You know those moments when you crave something sweet, cinnamony, and a little nostalgic—but without the splatter zone of a deep fryer? Yeah, we’ve all been there. That’s exactly why I whipped up this Baked Churro Bites recipe. It’s the easy, oven-friendly version of a street-fair favorite that’s been delighting my family (and their sweet tooth) for years.

Whether you’re wrangling picky eaters, need a quick weekend dessert, or just want to relive the magic of churros without the mess, this recipe checks all the boxes. So let’s fire up that oven and get baking, not frying.

Why You’ll Love These Baked Churro Bites

Here’s the thing: churros are great—but traditional churros require hot oil, a piping bag, and nerves of steel. These baked churro bites deliver all the warm, fluffy goodness and crispy cinnamon sugar coating without the need for deep frying. Bonus? They’re totally kid-approved and adult-sneak-a-few-when-no-one’s-looking-approved too.

Plus, if you’ve ever found yourself googling “can you bake churros instead of frying?” or “easy churro bites recipe without piping bag,” consider this your cinnamon-sugar-covered answer.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the dough:

• 1 1/4 cups water
• 5 tbsp cold unsalted butter
• 2 packed tbsp brown sugar
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs
• Cooking spray

To finish:

• 2 tbsp melted butter (for brushing)

Cinnamon sugar mix:

• 1/3 cup white sugar
• 1 tbsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp salt

Step-by-Step: How to Make Baked Churro Bites

Step 1: Preheat and prep
Set your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly coat it with cooking spray. Trust me, this little bit of prep will make cleanup a breeze.

Step 2: Make the dough
In a medium saucepan, combine water, butter, brown sugar, and salt. Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat. Once the butter melts and the mix is bubbling, reduce the heat and add in the flour all at once.

Now stir. Stir like you mean it. The dough will start to pull away from the sides and form a sticky ball. Keep stirring for about 2–3 minutes until it smooths out.

Step 3: Cool and add eggs
Take the dough off the heat and let it cool for 5 minutes (or until it’s just warm—not hot—so you don’t scramble the eggs). Stir in the vanilla extract, then beat in the eggs one at a time. The dough will look weird at first—slippery, then curdled—but keep mixing. It’ll come together like magic.

Step 4: Pipe (or scoop) and bake
If you have a piping bag, you can use it with a star tip for that classic churro look. But hey, this is the baked churros without piping bag version. So just scoop the dough into small balls (about the size of a melon ball or a tablespoon) and arrange them on your baking sheet, spacing about an inch apart.

Step 5: Bake to golden perfection
Bake for 20–25 minutes until the bites are puffed, slightly golden, and feel firm. Want a crispier texture? Leave them in for an extra 3–4 minutes.

Step 6: Cinnamon sugar finish
While they’re still warm, brush each churro bite with melted butter and toss them in the cinnamon-sugar mixture. Shake off any extra—and try not to snack on them all before serving. (Seriously, it’s harder than it sounds.)

Bonus Tip: Serve with Chocolate or Caramel Sauce

Sure, these are delicious on their own. But if you’re the kind of person who asks, “Where’s the dip?”—you’re my kind of person. Pair these churro bites with:

• Warm chocolate ganache
• Dulce de leche or caramel sauce
• A spiced maple cream (fancy, right?)

Helpful Tips & Churro Wisdom

Don’t overmix the eggs.
The key to fluffy, light bites is mixing until just combined.

Fresh is best.
These are best enjoyed the same day. If you need to store them, pop them in an airtight container and warm them in the oven before serving.

Want to freeze them?
Absolutely. Freeze the baked bites before coating in sugar, then warm them in the oven and roll in cinnamon sugar just before serving.

Texture tip:
If you’re wondering, “how long do you bake churros in the oven?” The sweet spot for a tender center and crispy edge is 22–25 minutes. Longer baking = more crunch.

From My Kitchen to Yours

Funny story—these baked churro bites were born out of desperation. I promised my nieces a “churro party” one Sunday and realized I was out of oil (and energy). After some trial and error (and flour everywhere), these little baked nuggets became a staple.

Now they’re a go-to for birthday parties, movie nights, and—confession—those random “I need sugar and cinnamon and love” moments.

FAQs About Baked Churro Bites

Ready to Bake & Boast?

There’s something truly heartwarming about baking treats that bring out everyone’s inner child. These baked churro bites do just that. They’re fun, fast, and delicious—and they don’t require a fryer, a piping bag, or any special skills.

So go ahead, preheat that oven, grab your cinnamon, and let the kitchen fill with that irresistible churro scent. And when your family asks, “What smells so good?” you can just smile and say, “Oh, just a little Boast Recipe magic.”

Print