Description
These Air Fryer Churro Bites are a delightful twist on the classic fried churros, offering a crispy exterior and soft interior with a perfect cinnamon-sugar coating. Made with a simple dough of flour, butter, sugar, and egg, these bite-sized treats are cooked to golden perfection in the air fryer, making them a healthier and less messy alternative to traditional frying. Ideal for a sweet snack or dessert, they pair wonderfully with chocolate syrup, honey, or Nutella for dipping.
Ingredients
Dough:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup water
- 1/3 cup unsalted butter plus 1 tablespoon extra butter (for brushing)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
Cinnamon Sugar Coating:
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
Additional:
- Neutral nonstick cooking spray (such as coconut oil spray)
- Chocolate syrup, honey, or Nutella for serving
Instructions
- Boil Ingredients: In a pan, combine water, 1/3 cup unsalted butter, salt, and 2 tablespoons sugar. Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat, ensuring the butter fully melts and the mixture is uniformly hot.
- Add Flour: Reduce the heat to low and gradually add the all-purpose flour to the boiling mixture. Stir continuously until the dough comes together smoothly as a ball and pulls away from the sides of the pan. Then, turn off the heat.
- Cool Dough: Transfer the hot dough to a large mixing bowl and allow it to cool down for about 4-5 minutes. This step prevents the egg from cooking when added.
- Mix Egg and Vanilla: Add the large egg and vanilla extract to the slightly cooled dough. Use an electric hand mixer to beat the mixture thoroughly until smooth and well combined. This will create a thick, pipeable dough.
- Prepare Air Fryer: Transfer the dough to a piping bag fitted with a large star or round tip. Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Spray the air fryer basket lightly with a neutral nonstick cooking spray like coconut oil spray.
- Pipe Churro Bites: Pipe small, bite-sized churro shapes directly onto the air fryer basket. Be careful not to overcrowd the basket; cook in batches if necessary. Alternatively, you may drop spoonfuls of dough if preferred.
- Cook Churros: Brush the piped churros lightly with the tablespoon of melted butter. Air fry for 12-15 minutes until they are golden brown and crispy on the outside. Repeat the process with the remaining dough.
- Prepare Cinnamon Sugar: While churros cook, mix together granulated sugar and ground cinnamon in a shallow bowl for coating.
- Coat Churro Bites: Once cooked, transfer the churro bites immediately into the cinnamon sugar mixture. Toss gently to coat evenly. If the coating does not stick well, lightly brush the churros with melted butter or spray with nonstick spray or water before rolling again.
- Serve: Serve the churro bites warm alongside chocolate syrup, honey, or Nutella for dipping. Enjoy the crispy, sweet treats fresh from the air fryer.
Notes
- Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking and crispness.
- Using a star-shaped piping tip gives traditional ridges but a round tip works fine too.
- If the cinnamon sugar does not stick well, brushing churros with melted butter or a spray of water helps the coating adhere better.
- You can make larger or smaller churro bites based on preference, adjusting cooking time accordingly.
- Serve immediately for the best crisp texture, as churros may soften over time.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: Mexican
