I freeze the dough before air frying?
Some versions recommend freezing piped dough for 30 minutes before cooking to help maintain shape and texture, but it’s optional—my method doesn’t always require it.
Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes—I can pipe the dough in advance, chill in the refrigerator for a day, then cook when ready. Baked bites can also be stored and reheated later.
What’s the best way to reheat to preserve crispness?
Air‑frying for 1–3 minutes at around 350–360 °F works best. Preheating the fryer helps regain that crunch without overcooking.
Can I freeze leftovers?
Yes—baked bites can be frozen for up to 2–3 months. I flash-freeze them first, then transfer to bags. Thaw at room temperature before reheating.
Conclusion
I find these Sweet Air Fryer Churro Bites to be a fun and fuss-free way to enjoy churros without deep frying. They’re crispy, sweet, and comforting—with minimal cleanup and fast results. Whether I make them for a cozy treat or quick party dessert, they always hit the spot.
Print
Sweet Air Fryer Churro Bites
- Total Time: ~25 minutes
- Yield: ~24 bites
Description
Crispy, cinnamon‑sugar coated churro‑style bites made quickly in your air fryer—light, warm, and perfect for dipping or snacking.
Ingredients
se flour
1 cup water
1/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
2 tablespoons granulated sugar (for dough)
1 teaspoon salt
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup granulated sugar (for coating)
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
In a saucepan, bring water, butter, salt, and 2 tablespoons sugar to a boil.
Remove from heat and stir in the flour until a smooth dough forms. Let it cool 4–5 minutes.
Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) or 350°F (175°C) depending on the model. Lightly spray the basket with cooking oil.
Transfer dough to a piping bag and pipe bite‑sized rounds (or drop by spoonful) into the basket, spacing evenly.
Brush or spray bites lightly with melted butter or oil for better coating adhesion.
Air fry for 12–15 minutes, or until golden brown and puffed.
Immediately toss warm bites in the cinnamon‑sugar mixture to coat evenly.
Serve warm plain or with chocolate sauce, caramel, honey, or a cream‑cheese dipping sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12–15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
