Name: Crispy Cinnamon Air Fryer Churro Bites
Prep time: 12 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 37 min
Cuisine: Mexican-Inspired
Ingredients: 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; For the Coating:; 1 cup white sugar; 1 tablespoon cinnamon powder

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After our visit to a local fair last summer, my kids couldn’t stop talking about churros. They begged me to make them at home, and though I was intimidated by the thought of deep frying, I finally decided to give it a go. My previous attempts with hot oil hadn’t gone so smoothly, leaving me with messy kitchen moments and a few burns.Then I discovered that churro-inspired bites could be made in the air fryer. No messy splashes of hot oil – just golden, crispy cinnamon air fryer churro bites that taste just as delicious as the fair ones! If you’ve been hesitant about making churros, this air fryer method is nearly impossible to get wrong.

Crispy Cinnamon Air Fryer Churro Bites

Why You’ll Love These Air-Fried Cinnamon Bites

Quick & Easy to Make – These treats are ready in about 30-45 minutes, which makes them ideal when you’re craving something sweet without spending hours in the kitchen.
Common Ingredients – Most of the ingredients are likely already in your pantry, so you won’t need to run out to buy special items.
Healthier Alternative – Air frying cuts down on the amount of oil, offering a crispy texture without the mess and grease of traditional deep frying.
Perfect for Sharing – The small, bite-sized pieces are great for portion control and perfect for sharing at parties or as an after-school snack.
Family-Friendly – Rolling the bites in cinnamon sugar is a fun task for kids to help with, making this a perfect family baking activity.

Flour Choice for Cinnamon Bites

For the best results, stick with all-purpose flour. It provides the ideal balance of structure needed to create the perfect churro texture.

You might be tempted to try other flours, like bread or pastry flour, but all-purpose is your best bet. It’s essential to measure flour correctly by spooning it into your measuring cup and leveling it off to avoid using too much, which could make your bites too dense.

If you store flour in the fridge or freezer, let it warm to room temperature before using it in this recipe, as cold flour can alter the dough’s texture.

Ingredient Substitutions You Can Make

While churros are fairly traditional, you can still make a few swaps:

Flour: All-purpose is recommended, but if needed, bread flour can work in a pinch. Whole wheat flour, however, should be avoided as it will make the dough too dense.
Butter: If you don’t have unsalted butter, you can use salted butter – just reduce the added salt by a little. Margarine is an alternative, but butter gives the best flavor.
Vanilla Essence: Vanilla extract or even almond extract can be used if you want a different flavor profile.
Cinnamon-Sugar Coating: The classic cinnamon and sugar mix is always a winner, but feel free to experiment with cocoa powder or pumpkin pie spice for a fun twist.
Egg: The egg is essential to the dough’s texture, so it’s best to stick with a real egg in this recipe.

Mistakes to Avoid When Making Cinnamon Bites

The trickiest part of making these cinnamon bites is getting the dough consistency just right. If it’s too wet, the dough will spread out during cooking, losing its shape. If it’s too dry, the dough will be difficult to pipe.

The dough should be smooth and pipeable, holding its shape when squeezed through the piping bag. Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket – leave enough space for each piece to crisp up properly. It’s best to cook the bites in batches to ensure they cook evenly.

To achieve that perfect crispy texture, lightly spray the bites with oil before cooking. But don’t go overboard with the oil – too much will result in greasy, rather than crispy, bites.

For the best cinnamon-sugar coating, roll the warm bites in the mixture while they’re still warm (but not too hot). The heat helps the sugar stick more effectively.

Ideas for Pairing These Cinnamon Bites

These cinnamon bites are delicious on their own, but they also pair perfectly with a variety of dipping sauces:

A classic warm chocolate sauce is a favorite. Just melt some chocolate with a little cream to create a simple dip.
You can also try serving them with dulce de leche, vanilla ice cream, or a creamy frosting if you’re feeling indulgent.
To balance the sweetness, enjoy these bites with a cup of coffee or a mug of hot chocolate.

How to Store and Keep Cinnamon Bites Fresh

For Best Freshness: These air fryer bites are best enjoyed right after cooking, while they’re still warm and crispy. If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. They might lose some of their crispiness, but they will still taste great.
Make Ahead: You can prepare the dough up to 24 hours ahead and refrigerate it. Before cooking, let the dough come to room temperature for about 30 minutes.
Refreshing Leftovers: To restore some crispiness to leftover cinnamon bites, reheat them in the air fryer at 350°F (190°C) for 1-2 minutes. Then roll them in the cinnamon-sugar mixture to freshen them up.

Prep Time: 10-15 minutes

Cook Time: 20-30 minutes

Total Time: 30-45 minutes

Difficulty Level: Medium

Nutritional Information (For the Entire Recipe):

Calories: 2000-2200
Protein: 20-25g
Fat: 90-100g
Carbs: 300-320g

Ingredients

For the Dough:

1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup water
1/3 cup + 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla essence
1 large egg

For the Coating:

1 cup white sugar
1 tablespoon cinnamon powder

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Dough
In a medium saucepan, combine the water, butter, salt, and sugar. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and add the flour slowly, stirring continuously until the dough forms smoothly. Once the dough is mixed, remove it from the heat and set aside.

Step 2: Mix and Cool
Transfer the dough into a large bowl and let it cool for 4-5 minutes. Add the egg and vanilla essence, then mix with an electric hand mixer until smooth.

Step 3: Pipe the Dough
Transfer the dough to a piping bag. Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C) and lightly coat the basket with a nonstick spray like coconut oil. Pipe bite-sized churros into the basket, making sure they have space between each piece.

Step 4: Air Fry the Bites
Lightly brush the churros with butter and air fry them for 10-12 minutes until they turn golden brown. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the churros in batches.

Step 5: Coat with Cinnamon Sugar
Mix the sugar and cinnamon in a shallow bowl. Once the churros are done, immediately roll them in the cinnamon-sugar mixture while they’re still warm to ensure an even coating. If needed, lightly spray with more oil or melted butter to help the sugar stick.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy
Serve these warm cinnamon bites with your choice of dips, such as chocolate syrup, honey, or even Nutella. They’re perfect as a sweet snack!

Now your cinnamon bites are ready to enjoy – quick to make and full of flavor!

Crispy Cinnamon Air Fryer Churro Bites