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- 1 cup all-purpose flour - 1/2 cup water - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter - 1 tablespoon sugar - 1/4 teaspoon salt - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract - 1/2 teaspoon baking powder - Cooking spray - 1/4 cup sugar (for coating) - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon You need a few tools for this recipe. First, grab a medium saucepan. You will also need a mixing spoon. A piping bag with a large star tip is a must. Have some parchment paper or a silicone mat ready for the churro bites. Lastly, get your air fryer prepped and plugged in. If you need a substitute for butter, use coconut oil. You can swap out all-purpose flour for gluten-free flour if needed. For those who cannot have eggs, this recipe is egg-free. Always check for allergens in your ingredients to keep everyone safe. {{ingredient_image_1}} To make the dough, start by heating a medium saucepan. Add 1/2 cup of water, 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter, 1 tablespoon of sugar, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Bring this mixture to a boil over medium heat. Once it boils, add 1 cup of all-purpose flour and 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder all at once. Stir vigorously until a dough forms. It should pull away from the sides of the pan. After that, remove it from the heat and mix in 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Let the dough cool for a few minutes before piping. Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). While the air fryer heats up, transfer the cooled dough into a piping bag with a large star tip. Cut 2x2-inch squares of parchment paper, or use a silicone mat. Pipe the dough into bite-sized pieces, about 1 inch long, onto the parchment squares or mat. Lightly spray the churro bites with cooking spray to help them crisp. Place them, parchment-side down, in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Avoid overcrowding the basket. Air fry for 8-10 minutes until golden brown and crisp. While the churro bites cook, mix 1/4 cup of sugar with 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon in a shallow bowl. Once your churro bites are done, take them out of the air fryer. Toss them immediately in the cinnamon sugar mixture for a sweet coating. Serve them warm in a basket, lined with parchment paper. You can add a small cup of chocolate sauce or caramel for dipping on the side. Enjoy your delightful churro bites! To get that perfect churro bite, focus on the dough. When you boil the water, butter, sugar, and salt, make sure it bubbles well. Adding flour and baking powder all at once is key. Stir quickly until the dough pulls away from the pan. This ensures a firm yet soft texture. After mixing in vanilla, let the dough cool slightly before piping. This helps it hold its shape better. When air frying, keep an eye on them. They should turn golden and crisp in about 8-10 minutes. For extra flavor, think about adding spices. A pinch of nutmeg can give a warm kick. You can also mix a bit of orange zest into the dough for a fresh twist. If you love chocolate, dip your churro bites in melted chocolate after frying. You can even sprinkle some sea salt on top for a sweet-salty combo. Each option makes your churro bites even more special. One common mistake is overcrowding the air fryer. Make sure to space your churro bites out. This allows hot air to circulate and cook them evenly. Another mistake is not spraying enough cooking spray. A light coating helps them crisp up nicely. Lastly, avoid skipping the cinnamon sugar coating. It gives the churro bites that classic flavor, so don't skip it! Pro Tips Perfect Piping: Ensure that your piping bag is fitted with a large star tip for that classic churro shape. This will help create the right texture and appearance. Cooling Time: Let the dough cool slightly before piping. If it's too hot, it may be difficult to pipe and could result in uneven shapes. Do Not Overcrowd: When placing churro bites in the air fryer, make sure to leave space between them. This allows for proper air circulation, ensuring they cook evenly and become crispy. Fresh Cinnamon Sugar: Mix your sugar and cinnamon just before tossing the churro bites to keep the flavors vibrant and fresh. This will enhance the taste of each bite. {{image_2}} You can easily add chocolate to your churro bites. Just melt some chocolate chips. After you coat the churro bites in cinnamon sugar, dip them in the melted chocolate. Let them cool for a minute. This adds a sweet twist to your dessert. Kids love chocolate, and it makes churros even more fun! For a tropical flair, try a coconut coating. Mix 1/4 cup of shredded coconut with the cinnamon sugar. After frying the churro bites, roll them in this mixture. The coconut gives a nice crunch and flavor. It pairs well with the warm churro dough. This variation is great if you want something different! You can make your churro bites even more exciting by adding fillings. Try using a piping bag filled with chocolate, caramel, or cream cheese. Before you fry the churro bites, pipe a small amount of filling into the center of each one. This adds a surprise in every bite. Just be careful not to overfill them, or they may burst. Enjoy these tasty additions! To keep your churro bites fresh, place them in an airtight container. Line the bottom with paper towels to absorb moisture. This helps keep them crispy. Store at room temperature for up to two days. If you want them to last longer, you can refrigerate them for up to a week. When it’s time to enjoy your leftovers, reheating is easy. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Place the churro bites in the basket. Heat them for about 3-5 minutes. This will make them warm and crispy again. Avoid using a microwave, as it can make them soft and chewy. If you want to store churro bites for a long time, freezing is a great option. First, let them cool completely. Then, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Freeze for about two hours. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer bag. They can stay frozen for up to three months. When ready to enjoy, simply reheat them in the air fryer as mentioned above! To make Air Fryer Churro Bites, start by boiling water, butter, sugar, and salt in a pan. Once it boils, add flour and baking powder. Mix until a dough forms. Let it cool for a few minutes, then add vanilla extract. Preheat your air fryer to 375°F. Pipe the dough into small pieces on parchment paper. Spray them with cooking spray before air frying. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes until golden brown. Toss them in a mix of sugar and cinnamon after cooking. Yes, you can use other flours. Almond flour or coconut flour works well for a different twist. Keep in mind that using these flours may change the texture. You might need to adjust the liquid amounts. Always test the dough to find the right consistency. To make gluten-free Air Fryer Churro Bites, swap all-purpose flour for a gluten-free blend. Look for blends that include xanthan gum for better texture. Follow the same instructions as before. The churros will still taste amazing and have that crunchy outside. Enjoy your treats without the gluten! We covered key ingredients, equipment, and useful substitutions for churro bites. You learned step-by-step instructions to create these treats in an air fryer. I shared tips to perfect texture and flavor, and ways to avoid common mistakes. You also explored fun variations and storage tips to keep them fresh. Now, you can make delightful churro bites at home. Enjoy every bite of your crispy, sweet creation!

Air Fryer Churro Bites

Delicious bite-sized churros made in an air fryer, coated with cinnamon sugar.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine Mexican
Servings 4
Calories 150 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 can cooking spray
  • 1/4 cup sugar (for coating)
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Instructions
 

  • In a medium saucepan, combine water, butter, sugar, and salt. Bring to a boil over medium heat.
  • Once boiling, add the flour and baking powder all at once, stirring vigorously until a dough forms and pulls away from the sides of the pan.
  • Remove from heat and mix in the vanilla extract until fully incorporated. Let the dough cool for a few minutes.
  • Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
  • Once the dough has cooled slightly, transfer it to a piping bag fitted with a large star tip.
  • Cut small pieces of parchment paper into squares (about 2x2 inches) or prepare a silicone baking mat.
  • Pipe the churro dough into bite-sized pieces (about 1 inch long) directly onto the parchment squares or silicone mat.
  • Lightly spray the churro bites with cooking spray to help them crisp up in the air fryer.
  • Place the churro bites, parchment-side down, into the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure not to overcrowd.
  • Air fry for 8-10 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crisp.
  • While the churro bites are cooking, mix the sugar and cinnamon in a shallow bowl.
  • Once cooked, remove them from the air fryer and immediately toss them in the cinnamon sugar mixture until coated.

Notes

Serve warm with chocolate sauce or caramel for dipping.
Keyword air fryer, churros, dessert, snack