Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick & Easy: With only 12 minutes of prep time and 25 minutes of cooking, you can enjoy these churro bites in no time.
- Minimal Cleanup: The air fryer makes these churros virtually mess-free compared to frying them in oil.
- Crispy & Tender: The churros come out perfectly crispy on the outside while remaining soft and tender on the inside.
- Customizable: You can adjust the size of the churro bites or dip them in your favorite sauces like chocolate syrup, honey, or Nutella.
- Healthier Option: Made with less oil than traditional churros, these air fryer churros are a lighter treat without sacrificing flavor.
Ingredients
Dough:
- 1 cup plain flour
- 1 cup water
- 1/3 cup + 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla essence
- 1 large egg
Coating:
- 1 cup white sugar
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon powder
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Directions
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
- In a medium pan, combine the water, butter, salt, and sugar. Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat.
- Once boiling, reduce the heat and gradually add the flour, stirring continuously until the dough forms a smooth, thick mixture. Remove the pan from the stove and turn off the heat.
- Transfer the dough into a large mixing bowl and allow it to cool down for about 4–5 minutes.
- Once the dough has cooled slightly, add the egg and vanilla essence. Use an electric hand mixer to combine everything until the mixture is smooth and fully incorporated.
Step 2: Pipe the Dough
- Transfer the churro dough into a piping bag fitted with a star tip. Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
- Spray the air fryer basket with a neutral nonstick cooking spray, such as coconut oil spray.
- Carefully pipe bite-sized churros into the basket, ensuring you don’t overcrowd them. You can also drop spoonfuls of dough into the basket if you prefer a less uniform shape.
Step 3: Air Fry the Churros
- Lightly brush some melted butter on top of the churros. Cook the churros in the air fryer for 10–12 minutes, or until they turn golden brown and crispy.
- Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to work in batches to cook all the churros evenly.
Step 4: Coat the Churros
- In a shallow bowl, combine the sugar and cinnamon powder.
- Once the churros are done, transfer them directly into the cinnamon sugar mixture. Toss gently to coat the churros evenly. If needed, you can brush them with a little extra melted butter or spray them with nonstick cooking spray to help the sugar stick.
Step 5: Serve & Enjoy
- Serve the churros warm, with your favorite dipping sauces such as chocolate syrup, honey, or Nutella.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 4
- Prep time: 12 minutes
- Cook time: 25 minutes
- Total time: 37 minutes
Variations
- Different Flavors: Add a bit of orange zest to the dough for a citrusy twist, or use brown sugar instead of white sugar for a richer taste.
- Vegan Option: Substitute the butter with vegan butter and use a flax egg to make this recipe vegan-friendly.
- Spice Variations: You can spice up the sugar coating by adding a pinch of cayenne pepper or chili powder for a spicy-sweet kick.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Store leftover churros in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
- Reheating: Reheat churros in the air fryer for 2–3 minutes at 375°F (190°C) to bring back the crispy texture.
FAQs
1. Can I make churros without a piping bag?
Yes, you can use a spoon to drop small spoonfuls of dough into the air fryer basket if you don’t have a piping bag.
2. What if I don’t have an air fryer?
You can deep fry the churros in hot oil (around 350°F/175°C) for 2–3 minutes until golden and crispy. Alternatively, you can bake them in the oven at 375°F (190°C) for about 15–20 minutes, though they won’t be as crispy.
3. Can I freeze churros before cooking them?
Yes, you can freeze the uncoated churros on a baking sheet, then transfer them to a freezer bag. When ready to cook, just air fry them directly from the freezer, adding a couple of extra minutes to the cooking time.
4. How do I make the churros extra crispy?
Make sure to brush the churros with melted butter before cooking to achieve a golden and crispy texture.
5. Can I use different types of sugar for the coating?
Yes, you can use brown sugar or coconut sugar for a different flavor in the coating.
6. Can I make these churros ahead of time?
These churros are best enjoyed fresh, but you can store them in an airtight container for up to 2 days or freeze them for longer storage.
7. What can I dip the churros in?
Churros pair wonderfully with chocolate syrup, Nutella, dulce de leche, caramel sauce, or even a simple whipped cream dip.
8. How do I know when the churros are done?
The churros should be golden brown and crispy on the outside. A toothpick should come out clean when inserted into the dough.
9. Can I use other flavors in the dough?
Yes, you can add flavors like vanilla, cinnamon, or almond extract to the dough for a personalized twist.
10. Can I make these churros without cinnamon?
Yes, if you don’t like cinnamon, you can skip it or replace it with cocoa powder or another spice of your choice.
Conclusion
These Sweet Air Fryer Churro Bites are the perfect indulgent treat that’s crispy, fluffy, and coated in a sweet cinnamon sugar mixture. With easy preparation and minimal cleanup, they’re the ideal snack for satisfying your sweet tooth. Whether enjoyed as a snack, dessert, or party treat, these churros are sure to be a hit with everyone!
Sweet Air Fryer Churro Bites
- Prep Time: 12 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 37 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: Mexican
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These sweet and crispy Air Fryer churro bites are the perfect treat to satisfy your dessert cravings. They are easy to make, healthier than traditional churros, and feature a golden cinnamon-sugar coating with a soft interior.
Ingredients
1 cup plain flour
1 cup water
1/3 cup + 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla essence
1 large egg
1 cup white sugar
1 tablespoon cinnamon powder
Instructions
- In a pan, combine water, butter, salt, and sugar. Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat and gradually add in the flour, stirring continuously until the dough comes together smoothly. Turn off the heat and remove the pan from the stove.
- Transfer the dough to a large mixing bowl and let it cool for about 4-5 minutes. Once slightly cooled, add in the egg and vanilla extract. Use an electric hand mixer to thoroughly combine until the mixture is smooth.
- Transfer the churro dough into a piping bag. Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Lightly spray the air fryer basket with a nonstick cooking spray, such as coconut oil spray.
- Pipe bite-sized churros into the basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Alternatively, drop spoonfuls of dough into the basket.
- Lightly brush the churros with butter and air fry them for 10-12 minutes, or until they turn golden brown. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook them in batches.
- In a shallow bowl, mix together sugar and cinnamon powder. Once the churros are cooked, toss them in the cinnamon-sugar mixture to coat evenly. If needed, brush the churros with melted butter before rolling them in the sugar mixture to help it stick.
- Serve warm and enjoy your churros with dips such as chocolate syrup, honey, or Nutella.
Notes
For a less sweet version, reduce the amount of sugar in both the dough and the coating.
Can substitute margarine for butter, but it will alter the flavor slightly.
If you want to make the churro dough ahead of time, refrigerate it for up to 24 hours.
For a twist, add a pinch of nutmeg or cocoa powder to the cinnamon-sugar mixture.
These churros can be made ahead of time and reheated in the air fryer for best results.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 100mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
