Air Fryer Churro Bites: The Perfect Cinnamon-Sugar Treat Without the Oil!

Craving churros but don’t want the hassle of deep frying? Say hello to Air Fryer Churro Bites—a quick, easy, and healthier version of the classic Mexican pastry. With crispy golden bites coated in cinnamon-sugar and a soft, doughy interior, these churro bites deliver all the flavor you love, without the mess or extra oil.

The best part? The air fryer does all the hard work for you. No need to stand over a pot of hot oil—just pipe, air fry, and enjoy! These easy dessert bites are perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth in no time, whether it’s for a family snack, a fun treat after dinner, or even for a special occasion.

Let’s get ready to whip up these irresistible churros in your air fryer. Trust me, they’ll be gone before you know it!

Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Churro Bites:

If you’re already a churros fan, you will adore these Air Fryer Churro Bites. Here’s why:

• No Oil Required: You get all the crispy, golden goodness of churros without deep frying, which means less mess and fewer calories.

• Cinnamon-Sugar Perfection: These bite-sized churros are generously coated in cinnamon sugar—just like the classic treat, but without the oil.

• Quick & Easy: The air fryer speeds up the cooking process, giving you fresh churro bites in just minutes.

Perfect for anyone craving Mexican pastries that are as easy as they are delicious.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar + 2 tbsp (25g), divided

• ¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon, divided

• ½ cup (120ml) water

• ½ cup (120ml) whole milk

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 8 tbsp (115g) unsalted butter, cut into cubes

• ¼ teaspoon salt

• 1 ¼ cups (155g) all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled

• 2 large cold eggs

• 2 tbsp (30g) unsalted butter, melted

• Chocolate sauce, for serving (optional)

Directions:

1. Prepare Cinnamon-Sugar Coating:
   Whisk together 1/2 cup sugar and ¾ teaspoon cinnamon in a shallow medium bowl. Set this aside for coating your churros later.

2. Make Churro Dough:
   In a medium saucepan, combine ½ cup water, ½ cup milk, vanilla extract, butter, salt, 2 tablespoons sugar, and ¼ teaspoon cinnamon. Place the pan over medium heat, stirring frequently until the mixture comes to a rolling boil. Once it reaches a boil, reduce the heat to low.

3. Add the Flour:
   Stir in the flour, mixing constantly with a wooden spoon. Keep stirring until the dough forms into a thick ball and pulls away from the sides of the pan, about 2-3 minutes. A thin film should form on the bottom of the pan, indicating the dough is ready.

4. Beat the Dough:
   Transfer the dough to a large bowl and beat with a hand mixer (or stand mixer) on medium speed for about 2 minutes to cool it down slightly. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. The dough should be smooth and creamy when fully combined.

5. Chill the Dough:
   Spoon the dough into a piping bag with a large open star tip (such as Ateco 829). Place the piping bag in the fridge and chill for 30 minutes to help the dough hold its shape during frying.

6. Preheat the Air Fryer:
   Preheat the air fryer to 380°F (190°C). Lightly spray the basket with nonstick spray to prevent it from sticking.

7. Pipe the Dough:
   Once the dough is chilled, pipe strips of dough, about 2½ inches long, directly into the air fryer basket, making sure not to overcrowd them. Use kitchen scissors to cut off the dough after each strip. Repeat until the basket is filled with churro bites, but leave space between them for air circulation.

8. Air Fry:
   Air fry the churro bites for 8-10 minutes, flipping them halfway through, until they are golden brown and crispy. Watch them carefully to prevent overcooking.

9. Coat in Cinnamon-Sugar:
   As soon as the churros come out of the air fryer, immediately toss them in the cinnamon-sugar coating, making sure they are fully covered.

10. Serve:
    Serve your Air Fryer Churro Bites warm, with a side of chocolate sauce for dipping if desired. These little bites of heaven are best enjoyed right away, but they’ll also stay delicious for a day or two if stored in an airtight container.

Cooking Tips:

• Customize the Coating: Want to take your churro bites to the next level? Add a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom to the cinnamon-sugar mix for a unique twist.

• Chill Time Is Key: Chilling the dough is crucial for ensuring the churros hold their shape while air frying. Do not skip this step for perfect churro bites!

• Don’t Overcrowd the Air Fryer Basket: Plenty of air circulation is the key to crispy churros. If needed, cook in batches to ensure they crisp up perfectly.

Personal Anecdote:

I’ll admit, I was a little skeptical about making churros in the air fryer the first time. After all, they’re traditionally deep-fried, so how could I get that crispy, golden perfection without the oil? But after my first batch of Air Fryer Churro Bites, I was hooked! They turned out so light and crispy on the outside, and the cinnamon-sugar coating was just perfect. Plus, no hot oil to deal with—win-win! Now, I make these churro bites whenever I’m craving a sweet treat that’s easy and fun to make.

What to Serve With Air Fryer Churro Bites:

While Air Fryer Churro Bites are amazing on their own, why not take it up a notch? Serve them with a side of chocolate or caramel dipping sauce for extra indulgence. A scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side would also complement the warm, cinnamon goodness of the churros. Or, if you’re feeling extra fancy, drizzle some chocolate sauce over the churros for a decadent dessert experience.

How to Store Air Fryer Churro Bites:

Leftovers? If you have any (which is unlikely), store your churro bites in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For the best texture, reheat them in the air fryer for 2-3 minutes to restore their crispiness.

FAQs:

Can I make these churros without an air fryer?
While the air fryer gives them that perfect crispy texture, you could also bake these churro bites in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through.

Can I freeze the dough?
Yes! You can freeze the churro dough in individual portions or in a piping bag. Just freeze the dough and then air fry directly from the freezer, adding a couple of extra minutes to the cook time.

What if I don’t have a piping bag?
No piping bag? No problem! You can also use a plastic sandwich bag with the corner snipped off to pipe the dough into the air fryer basket.

Wrap Up:

These Air Fryer Churro Bites are the sweet, cinnamon-sugar treat you’ve been waiting for! They’re quick, easy, and incredibly delicious—perfect for satisfying your churro cravings without the deep fryer. Whether you serve them as a snack, dessert, or special treat, you’ll love how perfectly they come out every time. Give them a try today and enjoy the crispy, golden goodness of churros in minutes!

Air Fryer Churro Bites: The Perfect Cinnamon-Sugar Treat Without the Oil!

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• Author: Olivia Hartwellen
• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: About 20–25 churro bites 1x

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Description

Air Fryer Churro Bites are a quick, easy, and healthier twist on the classic Mexican pastry. These bite-sized treats are crispy on the outside, soft inside, and coated in cinnamon-sugar, made effortlessly in the air fryer without deep frying or excess oil.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar + 2 tbsp (25 g), divided

• ¾ tsp ground cinnamon, divided

• ½ cup (120 ml) water

• ½ cup (120 ml) whole milk

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 8 tbsp (115 g) unsalted butter, cubed

• ¼ tsp salt

• 1 ¼ cups (155 g) all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled

• 2 large cold eggs

• 2 tbsp (30 g) unsalted butter, melted

• Chocolate sauce, for serving (optional)

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Instructions

• Mix ½ cup sugar and ¾ tsp cinnamon in a shallow bowl; set aside for coating.

• In a saucepan over medium heat, combine water, milk, vanilla, butter, salt, 2 tbsp sugar, and ¼ tsp cinnamon; bring to a rolling boil, stirring often.

• Stir in flour constantly until dough forms a thick ball and pulls from pan (2–3 minutes).

• Transfer dough to a bowl; beat with mixer 2 minutes to cool slightly. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each, until smooth and creamy.

• Spoon dough into a piping bag fitted with large star tip; chill 30 minutes.

• Preheat air fryer to 380°F (190°C). Spray basket with nonstick spray.

• Pipe 2½-inch strips into basket without overcrowding; cut dough after each strip.

• Air fry 8–10 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and crispy.

• Toss hot churro bites in cinnamon-sugar coating until fully covered.

• Serve warm, optionally with chocolate sauce.

Notes

Add nutmeg or cardamom to cinnamon sugar for flavor twists.

Chilling dough helps maintain shape during cooking.

Avoid overcrowding for crispiness; cook in batches if needed.

Use a plastic bag with snipped corner if no piping bag is available.

Dough can be frozen in portions; cook from frozen, adding a few minutes to air fry time.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes (plus 30 minutes chilling)
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Dessert, Snack
• Method: Air Frying, Mixing, Piping
• Cuisine: Mexican