How to Make Air Fryer Churro Bites in 25 Minutes

You know those nights when a sweet craving hits, and you want something warm, crispy, and sugary fast? That’s exactly why I fell in love with making Air Fryer Churro Bites. No deep-fryer mess, no waiting forever just golden, cinnamon-dusted perfection in under 30 minutes. Trust me, these little bites are dangerously addictive.

I’ve tested this recipe more times than I’d like to admit (my neighbors can vouch for it), and the secret is that magical air fryer crispiness without all the oil. One bite of these warm, buttery churros, and you’ll swear they came straight from a carnival stand. The best part? You probably have everything you need in your pantry right now. Let’s get frying!

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Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Churro Bites

These little bites of joy check all the boxes:

• Crispy perfection – That golden crunch you crave, without deep-frying oil splatters everywhere
• Ready in 25 minutes – Faster than driving to get dessert (and way more satisfying)
• Minimal cleanup – Just one bowl and your air fryer basket – no pots of oil to deal with
• Impressively easy – Even if you’ve never piped dough before, you’ve got this
• Hot and fresh anytime – Midnight snack? After-school treat? Yes and yes

Seriously, once you taste that warm cinnamon sugar coating, you’ll wonder how you lived without these.

If you’re a fan of cinnamon treats, you’ll also love our Air Fryer Donut Holes or for the traditional version, try our Classic Churros Recipe.

Ingredients for Air Fryer Churro Bites

Gather these simple ingredients – I bet most are already in your kitchen! The key is measuring carefully (especially that butter – too much and your dough gets sticky). Here’s what you’ll need:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour (pack it lightly – no need to sift)
• 1 cup water (just regular tap water works fine)
• ⅓ cup plus 1 tablespoon unsalted butter (that extra tablespoon makes all the difference for richness)
• 1 teaspoon salt (balances the sweetness perfectly)
• 2 tablespoons sugar (for the dough – we’ll use more later for coating)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (the good stuff – no imitation here!)
• 1 large egg (room temperature blends better)
• 1 cup granulated sugar + 1 tablespoon cinnamon (for that iconic sweet-spicy coating)

See? Nothing fancy – just pantry staples ready to transform into something magical. Now let’s make some dough!

How to Make Air Fryer Churro Bites

Preparing the Dough

Ready to make magic? Start by combining water, butter, salt, and 2 tablespoons of sugar in a medium saucepan. Bring it to a rolling boil over high heat—once the butter melts and bubbles appear, reduce the heat to low. Add the flour all at once and stir vigorously with a wooden spoon. It’ll look lumpy at first, but keep going! The dough will quickly form a smooth ball that pulls away from the sides. Remove from heat and let it cool for 4–5 minutes (yes, the wait is worth it). Then add the egg and vanilla, and beat with an electric mixer until the dough is smooth, glossy, and slightly sticky—perfect for piping!

Piping and Air Frying

Here’s the fun part! Scoop your dough into a piping bag fitted with a large star tip (no tip? No worries – just snip the corner for rustic bites). Preheat your air fryer to 375°F – this is crucial for that instant crisp! Lightly spray the basket with coconut oil (trust me, it works better than butter sprays). Now pipe 2-3 inch churros directly into the basket, leaving space between them so air can circulate – they’ll puff up! Work in batches if needed – overcrowding leads to sad, soggy churros. Air fry for 12-15 minutes until deeply golden, brushing with melted butter halfway through. That butter makes them extra crisp and helps the sugar stick later!

Coating and Serving

While those beauties cook, mix your sugar and cinnamon in a shallow bowl – I like to add a pinch of salt to make the flavors pop. As soon as the churros come out hot, roll them in the cinnamon sugar (use tongs if they’re too hot). The steam helps the coating cling like magic! Serve immediately with whatever makes you happy – warm chocolate sauce, dulce de leche, or just eat them straight from the bowl (no judgment here). Pro tip: For next-level goodness, sprinkle with flaky sea salt right before serving. Sweet, salty, crispy perfection!

Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Churro Bites

After making dozens of batches (my waistline can confirm), I’ve learned a few tricks to ensure churro success every time:

• Coconut oil spray is your friend – It gives better nonstick action than butter sprays and won’t burn as easily
• Pipe directly onto parchment – If your dough keeps sticking when transferring, pipe onto parchment first, then slide into the air fryer
• No piping bag? No problem! – Use a ziplock with the corner cut off or just spoon teaspoon-sized dollops of dough
• Double-coat for extra crunch – After the first cinnamon sugar roll, brush with more butter and coat again
• Watch closely after 10 minutes – Air fryers vary – peek often to prevent over-browning

Remember – slightly underdone is better than overdone. They’ll firm up as they cool!

Air Fryer Churro Bites Variations

Once you’ve mastered the basic recipe, try these fun twists! My favorite is adding a pinch of nutmeg to the cinnamon sugar for extra warmth. For dipping, swap chocolate sauce with caramel or raspberry jam. Feeling adventurous? Toss in some orange zest with the dough – it’s heavenly with the cinnamon coating!

Storing and Reheating Air Fryer Churro Bites

These churro bites taste best fresh, but if you somehow have leftovers (rare in my house!), store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. To revive that crispy magic, pop them back in the air fryer at 350°F for 2-3 minutes – they’ll taste like they just came out of the fryer! No air fryer? A quick 10-second zap in the microwave works in a pinch, though they won’t be as crisp.

Air Fryer Churro Bites Nutritional Information

Just a heads up – nutrition facts can vary based on ingredients and brands. These numbers are estimates, but one serving (about 6-8 bites) roughly contains 250 calories with that irresistible cinnamon-sugar magic!

Frequently Asked Questions About Air Fryer Churro Bites

I get asked about these crispy little wonders all the time! Here are the questions that pop up most often in my kitchen (and my foolproof answers):

Got more questions? Slide into my DMs – I could talk churros all day! Nothing makes me happier than helping people nail this recipe.

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