There’s something magical about the smell of warm cinnamon and sugar wafting through the kitchen. As a baker, I’ve always loved recreating the joy of classic treats in bite-sized versions—and these Delightful Cinnamon Sugar Churro Bites are exactly that. They bring back memories of childhood fairs and cozy winter evenings, but with a homemade twist that’s easy enough for anyone to try.
I wanted to create a recipe that feels indulgent, yet approachable. These churro bites are crisp on the outside, soft on the inside, and coated in that perfect blend of cinnamon and sugar. What makes them even better? They don’t require a deep fryer. A few simple steps and common pantry ingredients come together to make something truly special.
Whether you’re making a batch for a party, family movie night, or just craving something sweet, these bites deliver on both taste and texture. I personally love serving them fresh and warm, straight out of the pan, with a little dipping sauce on the side—usually chocolate or caramel. But even on their own, they’re irresistible.
Churros have always had that nostalgic charm. But making full-size churros can be a bit much on a busy day. That’s why I decided to turn them into bite-sized treats. They’re quicker to cook, easier to serve, and honestly, even more fun to eat. The balance of crunchy edges with a soft center, all wrapped in cinnamon sugar, makes them incredibly satisfying.
You don’t need fancy tools or complicated steps. This recipe keeps it simple and fuss-free, while still giving you the authentic churro flavor. So if you’re ready to bring a little warmth and sweetness into your kitchen, you’re going to love these churro bites as much as I do.
Ingredients for Delightful Cinnamon Sugar Churro Bites
Creating these cinnamon sugar churro bites requires just a few everyday ingredients. You likely already have most of them in your kitchen, which makes this recipe both convenient and budget-friendly.
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Water – Acts as the base liquid in the dough. It helps bind everything together and activates the flour.
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Unsalted Butter – Adds richness and flavor to the dough. Butter also helps create a tender texture.
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Salt – Enhances the flavor and balances the sweetness from the cinnamon sugar.
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All-Purpose Flour – The main structure of the dough. It provides the chewy yet soft texture churros are known for.
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Eggs – Essential for creating a rich, slightly airy dough. They help the churro bites puff up beautifully when cooked.
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Ground Cinnamon – Key to the flavor of this dessert. It gives the churros that classic warm spice everyone loves.
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Granulated Sugar – Used to coat the churro bites after cooking, creating the signature sweet crunch.
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Neutral Oil (such as canola or vegetable) – Needed for frying. Choose an oil with a high smoke point to ensure even, golden results.
How to Make Delightful Cinnamon Sugar Churro Bites
Bringing this recipe together is simple, with only a few clear steps. You’ll start by preparing the dough, then piping, frying, and finishing with the cinnamon sugar coating.
Step 1: Prepare the Dough Base
In a medium saucepan, combine 1 cup of water, ½ cup unsalted butter, and ¼ teaspoon salt. Place over medium heat and stir occasionally until the butter melts and the mixture begins to simmer.
Step 2: Add the Flour
Remove the pan from heat. Immediately stir in 1 cup of all-purpose flour. Stir quickly and thoroughly until a smooth dough forms and pulls away from the sides of the pan. Return to low heat and continue stirring for 1-2 minutes to cook the flour slightly.
Step 3: Add the Eggs
Transfer the dough to a mixing bowl and let it cool for 5 minutes. Then, beat in 2 large eggs, one at a time. Mix until smooth and glossy. The dough should be thick but pipeable.
Step 4: Heat the Oil
Pour oil into a heavy-bottomed pan to a depth of about 2 inches. Heat over medium-high heat until it reaches 350°F (175°C). Use a kitchen thermometer for accuracy.
Step 5: Pipe and Fry the Bites
Spoon the dough into a piping bag fitted with a star tip. Pipe 1-inch portions of dough directly into the hot oil, cutting each one off with scissors. Fry in batches, turning occasionally, for 2-3 minutes or until golden brown and puffed.
Step 6: Drain and Coat with Cinnamon Sugar
Remove churro bites with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. In a shallow bowl, mix ½ cup granulated sugar with 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon. While still warm, roll the churro bites in the mixture until evenly coated.
Step 7: Serve Warm
Serve the churro bites immediately while warm and crispy. Optionally, offer chocolate or caramel sauce for dipping.
How Long to Fry Churro Bites
Getting the perfect texture in your churro bites depends a lot on frying time and oil temperature. If the oil is too hot, the bites will brown too quickly on the outside while staying raw inside. On the other hand, if the oil is too cool, the churro bites will absorb too much oil and turn out greasy.
To get consistent results, heat the oil to 350°F (175°C). Maintain this temperature throughout the frying process. Here’s a guide to help you manage frying times:
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Small Bites (1 inch) – Fry for about 2 to 3 minutes until golden brown.
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Medium Bites (1.5 inches) – Fry for 3 to 4 minutes.
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Larger Bites (2 inches) – Fry for 4 to 5 minutes, turning to ensure even browning.
Flip them occasionally with a slotted spoon or tongs to cook all sides evenly. Once golden and crisp, remove them immediately and drain on paper towels. Avoid overcrowding the pan, as that will lower the oil’s temperature and lead to uneven cooking.
How to Store Leftovers
These churro bites are best eaten warm and fresh, but leftovers can still be enjoyed later with a few smart storage tips:
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Room Temperature – Store leftover churro bites in an airtight container for up to 1 day. To bring back their crispiness, reheat them in an oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 5 minutes.
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Refrigerator – If you need to store them longer, place them in a container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. However, reheating in the oven is strongly recommended before serving again.
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Freezer – Churro bites can be frozen for up to 1 month. Let them cool completely, then arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze. Once frozen, transfer to a freezer-safe bag. To reheat, place them in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 8-10 minutes until warmed through and slightly crisp.
Tips for Perfect Churro Bites
To make sure your churro bites come out perfect every time, consider these helpful tips:
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Use a Star Tip – For that classic churro look, pipe the dough using a large star-shaped nozzle. This also helps create more surface area for the cinnamon sugar to cling to.
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Cool the Dough Slightly Before Adding Eggs – Adding eggs to hot dough can cook them prematurely. Allow the dough to cool a few minutes after cooking before mixing in the eggs.
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Don’t Overcrowd the Pan – Fry in small batches to keep the oil temperature steady and ensure even cooking.
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Roll While Warm – Coat the churro bites in cinnamon sugar while they’re still warm so it sticks better and forms that delicious crust.
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Offer a Dip – For extra fun, serve with chocolate, caramel, or even a simple vanilla glaze. This takes your churro bites from tasty to irresistible.
Whether you’re making them for a celebration or just craving something sweet, these churro bites are always a hit. Light, crisp, and packed with that cinnamon-sugar magic, they’re a crowd-pleaser from the first bite.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can I make the churro bites ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare the dough in advance and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready to fry, simply bring the dough to room temperature before piping it into the oil. If you have leftovers after frying, they can be stored as mentioned earlier, either at room temperature for a day or refrigerated for up to 3 days. -
What if I don’t have a piping bag?
No problem! You can use a Ziploc bag with the tip cut off or even shape the dough by hand into small bite-sized pieces. While they may not have the same classic churro shape, they’ll still taste just as delicious. -
Can I bake the churro bites instead of frying them?
While traditional churros are deep-fried to achieve that crisp exterior, you can bake the churro bites for a lighter version. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and arrange the dough balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for about 15-20 minutes, or until golden and puffed. After baking, coat them with cinnamon sugar while they’re still warm. -
How do I make churro bites without eggs?
If you need to make these churro bites egg-free, you can substitute the 2 eggs with a flax egg or chia egg. To make a flax egg, mix 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed with 3 tablespoons of water and let it sit for a few minutes to thicken. This will give your churro bites a similar texture to the original recipe.
These tips should help answer any common questions and guide you toward making your churro bites a success every time!
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Delightful Cinnamon Sugar Churro Bites
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
These Delightful Cinnamon Sugar Churro Bites are a simple yet indulgent treat that everyone will love. Each bite is crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and coated in a sweet cinnamon sugar mixture. Perfect for sharing at parties, enjoying as a snack, or treating yourself after a long day, this recipe is easy to make and guaranteed to impress!
Ingredients
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1 cup water
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½ cup unsalted butter
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¼ teaspoon salt
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1 cup all-purpose flour
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2 large eggs
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1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
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½ cup granulated sugar
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Neutral oil for frying (such as canola or vegetable oil)
Instructions
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In a medium saucepan, combine the water, butter, and salt. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the butter melts.
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Remove from heat and stir in the flour until the dough comes together and pulls away from the sides of the pan.
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Let the dough cool for 5 minutes, then add the eggs one at a time, mixing until smooth after each addition.
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Heat the oil in a pan to 350°F (175°C). Using a piping bag with a star tip, pipe 1-inch pieces of dough into the hot oil. Fry in batches for about 2-3 minutes until golden brown.
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Remove churro bites from the oil and drain on paper towels.
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Mix the cinnamon and sugar in a shallow bowl. While still warm, roll the churro bites in the cinnamon sugar mixture.
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Serve immediately for the best texture and flavor.
Notes
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If desired, add a pinch of nutmeg to the cinnamon sugar mixture for extra spice.
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These churro bites are best served fresh, but you can store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
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For a gluten-free version, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes