Air Fryer Churro Bites with Chocolate Dipping Sauce is what I reach for when I want something warm, sweet, and ridiculously easy on a busy night. If you’ve ever craved churros at home but didn’t want the mess of deep-frying, you’re going to love this. My air fryer makes the outside crisp, the inside soft, and the whole process so approachable. I use simple pantry ingredients and a few tricks I’ve learned after testing this a bunch of times. If you need an air fryer or a solid set of baking tools, I’ve had great luck with gear like this budget-friendly pick. Ready to make your kitchen smell like a fair stand, but cleaner and faster?
How to Cook Churro Bites in the Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into pieces
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar + 1 tablespoon cinnamon for coating
- Neutral oil spray or melted butter for light coating
- Pinch of salt
Step-by-step
- Make the dough base: In a saucepan over medium heat, combine water, butter, sugar, and a pinch of salt. Let the butter melt and bring it to a gentle simmer.
- Add the flour: Turn off the heat and stir in the flour all at once. Keep stirring until the mixture forms a ball and pulls away from the sides. It will look glossy and slightly thick.
- Cool slightly, then add eggs: Let the dough cool 5 minutes so the eggs do not scramble. Add vanilla, then beat in the eggs one at a time until smooth. It will be sticky and that is perfect for piping.
- Pipe the bites: Transfer to a piping bag fitted with a star tip or use a zip-top bag with a small corner snipped. Pipe 1-inch pieces onto a parchment-lined sheet. You can also snip small nuggets with scissors.
- Preheat and prep: Preheat the air fryer to 375 F. Lightly mist the basket with oil. Work in batches and avoid crowding so they crisp evenly.
- Air fry: Cook 6 to 8 minutes, flipping halfway if your air fryer needs it, until the bites are puffed and lightly golden.
- Cinnamon sugar finish: While warm, toss the bites in a bowl with the cinnamon sugar mix. If you want more stick, brush the bites with a bit of melted butter first, then coat.
If you want a deeper dive into shaping and dough feel, I also love referencing this easy-going air fryer churros recipe for extra inspiration. By the way, this is exactly how I make my first batch of Delicious Air Fryer Churro Bites with Chocolate Dipping Sauce! when friends drop by and I need dessert fast.
Tips & Tricks for Making Perfect Churro Bites
Keep it simple and focus on texture. The dough should be smooth and pipeable, not runny. If it looks too loose, rest it another minute to cool or add a tiny pinch of flour. Here are the little things that make a big difference.
Use room temp eggs: They mix in more easily so the dough comes together without lumps.
Do not crowd the basket: Air flow is your best friend for crisp edges and even browning. Work in small batches.
Coating timing matters: Toss in cinnamon sugar while the bites are still warm. If they have cooled, brush on melted butter so the sugar sticks.
Consistency check: After piping, the dough should hold ridges from the star tip. That gives you the classic churro look and helps the coating cling.
Air fryer differences: Some run hotter than others. The first batch is your test batch. If they brown too fast, lower the temp by 10 to 15 degrees.
Want more air fryer inspiration that is just as simple? Browse my favorite air fryer recipes for savory snacks and sweet treats. I make Delicious Air Fryer Churro Bites with Chocolate Dipping Sauce! almost every weekend and these little reminders keep them perfect every time.
“I tried these churro bites for a movie night and the kids could not stop grabbing them. No deep-fryer smell, and the chocolate sauce disappeared in minutes. Total win.”
Variations of Churro Bites
Once you have the base recipe down, it is fun to play with flavors. Here are a few ideas that always get people talking.
- Filled churro bites: Poke a tiny hole and pipe in dulce de leche, Nutella, or a quick cream cheese frosting.
- Spice twist: Try pumpkin spice, cardamom, or a pinch of cayenne in the coating for a sweet heat finish.
- Chocolate sugar: Mix cocoa powder with the cinnamon sugar for a double chocolate vibe.
- Glazed: Whisk powdered sugar with a splash of milk and drizzle over warm bites.
- Mini churro sundae: Serve over vanilla ice cream with a sprinkle of almonds.
If you are into bite-sized snacks for parties, you will also love these soft and chewy air fryer pretzel bites. And for a fruity twist on cinnamon sugar, try my crisp and cozy air fryer apple fries. I still circle back to Delicious Air Fryer Churro Bites with Chocolate Dipping Sauce! when I want a crowd pleaser that never fails.
2-Ingredient Chocolate Dipping Sauce
What You Need
All you need is heavy cream and chocolate chips. I go semi-sweet for balance, but milk chocolate is great if you like it sweeter, and dark chocolate if you want it a little richer. Keep a pinch of salt handy too. It makes the chocolate pop.
How to Make It
Warm 1/2 cup cream in a small saucepan until it is steaming at the edges. Turn off the heat and add 3/4 cup chocolate chips. Let it sit a minute, then whisk until smooth and shiny. Add a pinch of salt if you like. That is it. If it thickens as it sits, whisk in a spoonful of warm cream or microwave for 10 seconds and stir. For a dairy-free treat, I sometimes swap in coconut cream and dark chocolate, or make these simple chocolate avocado truffles on the side. Dunk those churro bites and enjoy. Honestly, this sauce is half the fun of making Delicious Air Fryer Churro Bites with Chocolate Dipping Sauce!
Storing the Churro Bites
Churro bites are best fresh, but leftovers definitely happen. Let them cool completely, then store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. They will soften a bit, which is normal. I re-crisp them in the air fryer at 350 F for 2 to 3 minutes.
For longer storage, freeze them on a baking sheet until solid, then move to a freezer bag for up to 2 months. Reheat from frozen in the air fryer at 350 F for 4 to 6 minutes, then toss in a fresh batch of cinnamon sugar. If you are saving the sauce, keep it in a small jar in the fridge for up to 5 days. Warm gently and stir before serving. That way your next round of Delicious Air Fryer Churro Bites with Chocolate Dipping Sauce! tastes just as dreamy.
Common Questions
Do I have to use a piping bag and star tip?
No, a zip-top bag with the corner snipped works. The star tip gives you those classic ridges, but the taste is still great without it.
Why did my dough get runny?
It was likely too warm when you added the eggs. Let it cool a bit more next time. If needed, chill the dough for 5 minutes to help it firm up for piping.
How do I keep the coating from falling off?
Toss the bites while they are warm. If they have cooled, brush with melted butter first so the cinnamon sugar sticks.
Can I make the dough ahead?
Yes, pipe the bites onto a parchment-lined tray, freeze until solid, then store in a bag. Air fry straight from frozen, adding a minute or two.
What if I do not have heavy cream for the sauce?
Use half-and-half or milk with a tablespoon of butter. Heat gently and whisk until smooth.
Sweet Ending You Will Love
These bites are proof that dessert does not need to be hard. A little dough, a quick air fry, and a glossy bowl of chocolate, and you are set. If you want to compare techniques or try an oven version, this friendly guide to Churro Bites for the Air Fryer or Oven is super helpful. You can also peek at The Kitchn’s take on Air Fryer Churro Bites with Chocolate Dipping Sauce to see how they simplify it as well. Now go make a batch of Delicious Air Fryer Churro Bites with Chocolate Dipping Sauce! and watch them vanish while they are still warm.
Churro Bites with Chocolate Dipping Sauce
Ingredients
For the Churro Bites
- 1 cup water For cooking the dough.
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into pieces For flavoring the dough.
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar Provides sweetness to the dough.
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract Enhances flavor.
- 1 cup all-purpose flour Base for the dough.
- 2 large eggs, room temperature Important for dough texture.
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar For coating the churro bites.
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon For the coating mixture.
- Neutral oil spray or melted butter For light coating in the air fryer.
- 1 pinch salt Balances the flavors.
For the Chocolate Dipping Sauce
- 1/2 cup heavy cream For creating the sauce.
- 3/4 cup chocolate chips Semi-sweet is best for balance.
- 1 pinch salt Enhances the chocolate flavor.
Instructions
Preparation of Churro Dough
- In a saucepan over medium heat, combine water, butter, sugar, and a pinch of salt. Let the butter melt and bring to a gentle simmer.
- Turn off the heat and stir in the flour all at once. Keep stirring until the mixture forms a ball and pulls away from the sides.
- Let the dough cool for 5 minutes to prevent the eggs from scrambling. Add vanilla, then beat in the eggs one at a time until the mixture is smooth and sticky.
Air Frying Churro Bites
- Transfer the dough to a piping bag fitted with a star tip or a zip-top bag with a small corner snipped. Pipe 1-inch pieces onto a parchment-lined sheet.
- Preheat the air fryer to 375°F and lightly mist the basket with oil. Cook the churro bites for 6 to 8 minutes, flipping halfway if necessary, until puffed and lightly golden.
- While warm, toss the churro bites in a bowl with the cinnamon sugar mix. Optionally, brush with melted butter first for better coating.
Making the Chocolate Dipping Sauce
- Warm 1/2 cup cream in a small saucepan until steaming at the edges, then turn off the heat.
- Add 3/4 cup chocolate chips to the cream and let it sit for a minute. Whisk until smooth and shiny. Add a pinch of salt if desired.
