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Sweet Air Fryer Churro Bites Recipe

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Prep Time 12 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 37 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Calories 525 kcal

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.