I never thought I’d be making churros at home—until my kids begged me after our trip to the county fair last summer. The thought of deep-frying dough always felt intimidating, and my past experiences with hot oil usually ended in a mess (and a few tiny burns).
That all changed when I discovered you can make churros in the air fryer. No scary splattering oil, no fuss—just golden, crispy churro bites coated in sweet cinnamon sugar. And the best part? They taste just as good as the ones from the fair! If you’ve been nervous about making churros, this recipe is foolproof.
Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Churros
✨ Quick & easy – Ready in just 30–40 minutes.
✨ Simple ingredients – Pantry staples you probably already have.
✨ Healthier than deep-frying – Less oil, less mess, but still that crispy texture.
✨ Perfect for sharing – Bite-sized treats that are fun for parties or after-school snacks.
✨ Kid-friendly project – Rolling them in cinnamon sugar is an activity kids will love.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the dough:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup water
- ⅓ cup + 1 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
For the coating:
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
How to Make Air Fryer Churro Bites
1. Make the dough base
In a saucepan, combine water, butter, salt, and sugar. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat. Stir in the flour gradually until the dough comes together and forms a smooth ball. Remove from heat.
2. Cool & mix
Transfer the dough to a mixing bowl and let it cool slightly (about 5 minutes). Add the vanilla and egg, then beat until smooth.
3. Pipe the churros
Scoop the dough into a piping bag fitted with a star tip. Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Lightly spray the basket with nonstick spray, then pipe bite-sized pieces directly into the basket. Avoid overcrowding.
4. Air fry until golden
Lightly brush or spray the churros with a little oil or melted butter. Cook for 10–12 minutes, until golden and crisp. Repeat with remaining dough.
5. Coat in cinnamon sugar
In a shallow dish, mix sugar and cinnamon. Toss the warm churro bites in the mixture until evenly coated.
6. Serve & enjoy
Serve warm with chocolate sauce, Nutella, caramel, or dulce de leche for dipping. These little bites are impossible to resist!
Tips for Success
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket—space helps them crisp evenly.
- Spray lightly with oil or butter for that perfect golden crunch.
- Toss while warm so the sugar mixture sticks beautifully.
- Make ahead option: Prepare the dough up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate. Bring to room temp before piping.
What to Serve With Churro Bites
Pair these sweet bites with:
- Warm chocolate sauce 🍫
- Dulce de leche or caramel 🍯
- A scoop of vanilla ice cream 🍦
- Mexican hot chocolate or coffee ☕
Storage & Reheating
- Best fresh: Enjoy immediately for maximum crispiness.
- Store: Keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
- Reheat: Pop in the air fryer for 1–2 minutes at 350°F to revive their crunch.
Sweet Air Fryer Churro Bites Recipe
Prep Time: 12 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 37 minutes
Servings: 4
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup water
- ⅓ cup + 1 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
Coating:
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 tbsp cinnamon
Instructions
- In a saucepan, combine water, butter, salt, and sugar. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and stir in flour until a smooth dough forms. Remove from heat.
- Cool slightly, then mix in vanilla and egg until smooth.
- Pipe dough into an air fryer basket preheated to 375°F (190°C). Spray lightly with oil.
- Cook for 10–12 minutes until golden. Repeat with remaining dough.
- Mix sugar and cinnamon in a bowl. Toss warm churros in the mixture until coated.
- Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce.