Last Updated on March 11, 2025 by Karen
Make these crispy, bite-sized churros in the air fryer. Coated in cinnamon sugar and paired with a rich Nutella chocolate sauce, these churro bites are perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth!
Craving churros but don’t want to go through the trouble of making dough? I’ve got just the recipe for you! Introducing Air Fryer Churro Bites made with French or Italian loaf, coated in cinnamon sugar and served with a rich Nutella chocolate sauce. This simple, indulgent treat is perfect for any occasion and takes minutes to prepare. Ready to taste a churro-inspired dessert that’s both crispy and soft? Let’s dive right in!
Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Churro Bites
1. A Better, Healthier Option
Air-frying means no deep frying, reducing the amount of oil in the recipe and making these churro bites a lighter option compared to the traditional fried version. You still get the crispy, golden exterior, but with much less oil!
2. Simple Ingredients
With just a few ingredients – bread, butter, sugar, cinnamon, and Nutella – you’re able to whip up this delicious dessert without needing anything complicated or special. It’s a great way to use up leftover bread or serve something sweet when you’re short on time.
3. Customizable and Versatile
You can easily swap out French or Italian loaf for other types of bread, like a Texas loaf, baguette, sourdough, or even a brioche loaf for extra richness. Plus, if you’re not in the mood for Nutella, you could easily substitute the Nutella sauce with caramel, chocolate, or even a simple vanilla glaze.
4. Perfect for Any Occasion
Whether you’re hosting a gathering, treating yourself to a late-night snack, or preparing a fun dessert for the kids, these air fryer churro bites will surely be a hit. They’re great for casual get-togethers, movie nights, or as a delicious way to end any meal.
Ingredients for Churro Bites with Nutella Chocolate Sauce
Here’s what you’ll need for these tasty churro bites:
Semisweet Chocolate Chips: These chocolate chips melt beautifully, creating a smooth and velvety texture when combined with milk. The semisweet variety adds just the right balance of sweetness, complementing the richness of Nutella in the sauce.
Milk: The milk helps to thin out the chocolate, ensuring the sauce reaches the perfect dipping consistency. It also contributes a creamy texture that makes the sauce smooth and luscious.
Nutella: Nutella is a creamy, chocolate-hazelnut spread that adds depth and richness to the sauce. It provides a unique flavor profile, blending both chocolatey sweetness and a subtle nutty undertone.
Ground Cinnamon: This warm, aromatic spice is a key ingredient in giving churro bites their signature flavor. Cinnamon brings a cozy, sweet heat that perfectly complements the sugar coating.
Granulated Sugar: The granulated sugar helps create a crisp, sweet crust on the churro bites. It pairs with the cinnamon to provide that classic churro sweetness, giving each bite a delightful crunch.
French or Italian Loaf: Using French or Italian loaf instead of traditional churro dough gives the bites a soft, airy interior and a slightly chewy texture. These breads hold up well to the cinnamon-sugar coating and crisp up beautifully in the air fryer.
Unsalted Butter: The melted butter coats the bread cubes, helping the cinnamon-sugar mixture adhere. It also adds a rich, indulgent flavor, enhancing the overall taste of the churro bites.
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Air Fryer Churro Bites with Nutella Chocolate Sauce
These churro bites are incredibly easy to make, and the process is quick enough to whip up as a last-minute treat or an indulgent snack. Here’s how to do it!
Step 1: Prepare the Bread
Start by cutting your French or Italian loaf into cubes. You can go for 1-inch cubes or slightly larger, depending on your preference. The density and texture of these loaves make them ideal for this recipe because they can hold up to the coating while still remaining soft inside.
Pro Tip: If your loaf is a day or two old, even better! Slightly stale bread absorbs the butter and cinnamon-sugar mixture perfectly without falling apart.
Step 2: Coat with Cinnamon Sugar
Next, melt your butter in a microwave-safe bowl or on the stove. Once melted, dip each bread cube into the butter, ensuring it’s fully coated. Afterward, roll the buttered cubes in a mixture of granulated sugar and ground cinnamon. Make sure each cube gets an even, generous coat of the cinnamon-sugar blend for that signature churro flavor.
Step 3: Air Fry the Churro Bites
Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C) for 3-5 minutes. Then, arrange the cinnamon-sugar-coated bread cubes in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Don’t overcrowd the basket to ensure the air circulates properly for an even crisp.
Air fry the bread cubes for 6-8 minutes, flipping them halfway through to get an even golden brown. The result should be perfectly crispy on the outside and soft on the inside – just like a churro, but in bite-sized form.
Step 4: Make the Nutella Chocolate Sauce
While the churro bites are air frying, it’s time to prepare the Nutella chocolate sauce. In a small saucepan, combine chocolate chips and milk over low to medium heat. Stir constantly to create a smooth and velvety sauce. Once your Nutella sauce is smooth and warm, remove it from the heat and set it aside.
Step 5: Serve and Enjoy!
Once your churro bites are done, remove them from the air fryer and transfer them to a serving plate. You can either drizzle the Nutella chocolate sauce over the top of the churro bites or serve it on the side as a dip.
For an extra finishing touch, sprinkle a little more cinnamon sugar on top for that added sweetness and crunch. Now, grab a bite, dip it into the Nutella sauce, and savor the sweet, crispy, and creamy goodness!
Why Use French or Italian Loaf for Churro Bites?
The beauty of this recipe lies in the use of French or Italian loaf bread instead of traditional churro dough. Both French and Italian loaves offer a slightly chewy texture and a rustic flavor that’s perfect for absorbing the melted butter and cinnamon-sugar coating. These types of bread also lend a bit of heartiness to the churro bites, making them even more satisfying.
The air fryer will crisp up the outside, while the inside remains soft and deliciously tender, just like classic churros. It’s a wonderful shortcut to a familiar and beloved treat – but with a twist!
How Do You Store Leftover Churros?
To store leftover churros, first allow them to cool completely to prevent moisture buildup, which can make them soggy. Once cooled, place the churros in an airtight container or resealable plastic bag. For the best texture, store them at room temperature if you plan to eat them within 1-2 days. If you want to store them for a longer period, you can freeze them by following the flash-freezing method mentioned earlier. Just be sure to remove as much air as possible from the storage bag or container to keep them fresh and prevent freezer burn. When ready to enjoy, you can reheat them in the air fryer or oven to restore their crispiness.
How Do You Reheat Churros?
To reheat churros and restore their crispy texture, the best method is to use an air fryer or an oven. Here’s how:
In the Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Place the churros in a single layer in the basket and air fry for 3-5 minutes, or until they’re heated through and crispy again. This will help retain their crunchiness while warming them up.
In the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the churros on a baking sheet in a single layer. Heat them for about 5-7 minutes, or until they are warm and crispy. You can also cover them loosely with aluminum foil to prevent over-browning while reheating.
If you don’t have an air fryer or oven, you can microwave the churros, though they may lose some of their crispiness. Place them on a microwave-safe plate and heat in 15-20 second intervals until warm. For a better texture, consider reheating them in the oven or air fryer for a few minutes after microwaving.
Can You Freeze These Churros?
Yes, you can freeze these churro bites! Here’s how to do it properly:
To freeze churro bites, start by allowing them to cool completely after air frying. Freezing them while still warm could result in sogginess. Once cooled, lay the churro bites in a single layer on a baking sheet and place the sheet in the freezer for about 1-2 hours. This step, known as flash freezing, ensures the churro bites freeze individually and don’t stick together. After flash freezing, transfer the churro bites to a freezer-safe bag or airtight container, making sure to remove as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn. This method will help preserve their flavor and texture for later enjoyment.
How Do You Reheat These Churros?
When you’re ready to enjoy the frozen churro bites, preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Arrange the frozen churro bites in a single layer and air fry for about 5-6 minutes, or until they’re heated through and crispy again. If you don’t have an air fryer, you can microwave the churro bites, though they may lose some of their crispiness. Simply place them on a microwave-safe plate and heat in 30-second intervals until they’re warm.
Freezing the churro bites is a great way to make them ahead of time, and they’ll still taste delicious when reheated!
Air Fryer Churro Bites with Nutella Chocolate Sauce are a fun, easy, and utterly delicious dessert that brings the churro experience to a whole new level. Using French or Italian loaf for the bread gives the bites a wonderful texture and flavor, while the cinnamon-sugar coating delivers all the classic churro taste we know and love. And when paired with a warm Nutella chocolate sauce, it’s hard to resist taking that second (or third!) bite.
So next time you’re craving a churro but want a quicker, lighter version, fire up the air fryer and give this recipe a try. You won’t be disappointed!
Churro Bites with Nutella Chocolate Sauce
Ingredients
For the Nutella chocolate sauce:
- 1/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1/2 cup Nutella
For the churro bites:
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 4 slices French or Italian loaf about 1-inch thick slices
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter melted
Instructions
- To make the Nutella chocolate sauce, combine chocolate and milk in a saucepan on low heat until smooth. Remove from the heat and stir in Nutella. Set aside.
- To make the churro bites, combine cinnamon and sugar in a bowl. Cut the bread into 1-inch cubes. Dip each bread cube in melted butter, then coat in cinnamon-sugar mixture.
- Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Cook the bread cubes for 6-8 minutes, flipping halfway through. Serve churro bites with Nutella chocolate sauce for dipping. Enjoy!
