Short description

These baked churro bites offer the classic cinnamon‑sugar charm of fried churros with a healthier twist. Lightly crisp on the outside, tender inside, and perfect for dipping or snacking at parties.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Baked, not fried: less oil, but all the churro flavor
Perfect party snack: bite-sized, crowd-pleasing, ready in about 45 minutes
Easy to personalize: adjust cinnamon sugar, dip in chocolate, caramel, or dulce de leche
Fun prep: pipe your own churros—great for kitchen bonding

Ingredients

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

Churro Dough

1¼ cups water
5 Tbsp chilled unsalted butter
2 Tbsp packed brown sugar
½ tsp fine salt
1¼ cups plain flour
1 tsp vanilla essence
2 large eggs

For Coating

2 Tbsp melted butter (for brushing)
⅓ cup granulated sugar
1 Tbsp ground cinnamon
¼ tsp salt

Directions

1. Make the dough

Preheat oven to 425 °F (220 °C). Line two baking sheets with parchment or Silpat.
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine water, butter, brown sugar, and salt. Bring to a simmer.
Add all the flour at once. Stir continuously until a soft, sticky dough forms and a starchy film appears on the pan bottom—about 5 minutes. Cook 1 minute longer, scraping up the film.
Transfer dough to a bowl and cool for 10 minutes.

2. Incorporate eggs & vanilla

Stir in vanilla essence.
Add eggs one at a time, mixing each in fully before adding the next—the dough will first look separated, then come together into a smooth, sticky batter.

3. Pipe and prep for baking

Fit a pastry bag with a star tip (e.g., size 356); fill with dough.
Pipe 3–4″ churros onto prepared sheets, spacing them 2–3″ apart. Use the back of a knife to cut the ends cleanly.
Lightly mist each churro with vegetable oil spray.

4. Bake the churros

Bake 20–25 minutes until puffed and golden at the edges.
Turn off oven, open door slightly (approx. 8–12″) to release heat, and let churros rest in the warm oven for 10 minutes to dry and crisp up.

5. Coat in cinnamon sugar

In a shallow bowl or paper bag, mix granulated sugar, cinnamon, and salt.
Working in batches (about 6 at a time), brush churros with melted butter, then toss in cinnamon sugar until well coated.
Repeat until all churros are coated.

Serve immediately—dip into chocolate, caramel, dulce de leche—or enjoy them as-is!

Servings and timing

Yield: about 20–24 churro bites (depending on length)
Prep time: 15 minutes
Bake time: 20–25 minutes + 10 minutes resting
Total time: ~45 minutes

Variations

Dip options: Chocolate ganache, caramel sauce, or fruit jam
Flavored coating: Replace half the cinnamon sugar with cocoa powder for a mocha twist
Gluten-free: Made with a cup of GF flour blend + ¼ cup almond flour
Spice it up: Add a pinch of cayenne or pumpkin pie spice to the coating
Mini churro bites: Pipe shorter 1–2″ pieces for bite-size treats

Storage/reheating

Store: At room temperature in a sealed container for up to 2 days—best eaten fresh.
Reheat: Warm in a 350 °F oven for 5–7 minutes to crisp up again.
Freezing: Freeze cooled churros in a sealed bag. Reheat directly from frozen in the oven for 8–10 minutes at 350 °F.

FAQs

1. Why bake instead of fry?

Baking cuts fat while still producing a crisp exterior and tender interior thanks to steam in the oven.

2. Can I pipe different shapes?

Yes—pipe straight, looped circles, or any fun design; just adjust cooking time slightly.

3. How do I store cinnamon sugar?

Store leftover coating in a sealed jar—it keeps indefinitely and is perfect for sprinkling on toast or sweet treats.

4. Do I need to spray the churros?

Light misting helps achieve crispness without submerging in oil.

5. Can I make the dough ahead?

Yes—dough can be stored in the fridge for up to 12 hrs before piping and baking.

6. Are these vegan?

To make vegan, use plant-based butter and substitute eggs with a vegan binder like aquafaba (3 Tbsp for 1 egg) or flax “eggs.”

7. Why rest them in the warm oven?

This dries the surface without browning further, ensuring a crisp, airy texture.

8. Can I air fry them?

Yes—air fry at 375 °F for 8–10 minutes to crisp post-bake.

9. Why use a star tip?

The ridges created by a star tip hold more cinnamon sugar and provide the classic churro look.

10. Can I make them ahead for a party?

Yes—pipe and bake then refrigerate; reheat briefly before serving and coat just before guests arrive.

Conclusion

These Baked Churro Bites deliver the irresistible taste of traditional churros with a fraction of the oil. With charming texture, cinnamon-sugar sweetness, and shareable style, they’re a delightful treat for parties, family snacking, or cozy nights in. Enjoy these piping-hot, sugar-dusted treasures—you might find yourself sneaking more than one!