These Churro Bites are crispy on the outside with a soft, tender inside, tossed in a sweet cinnamon sugar coating. Made with simple ingredients this recipe brings the taste of churros made right in your own home, perfect for sharing or dipping!
Churro Bites are perfect for almost any gathering, and they’re especially fun during holidays or celebrations. They’re a hit at holiday parties, game nights, or casual gatherings since they’re easy to grab, share, and dip.
During the winter holiday season, they fit right in with cozy treats and festive spreads. You can even add a seasonal twist by serving them with hot fudge, caramel sauce, or creamy hot chocolate.
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Why You'll Love Churro Bites
Crowd favorite: mini churros are a delicious bites perfect for parties, movie nights, or any gathering where finger foods are a must.
Fried Perfection: each churro bite has a beautifully crisp outside with a soft, fluffy center.
Dippable Fun: perfect for dunking in chocolate, caramel, or fruit sauces.
Ingredients
- Sugar
- Ground cinnamon
- Shortening
- Water
- Granulated sugar
- Salt
- Flour
- Large egg
- Vanilla extract
- Oil for frying
Hint: use an oil that has a high smoke point such as peanut oil or vegetable oil.
See recipe card for quantities.
How to Make Churro Bites
Below is a visual of steps for making Churro Bites. Please see recipe card below for complete instructions.
- Step 1: Combine sugar and cinnamon in a shallow dish and set aside.
- Step 2: In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, melt the shortening with the water, 1 tablespoon of sugar, and ½ teaspoon of salt. Add the flour and stir vigorously over low heat until a soft lumpy dough forms. Remove and let cool for about 5 minutes.
- Step 3: Add the cooled dough ball to a large mixing bowl. Add the egg and vanilla and using a hand mixer, beat on medium-high speed for 30 seconds to incorporate.
- Step 4: Add the dough into a piping bag attached with a large open star tip.
- Step 5: Heat oil in large skillet until 350 degrees F. Slowly squeeze out dough over the oil in the pan and cut off 1 to 2 inches of the dough, carefully letting it drop into the oil. Turn the bites occasionally for about 2 minutes or until golden brown and crisp.
- Step 6: Assemble and serve!
Hint: Use a thermometer (affiliate link) to make sure the oil is at the correct temp for frying to prevent under cooked or grease soaked churros.
Substitutions
Need to make a few swaps? Below are some tested exchanges that can be made for ingredients..
- Sugar: Swap regular granulated sugar with coconut sugar for a different flavor profile.
- Vanilla Extract: Almond extract or a splash of rum extract can add an interesting twist.
- Shortening: Unsalted butter or margarine can replace shortening.
Variations
Feel like going against tradition? Try the suggestions below for a spicy twist or a sweet and salty flavor.
- Spiced Churros: Add a pinch of nutmeg, cardamom, or pumpkin spice to the dough for a warming, fall-inspired twist.
- Maple Bacon Churro Bites: Mix crumbled crispy bacon into the cinnamon-sugar coating for a sweet and savory flavor combo. You can also add a touch of maple syrup to the dough for an extra maple flavor.
Try these delicious apple fritter donut bites for another doughy treat!
Equipment
- Shallow dish
- Deep skillet
- Medium saucepan
- Wooden spoon
- Large mixing bowl
- Electric mixer
- Piping bag
- Star piping tip
- Oil skimmer
Storage
Store leftover churro bites in an airtight container at room temperature up to 3 days.
Top tip
- When mixing the egg into the dough, it is important to work fast so the dough doesn't cook the egg.
Related Recipes
Looking for other tasty bite recipes like this? Try these:
When you make this recipe, please comment below and let me know what you think. I'd love it if you tag me on Instagram @grumpyshoneybunch or #grumpyshoneybunch so I can see your photos!
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📖 Recipe
Churro Bites
Equipment
- Shallow dish
- Deep skillet
- Star piping tip
- Oil skimmer
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Ingredients
- ¾ cup sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ¼ cup shortening
- 1 cup water
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup flour (125 grams)
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- oil for frying
Instructions
- In a shallow dish, mix ¾ cup of sugar with 2 tablespoons of cinnamon, set aside.
- In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, melt the shortening with the water, 1 tablespoon of sugar, and ½ teaspoon of salt. Once boiling, add the flour and stir it vigorously with a wooden spoon over low heat until a soft lumpy dough forms. Remove and let cool for about 5 minutes.
- Add the cooled dough ball to a large mixing bowl. Add the egg and vanilla to the dough and using a hand mixer, immediately beat on medium-high speed for 30 seconds to incorporate. It's important to work fast so the dough doesn't cook the egg.
- Add the dough into a piping bag attached with a large open star tip.
- Slowly squeeze out dough over the oil in the pan and cut off 1 to 2 inches of the dough, carefully letting it drop into the oil. Turn the bites occasionally for about 2 minutes or until golden brown and crisp.
- Remove the bites and place on a paper-towel-lined plate to drain. Repeat frying churro bites until the dough is used up. While one batch is frying, coat the cooked bites in the cinnamon sugar mixture and place on a separate plate.
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