Name: Sweet Air Fryer Churro Bites
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: PT-488352H40M48S
Total time: PT-488352H40M48S
Cuisine: Spanish-American
Ingredients: 1 cup plain flour; 1 cup water; 1/3 cup + 1 tablespoon unsalted butter; 1 teaspoon salt; 2 tablespoons sugar; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 large egg; 1 cup white sugar (for coating); 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon (for coating)

These bite‑sized churro treats are easy to whip up in the air fryer—crispy on the outside, soft inside, and coated in cinnamon sugar. Ready in under an hour, with minimal mess and maximum flavor. Sweet Air Fryer Churro Bites

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

I love that this recipe gives me that classic churro crunch without deep frying. The dough is simple—just pantry staples like flour, water, butter, sugar, egg, vanilla, and cinnamon—and the air fryer makes cleanup a breeze. Plus, these bite‑sized pieces are perfect for snacking or sharing!

Ingredients

(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
For the dough:

1 cup plain flour
1 cup water
1/3 cup + 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 large egg

Coating:

1 cup white sugar
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

Directions

In a medium saucepan, combine water, butter, salt, and sugar, then bring to a rolling boil.
Remove from heat and stir in the flour until the dough forms a smooth ball.
Let the dough sit for 4–5 minutes to cool.
Transfer it to a bowl, add vanilla and egg, then beat until smooth and pipeable.
Preheat air fryer to 375 °F (190 °C) and lightly spray the basket.
Pipe 1–2‑inch “bites” into the basket, spacing them out, or drop by spoonfuls.
Lightly brush the tops with melted butter, if desired, then air‑fry 10–12 minutes until golden and crisp.
While warm, toss the bites in the cinnamon‑sugar mixture to coat evenly.
Serve immediately with chocolate sauce, Nutella, or honey for dipping.

Servings and timing

This makes about 4 servings, or roughly 30 small bites. Prep time is around 10–15 minutes, cook time about 10–12 minutes per batch, and total time is 30–45 minutes depending on how many batches your air fryer fits.

Variations

I sometimes swap cinnamon sugar for a cocoa‑sugar mix or pumpkin spice blend for seasonal flair.
Vanilla extract works great in place of vanilla essence.
Want to mix it up? You can drop spoonfuls instead of piping—just shape bite‑sized rounds.

Storage/Reheating

I store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature or in the fridge for up to 2 days. To bring back the crisp, I reheat them in the air fryer at 350 °F for 1–2 minutes, then reroll in cinnamon sugar if needed.
If I want to prep ahead, the dough can chill in the fridge for up to 24 hours—just pipe and fry when ready.

FAQs

Can I freeze the churro bites?

I don’t recommend freezing them after cooking—they lose some texture. But you can freeze the piped dough before frying for up to a month. Fry from frozen, adding a minute or two to cook time.

What if I don’t have an air fryer?

No problem—I bake them instead! I use 400 °F for 15–20 minutes, though they come out slightly softer than air‑fried.

Can I double the recipe?

Absolutely. I just make sure to air‑fry in batches so they cook evenly and stay crisp.

Is the egg essential?

Yes—the egg gives the dough structure and that tender interior. Skipping it results in dense bites that don’t puff right.

Can I skip the cinnamon sugar coating?

You could, but that signature churro flavor is all in the cinnamon‑sugar. If you’re skipping it, try dusting with powdered sugar or a citrus glaze for a different twist.

Conclusion

I love how these Sweet Air Fryer Churro Bites bring all the fun of a carnival treat with minimal mess and oil. They’re perfect for snack time, movie nights, or casual entertaining. With easy prep and simple ingredients, I know I’ll be making them often—and I bet you will, too!