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These churro bites are made from a light and crispy dough. Fried to perfection and flavored with cinnamon. A fun and delicious take on the classic churro!

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Remember those long, fried pastries you’d get at the fairgrounds, dusted with cinnamon sugar and begging to be dipped in your favorite dipping sauce?

Well, move over traditional churros, because churro bites are here to steal the show!

These bite-sized versions of the classic treat offer all the deliciousness of their larger counterparts, but in a more convenient and mess-free package. Perfect for parties, potlucks, or just a quick snack attack, churro bites are sure to become your new favorite sweet treat.

Love churros? You should also try our churro cupcakes or churro cheesecake bars too.

Why I love this recipe

perfectly portable and poppable, these new recipe are the ultimate snack or dessert.
they’re ridiculously easy to make, meaning you can satisfy your churro cravings whenever they strike.
versatile enough to serve at a party or indulge in solo – because let’s be real, who wants to share?

Ingredients

sugar
ground cinnamon
shortening
water
sugar
salt
flour
egg
vanilla extract
vegetable oil or canola oil, for frying

Step by step

In a shallow dish, mix together 3/4 cup of sugar with 2 tablespoons of cinnamon. Set aside for later.
In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, melt the shortening with water, 1 tablespoon of sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Once boiling, add the flour and stir vigorously until a soft, lumpy dough forms. Remove from heat and let cool for about 5 minutes.
In a deep skillet, pour 2 to 3 inches of oil and heat over medium-high heat until it reaches 360°F.
Transfer the cooled dough to the bowl of a stand mixer. Add the egg and vanilla extract, then immediately beat on medium-high speed for 30 seconds until well incorporated.

Fill a piping bag/pastry bag fitted with a large open star tip with the churro dough. Slowly squeeze out dough over the hot oil, cutting off 1 to 2-inch pieces with scissors and carefully dropping them into the oil.
Fry the dough pieces for about 2 minutes, turning occasionally, until they turn golden brown and crisp. Remove them from the oil and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
Roll the fried churro bites in the prepared cinnamon sugar mixture until evenly coated. Repeat this process with each batch of fried bites.
Serve them up as a delightful snack or dessert, and for an extra indulgence, dip them in chocolate or caramel syrup!

Tips for Best Results

Churros are traditionally made with a dough called choux pastry, which is light, airy, and perfect for frying. Make sure your dough has the right consistency – it should be thick enough to hold its shape when piped, but still light enough to create that crispy exterior when fried.
When frying churro bites, it’s crucial to maintain the oil temperature between 350°F to 375°F. If the oil is too hot, the churros will brown too quickly on the outside while remaining raw on the inside. If it’s too cold, they’ll absorb too much oil and become greasy.
As soon as the churro bites are removed from the hot oil, toss them in a mixture of cinnamon and sugar. The residual heat will help the sugar mixture adhere to the churros, giving them that classic sweet and aromatic coating. Don’t wait too long, as they may lose their crispiness if left out too long before coating.

churro bite on skewer with caramel sauce

Serving suggestions

If you are feeling extra fancy, dip them in dark chocolate or drizzle with caramel syrup for an indulgent treat or opt for a lighter touch by dusting them with powdered sugar instead of cinnamon sugar.

Storage

While churros are best enjoyed fresh, any leftovers can be stored in a paper bag for later enjoyment. Simply reheat in the oven for a few minutes to restore their crispy texture.

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Churro Bites

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Author: Melissa Riker
Total Time: 0 hours
Yield: 30 bites 1x

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Description

These churro bites are made from a light and crispy dough. Fried to perfection and flavored with cinnamon. Fun and delicious take on the classic churro!

Ingredients

Scale

3/4 cup sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/4 cup shortening
1 cup water
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup flour
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Oil for frying

Instructions

In a shallow dish, mix together 3/4 cup of sugar with 2 tablespoons of cinnamon. Set aside for later.
In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, melt the shortening with water, 1 tablespoon of sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Once boiling, add the flour and stir vigorously until a soft, lumpy dough forms. Remove from heat and let cool for about 5 minutes.
In a deep skillet, pour 2 to 3 inches of oil and heat over medium-high heat until it reaches 360°F.
Transfer the cooled dough to the bowl of a stand mixer. Add the egg and vanilla extract, then immediately beat on medium-high speed for 30 seconds until well incorporated.
Fill a piping bag/pastry bag fitted with a large open star tip with the churro dough. Slowly squeeze out dough over the hot oil, cutting off 1 to 2-inch pieces with scissors and carefully dropping them into the oil.
Fry the dough pieces for about 2 minutes, turning occasionally, until they turn golden brown and crisp. Remove them from the oil and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
Roll the fried churro bites in the prepared cinnamon sugar mixture until evenly coated. Repeat this process with each batch of fried bites.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 2 minutes per batch
Category: Dessert
Method: Frying
Cuisine: Mexican