Fluffy Air Fryer Churro Bites Recipe – Easy, Golden & Crispy Perfection!
Craving something sweet, golden, and gloriously coated in cinnamon sugar? These Fluffy Air Fryer Churro Bites are the answer to your dessert dreams — without the mess and oil of deep frying! 😍🎉
Made with simple ingredients like flour, butter, egg, and vanilla, these light and airy bites deliver all the crispy edges and soft centers you love in classic churros — with a modern, healthier twist. And since they're made in the air fryer, you skip the grease but keep the flavor.
Whether you’re throwing a party, making a cozy weekend treat, or just feel like a little bite of cinnamon-sugar bliss, these air fryer churro bites come together in under 30 minutes and taste like they came straight from a carnival cart.
Want more air fryer sweets? Try these Air Fryer Donut Holes or these Air Fryer Cinnamon Twists next!
Equipment
- Air fryer – basket or oven-style
- Saucepan – to prepare the dough
- Mixing bowl – for finishing the dough
- Wooden spoon or spatula – for stirring
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Piping bag with star tip (optional) – for a traditional churro shape
- Tongs or spatula – to flip bites in the air fryer
- Small bowls – for cinnamon-sugar coating
Ingredients
Dough:
- 1 cup water
- 1/3 cup + 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla essence
Cinnamon Sugar Coating:
- 1 cup white sugar
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon powder
Instructions
Step 1: Make the Choux Dough
- In a medium saucepan, combine:
- Water, butter, sugar, and salt.
- Bring to a simmer over medium heat until butter melts.
- Remove from heat and stir in flour all at once.
- Return to heat and stir constantly until the dough pulls away from the sides and forms a smooth ball (1–2 minutes).
Step 2: Cool Slightly & Add Egg
- Remove from heat and let cool for 5 minutes.
- Stir in vanilla essence.
- Add egg, beating vigorously until fully incorporated. The dough will look separated at first — keep stirring until smooth.
Step 3: Pipe the Dough (Optional)
- Transfer dough to a piping bag fitted with a star tip.
- Pipe bite-sized blobs or churro shapes onto a parchment-lined tray.
- Alternatively, scoop dough using a spoon or small cookie scoop for easy bites.
Step 4: Air Fry the Churros
- Preheat air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
- Lightly spray air fryer basket with non-stick cooking spray.
- Air fry churro bites in batches for 8–10 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden brown and puffed.
Step 5: Coat in Cinnamon Sugar
- In a bowl, mix sugar and cinnamon powder.
- While churros are still warm, roll them in the cinnamon sugar mixture until fully coated.
Notes
🔁 Variations
Make your churro bites extra fun with these flavor spins: 1. Chocolate-Stuffed Churro Bites
Add a piece of chocolate or Nutella into each dough ball before piping. 2. Churro Bites with Dip
Serve with melted chocolate, dulce de leche, or cream cheese frosting. 3. Pumpkin Spice Churros
Add ½ tsp pumpkin pie spice to the dough and coating for fall flavor. 4. Vegan Version
Replace butter with vegan butter and use a flax egg or egg replacer. 5. Coconut Sugar Coating
Swap white sugar for coconut sugar for a lower glycemic option. 🧊 Storage & Reheating
Storage:
Store leftover churro bites in an airtight container at room temp for up to 2 days. Freezing:
Freeze uncoated churro bites in a sealed bag for up to 1 month. Reheat and coat with fresh cinnamon sugar. Reheating:
Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 3–4 minutes to crisp them up again. ❓ 10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I make churro bites without a piping bag?
Absolutely! Use a spoon or cookie scoop to form rough blobs — they’ll still taste amazing. 2. Can I bake these instead of air frying?
Yes — bake at 400°F (200°C) for 15–18 minutes, flipping halfway. 3. Why did my dough separate when adding the egg?
It’s normal at first. Just keep mixing — it will come together into a smooth batter. 4. Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes — store in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Let come to room temp before air frying. 5. What if I don’t have cinnamon?
Try nutmeg, cardamom, or even matcha sugar for a twist. 6. Can I use margarine instead of butter?
Yes, but the flavor and richness will be slightly different. 7. Are these gluten-free?
Not as written — but try using a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend for a GF version. 8. What dipping sauces go best?
Try chocolate ganache, vanilla glaze, or strawberry sauce. 9. Can I double this recipe?
Definitely! Just cook in batches to avoid overcrowding your air fryer. 10. Why are my churro bites deflating?
Make sure you cook long enough for the dough to set and resist opening the air fryer too early. ✅ Conclusion
These Fluffy Air Fryer Churro Bites are proof that you don’t need a deep fryer to make the perfect churro. ✨🥳 Crispy on the outside, fluffy inside, and coated in cinnamon-sugar goodness, they’re a fast and fun dessert that feels indulgent — without the mess of frying. Whether you eat them warm with chocolate dip or snack on them straight out of the air fryer, one bite and you'll be hooked! Looking for more air fryer treats? Air Fryer Apple Hand Pies Air Fryer Donut Holes Easy Air Fryer Cannoli Bites Give this recipe a try, and let the churro magic begin!
Make your churro bites extra fun with these flavor spins: 1. Chocolate-Stuffed Churro Bites
Add a piece of chocolate or Nutella into each dough ball before piping. 2. Churro Bites with Dip
Serve with melted chocolate, dulce de leche, or cream cheese frosting. 3. Pumpkin Spice Churros
Add ½ tsp pumpkin pie spice to the dough and coating for fall flavor. 4. Vegan Version
Replace butter with vegan butter and use a flax egg or egg replacer. 5. Coconut Sugar Coating
Swap white sugar for coconut sugar for a lower glycemic option. 🧊 Storage & Reheating
Storage:
Store leftover churro bites in an airtight container at room temp for up to 2 days. Freezing:
Freeze uncoated churro bites in a sealed bag for up to 1 month. Reheat and coat with fresh cinnamon sugar. Reheating:
Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 3–4 minutes to crisp them up again. ❓ 10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I make churro bites without a piping bag?
Absolutely! Use a spoon or cookie scoop to form rough blobs — they’ll still taste amazing. 2. Can I bake these instead of air frying?
Yes — bake at 400°F (200°C) for 15–18 minutes, flipping halfway. 3. Why did my dough separate when adding the egg?
It’s normal at first. Just keep mixing — it will come together into a smooth batter. 4. Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes — store in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Let come to room temp before air frying. 5. What if I don’t have cinnamon?
Try nutmeg, cardamom, or even matcha sugar for a twist. 6. Can I use margarine instead of butter?
Yes, but the flavor and richness will be slightly different. 7. Are these gluten-free?
Not as written — but try using a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend for a GF version. 8. What dipping sauces go best?
Try chocolate ganache, vanilla glaze, or strawberry sauce. 9. Can I double this recipe?
Definitely! Just cook in batches to avoid overcrowding your air fryer. 10. Why are my churro bites deflating?
Make sure you cook long enough for the dough to set and resist opening the air fryer too early. ✅ Conclusion
These Fluffy Air Fryer Churro Bites are proof that you don’t need a deep fryer to make the perfect churro. ✨🥳 Crispy on the outside, fluffy inside, and coated in cinnamon-sugar goodness, they’re a fast and fun dessert that feels indulgent — without the mess of frying. Whether you eat them warm with chocolate dip or snack on them straight out of the air fryer, one bite and you'll be hooked! Looking for more air fryer treats? Air Fryer Apple Hand Pies Air Fryer Donut Holes Easy Air Fryer Cannoli Bites Give this recipe a try, and let the churro magic begin!