Description
These Air Fryer Churro Bites are a delightful, bite-sized twist on the classic churro without the mess of deep-frying. Made from a simple choux pastry dough, they are perfectly crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, air fried to golden perfection, then coated in a classic cinnamon sugar mix. Serve them warm with your favorite dipping sauces like chocolate or caramel for an irresistible treat that’s easy to make and sure to impress.
Ingredients
Scale
Churro Dough
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Coating
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
Optional Dipping Sauces
- Chocolate sauce
- Caramel sauce
- Your favorite dipping sauce
Instructions
- Combine Water, Butter, and Salt: In a medium saucepan, combine water, butter, and salt. Place over medium heat and bring to a rolling boil, ensuring the butter is fully melted before boiling.
- Add the Flour: Remove the saucepan from heat and immediately add all the flour at once. Stir vigorously with a wooden spoon or sturdy spatula until the mixture forms a smooth dough that pulls away from the pan sides.
- Cool the Dough Slightly: Transfer the dough to a mixing bowl and let it cool for 5–10 minutes to avoid cooking the eggs prematurely.
- Add the Eggs: Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. The dough will first look curdled but continue to mix until it becomes smooth and glossy.
- Add Vanilla Extract: Stir in the vanilla extract evenly throughout the dough.
- Transfer to Piping Bag: Place the dough into a piping bag fitted with a large star tip, or use a sturdy zip-top bag with a corner cut off.
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for about 5 minutes to ensure even cooking.
- Pipe the Churro Bites: Pipe small, 1–2 inch long bite-sized pieces of dough directly into the air fryer basket, leaving space between each to prevent sticking. Work in batches if needed.
- Air Fry: Cook the churro bites for 6–8 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through, monitoring closely as times may vary by air fryer.
- Check for Doneness: Cut one churro bite open to check that the inside is fully cooked and not doughy, air frying for an additional 1–2 minutes if necessary.
- Remove and Repeat: Carefully remove cooked churro bites to a wire rack to cool slightly. Repeat piping and cooking with remaining dough.
- Combine Sugar and Cinnamon: Mix granulated sugar and ground cinnamon in a shallow bowl until well combined.
- Coat the Churro Bites: While still warm but cool enough to handle, toss churro bites in the cinnamon sugar mixture until evenly coated.
- Serve Immediately: Serve the churro bites warm and crispy with your favorite dipping sauces for the best texture and flavor.
Notes
- Make sure the dough cools before adding eggs to avoid scrambling.
- Pipe evenly sized pieces for consistent cooking.
- Air fryer models vary, so monitor closely after 6 minutes to prevent burning.
- Work in batches to avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket, ensuring crispiness.
- Serve churro bites immediately for optimum crispness; they lose texture when cooled.
- Try different dipping sauces like chocolate, caramel, or even dulce de leche for variety.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
