Craving the county fair’s sweet, crispy churros without the mess of deep frying? Air Fryer Churro Bites are your answer—a delightful batch of Cinnamon Sugar Churros that are golden, crunchy, and dusted with cinnamon sugar, all made effortlessly in an air fryer. These crispy churro bites are quick, use pantry staples, and deliver fairground nostalgia in every bite. Perfect for parties or a fun family snack, this air-fried churros recipe will become a favorite. Let’s make these Air Fryer Churro Bites and savor the sweet cinnamon treats!
Why You’ll Love Air Fryer Churro Bites
- Quick and Easy: These sweet cinnamon treats are ready in 30–45 minutes.
- No Deep Frying: Air fryer means less oil and mess for crispy churro bites.
- Kid-Friendly: Piping and coating are fun for little helpers.
- Perfect Portions: Bite-sized air-fried churros are great for sharing or snacking.
- Pantry Staples: Uses simple ingredients you likely already have.
Ingredients for Air Fryer Churro Bites
Here’s what you’ll need for these crispy churro bites (makes about 24 bites):
Dough:
- 1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (240ml) water
- ⅓ cup + 1 tbsp (85g) unsalted butter
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
Coating:
- 1 cup (200g) white sugar
- 1 tbsp cinnamon powder
Cooking:
- Neutral nonstick cooking spray (e.g., coconut oil spray)
- Melted butter (for brushing, optional)
Equipment
- Medium saucepan
- Mixing bowl
- Electric hand mixer
- Piping bag with star tip
- Air fryer
- Shallow bowl
Ingredient Tips
- Flour: Spoon and level all-purpose flour for this Air Fryer Churro Bites to avoid a dense dough.
- Butter: Unsalted butter is best; reduce salt by ¼ tsp if using salted for these air-fried churros.
- Vanilla: Swap vanilla extract for vanilla bean paste or almond extract for unique sweet cinnamon treats.
- Cinnamon Sugar: Use classic cinnamon-sugar for coating crispy churro bites; cocoa powder works for a twist.
- Egg: Essential for dough structure; don’t substitute in this air-fried churros recipe.
Directions for Air Fryer Churro Bites
Let’s make these Air Fryer Churro Bites—perfect sweet cinnamon treats!
Prepare the Dough Base
- In a medium saucepan, I combine 1 cup water, ⅓ cup + 1 tbsp butter, 1 tsp salt, and 2 tbsp sugar, bringing it to a boil over high heat.
- I reduce the heat, add 1 cup flour, and stir until a smooth dough forms. I remove from heat to cool for this crispy churro bites recipe.
Mix the Dough
- I transfer the dough to a mixing bowl and let it cool for 4–5 minutes. I add 1 egg and 1 tsp vanilla extract, using a hand mixer to blend until smooth, ensuring a pipeable dough for these air-fried churros.
Pipe the Churros
- I transfer the dough to a piping bag with a star tip. I preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C) and spray the basket with coconut oil spray.
- I pipe bite-sized churros (about 1–2 inches) into the basket, leaving space to avoid overcrowding for crispy churro bites.
Cook the Churros
- I lightly brush the churros with melted butter or spray with cooking spray, then air fry for 10–12 minutes until golden brown, working in batches if needed for these sweet cinnamon treats.
Coat with Cinnamon Sugar
- In a shallow bowl, I mix 1 cup sugar and 1 tbsp cinnamon. I toss the warm churros in the mixture, brushing with extra butter if needed to help it stick, for perfectly coated Air Fryer Churro Bites.
Nutrition
- Prep Time: 10–15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20–30 minutes (for all batches)
- Total Time: 30–45 minutes
- Servings: 24 bites (3–4 bites per serving)
- Calories: ~80–100 kcal per serving (3–4 bites)
- Macros per Serving: 13g carbs, 1g protein, 4g fat, 0g fiber
Variations for Air Fryer Churro Bites
Try these twists on these air-fried churros:
- Cocoa Coating: Swap cinnamon for cocoa powder in the sugar mix for chocolatey crispy churro bites.
- Pumpkin Spice: Use pumpkin pie spice for a fall-inspired sweet cinnamon treats, inspired by Layla Cooks’ Pumpkin Spice Matcha Latte.
- Mini Donuts: Shape dough into small rings for donut-style air-fried churros.
- Nutty Crunch: Sprinkle crushed pistachios over the coating, inspired by Layla Cooks’ No-Bake Pistachio Pudding.
- Dairy-Free: Use margarine instead of butter for dairy-free crispy churro bites.
Serving Ideas:
- Pair with Layla Cooks’ Mango Coconut Smoothie for a tropical contrast.
- Serve with Layla Cooks’ Spicy Honey Garlic Chicken for a sweet-savory spread.
- Enjoy with Layla Cooks’ Cake Costco Copy Cat for a festive dessert table.
Storage
I store leftover sweet cinnamon treats in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days; they may soften slightly. For make-ahead, I refrigerate the dough for up to 24 hours, letting it reach room temperature before piping. To refresh, I air fry leftovers at 350°F for 1–2 minutes and re-coat with cinnamon sugar for crispy churro bites.
Serving Tips
- Presentation: Serve these Air Fryer Churro Bites warm with a dusting of cinnamon sugar for stunning air-fried churros.
- Garnish: Pair with chocolate sauce, dulce de leche, or Nutella for dipping sweet cinnamon treats.
- Pairing: Enjoy with Mexican hot chocolate or Layla Cooks’ Pomegranate Margarita for a festive vibe.
- Portion Size: 3–4 bites per person for a satisfying snack.
- Occasions: Perfect for parties, after-school snacks, or family baking fun.
FAQs About Air Fryer Churro Bites
Here are answers to common questions about this dessert:
What flour is best?
All-purpose flour gives the perfect texture for these crispy churro bites; avoid whole wheat to prevent density.
Can I use salted butter?
Yes, reduce salt by ¼ tsp if using salted butter for these air-fried churros.
How do I avoid soggy churros?
Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket and use a light oil spray for crispy sweet cinnamon treats.
Can I make the dough ahead?
Yes, refrigerate dough for up to 24 hours; let it reach room temp before piping for this Air Fryer Churro Bites recipe.
What dips work best?
Chocolate sauce, dulce de leche, or cream cheese frosting pair perfectly with these air-fried churros.
More Delicious Appetizer Recipes You’ll Love
- Crispy Parmesan Asparagus Sticks
- Air Fryer Eggplant Asian Style
- Smoked Mexican Street Corn Dip
- Leftover Mashed Potato Cheese Puffs
Conclusion
Air Fryer Churro Bites are a quick, mess-free way to enjoy fairground-style sweets at home. These crispy churro bites are perfect for sharing or indulging solo. Whip up these sweet cinnamon treats, dip in chocolate, and savor the joy!
Air Fryer Churro Bites
Ingredients
For the Dough:
- 1 cup 125g all-purpose flour
- 1 cup 240ml water
- ⅓ cup + 1 tbsp 85g unsalted butter
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
For the Coating:
- 1 cup 200g white sugar
- 1 tbsp cinnamon powder
For Cooking:
- Neutral nonstick cooking spray e.g., coconut oil spray
- Melted butter for brushing, optional
Instructions
Prepare the Dough Base
- In a medium saucepan, I combine 1 cup water, ⅓ cup + 1 tbsp butter, 1 tsp salt, and 2 tbsp sugar, bringing it to a boil over high heat. I reduce the heat, add 1 cup flour, and stir until a smooth dough forms. I remove from heat to cool for this crispy churro bites recipe.
Mix the Dough
- I transfer the dough to a mixing bowl and let it cool for 4–5 minutes. I add 1 egg and 1 tsp vanilla extract, using a hand mixer to blend until smooth, ensuring a pipeable dough for these air-fried churros.
Pipe the Churros
- I transfer the dough to a piping bag with a star tip. I preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C) and spray the basket with coconut oil spray. I pipe bite-sized churros (about 1–2 inches) into the basket, leaving space to avoid overcrowding for crispy churro bites.
Cook the Churros
- I lightly brush the churros with melted butter or spray with cooking spray, then air fry for 10–12 minutes until golden brown, working in batches if needed for these sweet cinnamon treats.
Coat with Cinnamon Sugar
- In a shallow bowl, I mix 1 cup sugar and 1 tbsp cinnamon. I toss the warm churros in the mixture, brushing with extra butter if needed to help it stick, for perfectly coated Air Fryer Churro Bites.
Notes
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