Churros have long been a favorite treat for many, known for their crispy exterior and soft, doughy interior.
Traditionally deep-fried and often served at fairs, carnivals, or as a delicious dessert at home, churros are irresistibly delicious.
However, as we look for healthier and quicker alternatives to traditional frying methods, the air fryer has emerged as a game-changer.
Air fryer churro bites take the classic churro and give it a modern twist, offering all the deliciousness without the guilt.
These bite-sized treats are quick and easy to make, with less oil than their deep-fried counterparts, but still maintain that perfect crispy exterior and warm, soft interior.
Whether you’re preparing them for a family snack, a party treat, or just satisfying a craving, air fryer churro bites are the perfect solution to enjoy a comforting, sweet indulgence without the hassle.
Why Choose Air Fryer Churro Bites?
Air fryer churro bites provide a number of benefits over traditional deep-fried churros.
Healthier Cooking with Less Oil
One of the most significant advantages of using an air fryer is the ability to create crispy, golden treats using little to no oil.
Unlike deep-frying, which requires a large amount of oil that can leave you with greasy churros, the air fryer uses hot air circulation to crisp the dough. This results in churro bites that are lighter and contain far fewer calories without compromising the flavor.
Quick and Easy Preparation
When you make churros in an air fryer, you’re cutting down the cooking time significantly.
Traditional churros require hot oil and a bit of effort to manage the frying process, while the air fryer takes care of the cooking with minimal attention needed.
In just a few minutes, you’ll have perfectly cooked churro bites, making them a perfect option for last-minute cravings or a quick snack for guests.
Crispy, Golden Exterior with a Soft Interior
Despite using less oil, air fryer churro bites still develop that satisfying crispy outer shell and a tender, melt-in-your-mouth inside. The air fryer’s circulating heat ensures an even cook, giving each churro bite the ideal texture, so you won’t have to sacrifice quality for convenience.
Easy Cleanup
Cleaning up after frying can be a chore, but with an air fryer, the mess is minimal. Since there’s no oil splattering around, all you need to do is clean the air fryer basket or tray.
The simple and fast cleanup process means you can spend more time enjoying your churro bites and less time cleaning up afterward.
Choosing air fryer churro bites allows you to enjoy all the best parts of churros — the crispy outside, soft inside, and irresistible cinnamon-sugar coating — without the extra oil or effort.
Ingredients You’ll Need for Air Fryer Churro Bites
To make these delicious air fryer churro bites, you don’t need many ingredients, and most of them are likely already in your pantry. Here’s what you’ll need:
For the Dough:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour – The base of your dough.
- 1 teaspoon baking powder – This helps the churros puff up slightly during cooking, giving them that soft interior.
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted – Adds richness and flavor to the dough.
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar – This sweetens the dough slightly, balancing the cinnamon sugar coating.
- 1/4 cup milk – To bring the dough together and make it smooth and pliable.
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional) – Adds a subtle sweetness to the dough.
For the Cinnamon Sugar Coating:
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar – This gives the churros their sweet, crunchy coating.
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon – The key flavor component that gives churros their distinct taste.
Optional:
- Chocolate sauce or caramel sauce – For dipping and adding an extra layer of indulgence to your churro bites.
These ingredients are simple yet combine perfectly to create that iconic churro flavor and texture, ideal for air frying.
How to Make Air Fryer Churro Bites
Making air fryer churro bites is incredibly simple and fast. With just a few easy steps, you’ll have perfectly crispy and sweet churros in no time.
1. Prepare the Dough
Start by mixing the dry ingredients in a bowl. Combine the flour, baking powder, and granulated sugar, then stir to evenly distribute. In a separate bowl, mix the melted butter, milk, and vanilla extract (if using).
Gradually pour the wet ingredients into the dry mixture, stirring as you go. Once combined, knead the dough a few times until smooth and no longer sticky.
If the dough feels too sticky, add a little extra flour, one tablespoon at a time, until it reaches a manageable consistency.
2. Shape the Churro Bites
Now, divide the dough into small pieces. Roll them into little balls or bite-sized logs, about 1 inch in size.
If you prefer smaller or larger pieces, feel free to adjust the size, but aim for uniformity to ensure even cooking in the air fryer.
You can use your hands or a small cookie scoop for this step.
3. Air Fry the Churro Bites
Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for about 5 minutes. Lightly spray the air fryer basket or tray with cooking spray to prevent sticking. Place the churro bites in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded, as this can affect their crispiness. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook in batches. Air fry for 6-8 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the churro bites are golden brown and crispy on the outside.
4. Coat with Cinnamon Sugar
While the churro bites are cooking, prepare the cinnamon-sugar coating. In a shallow bowl, mix the granulated sugar and cinnamon until well combined.
As soon as the churro bites are done, remove them from the air fryer and immediately toss them in the cinnamon-sugar mixture while they’re still warm.
This ensures the sugar sticks perfectly to the churros, creating that signature sweet and spicy flavor.
Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Churro Bites
While making air fryer churro bites is a straightforward process, there are a few tips that can take them to the next level and ensure perfect results every time.
1. Adjust Cooking Time Based on Air Fryer Model
Different air fryers can vary in temperature and how they cook. Be sure to keep an eye on the churro bites during the cooking process and adjust the time accordingly. If your air fryer tends to cook hotter, you may need to reduce the time by a minute or two. Conversely, if it’s slower, you may need a few extra minutes to get the golden, crispy exterior you want.
2. Don’t Overcrowd the Basket
For the churro bites to cook evenly and become crisp, make sure they are in a single layer with some space between each piece. Overcrowding can lead to uneven cooking and prevent the bites from becoming crispy.
3. Flip Halfway for Even Crispiness
To get the perfect texture on all sides, flip the churro bites halfway through the cooking time. This ensures that they are evenly crisped and browned on all sides, giving them that delightful crunch.
4. Coat Immediately After Air Frying
Coat the churro bites with cinnamon sugar immediately after they come out of the air fryer while they are still hot. The heat from the churros helps the sugar mixture adhere better, resulting in that irresistible, sugary crunch.
5. Experiment with Flavor Variations
Feel free to play around with the flavor of your churro bites. You can add cocoa powder to the cinnamon-sugar mix for a chocolatey twist or experiment with flavored extracts, like almond or orange, to add depth to the dough.
Final Thoughts
Air fryer churro bites are the perfect snack or dessert when you’re craving something sweet, crispy, and satisfying without the extra calories or effort of deep frying. They’re quick to make, easy to customize, and are sure to impress anyone you serve them to. Whether you’re enjoying them on your own with a cup of coffee or sharing them with friends and family, these air fryer churro bites are a delicious treat that’s always a crowd-pleaser.
With these simple tips and the right technique, you’ll have churro bites that are golden, crisp, and full of flavor every time. So go ahead—try them out and indulge in these warm, cinnamon-sugary delights!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I make churro bites in advance?
Yes, you can make churro bites ahead of time. After cooking, allow them to cool completely, then store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2-3 days. If you want to keep them fresh for a longer period, you can freeze them. To reheat, simply pop them in the air fryer for 2-3 minutes at 375°F to restore their crispiness.
2. How do I store leftover churro bites?
Leftover churro bites should be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2-3 days. If you want to preserve them for longer, you can freeze them. Just make sure they’re fully cooled before storing. To reheat, place them in the air fryer at 375°F for 2-3 minutes.
3. Can I make churro bites without an air fryer?
Yes, if you don’t have an air fryer, you can still make churro bites by deep frying them in a pot or pan. Heat oil to 375°F and fry the churro bites in small batches until golden brown. Once fried, toss them in the cinnamon-sugar coating as usual. Alternatively, you can bake them in the oven, but they may not get as crispy as when air-fried or deep-fried.
4. How do I reheat churro bites to maintain their crispiness?
To reheat churro bites and maintain their crispy texture, place them in the air fryer at 375°F for 2-3 minutes. This will help crisp them up without making them too dry. Avoid microwaving them, as this can make them soggy.
5. Can I add chocolate chips to the churro dough?
Yes, you can add chocolate chips to the churro dough for a fun twist! Gently fold in the chocolate chips after mixing the dough ingredients, being careful not to overwork the dough. This will give your churro bites a chocolatey surprise on the inside, complementing the cinnamon sugar perfectly.
Air Fryer Churro Bites
Equipment
- Air Fryer – 1 unit
- Mixing Bowls – 2 units
- Measuring spoons (1 set)
- Measuring cups (1 set)
- Shallow Bowl for cinnamon-sugar coating (1 unit)
- Cooking Spray (1 can or bottle)
Ingredients
For the Dough:
- 1 cup 120g All-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon 5g Baking powder
- 2 tablespoons 30g Butter, melted
- 1/4 cup 50g Granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup 60ml Milk
- 1/2 teaspoon 2g Vanilla extract (optional)
For the Cinnamon Sugar Coating:
- 1/2 cup 100g Granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon 8g Ground cinnamon
Instructions
Prepare the Dough:
- In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and sugar. Stir well to mix.
- In a separate bowl, combine the melted butter, milk, and vanilla extract (if using). Pour the wet ingredients into the dry mixture, stirring until fully incorporated and smooth. Knead the dough for a couple of minutes until it reaches a smooth and soft consistency. If the dough feels too sticky, add more flour, one tablespoon at a time.
Shape the Churro Bites:
- Roll the dough into small balls or logs (about 1 inch in size). Ensure that they are evenly shaped for uniform cooking in the air fryer.
Preheat the Air Fryer:
- Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for about 5 minutes.
Air Fry the Churro Bites:
- Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Place the churro bites in a single layer, ensuring they are not overcrowded.
- Air fry the churro bites at 375°F (190°C) for about 6-8 minutes, flipping them halfway through, until they are golden brown and crispy.
Coat with Cinnamon Sugar:
- In a shallow bowl, combine the granulated sugar and cinnamon. Once the churro bites are done, immediately toss them in the cinnamon sugar mixture while they are still warm.
Notes
- Storage: These churro bites are best served immediately, but they can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2-3 days. To reheat, place them in the air fryer at 375°F for 2-3 minutes to restore their crispiness.
- Flavor Variations: Feel free to add a pinch of cocoa powder to the cinnamon sugar for a chocolatey twist. You can also experiment with different flavor extracts (like almond or orange) in the dough for a unique taste.
- No Air Fryer? If you don’t have an air fryer, you can deep fry the churro bites in hot oil (375°F) until golden brown, or bake them in the oven at 375°F for around 12-15 minutes, though the texture may not be as crispy.
