Air Fryer Churro Bites

Air Fryer Churros transform store-bought angel food cake into a delicious cinnamon-sugar treat that rivals traditional deep-fried churros. This clever shortcut method delivers all the flavor and texture you crave without the mess and calories of traditional frying. With just a handful of pantry staples and your air fryer, you can create these irresistible churro bites in minutes. The outside becomes perfectly crisp while the inside stays light and tender—perfect for dipping in the creamy, tangy icing.

I discovered this recipe on a night when my family was craving something sweet but I didn't want to spend hours in the kitchen. With an angel food cake in my pantry and my trusty air fryer, I decided to experiment. The first batch disappeared within minutes, with everyone reaching for seconds before I could even make the dipping sauce! Now it's my go-to recipe when we need a quick dessert for movie nights or unexpected guests. The best part is how simple it is—my kids can practically make it themselves.

Ingredients You'll Need

• Store-bought angel food cake: The light, airy texture creates the perfect base for our churro bites. Its neutral flavor absorbs the cinnamon sugar beautifully.
• Granulated sugar: Forms the sweet, sandy coating that gives churros their signature crunch and sweetness.
• Ground cinnamon: Provides that warm, spicy flavor essential to authentic churros.
• Cooking spray: Just a light coating helps the churro bites crisp up and allows the cinnamon sugar to adhere.
• Cream cheese: Creates a tangy, rich base for the dipping sauce that balances the sweetness of the churros.
• Butter: Adds silkiness and richness to the dipping sauce.
• Powdered sugar: Dissolves seamlessly into the cream cheese for a smooth, sweet icing.
• Milk: Thins the icing to the perfect dippable consistency.

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How To Make Air Fryer Churros

Step 1:

Begin by preheating your air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Taking this step ensures that your churro bites will start cooking immediately when placed in the basket, which helps achieve that perfect crispy exterior. While the air fryer preheats, prepare your angel food cake by using a serrated knife to cut it into roughly ¾-inch cubes. The serrated knife helps prevent crushing the delicate cake as you cut through it.

Step 2:

In a small bowl, combine ½ cup granulated sugar with 1-2 tablespoons ground cinnamon, adjusting the ratio to your preference. Some people enjoy a stronger cinnamon flavor, while others prefer it more subtle. Mix these ingredients thoroughly with a fork to ensure even distribution of the cinnamon throughout the sugar. This cinnamon-sugar mixture will create that classic churro coating we all love.

Step 3:

Place your angel food cake cubes in a single layer in your air fryer basket, being careful not to overcrowd them. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to work in batches. Overcrowding the basket prevents proper air circulation, which is essential for achieving that crispy exterior. Lightly spray the cake cubes with cooking spray – this helps them crisp up and gives the cinnamon sugar something to stick to.

Step 4:

Air fry the cake cubes at 350°F for about 5 minutes, until they develop a light golden color and slightly crisp exterior. The exact timing may vary depending on your air fryer model, so it's a good idea to check them around the 4-minute mark. You're looking for pieces that have dried out a bit and formed a slight crust but aren't completely hard or toasted.

Step 5:

While the cake cubes are air frying, prepare your cream cheese dipping sauce. In a medium bowl, combine 4 ounces of softened cream cheese with 2 tablespoons of softened butter. Using a hand mixer, beat these ingredients together until smooth and well combined. The softer your ingredients are to start with, the smoother your final sauce will be.

Step 6:

Gradually add 1 cup of powdered sugar to the cream cheese mixture, beating between additions until incorporated. Once the sugar is mixed in, add 2-3 tablespoons of milk, one tablespoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency. The dip should be smooth and easily coat the back of a spoon, but not so thin that it runs off.

Step 7:

When the cake cubes are done air frying, immediately transfer them to a large bowl containing the cinnamon-sugar mixture. Alternatively, you can place both the hot cake cubes and cinnamon sugar in a paper bag or zip-top plastic bag and shake gently to coat. The residual heat and slight moisture from the air fryer helps the cinnamon sugar adhere to the cake pieces.

Step 8:

Gently toss or shake the cake cubes in the cinnamon sugar until they're evenly coated on all sides. The still-warm pieces will pick up the coating better than if they were allowed to cool. Use a gentle hand to avoid breaking the delicate cake cubes.

Step 9:

Transfer your churro bites to a serving plate and arrange the cream cheese dip alongside in a small bowl. For an extra special presentation, dust the plate with a little additional cinnamon sugar or a light sprinkle of powdered sugar.

Step 10:

Serve immediately while still warm for the best texture and flavor experience. These churro bites are best enjoyed fresh from the air fryer when they're still slightly crisp on the outside and warm and tender inside.

The beauty of these air fryer churros lies in their surprising transformation. The air fryer creates a slightly crisp exterior on the angel food cake that mimics the crunch of a traditional fried churro, while the interior stays fluffy and light. The cinnamon sugar coating adds that classic churro flavor, and the cream cheese dip provides a creamy, tangy contrast that elevates the whole experience.

What makes this recipe particularly special is how it satisfies that churro craving with so much less effort and mess than traditional churros. There's no mixing dough, no piping, and most importantly, no dealing with a pot of hot oil. Yet the end result captures the essence of what makes churros so beloved.

I love serving these air fryer churros for casual family movie nights or when friends stop by unexpectedly. They're impressive enough to seem like you went to a lot of trouble, but simple enough to whip up at a moment's notice. The recipe is also easily scaled up for larger gatherings—just work in batches and keep the finished churro bites warm in a low oven until serving time.

I've found that the type of angel food cake you use can affect the final texture. Store-bought angel food cakes tend to be denser and work perfectly for this recipe. If you use a homemade angel food cake, which is often lighter and more delicate, you might need to reduce the air frying time slightly to prevent them from becoming too dry.

My family enjoys experimenting with different dipping sauces. While the cream cheese frosting is our favorite, we've also tried chocolate ganache, caramel sauce, and even a simple mix of honey and butter. Each creates a different experience and keeps the recipe feeling fresh even when we make it regularly.

For a fun twist, I sometimes add a splash of vanilla extract to the cinnamon-sugar mixture, or even a tiny pinch of cardamom for a more complex spice profile. These small variations can make each batch feel special and new without requiring any additional effort.

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My final thought on these Air Fryer Churros is that they perfectly represent what I love most about cooking – finding clever, simple ways to create delicious treats that bring joy without unnecessary complexity. While they may not be traditional churros in the strictest sense, they deliver that same satisfying experience of biting through a cinnamon-sugar coating into a tender interior. Whether you're cooking for picky eaters, looking for a quick dessert solution, or just wanting to try something fun with your air fryer, these churro bites are sure to become a regular in your recipe rotation.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I use a different type of cake instead of angel food cake?

Yes! Pound cake or sponge cake work well as alternatives. The texture will be slightly different, but they'll still be delicious after air frying and coating with cinnamon sugar.

→ How do I store leftover churro bites?

Store any leftover churro bites in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. The cream cheese icing should be refrigerated separately and can last up to 5 days.

→ Can I make these without an air fryer?

Yes! You can bake the angel food cake cubes in a conventional oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes, turning halfway through. They won't be quite as crispy but will still be delicious.

→ How large should I cut the angel food cake cubes?

Aim for 1-inch cubes for the best results. This size allows them to crisp up nicely on the outside while staying soft inside. If the pieces are too small, they might become too dry.

→ What can I add to the cinnamon sugar mixture for more flavor?

Try adding a pinch of nutmeg, cardamom, or pumpkin pie spice to the cinnamon sugar mixture for a different flavor profile. You could also add a tiny bit of chili powder for a Mexican chocolate inspired kick!