About this recipe

Golden, crispy-on-the-outside, tender-on-the-inside churro bites made effortlessly in the air fryer. Rolled in a fragrant cinnamon-sugar coating right out of the basket, these bite-sized treats deliver all the classic churro flavor without the mess of deep frying. Perfect for a quick dessert, snack, or party treat the whole family will love.

Instructions

1. 1

   In a saucepan over ^[medium-high heat], combine the water, butter, 1 tablespoon granulated sugar, and fine sea salt. Bring to a rolling boil, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and immediately add the all-purpose flour all at once. Stir vigorously with a wooden spoon until the mixture pulls away from the sides and forms a smooth ball, about 1–2 minutes.

2. 2

   Let the dough cool for 5 minutes so it doesn't scramble the eggs. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition until fully incorporated. Stir in the vanilla extract. The dough should be smooth, glossy, and thick enough to hold its shape when piped.

3. 3

   Transfer the dough to a piping bag fitted with a piping tip (Large) (or a zip-lock bag with a corner snipped off). Preheat your air fryer to ![375°F] for 3 minutes. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Pipe 1½-inch lengths of dough directly into the basket, using scissors to snip them off. Leave about ½ inch of space between each bite. Work in batches to avoid overcrowding.

4. 4

   Air fry the churro bites at ![375°F] for 8–10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they are puffed, golden brown, and cooked through. They should feel firm and dry to the touch on the outside.

5. 5

   While the churro bites cook, mix together the granulated sugar and cinnamon in a shallow dish. As soon as each batch comes out of the air fryer, brush them lightly with melted butter and immediately toss them in the cinnamon-sugar mixture until evenly coated. Serve warm.