Why I’ll Love This Recipe
I love how these churro bites deliver all the flavor of classic churros but with none of the hassle. They’re made with a simple choux-like dough, cooked in the air fryer for a perfectly flaky interior and crisp exterior. Dipped in cinnamon sugar, they’re everyone’s favorite treat in minutes.
ingredients
(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
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1 cup all-purpose flour
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1 cup water
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⅓ cup + 1 Tbsp unsalted butter
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2 Tbsp granulated sugar
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1 tsp salt
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1 tsp vanilla extract
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1 large egg
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For coating: 1 cup granulated sugar + 1 Tbsp cinnamon
directions
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In a saucepan over high heat, combine water, butter, salt, and sugar, bringing it to a boil.
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Reduce heat, add the flour gradually, and stir until a smooth dough forms. Remove from heat.
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Transfer dough to a bowl and let cool for about 4–5 minutes.
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Mix in the egg and vanilla extract with a hand mixer until the dough is smooth and glossy.
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Preheat the air fryer to 375 °F and spray the basket lightly with nonstick spray.
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Pipe or drop spoonfuls of dough into the basket, keeping space between each.
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Brush bites with a little melted butter and air-fry for 12–15 minutes, until golden and puffed.
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While still warm, toss the bites in the cinnamon-sugar mixture until evenly coated.
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Serve immediately, optionally with chocolate sauce, honey, or Nutella for dipping.
Servings and timing
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Makes about 6 servings
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Prep time: 10 minutes
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Cook time: 12–15 minutes (plus batches)
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Total time: approximately 25 minutes
Variations
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I swap the coating spices—using pumpkin pie spice or cardamom and sugar—to switch up the flavor.
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For extra indulgence, I dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with melted chocolate.
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When I want a creamier finish, I serve them with a side of sweetened condensed milk for dipping.
storage/reheating
I store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. To reheat, I pop them in the air fryer or oven for a few minutes—they crisp right back up. These also freeze well for up to 3 months; I let them thaw at room temperature and re-crisp before serving.
FAQs
Can I skip the piping bag?
Yes—you can drop spoonfuls of dough straight into the air fryer basket. It’s just a bit chunkier, but still delicious.
What if I don’t have an air fryer?
You can bake them at 400 °F for about 15 minutes—just watch for golden-brown edges.
Why brush with butter before cooking?
The butter helps the coating stick and encourages a crisp, golden finish.
Can I make the dough ahead?
I usually make it fresh, but you can refrigerate the dough for a few hours—just bring it back to room temperature before using.
Are these doughnut-like?
They’re lighter and flakier—more like mini, crispy cream puffs coated in cinnamon sugar, but satisfyingly churro-flavored.
Conclusion
These sweet air fryer churro bites are my go-to when I want a simple, dreamy dessert without frying. They’re flaky inside, crisp outside, and delightfully coated in cinnamon sugar. Whether I’m dipping them in chocolate or eating them straight, they hit the spot every time.
PrintSweet Air Fryer Churro Bites
Quick and crunchy churro-style bites made in the air fryer—golden, cinnamon-sugar coated perfection in every bite!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12–15 minutes (may require multiple batches)
- Total Time: ~25 minutes
- Yield: About 6 servings
- Category: Dessert • Snack • Air Fryer
- Method: Air Fryer • Stovetop prep (dough)
- Cuisine: Mexican-inspired / Fusion
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
For the dough:
1 cup water
⅓ cup + 1 Tbsp unsalted butter
2 Tbsp granulated sugar
1 tsp salt
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
For coating:
1 cup granulated sugar
1 Tbsp ground cinnamon
Optional: additional melted butter for brushing
Instructions
Boil Base: In a saucepan, combine water, butter, sugar, and salt. Bring to a boil over high heat.
Form Dough: Reduce heat, add flour all at once, and stir vigorously until a smooth ball forms.
Cool & Mix: Transfer dough to a bowl. Cool for 4–5 minutes. Beat in egg and vanilla with a hand mixer until glossy and smooth.
Air Fry: Preheat air fryer to 375 °F (190 °C). Spray basket with nonstick spray. Pipe or spoon small mounds into basket, leaving space. Brush with a bit of melted butter.
Cook: Air-fry for 12–15 minutes until puffed and golden.
Coat: While warm, toss in cinnamon-sugar mix until evenly coated.
Serve: Serve immediately with optional dips like chocolate sauce, Nutella, or sweetened condensed milk.
Notes
No piping bag? Spoonfuls work great too—just more rustic in shape.
Don’t overcrowd the air fryer; cook in batches for even crisping.
Add flavor variety by swapping cinnamon with pumpkin spice or cardamom.
These are best served warm but reheat beautifully in the air fryer or oven.
