You know that warm, cinnamon-sugar smell that floats through the air at the county fair? Yeah, the one that makes you follow your nose straight to the churro stand. I never thought I could recreate that magic at home—until my kids begged me to try after our last fair trip.
Deep-frying felt intimidating (and, let’s be honest, messy). But the air fryer changed everything. These Sweet Air Fryer Churro Bites are golden, crisp, and rolled in cinnamon sugar, without a drop of hot oil.
They’re ridiculously easy, kid-approved, and perfect for when you crave something warm and sweet in under 40 minutes.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Dough
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup water
- ⅓ cup + 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (or essence)
- 1 large egg
For the Coating
- 1 cup white sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
Optional Equipment
- Piping bag with a star nozzle (for that classic churro look)
- Air fryer
- Cooking spray (neutral oil like coconut or canola)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Make the Dough Base
In a medium saucepan, combine water, butter, salt, and sugar.
Bring to a gentle boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to low. Add the flour gradually, stirring continuously until the dough forms a smooth ball and pulls away from the sides of the pan. Remove from heat.
Step 2: Cool & Mix
Let the dough rest for about 4–5 minutes—just until it’s warm to the touch, not hot.
Add the vanilla and egg, then beat with a hand mixer (or sturdy spoon) until smooth. The dough should be soft, pipeable, and slightly glossy.
Step 3: Pipe the Churros
Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
Spray the basket lightly with nonstick cooking spray.
Transfer the dough to a piping bag fitted with a star tip. Pipe bite-sized churros directly into the basket, leaving a little space between each piece (they’ll puff up).
No piping bag? No problem—just spoon small mounds of dough instead.
Step 4: Air Fry Until Golden
Lightly brush the tops with melted butter or give them a quick spray of oil.
Air fry for 10–12 minutes, or until golden brown and slightly crisp on the outside.
Work in batches to keep them evenly cooked—crowding makes them soggy.
Step 5: Coat in Cinnamon Sugar
In a shallow bowl, combine sugar and cinnamon.
While the churros are still warm (but not hot), toss them in the mixture until fully coated.
If the sugar doesn’t stick well, give them a light spritz of water or melted butter first.
Tips & Tricks for Perfect Air Fryer Churros
- Dough texture matters: If it’s too runny, add a spoonful of flour; too stiff, add a splash of water.
- Don’t overcrowd: Air circulation = crispiness. Cook in batches.
- Warm coating: Toss churros while warm for that perfect sugary cling.
- Oil control: Too much oil = greasy; too little = pale. Aim for a light mist or brush.
Flavor Variations & Substitutions
- Vegan Option: Use plant-based butter and a flaxseed “egg” (1 tbsp ground flax + 3 tbsp water).
- Flavored Sugars: Try pumpkin spice, cocoa-sugar, or vanilla sugar instead of cinnamon.
- Filling Upgrade: Pipe in dulce de leche, Nutella, or chocolate ganache after air-frying.
- Gluten-Free Twist: Substitute with 1 cup 1-to-1 gluten-free flour blend (results vary slightly in texture).
Serving Ideas & Dipping Sauces
- Classic Chocolate Sauce: Melt ½ cup chocolate chips with 2 tbsp cream.
- Caramel or Dulce de Leche: Sweet, sticky, and irresistible.
- Cream Cheese Dip: Whisk softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla.
- Pair with coffee, Mexican hot chocolate, or even vanilla ice cream for contrast.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are my churros not crispy?
If they’re soft, you might’ve overcrowded the basket or under-cooked them. Re-air fry for 1–2 minutes at 350°F to restore crunch.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes! You can refrigerate the dough up to 24 hours in advance. Bring to room temperature before piping.
Can I make churros without a piping bag?
Absolutely. Drop dough by spoonfuls for “churro bites.” They’re not picture-perfect, but still taste amazing.
How do I store leftovers?
Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Reheat in the air fryer for 1–2 minutes to re-crisp.
Nutrition Information (Per Serving)
Calories: ~525 kcal
Carbohydrates: 80 g
Fat: 24 g
Protein: 5 g
Sodium: 450 mg
Values vary based on ingredients and coating thickness.
Making churros used to feel like a “bakery-only” project. But with an air fryer, you get the same crunchy, golden, sugar-dusted joy, without a drop of hot oil.
These Sweet Air Fryer Churro Bites are everything you love about fair treats: quick, nostalgic, and irresistibly sharable.
If you try them, tell me how they turned out, did your family devour them too fast to count?
Print, save, or share this recipe for your next weekend baking project. Warm churros + melted chocolate = pure comfort.
Sweet Air Fryer Churro Bites Recipe
Ingredients
For the Dough
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ⅓ cup water
- ⅓ cup + 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (or essence)
- 1 large egg
For the Coating
- 1 cup white sugar
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
Optional Equipment
- Piping bag with a star nozzle (for that classic churro look)
- Air fryer
- Cooking spray (neutral oil like coconut or canola)
Instructions
- Make the Dough Base:In a medium saucepan, combine water, butter, salt, and sugar.Bring to a gentle boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to low. Add the flour gradually, stirring continuously until the dough forms a smooth ball and pulls away from the sides of the pan. Remove from heat.
- Cool & Mix:Let the dough rest for about 4–5 minutes—just until it’s warm to the touch, not hot.Add the vanilla and egg, then beat with a hand mixer (or sturdy spoon) until smooth. The dough should be soft, pipeable, and slightly glossy.
- Pipe the Churros:Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C).Spray the basket lightly with nonstick cooking spray.Transfer the dough to a piping bag fitted with a star tip. Pipe bite-sized churros directly into the basket, leaving a little space between each piece (they’ll puff up).No piping bag? No problem—just spoon small mounds of dough instead.
- Air Fry Until Golden:Lightly brush the tops with melted butter or give them a quick spray of oil.Air fry for 10–12 minutes, or until golden brown and slightly crisp on the outside.Work in batches to keep them evenly cooked—crowding makes them soggy.
- Coat in Cinnamon Sugar:In a shallow bowl, combine sugar and cinnamon.While the churros are still warm (but not hot), toss them in the mixture until fully coated.If the sugar doesn’t stick well, give them a light spritz of water or melted butter first.
Notes
- Make-ahead tip: You can prepare the dough a day before and refrigerate it. Let it rest at room temperature for 30 minutes before piping.
- Kid-friendly fun: Let kids help roll the churros in cinnamon sugar—it’s a simple, mess-friendly task they’ll love.
- Serving suggestion: These are best served warm with chocolate, caramel, or dulce de leche dipping sauces—and maybe a scoop of vanilla ice cream for extra indulgence.
- Reheating tip: If your churros soften after storage, air fry for 1–2 minutes at 350°F to bring back the crisp texture.
- Air fryer size matters: Depending on your air fryer model, you may need to work in small batches so the churros cook evenly and crisp properly.
- Healthier alternative: Air frying uses far less oil than traditional deep-frying, making these bites lighter while still satisfying that crunchy-sweet craving.