These baked churro bites are little pieces of heaven! They’re soft on the inside and have a crunchy, sugary coating outside—just like classic churros but way easier to make.
Honestly, who can resist something coated in cinnamon sugar? I like to pair them with chocolate sauce for dipping. Trust me, it’s a match made in dessert paradise! 🍫
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Water: It’s the base of your dough. Instead of water, you could use milk for a richer flavor, but you’ll need to adjust the cooking time slightly to ensure the dough holds up.
Sugar: Using granulated sugar is essential for both the dough and the coating. If you’re looking for a healthier option, coconut sugar can be a great alternative. It adds a hint of caramel flavor!
Vegetable Oil: This keeps everything moist. If you prefer, you can use melted butter or coconut oil for a deeper taste. Just keep in mind it may slightly change the texture.
All-Purpose Flour: The backbone of the churro dough! For gluten-free options, try a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. It should work fine, but make sure it contains xanthan gum for texture.
Cinnamon: A must for the sugar coating! If you’re not a fan of cinnamon, you could replace it with nutmeg or pumpkin spice for a different flavor twist.
How Do You Make a Perfect Churro Dough?
Getting the dough right is key to making those yummy churro bites. Here’s how you can master it:
- Start by heating water, sugar, salt, and oil until boiling. This step helps to dissolve the dry ingredients smoothly.
- Remove from heat and immediately add all-purpose flour, stirring vigorously until a ball forms. This is crucial to create a smooth dough.
- Let the dough cool for a few minutes; this prevents cooking the eggs when you add them. Mix in the eggs one at a time until fully incorporated.
- Pipe the dough onto the baking sheet—you want it to be sturdy enough to hold shape, so don’t worry if they look a little rough!
With these tips, you’ll have the perfect dough for your baked churro bites every time! Enjoy the process and the delicious results!
Baked Churro Bites
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Churro Bites:
- 1 cup water
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar (for coating)
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon (for coating)
- Cooking spray or oil for greasing the baking sheet
Chocolate Dipping Sauce (optional):
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 4 ounces semisweet chocolate, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
How Much Time Will You Need?
This recipe will take about 30 minutes to prepare and bake. If you include the optional chocolate sauce, add another 10 minutes for a total of around 40 minutes. Perfect for a quick dessert!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prepare the Baking Sheet:
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly spray it with cooking spray to prevent sticking. This will make cleanup much easier!
2. Make the Dough:
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the water, 2 tablespoons of sugar, salt, and vegetable oil. Bring this mixture to a gentle boil. Once it reaches a boil, remove it from heat. Now, stir in the flour until the mixture forms a ball and pulls away from the sides of the pan. This means you’ve got a great dough!
3. Mix in the Eggs:
Transfer the dough into a mixing bowl and let it cool for about 5 minutes. Once it’s slightly cooler, beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Finally, stir in the vanilla extract for that lovely flavor!
4. Pipe the Churro Bites:
Spoon the dough into a piping bag fitted with a star tip. This will help you create those classic churro shapes. Pipe 2-inch sticks onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving about 1 inch of space between each. They’ll puff up a bit during baking!
5. Bake:
Bake the churro bites in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes or until they are golden and puffed. Keep an eye on them; every oven is a little different!
6. Coat the Bites:
While the churro bites are baking, mix the 1/2 cup of sugar and the cinnamon in a large bowl. When the churro bites are done and still warm, toss them in the cinnamon sugar mixture until they’re nicely coated.
7. Make the Chocolate Dipping Sauce (Optional):
For the chocolate sauce, heat the heavy cream in a small saucepan until it just begins to simmer. Pour the hot cream over the chopped chocolate in a heatproof bowl. Let it sit for 1 minute, then stir until smooth. Stir in the vanilla extract for added flavor!
8. Serve:
Your baked churro bites are ready to be enjoyed! Serve them warm, alongside the chocolate dipping sauce. Dive in and relish every bite!
Enjoy your easy and delicious baked churro bites with a rich chocolate dip! Happy baking!
Can I Use Whole Wheat Flour Instead of All-Purpose Flour?
Yes, you can! Whole wheat flour will give the churro bites a nuttier flavor and make them a bit denser. You might need to slightly increase the liquid to achieve the right dough consistency, so keep an eye on it!
How Do I Store Leftover Churro Bites?
To keep your churro bites fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. If longer storage is needed, you can refrigerate them, but they may lose some of their crispiness upon reheating.
Can I Make These Churro Bites Without Eggs?
Absolutely! You can substitute eggs with 1/4 cup of unsweetened applesauce or a flax egg (1 tablespoon flaxseed meal mixed with 2.5 tablespoons water, let it sit for a few minutes until it thickens) for a vegan option!
What Can I Substitute for the Chocolate Dipping Sauce?
If you’re not a fan of chocolate, try serving the churro bites with caramel sauce, dulce de leche, or even a fruit sauce like raspberry or strawberry for a fresh twist!
