Description
These irresistible Sweet Churro Donut Bites combine the warm cinnamon sugar coating of churros with the soft, pillowy texture of homemade donuts. Perfect for breakfast, dessert, or a special snack, they’re surprisingly easy to make and guaranteed to impress. The perfect balance of crispy exterior and fluffy interior makes these little morsels truly special.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Donut Bites:
- 1 cup water
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (for gluten-free option, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend)
- 3 large eggs, at room temperature
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Vegetable oil for frying (about 2-3 cups)
For the Cinnamon Sugar Coating:
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
Optional Dipping Sauce:
- ½ cup chocolate hazelnut spread or
- 1 cup dulce de leche or
- Simple glaze (1 cup powdered sugar mixed with 2-3 tablespoons milk and ½ teaspoon vanilla)
Instructions
Preparing the Dough
- Combine the wet ingredients: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine water, butter, sugar, and salt. Bring to a simmer until the butter is completely melted.
- Add the flour: Remove the pan from heat and add all the flour at once. Stir vigorously with a wooden spoon until the mixture forms a smooth ball and pulls away from the sides of the pan.
- Cool the dough: Return the pan to low heat and cook, stirring constantly, for about 1-2 minutes to dry out the dough slightly. Transfer the dough to a mixing bowl and let it cool for 5 minutes.
- Add the eggs: Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition until fully incorporated. The dough should be smooth and glossy. Stir in the vanilla extract.
Frying the Donut Bites
- Heat the oil: In a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, heat about 2 inches of oil to 350°F (175°C). Use a candy thermometer to monitor the temperature.
- Prepare for frying: Transfer the dough to a piping bag fitted with a large round tip or a heavy-duty ziplock bag with a corner snipped off.
- Pipe and cut the dough: Pipe 1-inch sections of dough directly into the hot oil, using scissors or a knife to cut the dough as you go. Work in batches to avoid overcrowding the pot.
- Fry until golden: Fry the donut bites for 3-4 minutes, turning occasionally, until they’re puffed up and golden brown on all sides. They should approximately double in size.
- Drain excess oil: Use a slotted spoon to transfer the fried donut bites to a paper towel-lined plate to absorb excess oil.
Coating with Cinnamon Sugar
- Prepare the coating: While the donut bites are still warm, combine the sugar and cinnamon in a shallow bowl.
- Coat each bite: Roll each warm donut bite in the cinnamon sugar mixture until completely coated on all sides.
- Serve warm: For the best experience, serve your Sweet Churro Donut Bites immediately while they’re still warm, with optional dipping sauce on the side.
Notes
- Temperature matters: Make sure your oil stays between 350°F and 375°F for perfect frying. Too hot, and they’ll burn on the outside while remaining raw inside; too cool, and they’ll absorb excess oil and become greasy.
- Light, airy donut bites: Ensure your eggs are at room temperature and incorporate them one at a time, beating well between additions.
- Storage: These are best enjoyed fresh, but can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 24 hours. Reheat in a 300°F oven for 3-5 minutes before serving.
- Make ahead option: The dough can be prepared up to 2 hours ahead and kept covered at room temperature until ready to fry.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Fried
- Cuisine: Spanish-American Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 donut bites
- Calories: 285
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 105mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: sweet churro donut bites recipe, churro bites, donut bites, cinnamon sugar, fried dough, easy dessert, spanish dessert, homemade churros, quick churros