Baked Churro Bites are sweet, little treats that remind you of fairgrounds! These bites are soft, fluffy, and coated in cinnamon sugar, making them simply irresistible.
When I make these, my kitchen smells like a delightful cinnamon paradise. Plus, they’re baked, so I feel a bit healthier while enjoying all that goodness! 😋
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
All-Purpose Flour: This is essential for creating the dough’s structure. If you need a gluten-free option, almond or coconut flour can work, but the texture will change slightly.
Unsalted Butter: Butter adds richness to your churro bites. You can substitute with margarine or coconut oil for a dairy-free version, but the taste will vary.
Granulated Sugar: Used both in the dough and the coating, sugar helps develop that lovely sweetness. Brown sugar can be used for more depth, but it will alter the color a bit.
Eggs: These are crucial for binding the dough together. If you’re egg-free, you can substitute each egg with 1/4 cup of unsweetened applesauce or a flax egg (1 tbsp ground flaxseed mixed with 2.5 tbsp water).
Cinnamon: This spice gives churros their signature flavor. If you’re not a fan, consider using nutmeg or pumpkin pie spice as alternatives. I often add a pinch of nutmeg for extra warmth!
How Do I Achieve a Perfect Churro Texture?
Getting the right texture in churro bites is all about the mixing and piping techniques. You want the dough to be smooth and slightly sticky but not overly wet.
- After boiling the water and butter, mixing flour in quickly helps form a dough with a good structure.
- When adding eggs, make sure to fully mix each one in until the dough is smooth. This step ensures the churro bites puff up nicely in the oven.
- Piping the dough with a star tip gives those distinctive churro shapes, which helps catch more cinnamon sugar!
Remember to space the churro bites on the baking sheet—they need room to expand while baking. This will give you a nice texture that’s both crispy on the outside and soft on the inside!
How to Make Baked Churro Bites
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup water
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 3 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar (for coating)
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon (for coating)
- Cooking spray or oil for greasing baking sheet
- Optional: Chocolate sauce or caramel sauce for dipping
How Much Time Will You Need?
This delightful treat will take about 25-30 minutes to prepare and bake, so in just half an hour, you can enjoy these warm and sweet churro bites right from your oven.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prepare Your Oven and Baking Sheet:
Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). While it’s heating, line a baking sheet with parchment paper and give it a light spray of cooking spray or a brush of oil to prevent sticking.
2. Make the Dough:
In a medium saucepan, combine the water, butter, 1 tablespoon of sugar, and salt. Place it over medium heat and bring it to a boil until the butter has melted. Once boiling, remove the pan from heat. Immediately add the flour all at once and stir vigorously with a wooden spoon until the dough forms a ball and pulls away from the pan’s sides. This step is very important for the right texture!
3. Cool and Add Eggs:
Transfer the dough to a mixing bowl and let it cool for about 5 minutes. Once it’s slightly cool, add the eggs one at a time. Mix well after each addition until the dough is smooth and slightly sticky, then stir in the vanilla extract.
4. Pipe the Churro Bites:
Now it’s time to get creative! Transfer the dough to a piping bag fitted with a large star tip. Pipe out bite-sized pieces onto the prepared baking sheet, about 2 inches long and spaced 2 inches apart. This will give them room to puff up while baking.
5. Bake to Perfection:
Bake the churro bites in your preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until they are golden brown and puffed up. You want them to look deliciously inviting!
6. Cinnamon-Sugar Coating:
While the churro bites are baking, mix the 1/2 cup of sugar and 1 tablespoon of cinnamon in a shallow bowl; this is what will give them their signature flavor when they’re done baking.
7. Finish and Serve:
Once the churro bites are out of the oven, let them cool for a few minutes. While they are still warm, roll them in the cinnamon-sugar mixture until they are nicely coated. If you like, serve them warm with chocolate sauce or caramel sauce for a delicious dipping experience!
Enjoy your delightful, crispy-on-the-outside, soft-on-the-inside Baked Churro Bites! Perfect for sharing… or not! 😉
Can I Use Gluten-Free Flour for This Recipe?
Yes, you can use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. Just be sure to check that it has a binding agent like xanthan gum in it, which will help achieve a similar texture to traditional churro bites.
Can I Freeze the Churro Bites?
Absolutely! Make sure they are fully cooled, then place them in an airtight container or ziplock bag. They can be frozen for up to 2 months. To reheat, bake them directly from frozen at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes until warmed through.
What If I Don’t Have a Piping Bag?
No problem! If you don’t have a piping bag, you can use a resealable plastic bag. Simply fill it with the dough, seal it, and cut off one corner to pipe the churro bites onto the baking sheet.
How Do I Ensure the Churro Bites Stay Crisp?
To keep your churro bites crispy, avoid overcrowding them on the baking sheet so they have enough space to puff up and cook evenly. Also, make sure they are rolled in the cinnamon-sugar mixture while they’re still warm right after baking.
