These Delicious Baked Churro Bites are a healthier twist on the classic deep-fried churro, giving you all the warm, cinnamon-sugar goodness you crave with a fraction of the calories. Soft and fluffy on the inside with a perfectly crispy exterior, these bite-sized churros are rolled in cinnamon and sugar, making them the ultimate treat for any occasion. Whether you’re serving them as a snack, dessert, or party treat, these baked churro bites are sure to be a hit!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

If you love churros but want to skip the frying, these Baked Churro Bites are the perfect solution. They offer all the flavor and texture of the traditional churro, but with a simple baked version that’s easier and less messy to prepare. The dough is light, fluffy, and perfectly spiced with cinnamon, while the sugar coating gives each bite a sweet and crunchy finish. These churro bites are quick to make, fun to eat, and can be served with a variety of dipping sauces, making them an irresistible treat for all ages.

Ingredients

• 1 cup all-purpose flour

• 1 tablespoon sugar

• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

• 1/4 teaspoon salt

• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• 1/2 cup water

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1 large egg

• 1/4 cup unsalted butter (for brushing)

• 1/2 cup sugar (for coating)

• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon (for coating)

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Directions

1. Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it for easy cleanup.

2. Prepare the dough: In a medium saucepan, combine the water, butter, and vanilla extract. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat until the butter is melted.

3. Mix the dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.

4. Combine the ingredients: Once the butter mixture is simmering, remove it from heat and add the flour mixture all at once. Stir vigorously until a dough forms.

5. Add the egg: Allow the dough to cool for a minute before adding the egg. Stir in the egg until it’s fully incorporated into the dough. The dough should be thick but smooth.

6. Shape the churro bites: Use a spoon or cookie scoop to form small dough balls (about 1 inch in diameter) and place them onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.

7. Bake the churro bites: Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the churro bites are golden brown and slightly puffed up.

8. Cinnamon-sugar coating: While the churro bites are baking, prepare the cinnamon-sugar coating. In a shallow bowl, mix together the 1/2 cup sugar and 1 tablespoon cinnamon.

9. Brush with butter and coat: Once the churro bites are baked and still warm, brush them with melted butter and immediately roll them in the cinnamon-sugar mixture to coat them evenly.

10. Serve: Serve the churro bites warm, either on their own or with your favorite dipping sauce like chocolate, caramel, or dulce de leche.

Servings and timing

• Servings: Approximately 20 churro bites

• Prep time: 10 minutes

• Cook time: 12-15 minutes

• Total time: 25 minutes

Variations

• Chocolate-dipped churro bites: Melt some chocolate and dip the churro bites into it for an extra indulgent treat.

• Maple syrup coating: For a unique twist, brush the churro bites with maple syrup before rolling them in cinnamon and sugar.

• Nutty churros: Add chopped nuts, like crushed almonds or pecans, to the cinnamon-sugar coating for extra crunch.

• Gluten-free churro bites: Use a 1-to-1 gluten-free flour blend in place of all-purpose flour to make these churro bites gluten-free.

• Mini churro bites: If you want smaller portions, make mini churro bites by forming tiny dough balls, then bake for 8-10 minutes.

Storage/Reheating

Store leftover churro bites in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. To reheat, simply warm them in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes to restore their crispy texture. You can also microwave them for 10-15 seconds, but they may lose some of their crispness.

FAQs

1. Can I use a different type of sugar for the coating?

Yes, you can use coconut sugar, brown sugar, or any other sweetener you prefer. The texture of the coating might change slightly, but it will still taste delicious.

2. Can I freeze these churro bites?

Yes! Once the churro bites have cooled, place them in a freezer-safe container or bag. They can be frozen for up to 2 months. To reheat, bake them from frozen at 350°F (175°C) for 10-12 minutes.

3. Can I add chocolate chips to the dough?

Yes, feel free to add chocolate chips or chunks to the dough before baking to create a gooey, chocolaty center.

4. How can I make these churro bites vegan?

To make these churro bites vegan, replace the egg with a flax egg (1 tablespoon flaxseed meal + 3 tablespoons water) and use a dairy-free butter alternative.

5. Can I make a larger batch?

Yes, you can easily double or triple the recipe to make more churro bites. Just make sure to adjust your baking sheets accordingly and bake in batches if needed.

6. What kind of butter should I use?

You can use unsalted butter for the recipe, or if you’re making it dairy-free, use a plant-based butter alternative.

7. Can I make the churro bites ahead of time?

You can prepare the dough in advance and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours. When ready to bake, scoop and bake as instructed.

8. Can I use a piping bag to shape the churro bites?

Yes, you can use a piping bag with a round tip to pipe the dough into bite-sized pieces. This will give your churros a more traditional churro shape.

9. Can I skip the butter before coating in cinnamon sugar?

While the butter helps the cinnamon-sugar coating stick, you can skip it if you’d like to make the recipe lighter. However, the coating might not adhere as well.

10. How do I make sure my churro bites turn out crispy?

Make sure the churro bites are baked until golden brown, but not overcooked. The right balance of baking time will ensure they’re crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.

Conclusion

Delicious Baked Churro Bites are a fun, easy-to-make treat that gives you the classic churro flavor without the mess of frying. Perfectly soft on the inside with a crispy, cinnamon-sugar exterior, these churro bites are ideal for any occasion—whether it’s a casual snack, a dessert for a party, or a sweet treat just because. With endless ways to customize the flavor, they’re sure to be a new favorite in your dessert rotation. Enjoy them fresh out of the oven, dipped in your favorite sauces, and watch them disappear quickly!