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Healthy air fryer churro bites served on a plate with cinnamon sugar.

Healthy Air Fryer Churro Bites

Small almond-flour pastries air-fried until golden and tossed in coconut sugar for a healthier churro experience.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American, Healthy
Calories: 150

Ingredients
  

Dry ingredients
  • 1 cup almond flour (blanched almond flour preferred) Gives a lighter texture; almond meal is coarser.
  • 1/4 cup coconut sugar Plus extra for rolling, can use brown sugar as a substitute.
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon Plus extra for rolling.
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
Wet ingredients
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce Use pumpkin puree for a fall twist.
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Other
  • Cooking spray or a light oil for greasing the air fryer basket Important to prevent sticking.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the almond flour, 1/4 cup coconut sugar, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, baking powder, and salt until there are no lumps.
  2. Stir in the applesauce and vanilla until a soft, slightly sticky dough forms. If the dough seems dry, add applesauce 1 teaspoon at a time until it holds together.
  3. Pinch off small portions and shape into 1-inch balls or short logs.
Cooking
  1. Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C) and lightly spray the basket with cooking spray or rub a little oil on the basket.
  2. Arrange the bites in a single layer so they don’t touch. Work in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding.
  3. Air-fry for 8–10 minutes, checking at 8 minutes. They should be golden and set, soft in the center is okay.
  4. Remove the bites and let them cool for 2–3 minutes on a wire rack to firm up slightly.
  5. While still slightly warm, toss the bites in a small bowl with extra coconut sugar and cinnamon for the classic churro finish. Serve warm.

Notes

If the dough is crumbly, add applesauce 1 teaspoon at a time. For a lower-sugar version, skip the rolling sugar; the dough still has sweetness from coconut sugar.