Name: Mini Churro Bites – Air Fryer Desserts Easy Recipes Done Right
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 8 min
Total time: 18 min
Ingredients: 1 cup water; 2 tbsp unsalted butter; 1 tbsp granulated sugar; 1/2 tsp salt; 1 cup all-purpose flour; 1 large egg; 1/2 tsp vanilla extract; Cooking spray or oil for air fryer basket; 1/2 cup granulated sugar (for coating); 1 tsp ground cinnamon

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I’ve always believed dessert should be easy enough to whip up without a culinary degree or a fire extinguisher on standby. These mini churro bites prove that point with every cinnamon-sugary crunch. No oil splatters, no deep-fry drama—just pop them in the air fryer and let the magic happen. They’re bite-sized, which makes them *accidentally* perfect for popping one after another. Trust me, I tried stopping at three. I failed. And I don’t regret it. You’ll love how these come out golden, crispy on the outside, soft and fluffy inside, and coated in that glorious blend of sugar and cinnamon that sticks to your fingers in the best way. Best part? You won’t need an oven or a mixer—just a bowl, a spoon, and your air fryer. If you’re into sweet easy recipes that also fit under air fryer easy recipes and quick and easy recipes, this one’s practically calling your name.

1) Key Takeaways
2) Easy Mini Churro Bites Recipe
3) Ingredients for Mini Churro Bites
4) How to Make Mini Churro Bites
5) Tips for Making Mini Churro Bites
6) Making Mini Churro Bites Ahead of Time
7) Storing Leftover Mini Churro Bites
8) Try these Desserts next!
9) Mini Churro Bites
10) Nutrition

1) Key Takeaways

How to make churros in an air fryer without frying oil?
What ingredients go into classic mini churros?
What makes these churro bites crisp outside and soft inside?
How do you store leftover churro bites?

2) Easy Mini Churro Bites Recipe

Mini churro bites are exactly what I make when I’m craving something warm, sweet, and a little nostalgic. They’re fast. They’re fun. They smell like county fairs and taste like you’ve won the snack lottery. And they fit right into the world of air fryer desserts easy recipes, which means we skip the deep fryer and still get all that golden crunch.

Each bite is soft in the center with a light crust that holds on to every grain of cinnamon sugar. I like that I can use pantry basics and turn them into a tray of fresh churros in minutes. This isn’t about perfection, it’s about comfort—no piping bags, no mixer, just dough, heat, and a bowl of sugar to toss them in when they’re hot and ready.

If you’re like me, and you enjoy sweet easy recipes that don’t ask for too much cleanup or fuss, this is one for your list. It also sneaks in under the quick and easy recipes umbrella, so you’re not spending an hour making something that disappears in ten minutes—though no judgment if it does.

3) Ingredients for Mini Churro Bites

1 cup water: Use plain tap water. We’re just trying to get the butter and sugar moving and melt everything into a simple base.

2 tbsp unsalted butter: Adds a little richness and helps the dough stay tender when cooked. You can use salted in a pinch—just back off the added salt later.

1 tbsp granulated sugar: Just enough to sweeten the dough without making it over the top. We’ll save most of the sugar magic for the cinnamon coating.

1/2 tsp salt: Balances out the sweetness and keeps the churros from tasting flat.

1 cup all-purpose flour: Regular flour works great. Stir it in fast to avoid clumps—it turns into dough pretty quick.

1 large egg: This helps bind everything and gives the dough structure. Let your dough cool slightly before adding so it doesn’t scramble.

1/2 tsp vanilla extract: Adds that hint of depth and warmth that makes the whole batch smell amazing.

Cooking spray or oil for air fryer basket: Keeps things from sticking and helps get that lovely brown edge.

1/2 cup granulated sugar (for coating): This is where most of the sweetness lives. You’ll want to coat while they’re still hot.

1 tsp ground cinnamon: The classic churro finish. Warm, aromatic, and totally necessary.

4) How to Make Mini Churro Bites

Step 1. In a saucepan, bring water, butter, sugar, and salt to a gentle boil. Don’t walk away—it happens fast.

Step 2. Remove from heat and stir in the flour all at once. Mix until it pulls away from the sides and forms a soft dough.

Step 3. Let that dough sit for 5 minutes to cool slightly. Then beat in the egg and vanilla. It’ll look messy, then suddenly smooth out—stick with it.

Step 4. Roll or scoop the dough into small balls. I use a teaspoon and my hands. Line them up on a tray and pop them in the freezer for 10 minutes.

Step 5. Preheat your air fryer to 375°F. Lightly spray the basket so nothing sticks. Place the churro bites in a single layer, not touching.

Step 6. Air fry for about 7 to 8 minutes. They’ll puff, turn golden, and smell like everything good at a carnival.

Step 7. Mix cinnamon and sugar in a shallow bowl. As soon as the churro bites come out, toss them in while they’re hot so the coating sticks.

5) Tips for Making Mini Churro Bites

Start by prepping everything. The dough comes together fast, so have the cinnamon sugar ready, your tray chilled, and the air fryer preheating.

If the dough looks a little thick or stiff before adding the egg, that’s okay. Once the egg goes in, the texture will change quickly—just keep stirring.

Use a small scoop or teaspoon for even portions. It’s not just about looks—same-size bites cook evenly. No one wants half-burnt, half-doughy churros.

6) Making Mini Churro Bites Ahead of Time

You can freeze the raw dough bites after shaping them. Lay them flat on a baking sheet for an hour, then transfer to a bag or container. They’ll last a month, no problem.

When you’re ready to bake, just toss them in the air fryer straight from the freezer. Add a minute or two to the cook time. You don’t even have to thaw them.

This is perfect when you’re craving something sweet but don’t want to start from scratch. It’s why I keep a backup batch tucked behind the frozen peas.

7) Storing Leftover Mini Churro Bites

Let them cool before storing. Warm churros in a closed container steam themselves soggy, which no one enjoys.

Use a paper towel to line your container and store them at room temp for a day or two. For longer storage, freeze them and reheat in the air fryer for a few minutes.

If they lose their sugar crunch, roll them again in a fresh cinnamon-sugar mix after warming. It brings them right back to life.

8) Try these Desserts next!

9) Mini Churro Bites