Description
These Air Fryer Churro Bites are a deliciously easy and quick dessert or snack perfect for sharing. Made from a simple dough cooked to golden perfection in the air fryer, they are then coated in a sweet cinnamon sugar blend for that classic churro flavor without the need for deep frying. Perfectly crispy on the outside and soft inside, these bite-sized treats are excellent served with chocolate or caramel dipping sauce for extra indulgence.
Ingredients
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
Serving
- Chocolate sauce, caramel sauce, or your favorite dipping sauce
Instructions
- Combine Water, Butter, and Salt: In a medium saucepan, combine the water, butter, and salt. Place it over medium heat and bring to a rolling boil, ensuring the butter fully melts 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 spatula until a smooth dough forms and pulls away from the pan sides.
- Cool the Dough Slightly: Transfer the dough to a mixing bowl and let it cool about 5-10 minutes to prevent the eggs from cooking when added.
- Add the Eggs: Add the eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition until the dough becomes a smooth, glossy batter despite looking curdled initially.
- Add Vanilla Extract: Stir in the vanilla extract evenly through the dough.
- Transfer to Piping Bag: Put the churro dough into a piping bag fitted with a large star tip, or use a large 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.
- Pipe the Churro Bites: Pipe small 1-2 inch bite-sized pieces directly into the air fryer basket, spacing them to avoid sticking. Work in batches if needed.
- Air Fry: Cook the bites in the air fryer for 6-8 minutes until golden brown and cooked through, watching closely as times may vary.
- Check for Doneness: Cut one bite open to confirm it’s cooked inside and not doughy; air fry a little longer if needed.
- Remove and Repeat: Transfer cooked bites to a wire rack to cool slightly; repeat with remaining dough.
- Combine Sugar and Cinnamon: Mix granulated sugar and ground cinnamon in a shallow dish until evenly blended.
- Coat the Churro Bites: While warm, toss the churro bites in the cinnamon sugar to coat them evenly.
- Serve Immediately: Serve warm and crispy with your favorite dipping sauce for best enjoyment.
Notes
- Make sure the dough cools slightly before adding eggs to avoid scrambling them.
- Pipe the bites spaced apart in the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking and proper crispiness.
- If your air fryer is small, cook the churro bites in batches to prevent overcrowding.
- Use a large star tip for piping to achieve the traditional churro ridged texture.
- Serve fresh for best texture; reheating may soften the crispness.
- Feel free to experiment with dipping sauces like chocolate, caramel, or dulce de leche.