Sweet Air Fryer Churro Bites Recipe
Introduction
These Sweet Air Fryer Churro Bites are crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and perfectly coated with cinnamon sugar. They’re a delightful treat that’s quick to make and much lighter than traditional fried churros. Perfect for a cozy dessert or an impressive snack to share.
Ingredients
- 1 cup plain flour
- 1 cup water
- 1/3 cup and 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla essence
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup white sugar
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon powder
Instructions
- Step 1: In a pan, combine the water, butter, salt, and 2 tablespoons sugar. Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat and gradually add the plain flour, stirring continuously until a smooth dough forms. Remove the pan from heat.
- Step 2: Transfer the dough to a large bowl and let it cool for 4–5 minutes. Add the vanilla essence and egg, then use an electric hand mixer to combine thoroughly until smooth.
- Step 3: Spoon the dough into a piping bag. Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Spray the air fryer basket with a neutral nonstick cooking spray. Pipe small bite-sized churros into the basket, being careful not to overcrowd. Alternatively, you can drop spoonfuls of dough into the basket.
- Step 4: Lightly brush melted butter on top of the churros. Cook them in the air fryer for 10–12 minutes or until golden brown. Depending on your air fryer size, cook in batches for even results.
- Step 5: Mix the white sugar and cinnamon powder in a shallow bowl. Once churros are cooked, toss them gently in the cinnamon sugar mixture. For better adhesion, you can brush them with melted butter or lightly spray with water or nonstick spray before coating.
- Step 6: Serve the churro bites warm with your favorite dips like chocolate syrup, honey, or Nutella. Enjoy!
Tips & Variations
- For extra crispiness, you can air fry the churro bites a minute or two longer, but watch carefully to avoid burning.
- Try adding a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom to the cinnamon sugar for a warm spice twist.
- If you don’t have a piping bag, use a resealable plastic bag with a corner snipped off.
- Serve with fruit jams or caramel sauce for different dipping options.
Storage
Store any leftover churro bites in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 day. Reheat briefly in the air fryer or oven to restore crispiness before serving. These are best enjoyed fresh for optimal texture.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I make the churro dough ahead of time?
The dough is best used fresh, but you can prepare it and store it covered in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Allow it to come to room temperature before piping and cooking.
Can I deep fry these instead of using an air fryer?
Yes, you can deep fry the dough in hot oil until golden brown. Just be sure to drain excess oil on paper towels and then coat with the cinnamon sugar mixture.
PrintSweet Air Fryer Churro Bites Recipe
These Sweet Air Fryer Churro Bites are a delightful twist on the classic treat, offering a crispy exterior with a soft, tender inside. Made with a simple dough base and air-fried to golden perfection, they’re lightly coated in cinnamon sugar for that perfect balance of sweetness and spice. Quick to prepare and healthier thanks to air frying, these bite-sized churros are a perfect snack or dessert to enjoy warm with your favorite dips like chocolate syrup or Nutella.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: About 20–25 bite-sized churro bites 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: Spanish
Ingredients
Dough Base
- 1 cup plain flour
- 1 cup water
- 1/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons sugar
Flavoring and Mix-ins
- 1 teaspoon vanilla essence
- 1 large egg
Cinnamon Sugar Coating
- 1 cup white sugar
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon powder
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough Base: In a pan, combine 1 cup water, 1/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, 1 teaspoon salt, and 2 tablespoons sugar. Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat and gradually add 1 cup plain flour, stirring continuously until the dough forms a smooth ball. Turn off the heat and remove the pan from the stove.
- Cool and Mix Dough: Transfer the dough to a large mixing bowl and let it cool for about 4-5 minutes. Once slightly cooled, add 1 teaspoon vanilla essence and 1 large egg. Use an electric hand mixer to thoroughly combine until the mixture is smooth.
- Pipe the Churros: Transfer the dough into a piping bag. Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C) and spray the basket with a neutral nonstick cooking spray like coconut oil spray. Pipe bite-sized churros into the basket without overcrowding. Alternatively, scoop dough by spoonfuls for a different shape.
- Cook the Churros: Lightly brush the churros with butter and air fry for 10-12 minutes until golden brown. Cook in batches if necessary to ensure even cooking.
- Coat with Cinnamon Sugar: Mix together 1 cup white sugar and 1 tablespoon cinnamon powder in a shallow bowl. Once churros are cooked, toss them gently in the cinnamon sugar mixture. To help the coating stick better, brush with melted butter, spray with water, or use nonstick spray before tossing.
- Serve and Enjoy: Serve the churro bites warm alongside your favorite dips such as chocolate syrup, honey, or Nutella for an irresistible treat.
Notes
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking and crispiness.
- Cooling the dough slightly before adding the egg prevents scrambling the egg in the hot dough.
- You can use a large star piping tip to create the classic churro ridges or simply spoon the dough for rustic bites.
- Store leftover churros in an airtight container and reheat crisply in the air fryer for best results.
- Adjust cinnamon sugar coating amounts to taste.
Keywords: Air Fryer Churros, Churro Bites, Easy Churros, Cinnamon Sugar Churros, Quick Dessert, Air Fried Dessert
