Air Fryer Churro Bites

This sweet and crispy churro recipe transforms your air fryer into a Spanish pastry shop. Bite-sized and perfectly coated with cinnamon sugar, these churros deliver authentic flavor without the mess or calories of deep frying.

I first made these churro bites during a rainy weekend when my kids were craving something sweet. The delighted looks on their faces when they bit into the warm cinnamon-coated treats made this an instant family favorite.

Ingredients

• All purpose flour creates the perfect structure for these churros
• Water helps create steam which makes the churros light and airy
• Unsalted butter adds richness and helps create that distinctive churro texture
• Salt balances the sweetness and enhances all flavors
• Sugar sweetens the dough just enough without making it overly sweet
• Vanilla essence adds depth and warmth to the flavor profile
• Egg binds everything together and creates structure
• White sugar for coating creates that classic sweet exterior
• Cinnamon powder adds that unmistakable warm spice flavor that defines churros

Step-by-Step Instructions

Create the Base Mixture

Combine water, butter, salt, and sugar in a pan and bring to a boil over high heat. This initial boiling ensures the butter melts completely and the sugar dissolves, creating a uniform liquid base for your dough.

Incorporate the Flour

Once boiling, reduce heat and gradually add flour while stirring continuously. Keep stirring until the dough forms a smooth ball that pulls away from the sides of the pan. This cooking process helps remove excess moisture and creates the right texture.

Cool and Add Egg

Transfer dough to a mixing bowl and allow it to cool for 4 to 5 minutes. This cooling step is crucial as adding egg to hot dough would cook it prematurely. Once cooled, add the egg and vanilla, then beat with an electric mixer until completely smooth and glossy.

Pipe and Prepare

Transfer the dough to a piping bag. Preheat your air fryer to 375°F and spray the basket with nonstick spray. Pipe small churro bites into the basket, leaving space between each for proper air circulation and even cooking.

Air Fry to Perfection

Brush the tops with a little butter and air fry for 10 to 12 minutes until golden brown. The butter helps achieve that beautiful color while the air fryer creates the crispy exterior without deep frying.

Coat with Cinnamon Sugar

Mix sugar and cinnamon in a shallow bowl. Transfer hot churros directly to the mixture and toss gently to coat completely. The residual heat helps the sugar mixture adhere better to the churros.

Bookmark

The vanilla essence in this recipe is my secret ingredient. While traditional Spanish churros often skip it, I find it adds a wonderful aroma that complements the cinnamon sugar coating beautifully. My grandmother always said the smell of vanilla and cinnamon together could make anyone smile.

Perfecting Your Churro Texture

The key to achieving that authentic churro texture lies in the cooking process of the dough. When you add the flour to the boiling liquid mixture, continue stirring vigorously until the dough forms a smooth ball that pulls away from the sides of the pan. This initial cooking dries out the dough slightly which creates the distinctive churro texture with a crisp exterior and tender interior once cooked in the air fryer.

Delicious Dipping Options

While these churro bites are delightful on their own, serving them with dips elevates them to dessert perfection. Try warm chocolate ganache made by heating equal parts heavy cream and chocolate chips until smooth. Dulce de leche offers a caramel note that pairs beautifully with the cinnamon. For a fruity option, warm strawberry jam thinned with a little orange juice creates a bright contrast to the warm spices.

Make Ahead and Storage Tips

These churro bites can be made ahead in several ways. The dough can be prepared and refrigerated in a sealed container for up to 24 hours before piping and air frying. Once cooked, store leftover churros in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. To refresh them, simply pop them in the air fryer for 2 minutes at 350°F. They will regain most of their crispness while staying tender inside.

Recipe FAQs

→ Can I make the churro dough ahead of time?

You can prepare the dough a few hours ahead and keep it in the piping bag at room temperature. However, for best results, it's recommended to cook the churros immediately after preparing the dough for optimal texture and rise.

→ Why do my churros deflate after cooking?

This usually happens if the dough is too wet or if the air fryer temperature is too low. Make sure your dough has cooled slightly before adding the egg, and verify your air fryer is properly preheated to 375°F (190°C).

→ Can I freeze cooked churro bites?

Yes, you can freeze cooked churro bites before adding the cinnamon sugar coating. Store them in an airtight container for up to 1 month. Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 3-4 minutes, then coat with cinnamon sugar.

→ What's the best way to get the cinnamon sugar to stick?

For the best coating adhesion, lightly spray the hot churros with cooking spray or brush with melted butter before tossing them in the cinnamon sugar mixture. The moisture helps the sugar mixture stick to the surface.

→ Can I add different flavors to these churro bites?

Absolutely! You can add different extracts to the dough like almond or orange instead of vanilla. You can also experiment with the coating by adding spices like cardamom or nutmeg to the cinnamon sugar, or even use flavored sugars.

→ How do I know when the churros are done cooking?

The churros are done when they've turned a golden brown color and appear crisp on the outside, typically after 10-12 minutes. If you're unsure, you can test one by breaking it open - the inside should be cooked through but still slightly soft.