As the crisp air of fall rolls in and cozy evenings at home become more frequent, nothing pairs better with a warm drink than a sweet, golden treat. That’s where Crispy Air Fryer Churro Bites come in. Imagine the nostalgic taste of carnival churros, but made bite-sized, with a crunchy cinnamon-sugar coating and fluffy inside—without deep frying. These little delights are the perfect seasonal indulgence, easy enough for beginners, and guaranteed to be a family favorite.
Unlike traditional churros that require hot oil and a bit of mess, this recipe keeps things simple with the air fryer. You’ll get that same signature crunch and irresistible cinnamon-sugar finish, but with far less effort. Let’s dive into how to make them!
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Crispy Air Fryer Churro Bites
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Warm, bite-sized churros made easy in the air fryer. These Crispy Air Fryer Churro Bites are crunchy, golden, and rolled in irresistible cinnamon sugar—no deep frying needed.
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 tbsp granulated sugar
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup granulated sugar (for coating)
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon (for coating)
- Cooking spray or melted butter (to help the coating stick)
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, combine water, butter, sugar, and salt. Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat.
- Stir in the flour all at once and keep stirring until the mixture forms a smooth ball and pulls away from the sides of the pan.
- Transfer the dough to a mixing bowl and let it cool for 5 minutes.
- Beat in the egg and vanilla until smooth. The dough will look sticky at first but will come together.
- Scoop the dough into a piping bag fitted with a star tip.
- Pipe small bite-sized pieces (about 1 inch long) onto a parchment-lined tray.
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
- Lightly spray the churro bites with cooking spray.
- Air fry in batches for 8–10 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.
- Mix cinnamon and sugar in a shallow bowl.
- While still warm, toss the bites in a little melted butter or spray lightly with cooking spray, then roll in the cinnamon-sugar mixture until well coated.
Notes
Don’t skip the cooling step before adding the egg—too hot and the egg may scramble. Pipe evenly for consistent cooking, and avoid overcrowding the air fryer. Best enjoyed fresh and warm!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients for Crispy Air Fryer Churro Bites
You don’t need a long list of ingredients—just a few pantry staples to bring this cozy recipe to life.
- 1 cup water
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 tbsp granulated sugar
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup granulated sugar (for coating)
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon (for coating)
- Cooking spray or melted butter (to help the coating stick)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these steps, and you’ll have delicious Crispy Air Fryer Churro Bites in no time:
Step 1: Make the dough
- In a medium saucepan, combine water, butter, sugar, and salt. Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat.
- Stir in the flour all at once and keep stirring until the mixture forms a smooth ball and pulls away from the sides of the pan.
Step 2: Incorporate the egg
- Transfer the dough to a mixing bowl and let it cool for 5 minutes.
- Beat in the egg and vanilla until smooth. The dough will look sticky at first but will come together.
Step 3: Pipe the bites
- Scoop the dough into a piping bag fitted with a star tip.
- Pipe small bite-sized pieces (about 1 inch long) onto a parchment-lined tray.
Step 4: Air fry
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
- Lightly spray the churro bites with cooking spray.
- Air fry in batches for 8–10 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.
Step 5: Coat in cinnamon-sugar
- Mix cinnamon and sugar in a shallow bowl.
- While still warm, toss the bites in a little melted butter or spray lightly with cooking spray, then roll in the cinnamon-sugar mixture until well coated.
Tips for Success
- Don’t skip the cooling step before adding the egg. If the dough is too hot, the egg may scramble.
- Pipe evenly for consistent cooking. Smaller bites will crisp faster, while larger ones may need an extra minute or two.
- Work in batches. Overcrowding the air fryer basket can prevent the bites from getting crispy.
- Serve warm. These bites taste best fresh out of the air fryer with their crunchy coating still intact.
Possible Variations
The beauty of Crispy Air Fryer Churro Bites is how easily you can customize them. Here are a few fun twists to try:
- Gluten-Free Version: Swap the all-purpose flour for a good gluten-free flour blend. The results are still light and crispy.
- Chocolate Dipping Sauce: Melt chocolate chips with a splash of cream for a quick dip. Perfect for parties!
- Pumpkin Spice Twist: Replace some of the cinnamon with pumpkin pie spice for a fall-inspired flavor.
- Streusel Topping: Mix a little brown sugar and crushed graham crackers into the coating for extra crunch.
- Filled Bites: Pipe a small dollop of Nutella or cream cheese frosting into the center of cooled churro bites for a surprise inside.
Storage Recommendations
While these churro bites are best enjoyed fresh, you can still keep them on hand:
- Room Temperature: Store leftover bites in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Reheat in the air fryer for 2–3 minutes to restore crispiness.
- Freezer Option: Freeze uncoated churro bites after air frying. When ready to enjoy, reheat them in the air fryer, then toss in cinnamon-sugar.
- Avoid the fridge. Refrigerating can make the bites soggy instead of crispy.
Final Thoughts
These Crispy Air Fryer Churro Bites are the kind of recipe that makes your kitchen feel warm and inviting. They’re perfect for fall gatherings, family movie nights, or simply when you want a sweet pick-me-up without fussing over hot oil. Bite-sized, golden, and coated in cinnamon-sugar—they’re guaranteed to become a seasonal favorite in your home too.
So grab your air fryer, whip up a batch, and enjoy the cozy comfort of these homemade treats.