These baked churro bites are warm little pillows of cinnamon-sugar goodness! They’re easy to make and perfect for a sweet snack or dessert.
Who can resist the soft texture and that delicious cinnamon sugar? I love serving them warm with chocolate sauce for dipping—it’s hard to stop at just one! 😋
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
All-Purpose Flour: This is the main base for your churro dough. If you’re gluten-free, you can use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. I’ve found that they still turn out pretty well!
Unsalted Butter: Butter gives flavor and richness. If you’re looking for a dairy-free option, try coconut or vegetable oil instead, but keep the balance of liquid ingredients in mind.
Cinnamon: Essential for that classic churro taste! You can mix it up by adding nutmeg or using a cinnamon blend for a twist.
Semi-Sweet Chocolate: For the dipping sauce, semi-sweet is great, but you can swap it out for milk chocolate or dark chocolate depending on your taste preference.
What’s the Best Way to Pipe Churro Dough?
Piping the churro dough might feel tricky, but it’s key for that classic shape. Here are some tips:
- Make sure to use a sturdy piping bag with a large star tip. This gives the churros their pretty ridged surfaces!
- Hold the piping bag straight up over the baking sheet. Apply even pressure while pulling up to form 2-inch lengths.
- If you don’t have a star tip, a round tip works too—just a bit different in appearance!
How Do I Get the Perfect Crispness?
To achieve that desired crispness on your churro bites, follow these steps:
- Preheat your oven well, and don’t skip the broiling step at the end. It adds that final touch of crispness!
- Toss the churros in the cinnamon-sugar mixture while they’re still hot; it helps the sugar stick better.
- Be careful not to over-crowd the baking sheet when piping. Give them enough space to puff up!
With these tips, you’ll nail the churro bites every time! Enjoy making this delicious treat.
Baked Churro Bites
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Churro Bites:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup water
- 1/4 cup (4 tbsp) unsalted butter
- 2 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 (to grease baking sheet)
For the Chocolate Dipping Sauce:
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 4 oz semi-sweet chocolate, chopped (or chocolate chips)
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
How Much Time Will You Need?
This recipe takes about 10 minutes of prep time and around 20-25 minutes to bake and prepare the dipping sauce. Altogether, you’ll need about 35-40 minutes to create these delightful bites!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat Your Oven:
Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). Next, grease a baking sheet with cooking spray or line it with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
2. Make the Dough:
In a medium saucepan, combine the water, butter, 2 tbsp sugar, and salt. Bring this mixture to a boil over medium heat while stirring occasionally until the butter fully melts. Once boiling, quickly remove the saucepan from the heat.
3. Add the Flour:
Immediately stir in the flour until the mixture forms a smooth dough that pulls away from the sides of the pan. This is your churro dough!
4. Incorporate the Eggs:
Let the dough cool for about 5 minutes, then transfer it to a mixing bowl. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition until the dough is smooth and glossy. Finally, stir in the vanilla extract.
5. Pipe the Churro Bites:
Transfer the dough into a large piping bag fitted with a large star tip. Pipe 2-inch pieces onto the prepared baking sheet, making sure to space them about 1 inch apart.
6. Bake the Churro Bites:
Bake for about 15-20 minutes, until they are puffy and golden brown. For an extra crispy exterior, turn on the broiler for 1-2 minutes at the end, but keep an eye on them to prevent burning.
7. Sugar Coating:
While the churro bites are baking, mix the 1/2 cup of sugar and cinnamon in a shallow bowl. This will be used for coating.
8. Toss in Cinnamon Sugar:
Once the churro bites are out of the oven and still warm, toss them gently in the cinnamon-sugar mixture until they are evenly coated. This gives them that delicious churro flavor!
9. Prepare the Chocolate Dipping Sauce:
To make the chocolate sauce, heat the heavy cream in a small saucepan over medium heat until it just starts to simmer. Remove it from the heat and stir in the chopped chocolate and butter until everything is melted and smooth.
10. Serve and Enjoy:
Serve the churro bites warm with the chocolate dipping sauce on the side. Enjoy every bite of these delightful treats!
These baked churro bites are a lighter, less greasy alternative to frying but keep all the delicious warm cinnamon-sugar flavor and tender texture of classic churros!
Can I Use Whole Wheat Flour Instead of All-Purpose Flour?
Yes, you can use whole wheat flour, but it may change the texture slightly, making the churro bites a bit denser. Consider using a mix of whole wheat and all-purpose flour for a healthier option while maintaining some lightness.
How Do I Store Leftover Churro Bites?
Store any leftover churro bites in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. If they get a little soft, you can reheat them in the oven for a few minutes to regain some crispiness!
Can I Make the Dough Ahead of Time?
Yes! You can prepare the dough and store it in the fridge for up to 24 hours before piping and baking. Just allow it to come to room temperature and mix it again if it thickens.
What If I Don’t Have a Piping Bag?
If you don’t have a piping bag, you can use a zip-top plastic bag with one corner cut off to pipe the dough. Alternatively, you can spoon the dough onto the baking sheet, though the shape won’t be as uniform.