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Cinnamon Sugar Churro Bites – Sweet Easy Recipes for Snacking Joy

When I first bit into one of these cinnamon sugar churro bites, it was like my taste buds high-fived me. They're golden, crisp on the outside, and warm and soft inside—kind of like the sweet cousin of a donut hole, but with a little more flair (and a lot more cinnamon). These bites are exactly what you'd want after a long day, or really just any time you're near the kitchen. I love how they come together fast, without deep-frying or complicated steps. A quick batter, a hot pan, and boom—instant joy. This recipe taps into that nostalgic fairground churro vibe but skips the long lines and sticky fingers. Honestly, I think these little guys are the dessert you didn't know you needed. Loaded with flavor and covered in a dreamy cinnamon sugar coat, these churro bites check all the right boxes. They're a hit with kids, adults, and everyone who’s ever said, “Just one more bite,” at least six times. If you're into air fryer desserts, quick and easy recipes, or anything that tastes like a sweet carnival daydream, you’ll want this recipe on repeat.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Course: Desserts
Cuisine: Mexican-American
Keywords: air fryer desserts easy recipes, easy baking recipes, easy dessert recipes, homemade pretzels soft easy recipes, how to make donuts at home easy recipe, quick and easy recipes, sweet easy recipes
Servings: 4 servings
Author: Elena

Ingredients

  • 1 cup water
  • 6 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 2 tbsp sugar
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup sugar (for coating)
  • 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
  • Oil spray (if using air fryer)

Instructions

  1. In a saucepan, combine water, butter, sugar, and salt over medium heat. Let it come to a soft boil.
  2. Once boiling, dump in the flour and stir like you're stirring your way out of trouble—until the dough pulls away from the sides.
  3. Take it off the heat. Stir in the vanilla, then beat in the eggs one at a time. It’ll look weird at first, but trust the process.
  4. Transfer the dough into a piping bag fitted with a large star tip (or whatever tip you’ve got).
  5. Pipe 1-inch pieces onto a parchment-lined tray and chill for 10 minutes to help them hold shape.
  6. Preheat your air fryer to 375°F. Lightly spray the basket with oil.
  7. Air fry the churro bites in batches for 6-8 minutes or until golden and puffed.
  8. While still warm, toss them in the cinnamon sugar mixture. Do it fast—this is where the magic sticks.
  9. Serve warm with chocolate sauce, caramel, or, let’s be honest, just a napkin and your fingers.